The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-03-04

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negroes, giving their names as Brack
Toiand and Ned Toland, brothers,
ana their homes as Prosperity, are in
the South Carolina penitentiary, held
IN connection with the brutal murder
OF Mrs. Ellison yesterday in Licking
ton county. Brack Toland admits
that he was nearby when the murder
occurred. He says his brother was
not present and that another negro,
whose name he does not know. was
the negro who did the killing.
Mrs. Ellison. while alone in her
home, near Cayce's, across the river
from Columbia. early yesterday
morning, was brulally and foully done
to deaths her body being thrown into
the clothes basket, where it was
found several hours later by her hus-
band ON his feturn from town. The
aged woman had been killed without
struggle, being hit in the head with
her husbands dxs.
The two negroes were arrested on
the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens
train which left Columbia late yester-
day afternoon and were put in jail at
Newberry, remaining there over night
and being brought to this city this
morning.
Conductor Mccain, Of the Columbia,
Newberry and Laurens road, to whom
is due the credit for the apprehe ns.on
OF the darkies, was seen shortly after
he reached the city today.
He. said. In substance:
II was in charge Of train No. 21.
OF the Columbia, Newbexry and Iau-
rens road, leaving here late yesterday
afternoon. Before starting on my run
had seen the Records story attrib.
uting the crime to two darkies, one
a stout mulatto and the other a tall,
rough skinned, black negro. Natural
ly kept my eyes open. At Hilton, a
small station about 20 miles north OF
Columbia. two negroes boa, ded my
train; who. at once attracted my at
tention. kept them under surveil-
lance and very shortly came t, the
conclusion that they were the men
wanted. !, placed them under arrest
and summoned sheriff Buford, OF
Newberry county. who happened to be
aboard. We made no disturbance,
and shcrir Buford did not handcunf
the prisoners. until we were entering
the Newberry yards, when he put the
irons on them and locked them up in
the baggage car. There was very lit
tie excitement in the town and no
trouble was experienced in transfer
ring the men from the train to the
Jail. where they were kept over night
They were brought down to my train
this morning, arriving here at about
II o'clock"
Somehow or other the fact that
the prisoners were being brought to
the city aboard the c. N. and L. train
due here at II O'clock got abroad in
the city and spread from group to
group In q twinkling.
As the hour for the trains arrival
approached men with guns in their
hands, many ef them being neighbors
Of the stricken family. began to gath
er by twos and threes and dozens
about the Gerviae street crossing
where the c. N. and L. trains usually
stop.
Mr.. Horace I. Horton, trainmuster
Of the road, was apprised OF the gath
ering OF the mob and Of the probabil-
ity that summary execution would be
inflicted upon the prisoners If they
were brought within the reach OF
these avengers Of blood, and he i'm.
mediately telcphoned to the govern
or's office.
Gov. Anscl realized the gravity Of
the situation, but at the moment was
in ignorance as to the whereabouts of
the train and Of the arrangement
made by the officers in charge for
the protection Of the prisoners
However, he at once telephoned to
police headquarters and to the sher-
IFS office that Chief. Cathcart and
Sheriff Coleman had already started
| for the danger point, dispatched his
private secretary, Mr.. A. ]. Ecthea,
to the Gervias street crossing with
Instructions to keep him informed by
telephone of the developments and
the necessities o1 the situation.
Meantime Gov. Ansel sent for Capt.
Joseph r. Allen. cOrlmer ling the
Richland Volunteers, and directed
him to hold his company in readiness
to protect the prisoners. If necessity