The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-17
Governor Heywrad of South
Carolina at a Lynching.
Makes an Eloquent Appeal to
Save Prisoner.
MOB LISTENS TO HIM.
Then the Negro Victim Is Shot
to Death.
Was First Identified by One of
His Victims.

Greenwood, S. c.. Aug 17.-Bob
Davis. the negro who assaulted Miss
Jennie Brooks near hero Monday. was
lynched here at O'Clock last night
Governor Hayward made a strong ap-
was determined and shot the negro to
death.
The negro who was captured in the
afternoon near Ninety-Six was posi-
lively Identified by Miss Brooks. He
was led to within a hundred yards Of
the Brooks home and lynched. negro
woman firing the first shot.
Governor Hayward reached the
scene shortly after the negro had been
captured. A platform was erected in
a fence corner on the premises of the
victims father and from 1t Governor
Hayward addressed the mob. The gov
ernor was cheered. but the mob re-
moved the prisoner from the view Of
the governor and riddled him with
bullets. The militia in that section of
the state is now encamDed at Chlcka-
manga, and there were no nearby
troops to be called upon. The gov
errors guards and the Richland vol
unteers of this city had been ordered
to hold themselves in readiness in the
event that their services were needed
but the mob acted too quickly.
The assault by Davis on Miss
Brooks was made Tuesday in her faith
er's store, where she was temporarily
IN charge. After making some pur-
chases the negro grasped q. meat knife.
shouting. You are what I want" and
sprang toward the girl. Miss Brooks
attempted to defend herself with an
iron bar, but the negro slashed her
across the throat and almost severed
two Of her fingers.
AfterWard he went to farm and
outraged 14-year-old negro girl A
posse of a thousand men started in
pursuit of the negro and captured him
in the afternoon.
The negro was found in creek bed.
He was tied hand and foot and brought
to the home of his victim for fdentih-
cation. The young woman, lying on
her bed with deep cash in her throat,
turned toward the negro as he stood
between his captors.
That's the scoundrel." she said. I
know him by his eyes"
The negro was removed outside the
house.
Hear the governor" said some one
and the executive began an impassion-
I know" he said, that nothing
could take place that could keep you
from hearing the governor Of. South
Carolina. come here alone, not
bringing any troops, only two news
paper men came with me, and they as
well as I are South Caronnans. just as
you are with like feeling.
But it is my duty to enforce the
! laws of South Carolina Don't cheer,
/ men; this is a solemn occasion, and I
am very much in earnest. 1 come to
appeal to your manhood. The ques-
ton is shall the people be allowed to
be ruled by their passions and preju-
! dices or shall the supremacy and the
4 majesty of the law be upheld? prom
ise you on my honor that as speedy a
! trial as the law allows shall be held
I would not object to cutting the rope
! to hang that scoundrel provided the
law says So"
A few yards away stood the dazed
/ prisoner and men stood close about
him with rifles and shotguns in their
hands.
''I am here alone, went on the gov
ernOr, but I represent the majesty OF
| the law; I represent the state of South
say to you, beg you, I implore you in
Gods name not to put another stain
1 on our fair state. You have an OPP
portunity here-a splendid opportunity
to let it be said that South Carolina
/ leads in this matter. Let US reason
together. I feel just as you do. have
I lived in the country and realize the
stantly exposed. but there is something
/ higher than the wreaking of vengeance
on that black devil and fiend of hell
/ You won't enjoy it tomorrow when you
look back upon it all" Here some
men came up to the stand and said:
I'VE appreciate what you say, but
we are not going to do it. We have
stood this thing long enough"
Many shouted for the governor to go
on and he concluded his fruitless ap-
peal to prevent the lynching.