Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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' and VOL. XXXI. WALTERBORO, S. C, JUNE I ), I QO > NO. 43 DOyOLf LYNCHING AT SfrlOAKS CIOSISC EXERCISES ENJOYABLE MUSICALS PROHIBITION DEPARTMENT ADAMS RIS GRADED SCHOOL HELD A REAR TREAT TO 10‘ERS OF MUSIC „ > J. B.SMOAK'S MURDERESS CAUGHT AND KILLED! INTERESTING CLOSING EXERCISES | ■ "ONrERELL ADVANCEMENT ' EDITED BY JAS. E. PEURIFOY ANDW. W. SMOAK. JR.- FRANK SAMUEL AND ACQIMLLA SIMMONS VICTIMS- ERIDAT NIGHT. Friday ni>rht at il o’clock the j An onl tin bucL citizens of the quiet community of I the stuble. and SmoaTvs were startled hy the report' ro^ue- had ! of volleys from at least one hundred guns, and they knew that the mur derers of J. Benjamin Smoak had paid the iH.*nalty for their crime with their lives. The next morning’s light revealed the forms of Frank Samuel and Quillie Simmons tied to two small pine trees a few yards from the rail road track where it emerges into the woodsabout three, , - , hundred yards from tne store of J. L. ‘ Smoak & Son. The story of the killing is so fresh in the minds of our readers that it is unnecessary to mention it. It will be remembered that on Saturday night the 29th of May, Mr. Smoak was discovered dead in front of his store with a load of shot in his right breast, and that it was found ft was discovered in it was in that the juried the money they had secured tne.i.ight of the killing, having dug it up that night for the .purpose of division. This search was concluded and Constable Maxey immediately went in search of Sam- ’ and Simmons. Samuel was xlis- uei covered on the farm of S. P. J. Gar ris. ,lr. t anti was arrested about 11 o clock. He was taken to Smoaks along with Lonnie Stokes, who was Constable Maxey and Deputy L. M. Padgett started with Samuel to Walterboro;' Stokes hav- ' ing been able to prove that he had had nothin ' to d-» with the killing, had l»een released. Maxey hoped to reach Ruffin in time to take the after- j noon train, but just before getting* to Ruffin was overtaken by a mob of thirty or forty persons, and the him and brought back to Smoaks. Simmons was not located until about sun down, when he was brought to Smoaks also and taken in charge by the mob, which had increased at this time to several hundred. Young Minus was also attested on suspicion, but was later released on being able to prove his innocense to the satisfaction of the mob. The mob was in favor of at once executing the two prisoners but they were dissuaded by cooler heads urging that the law be alloxved to take it* course. Efforts were made to get confessions from the prisoners, but they would make no statement Samuei stating that it would be death anyway and he would die as he was. iney protested their innocence and did not make any confession, as has been reported. * 'About 11 o’clock the mob decided that they would tu.i.-n their work, and consequently cook their prison ers-to a spot a few hundred yards from the store where the killing oc curred, and tieing them to two small pine trees; the command to fire was given and the souls of Samuel and Simmons were hurled into eternity. Quietly the rrtob dispersed and soon that the cash drawer had E>een pcfr-'yr Uk«n away from rifled, and its contents taken, amounting to about $95.00, part of which was in checks. It was be lieved at the time that if the mur derers were ever captured the checks would play an important part in their capture, and so it was. The facts which led to the lynch ing, as gathered by careful investi gation and conversation with those who were in a position to know, are as follows; Shortly after the kiHing wit was discovered that Frank Samuel and Quillie Simmons, two young negroes who bore a had reputation in the community, had been seen in the vicinity of J. L. Smoak & Son’s store a few’ minutes before the killing. It later developed that on Friday, J. L. Lyons had sold Frank Samuel a b<Jk of cartridges loaded with No..9 shot, which corresponded in size with those found in the hotly of the mur dered man. Samuels married a daughter of the widow McDutfy, and was living a short distance from her residence. Young Ben Minus, a negro who was working for Mr. Smoak, the deceas ed, married a sister of Samuel’s wife. While ploughing along with the brothers of the murdered man young I there was no trace of them left. The Minus made certain remarks which indicated that he was in a position to find out something about who did the killing. He w’as