The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-10-13
SPARTANBURG JAIL
GUARDED BY TROOPS
ANGRY MOB TRIES TO LYNCH
WOULD-BE RAPIST.
Negro Attacks Young Woman, but
Fails to Accomplish His Purpose
Authorities Determined to
Prevent Lynching.


Authorities Determined to
Prevent Lynching.
News and Courier.
Spartanburg. October 1l.-Thrist-
ing for the life of John Irby, negro
charged with attempting to criminal
ly assault Miss Lille Dempsey, a
highly respected young white woman,
an angry mob numbering over a
thousand men yesterday afternoon
surrounded and made several unsuc-
cessful efforts to storm the county
jail, where he was taken upon being
arrested soon after he attacked the
young woman. At l o'clock this
morning three companies Of the Ma
tional Guard Of South Carolina, un-
der the command Of Assistant Adju-
tant and Inspector General Brock,
which had been called out to insure
protection for the negro, are guard
ing the Jail, while the mob, increased
by three hundred armed men from
Greenville, has drifted to the South
ern Railway station to await the ar
rival at 2.40 o'clock Of Train No. 35,
which is reported to be bringing a
brother Of Miss Dempsey to the
scene of action. The streets are now
well-n;gh deserted, except for the
pickets that have been posted along
the streets leading to the Jail. and
all is quiet. Should Miss Dempsev's 5
brother arrive at 240 it is rumored
that another attack may be made on
the Jail, but this is extremely doubt
full. Strong appeals have been made
to the mob to let the law take its
course, and Governor Ansel, who is
in Greenville, has promised special
term of court to try the negro. Sheriff
Nichols has sworn in score or more
of special deputies and all are heavily
armed, and if any further attempt is
made to storm the Jail it is certain
to be repulsed.
The Assault.
The assault upon Miss Dempsey
was committed this morning about II
o'clock and was one Of the most bru-
tai ever known in the history Of this
section. The young lady was on her
way home from Saxon Mills, a mill
village about three miles from the
city. She was walking along path
by the road side, near a thick woods,
to avoid the mud in the road, when
she was seized by a negro man, who
choked her most numerically and
dragged her into the woods. Miss
Dempsey was unable to call for help
because Of the fiendish clutch about
her throat, though she fought desper-
ately. Finally her strength gave way
and she fell to the ground in an un-
conscious condition. and in this condi-
tion the negro left her, though not
until he had stripped her fingers Of
several rings she wore.
Shortly after the attempted as
sault Miss Dempsey was found uncon-
scious by colored man, who hasten
ed to the store Of S. G. Porter and
reported the matter. Mr.. Porter arm
ed himself with a gun and started in
pursuit of the black brute. The news
spread through the factory village
in the twinkling of an eve. In brief
period Of time the woods were sur
rounded by men. The police depart
ment was notified, and also the sher-
iff, and mounted officers hurried out
TO Saxon.
The Negro Captured.
In the meantime Mr.. Porter found
the negro crouching in the bushes,
and covering him with his gun made
him walk out ahead. Just at this time
Private Fleming, of the police force,
rode up and the prisoner was deliver
ed into his keeping and was taken be-
fore the young lady, who Identified
him as her 'assailant.
The moment Miss Dempsey charg-
ed Irby with Being the man who as
saulted her the mob made a rush for
him and sought to take him from the
officer by force. A fierce struggle
took place. The negro with the officer
holding to him were dragged fifty
feet. The mob brought guns into
play, but Private Fleming held on to