The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-11-11
MANNING, S. WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER IL,
CATCHES THREE ROBBERS
BRIDGE KEEPER HOLDS THEM
WITH CNLOADED RIFLES.
Three Men Rob Five Negroes on Rail.
way Bridge Near Columbia, But
Are Captured.

| Are Captured.
| T-xo white boys. John Driggers
and Frank Cooper, and negro man,
John Franklin, armed with pistols,
shortly before noon Thursday held
up five negroes on the Columbia,
Newberry and Laurens trestle, at the
city limits Of Columbia and robbed
them of what cash was on their per-
sons.
With their booty their proceeded
up Broad River road. but when cross
ing Broad River bridge were met by
Melton Lorick, the white keeper, who
held them at the point Of shotgun
until deputies arrived from Columbia
and took them In charge. The pris-
oners in the sheri6's Office, after the
money had been found on them and
the pistols taken from their persons,
confessed to the crime, it is claimed.
Five negroes. Lewis Jackson, o Dell
Keyser, Nels Keyser, Gus Keyser and
Essie Jackson, all farm hands en-
| ployed on the plantation of Represen-
tative-elect j. S. Huffman, in the
Dutch fork, were crossing the CO.
lumbia, Newberry and Laurens tres
tie at the edge Of the city limits Of
Columbia when they were confronted
by three armed men, who, at the
point OF pistols, compelled them to
turn over what cash they had and
submit to being searched:
The negroes reported the hold-up
and Rural Policeman Koon, first get
ting the report, telephoned the de-
scription and news Of the robbery
ahead. The highwaymen were max
ing up the Broad River road. Mr..
Melton Lorick, the keeper of the
Broad River bridge. secured shot
gun, and not d..unted by the fact that
he had no shells. determined to at
tempt to check the robbers if they
came in sight.
Soon he saw them about to cross
the bridge and, stepping boldly or
ward, pointed his empty gun at theta,
and, commanded Hands up" The
highwaymen raised their hands. and
Mr.. Lorick held them until the Off
GERS arrived. The prisoners offered
him s35 and their pistols if he would
lower his gun, but he warned them
to stand or else they would abide the
consequences.
Three >32-calrbre pistols, two Of.
them Colts and one Smith & Wes-
son, all loaded to the hilt, an electric
searchlight, cartridges and an iron
chisel were found on them. Some
money was found and after they were
taken to the penitentiary another
search revealed more money. the total
amount recovered being $3.50,
which they had taken from their vic
tins cu the trestle in amounts of
$3.50 Or more.
Two Of the alleged self-confessed
hishwarinen are white. One John
Driggers, about J S years of age. was
said 4. the sherifs;s Office to have been
paroled from the State reformatory
at Florence about 2 year ago. The
other, Frank Cooper, is about 1S.
Both are residents OF Columbia.
The third member Of the gang is &
negro named John Franklin. alias
William Fessinger. He is about 25
years old and Of 4 surly disposition.
He told the sheriff that he was re-
leased from the city chain gang only
last Saturday and at one time served
on the chain gang in Florida. He
claimed also to be from Alabama.
The officers consider him bad char
acter.
Officers are inclined to the opinion
that the three had started out for a
regular robbing game, and that the
hold-up on the trestle YVES just the
beginning Of their plans. Investiga-
tions are now being made to find out
if they have been connected with
any Of the robberies in Columbia.