The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-01-17
HORRIBLE CRIME FOILED.
JOHN RUFUS TURNER ATTEMPTS
CRIMINAL ASSAULT.

Little Daughter of Hon S. q. May
field, of Denmark, the Victim.
Threats of Lynching.
Our people were stirred this week as
never before, and there is no doubt in
our mind that had Turner not been car
ried to Columbia, he would have been
summarily dealt with. Monday night
Mr. Mayfeld called the writer on the
phone and asked him to inform the sheriff
and others that a crowd of men were
coming to Bamberg to handle Turner,
but we informed him that the man had
been carried to Columbia, so of course
the men did not come. Mr. Mayfeld had
by earnest efforts dispersed one crowd
but another crowd had started.
The full story of the horrible affair is
given below, and is the account given by
the correspondents of the News and Cou'
rier at this place and Denmark:
No little excitement was created in
Bamberg last Monday morning when it
was learned that dastardly outrage had
been attempted at Denmark upon che
person of the little eight-year.old daugh.
ter of ex-senator S. G. Mayfeld by a
white man named John Rufus Turner.
Turner is said to be a worthless, drunken
fellow who for years has been befriended
and largely supported by Senator May
field.
The outrage was attempted Sunday
afternoon in commissary building only
short distance from the Mayfeld resi-
dence, and it was the screams of the child
that brought her father to her rescue in
time to save her from serious bodily
harm and probable death.
TURNER SEVERELY BEATEN.
When Senator Mayfeld reached the
scene he pounced upon Turner and beat
him into insensibility, supposing at the
time that he had killed him, but Turner
afterwards regained consciousness and
Mr.. Mayfeld decided to spare his life on
condition that he leave at once never to
return
This Turner agreed to do, but Monday
morning it was learned that Turner had
not yet left, and Mr.. Mayfeld ran him
down and proceeded again to beat him,
but he was persuaded to desist in time to
save Turner's life. A warrant was sworn
out before Magistrate Walker, and Turner
was hurried to Bamberg and placed in
charge of Sheriff Hunter.
RACED PRISONER TO BAMBERG.
The news of the attempted outrage had
spread over the quiet village of Denmark
and the passions of the citizens were
aroused. Threats of lynching were heard
on every street corner, and Magistrate
Walker, in order to prevent it, deputized
two extra constables to accompany his
constable, D. z. Ray, and assist him in
converting the prisoner to Bamberg. Ray
had already left with his prisoner, and,
seeing the others behind him in buggy
armed with shotguns, he supposed they
were lynchers in pursuit of his prisoner.
he put whip to his horse and when he
arrived here his steed was foaming and
painting, and his assistants were still in
hot pursuit. As soon as he arrived he
told the sheriff that lynchers were pursu-
ing him, but when they arrived explana-
tions followed and all was serene.
THE GOVERNOR NOTIFIED.
Turner was placed in Jail and Sheriff
Hunter promptly notified the governor.
The governor told him to protect his
prisoner at all hazards, and to send him
to Columbia to be placed in the peniten-
tiary for safe keeping. This was done
and the prisoner left Bamberg Monday
afternoon at o'clock by way of Branch
vile for Columbia in charge of Consta-
bles Simms Hunter and Il. N, Bellinger.
The affair was kept so quiet that few per-
SONS in Bamberg knew that the prisoner
had been brought to Bamberg until after
he had left on the evening train.
SENATOR MAYFIELD COMMENDED.
Senator Mayfield is highly commended
for his GOODNESS and mercy, and all the
officers deserve credit for the admirable
manner in which they managed the case.
Under the severest provocation Bamberg
county has been spared lynching, but if
the prisoner had been kept in Bamberg
there is no telling what might have hap
pened.
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