encouraged by J. L. Smoak to find out if he could learn anything that would enable them to find the guilty parties. Cer tain other remarks were made ; which were duly reported to Mr. Smoak, indicating that there was more to be learned if it were possible to secure the information. An opportunity presented itself Thursday the 10th inst. when a message was sent to Quillie Simmons from Frank Samuel that he wanted him to come to his house that night as he wished to see him on important business. This, Minus reported to Mr. Smoak, who sent him to Samuel’s house for the purpose of finding out what trans- 1 size pf the mob is variously esti mated at from two hundred and fifty to five hundred persons. They came from the immediate neighbor hood and from Bamberg and Orangeburg counties. Some cooler heads advised against the lynching but to no avail. The lynching was reported to Magistrate Wilson Saturday morning. It had previously been reported to the sheriff’s office, and Deputy Sheriff Buckner arrived on the scene early Saturday morning, but could learn nothing as to who composed the mob, Mr. Buckner left Walterboro at 7 o’clock Friday afternoon in an automobile, thinking he could thus reach Smoaks soonest, but after proceeding five miles the machine refused to budge and he had to walk pired between Samuel and Simmons back to Walterboro His second that right. Minus reached Samuel’s | start was made at 12 o’clock, house about dark and discovered, The adjourned inquest over the Samuel and Simmons already in con-1 killing of Mr. Smoak met Saturday versation in a fence corner not far morning and Magistrate W ilson pro- from the house, soon they went to the house Samuel remarking that he would secure some matches and they would go to the stables. The ox was driven out and Minus creep- ing closer saw them strike several ; Hucks, L. F. Carroll, matches and heard them counting J. *V. Thomas, B. S. ceeded to secure what testimony he could in the case. The jury was composed of J. M. Hiers.C. P. Wilson, C. W. Smith, E. L. Pellum, J. W. Kensey, J. H. P. E. SpeU, Smith, P. S. silver money. He soon saw them Smitn, G. W. Lyons, M. W. Kinard, stoop over and act as if covering up and C. H. Patrick, and their verdict something in the straw of the stable, was: ,J J. Benjamin Smoak came to and heard Samuel tell Simmons that his death by gunshot wound at the if he went to Branchville next day. hands of Frank Samuel, and Quillie he wanted him to bring him back a pint of xx com whiskey and some other things. Samuel then went outside and looked up and own the road to see if anyone was there. Minus, in the meanwhile remained hidden from view. As soon as pos sible Minus left and, running all the way to Mr. Smoak’s, reported what he had seen. - Early next morning Mr. Smoak went to Magistrate Wilson and took out necessary papers for searching the premises and making whatever arrests were necessary, these he placed in the hands of Con. N M Max ey, and together with several depu ties they went to Samuel’s home. . ^ , ,, Certain of them went to the house of ever, in C bar lost on ^ha Samuel arresting his wife and mak ing a thorough search of the house Simmons was accessory’ to the fact.” Magistrate Wilson then enpaneled the jury of inquest over the dead negroes who rendered a verdict they came to their death from gunshot wounds at the hands of parties un known to the jury. Magistrate Wil son also took considerable testimony in an effort to fiftd out w’ho it was that tookpart in the lynching, but nothing couid be learned. -Sheriff Fox was communicated with Saturday morning by Governor Arise., and he was instructed to take Solicitor Peurifoyand proceed to the scene of the lynching, and use every endeavor to discover the guilty par ties. Solicitor Peurifoy waa, how- ' _ Iding court. ft is the opinion of every one in the that the right parties Adam' Run, .Ium\ Pith. The Adams Rur, G’ ailed School held very interesting closing exercises here last Friilav night. The school has just closed after a very successful term under the principalship of Rev J. S. M. Finch, assisted by Miss Florence Barnwell. The Exercises consisted of recita tions. tableaus, dialogues, songs, etc. and addresses by W. W. Smoak. Jr., who has l»een acting County Superintendent of Education since Dr. Black’s illness, Hon. D. C. San ders and D. B. Peurifoy, Esq. of Walterboro. . A goodly number of the Adams Run folk were out to hear these exercises and speeches and spent a very pleasant evening. The ladies of the