The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1912-12-04
FARMER HELD UP
ON THE PUBLIC ROAD AND ROB.
BED OF HIS CASH.
Returning From Darlington, whore
He Sold Load Of Cotton, Held Up
at Point Of Pistols and Robbed.

. A special to The News and Courier
rom Florence. says MIR G. McLen-
don, a we'll known farmer Of lcr-
ence county, was neld u, oy three ne
gro rufians at High Hill Creek Sat
urday afternoon and "ouhs5 of S:E5
in cod cash.
Nr. McLendon, who lives on and
farms the T. C. Willoughy lands, o
miles south Of that city, on the Ev-
ergreen road. left his home early in
the morning with a wagon load OF
long staple bale cotton for Darling
ton.
Reaching that place he sold his
cotton and received the money in
cash, which he placed in his purse
and in the breast pocket Of his coat.
Shortly after noon he started for his
home through Florence.
AS he was passing along the road
leading to Florence from Darling
ton, by the side Of the Coast Line
tracks, a most freque1ued thorough
fare for vehicles. be was held up In
the High Hill Creek swamp, one mile
east of Palmetto. and robbed Of his
money.
Mr.. McLendon, as soon as ne coul,.
get away, hurried to Florence and re-
ported the matter to the sheriff's Of
fee and 8 party was hurriedly made
up, with Deputy Sheriff Cain in
charge, a d r. :hed to the scene in an
automobile, but was impossible to
capture the highwaymen, as they had
more than two hoIrs' Jump on The
searchers.
Mr.. McLendon said that Saturday
morning when he passed along he no
ticed three negroes sitting on the
high trestle at that place, each OF
them having a bicycle. He though
little of it at the time.
When he returned in the afternoon
and, just as he crossed the first
bridge, which is the Darlington Coun.
ty line, he saw three men come ou'
of the swamp between the two
bridges on the Florence County side
They spDroacned him with drawn re-
vclvers and ordered him to hand over
lis money.
This he refused to do and endeav'
cred TO bluf! them of by threatening
20 shoot them if they approached
further. He had nothing to shooI
with and soon he saw ne was at the
mercy Of the highwaymen. and after
again being demanded to shuck eu'
his coin he again refused. BY this
time one of the men had jumped into
the wagon behind him and Quickl!
slanped Mr.. McLendon in the face
and placed his hand over his mouth
he ran the other hand into his pock'
ct and secured the wallet with s129.
They then left him. secured thel'
bicycles and made their escape. Al
ter leaving. Mr.. McLendon saw then
changing coats and hats, but did no
know or recognize any Of them. Hf
can do so should be see either o
| hem again, he says.
The party from Florence, aftel
eaching the lonely place where th'
eed was committed. followed thu
rail Of the bicycles and men Tor {
considerable distance towards Oar
ington, but finally lost it entirely, a.
they would walk awhile and the1
carry their wheels Oh their shoulders
It is thought that the negroes, see
| ing Mr.. McLendon pass along Will
the cotton early in the morning. anf
knowing he would return that wa!
during the day. followed him to Oar
linston and watched him sell the cot
ton. place the money in his pocket
then jumped on their wheels. return
| ed to High Hill Creek and awaite
his coming. knowing they could over
power him anc escape without being
detected.