The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-19


two score of houses. mostly occupied
by negroes. were burned last night, as
the result of an attempt by a mob to
lyuch negro who had assaulted
white woman. After a night Of riot,
arson and slaughter. the State troops
called out by the Governor. succeeded
early loday' in restoring a semblance cf
order and stopped the fire. One
thousand militiaman are patrolling the
streets and II Is believed that further
disorded will be prevented.
The riotings were precipitated by the
assault comm lifted yesterday by ne
gro upon Mrs. Mabel Hellam, wife Of
a street railway conductor. While the
woman slept alone in her home on a
populous residence street, awaiting the
return OF her husband, a man broke
into the house. dragged her into the
rear yard and assaulted her. Before
noon. George Richardson, a young ne
gro, was arrested by the sheriff's force,
charged with the crime. The victim
partially indentihed the prisoner.
Crowds quickly gathered about the
Jail. but Sheriff werner's force and the
police were able to pres erve order un-
I'll nishtfall without difficulty. Shortly
after s o's'cck successful ruse was
worked by the authorities and Uicn-
ardscn was spirited away to safety.
Richardson was placed aboard
train an rushed to Peoria. Along
With him was taken Joe James. an
other negro. accused Of Killing state
mine operator. after attempting an
assault upSn the Inspectors daughter.
The mob gathered at the Jail after
darkness to find the negroes gone.
Loper's restaurant was demolished.
some. one having mentioned that Loper
furnished an automobile in which the
negroes were taken away. They burn
ed his automobile In the street. Eff
forts OF the fire department to dis
perse the crowds were futile. Every
line Of hose was cut before the water
could be forced into 1t. The militia
ordered out by the Governor was busy
at the Jail and none could be spared
at the scene Of the Loper rioting.
Finally a troop was sent to the res
taurant. when the rioting brook lose
In serious form. Shots were fred and
the air was filed with missiles. Many
fell In the melee. and II was here that
Louis Johnson met his death in the
rear of Loper's place.
Leaving Loper's. the mob made a
rush for the levee. usually populated
with negroes. but most Of them had
disappeared.
Shorty before midnight 'he mob
broke into a pawnshop and secured
arms and ammunition and started to
march the streets in absolute control.
stand back, gentlemen, or I'll shoot
every one OF you who touches this
man." were the words Of Eugene w.
Chain, Prohibition candidate for Pres
ident, who faced the mob that had at
tackled the negro while Chafin was de-
livering a public address on the East
side of the square last night. For this
act Chain was struck on the face with
a brick. hurled by a member Of the
mob, but was not seriously injured.
Chains threat had the desired effect,
although he had no weapon ne had
he spoke.
After burning many houses I'm the
negro quarter the mob. which became
more desperate. as the night passed
hnaily gratifled its thirst for blood this
morning when negro was lynched in
the heart Of the so-called bad Lands"
Troops arrived at the scene too late
10 prevent the shooting. Some of the
members OF the mob declared that the
negro lynched had shot two white
men. They said that I'm a fight with
the whites the negro was forced into a
corner at the saloon and grocery, at
twelfth and Madison. When retreat
was cut OF. the negro Is said to have
opened fire wounding two.
Then came the cry get the rope."
MI the members of the mob eagerly
TOOK up the cry. The negro was
caught and dragged to the street. Here
he was beaten and shot FIVE times and
then the rope was swung around his
neck ana the other end OF the rope
thrown over the limb Of tree right
In front OF the store. With a cry OF
satisfaction the negro was swung high
on the ground. He was dead In a
few minutes.
Il Iuct than ha