Methodist Church dispensed cool drinks and ice cream on the outside while the orators and othera inside were giv ing out "hot air”. The exercises were presided over by Rev. Finch, who announced the numbers on the pro- K am and introduced the speakers, iss Barnwell presided at the organ. At the conclusion of the regular program Rev. Finch introduced W. W. Srrtoak, Jr., of Walterboro, who spoke for a few minutes on the importance of education. His ad dress was appropriate and well re ceived. Hon. D. C. Sanders was next introduced, who delivered a very able prohibition speech. He expressed the hope that the people of Adams Run community would do their part to abolish the legalized sale of liquor in Colleton County on the 17th of August. This address was carefully prepared and was listened to with marked attention. The last speaker was D. B Peuri foy. Esq. of Walterboro. This was Mr. Peuthoy’s first appearance be fore an Adams Run audience. They were charmed with his ease of man ner and eloquence. He compliment ed the school on the splendid exer cises and stated that they were the best he had seen anywhere in the county; “and Mr. Smoak and I have taken in all the commencements in the last three months”. The following is the program. Song—America—School. Solutatory- Kenneth Finch. A Boy’s choice—Robert Tavel. Bed—time—Leona Smith. Nobody’s Child—Madge Messer- OF PUPILS. Mrs N. G. Morrall’s mu>ic held its do? court house The meml>or Misses Arline class ing musicale at the lust Friday evening, s of this class were Sanders. Gladys VN ich- THE POWER HOUSE. vev. the Animals—Hazel Among Boineau. Cleaning House—Cathleen Finch. Dialogue—How the Quarrel Be- n—Misses Lake Martin and Nellie Vo lorough searen oi me nouse. community _ Mr. Smoak and one deputy secured a were captured. «ven the negro* ex hoe and went to the stables for the press themselves as being aatSfied on purpose of trying to find out what this point. . .. » was hurried there. After digging Samuel bore •round in the stable for a while they is said to have organised **»«*«>- discovered t tittle wad of poper, «ety for^protectmnofitemem- which. when unrapped wm found to hen. One of the*®?* Th^^'^rSSnf.CnwiSltionnto * r&L taring been in ox. Tickle His Hand with a Ten dollar Bill—Ryan Finch. “The little School Marm”—Flor- rie Linder. Dialogue—The City Dude— Otis Martin and Kenneth Finch. Recitation in Concert—Part first - Alfred Tavel, Hazel Boineau, Henry Tavel. and Dewey Perry,—Part second—Kathleen Finch, Mamie Lou Tavel, Mabel Fox and Ethel Smith. Grandmother’s Fall—Mabel Fox. Be Polite—Alfred Tavel. Dialogue -Tom’s Practical Joke— Carroll Boineau. Misses Ethel Fox and Gladys Meliard. A Boy’s Composition on Animals— Otis Martin. The Bite Side— Mamie Lou Tavel Lost—Ethel Smith. Dialogue—Masquerading—Misses Ethel Fox and Lake Martin. A New Toy—Dewey Perry. The Naughty Girl—Kathleen Finch. Phil’s Secret-Henry Tavel. Baby’s Opinion—Eva Perry. The Boy’s Complaint botore his Examinations—R : ggs Martin. Dialogue- Woman’s Rights - Misses Nellie Fox, Lake Martin, and Gladys Meliard; Masters James Messervey, Ryan Finch. Kenneth Finch, Otis Martin, Riggs Martin and Carroll Boineau. A Ship on Fire—Miss Nonie Dodd. Dialogue -The Tramp—Miss Marie Fox and Lawrence Messervey. Watching-Miss Ethel Fox. Dialogue—How She Cured Him Misses Marie Fox and Nonie Dodd and Rev. Finch. Song—Old Kentuckey Home School. Good Night—Catharine Sanders. man. Katherine Howell. Vivienne Price, Bessie Knight. Coralie Acker man. Ethel Gruber. Florence Black, Florrie Howell. Bessie Kuhn. May Price. Lillie Knight, Esther I^ing- dale, AUaiiv Moore. Pearle Grace, Pauline Pi ice. Maggie May Boynton, May Vonlxfhe, Mable l^twrenee, Susie Tracy. Each young lady was daintily gowned in some becoming costume and the performance on the part of each of them was an evi dence of the wonderful advancement they have made this year. Quite a large crowd assembled at the court house to listen to this rear treat. The program was as lollows: Prayer- Rev H. J. Cauthen. Chorus -‘‘Song of Roses.”