The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1920-08-13

| was brought by the negroes but was
'instigated by the hatred one NJ.
*. Iorn. owner of the property in
North Carolina. where the negroes
went. has for this deponent. which
has grown out of the disputes be-
tween Mr.. Iorn and deponent. be-
'ause OF the fact that Mr. Zorn. on
various occasions and through vari-
Gus agencies. has caused many of the
deponents laborers to leave his plan
tation and other plantations around
Denmark and go to North Carolina
and work on his own place"
The affidayits of Mr.. Breeden and
Mr.. Sandifer were merely papers sub
stantiating the material allegations
II the affidavit OF Mr.. Mayfield.
Frank b. Bessinger. who formerly
lived in Bamberg county. but is now
N Anson county, North Carolina. said
that he knew Jones and Stroman and
knew that they had left the Mayfield
plantation with criminal charges
hanging oveh them. and gone to
North Carolina to work on the Zorn
farm. their railway fare being paid
from Denmark by NJ. *. Zorn. The
negroes We're dissatisfied with condi-
ton in North Carolina and expressed
the desire to return to Bambcrg
county ii they had someon" TO ac-
company them. This information,
Mr.. Bessinger testified. was trans
mitted by him to MIR. Mayfield, and
the latter and his party came after
the negroes. The circumstances
surrounding the incidents which took
place when Jones and Stroman were
taken from their homes by the May
field party as contained in the affida-
Wits of Mr.. Mayfeld. Mr.. Breeden and
Mr.. Sandifer. substantially were re-
iterated by Mr.. Bessinger.
No Violence Used.
j. r. Tice. in his affidavit. told OF
being approached by the Mayfeld
party with the request to accompany
il to the homes OF the two negroes.
which he did: but when informed
that MIR. Mayfeld had warrants for
the two negroes. he informed them
that he could not assist In taking
Jones and Stroman forcefully into
South Carolina. He said that the
negroes went without protest and
seemed 70 be overjoyed at returning
! home. lie swore that he did not go
either to the house OF Jones or Stro-
man: that Mr. Mayheld and Mr. Bree-
= den went to Jones hOuss and they
and Jones to Stroman's house The
rena der Q! his testimony vas d
substantial fsiteration of the other
affidavits. except that he does not
mention whether members OF the
party imcessonated federal officers.
}. carried resblvers or handcuhed the
negroes.
Affidavits from II. r. Dyches. over.
seer for w. ID Hayward: G. NJ Cox.
bookkeeper for w. ID. Mayfield: e.
II. Hope. contractor and builder OF
Bamberg. and r. ID. Jenkins. negro
farm demonstration agent for Bam-
berg county, affirmed that w. u.
Mayfieid treated his labor with the
greatest consideration. was kind to
them and many times assumed their
debts in unfruitful seasons. was not
known TO carry arms and was an ex-
emplary citizen.
a. NJ Denbow, OF Bamberc. gave
oral testimony that w. u. Mayfield
was an upright citizen and substan-
tiated the affidavits as To the hu-
name tratment of his labor
An Indictment. signed by X. L.
Gunter. solicitor OF the Second Judi
cial circuit. was attached TO the
presentation before Governor Coop
er. showing that Jesse Jones had
been charged with violation OF the
liquor law in Bamberg county. and
he pleaded guilty on September ..
1918, and was sentenced to serve
three months or pay fine of $3.50.
affidavit from Earle Benton. the
transfer driver. which merely stated
that he drove Mr. Breeden and the
two negroes from Wadesboro. y. c..
, to Cheraw, and that the negroes slept
nearly the whole way. He said moth
ing about the negroes being hand
cuffed. as war affirmed in his ami
davit presented by the prosecution.