The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-10-29
THE LAW AND THE MOB.
Interesting Incidents of the Spartan
burg Episode.

Interesting Incidents Of the Spartan
burg Episode.
Assistant Adiutant General Brock,
who is bacl: Il his office after an ex-
citing expeI ace with the mob at
i SpartanburH. :a!s the Columbia cor
respondent g.: the Charlotte Observer,
is bubbling over with enthusiastic
praise OF the militia that was on duty
at the Jail, and relates some interest
ing sidelight incidents of the two
strenuous days, which have not been
published.
MY experience at Spartanburg,
said General Brock, demonstrates
strikingly that all is needed in this
part of the country to check mob
violence is a firm, determined stand
by the authorities, with sheriff Of
grit and manhood like Sheriff Nichols
to hold the fort till the militia can
be brought into play. There is good
! stuff in the enlisted men Of the mi
litia throughout the state, and they
can be depended upon to act like
soldiers every time they have leaders
who set the example. The men we
had about that jail in Spartanburg
meant business and they would have
shot to kill at the command. That
was because the sheriff had grit and
; nerve and was determined to do his
duty at any cost. And one company
particularly, Captain Nichols COM
pany, deserves special credit for its
soldierly bearing and conduct. The
|
mill where the lady was assaulted
and the men in the mob were of their
own flesh and blood, their very kins-
men. % 49,. .-.,.
"A striking illustration Of this con-
duct came under my own observation.
A private, who came to Columbia
with US, was one of those on duty. l
saw him have a very interesting in
terview with his own father, whom
he caught sight of in the crowd. He
went to his father and warned him
that the militia meant business and
would shoot to kill, that the elder
man had better go home as it might
possibly be his fate to be shot dead
by his own son. The father at first
tried to shame the young man, but
he failed and went away. I saw him
afterward and he said he was glad
he took his sons advice.
"But this speech-making to mobs
gives me tired feeling, and I think
it should not be INDUCED in, at least
so far as making the mob promises
and ncessions. The mob needs to
learn, possibly by bitter experience,
| that is Is outside of law, Is vio-
lator of the law and will be given
no consideration. An effort was
made to have Sheriff Nichols make
a speech to the mob. He declined as
| did Governor Ansel. I also declined" !"
It is reported here that both Judge
Klugh and Solicitor Sease in their
talks to members OF the mob promis-
ed them that the negro Irby would
be speedily hanged, although there
Is no charge that Irby committed the
actual crime for which the mob want
ed to lynch him, but made only an
attempt, being frustrated. Year after
year the legislature has refused to
make attempted criminal assault q
capital offense. @
'FLittle Bill Howard, the moon
sinner in prison at the time, who was
| pressed into duty when the sheriff
had only himself, two constables, Mr.
Brock and another Howard to de-
fend the Jail against the mob, did
splendid service. 1t was he who
broke, with a. well directed bullet,
the arm of the man who was ham
mering against the jail gate with
sledge hammer. Little Bill used a
shotgun, but he had neglected to put
a she'll in when he pulled down" on
fellow who had jumped upon the
Jail wall with a weapon, otherwise
the man would undoubtly have been
killed, said Colonel Brock. ,
while hurrying through the
streets to the jail on the first warn
ing of immediate danger" said Colo
mel Brock, Sheriff Nichols had to
push his way through the crowds.
Members of the mob shouted at him
demanding the keys.
"'Here are my keys called back
the sheriff, holding his keys up. III
YOU want them you will have to take
them. I want you to understand l
will never give them up.
Rev. Mr.. Harley came into the jail,
said Colonel Brock at critical time.
"But" he continued, 81 couldn't re-
press a smile in spite of the serious
ness IF the situation at the goodbye
words between the preacher and the
sheriff.
"tGood bye, sheriff. the preacher
said, grasping the sheriff's hand
warmly as the tears gathered in the
ecclesiastic's eye. 4 shall certainly
remember you in my prayers
"'Now look here replied the sher-
iff, that's very kind OF, you to remem-
ber me in your prayers, but l would
advise you to do most OF your pray
ing for those men out there in the
mob. It looks to me as if they are
going to need a lot of sympathy be-
fore this is over.
killing at Negro Frolic.