Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-20
THE LAW AND THE MOB.
Interesting Incidents Of the Spartan
burg Episode.

GFN" SNS WSS'
Interesting Incidents Of the Spartan
burg Episode.
Assistant Adjutant General Brock,
who is back in his Office after an ex-
citing experience with the mob at
Spartanburg, says the Columbia cor
respondent Of the Charlotte Observer,
is bubbling over with enthusiastic
praise Of the militia that was on duty
at the Jail, and relates some interesting
sidelight incidents Of the two stren-
uous days, which have not been pub
lished.
my experience at Spartanburg,"
said General Brock, demonstrates
strikingly that all that is needed in
this part of the country to check mob
violence Is firm, determined stand by
the authorities, with a 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 militia
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 busi-
ness 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 company, deserves special
credit for its soldierly bearing and con-
duct These men were recruited from
the very mill where the lady was as
saulted and the men in the mob were
Of their own flesh and blood, their very
kinsmen.
"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. I saw
him have a very interesting interview
with his own father, whom he caught
sight of in the crowd. He went to his
father and warned him that the mill
tia 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.
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 indulged in, at least
so far as making the mob promises
and concessions. The mob needs to
learn, possibly by bitter experience,
that 1t Is outside Of law, Is q violator Of
the law and will be given no consider
alton. An effort was made to have
Sheriff Nichols make speech to the
mob. He declined as did Governor An
sci u aiso declined"
It Is reported here that both Judge
Klugh and Solicitor Sease in their talks
to members of the mob promised them
that the negro Irby would be speedily
hanged, although there Is no charge
that Irby committed the actual crime
for which the mob wanted to lynch
him, but made only an attempt, being
frustrated. Year after year the legis-
lature has refused to make attempted
criminal assault a capital offense.
Little Bill" Howard, the moonshin-
er in prison at the time, who was
pressed into duty when the sheriff had
only himself, two constables, Mr..
Brock and another Howard to defend
the jail against the mob, did splendid
service. 1t was he who broke, with
a we'll directed bullet, the arm Of the
man who was hammering against the
Jail gate with a sledge hammer. Lit
tie Bill used shotgun, but he had
neglected to put a shell in when he
pulled down" on a fellow who had
jumped upon the Jail wall with weap-
on, otherwise the man would undoubt-
ly have been killed, said Colonel Brock.
while hurrying through the streets
to the Jail on the first warning OF i'm
mediate danger" said Colonel Brock,
Sheriff Nichols had to push his way
through crowds. Members Of the mob
shouted at him demanding the keys.
Here are my keys called back the
sheriff, holding his keys up. If you
want them you will have to take them.
l want you to understand 1 will never
give them up"
Rev Mr.. Harley came into the jail,
said Colonel Brock, at a critical time.
But" he continued, Il couldn't repress
a smile in spite Of the seriousness Of
the situation at the goodbye words be-
tween the preacher and the sheriff.
"'Good bye, sheriff. the preacher
said, grasping the sherif"s hand warm
ly as the tears gathered in the eccle-
siastic's eye. I shall certainly remem-
Der you in my prayers
Now look here replied the sheriff,
that's very kind Of you to remember
me in your prayers, but would advise
you to do most Of your praying for
those men out there in the mob. 1t
looks to me as If they are going to need
lot of sympathy before this Is over"