—Class Duet—“Festival Prosession March.” Misses Arline Sanders and Coralie Ackerman. Sextette—“Notre Dame” 1st Piano. Miases Pauline Price, Susie Tracy and May Price, 2nd Piano, Misses Esther Langdale, Pearl Grace and May VonLehe. Solo—"Titiania”—Miss Vivienne Price. Duet—"In the Arena” Misses Maggie May Boynton and Mabel Lawrence. Solo—“Hear my Dollie’s Prayer” —Miss Pauline Priced-Piano, Miss Susie Tracy. Trio—“Hearts and Flowers”—1st Piano. Miss Florence Black and Flor rie Howell 2nd Piano, Miss Coralie Ackerman. Solo—“The Operatic Tea”- Miss Susie Tracy. Solo—"6beron”Miss Gladys Wich- mar. Trio—“The Village Band”- Miss Bessie Knight Attalee MiWe Lillie Knight. Solo—"Forgotten”— Miss Bessie Kohn. Solo—“Ripples of the Alabama” —Miss Arline Sanders. Duet—“Pride of the Great Army of the Republic” (Characteristic Selection) 1st Piano. Miss Ethel Gruber, 2nd Piano, Miss Vivienne Price. Presentation of Medal—Rev F. 0. S. Curtis. Serenade—“Dream On”—Misses Ethel Gruber. Bessie Kohn. Mabel Lawrence, Katherine Howll and May Price. Benediction—Rev. T. P. Baker. MISS HENDERSON’S MUSICALL The music class of Miss Lillie Hen derson gave their musicale on last Wednesday night at the beautiful home of Col, and Mrs. C. G. Hender son. Quite a numb.-r of friends had been invited to come and listen to of ty of , A newspaper recently made these remarKs. “ The Jacksonville Board of Trade calls itself the power house?” In Walterboro we have an other institution of a different na ture called by the same name. This sets us to thinking. The common acceptance of the word “power house" is w here light and lit her electrical power is generated, a blessing to man of another nature. Yes indeed a power house of what? Walterboro’s power house, power of darkness and gloom; a power poverty. Look at ihe majority the drinking class; take their homes, there you see neglect on all hands, their children are well versed in patched clothes. Poverty reigns su preme in their home. It is a power ; to produce poverty and want; a power house of ignorance. But 1 hear some one say that by the sale of whiskey our schools run longer. Grant it to be a fact. The drunkard who pays the money, W’here are his children? He is unable to hire help in the field, his children must do the w’ork at home. Every ambition of the child is crushed, they are slurred at as a “drunkard’s child”, he will not go to school, but still they say, look at the funds paid to the county by this traffic. Here is the same business proposition 1 will make you. Give me a dollar and 1 will give you back forty cents to divide among the county funds. Would 1 get that proposition? No. This is what we do in this traffic, send out thousands of dollars to other states, we will give you hundreds in return. Which is the cheaper to pay $2.00 tax, all to go to school, or to pay $5.00 for whiskey and get the same $2.00 back to all county funds? A pow’er house of crime. No one with any Principle of fairness will deny that and 1 *** r*‘ r cent ofTTimes is committed | by men who are drinkers or coming in contact with drinking men. In ! the vigg districts you will find here the power house stuff is in its ele ment. Yes. it the pow’.er house of vice, it is also a power house to dis play unhappiness. How many ladies here hive entered their new- home with a light heart and fond pros pects only to be blighted and blast ed by this accursed institution. A power house to destroy honesty. A man remarked to his wife in my hearing, that a man said in the streets, that a man who would drink would steal. This she denied, saying, “you drank as hard at one time as anybody, you never stole’’ His ans wer was ."Yes I did, you needed bet ter food, clothes, and furniture, and I took all I made and drank it up, this was the meanest kind of steal ing.” It is the power house to de stroy parental influence. What child can respect a father who takes its food and clothes (by using the money) for this accursed drink touches it, I am here in jail, and has gone nome to his family. he My unpro- up in talked look of "God wife and children are home tee ted. and I am here shut jail all through drink.” I with him. and he with a real manhood stood up and said, being my Helper, l shall never touch it again.” A power house? ^ es, of the power of hell. This power house will have to go and I have faith that on the 17th of Au gust it will go out of Colleton Coun- if not the entire State. Yours hopefully, G. P. Penny. — BUSINESS MOVES- The H. W. Cohen clothing store has moved across the street to the new concrete building just com- ted between the Walterboro Co., and S. Finn’s Jewelry Store. This is one of the handsom- stores in town. L. N. Glover will open a furniture store in the building Just vacated. by each of these pupils,, who were daintily dressed in becoming cos tumes and who performed their parts without a hitch. The program was as follows: Waltz (Duet) Misses Henderson and Fender. March,—Ella May Crosby. Through Field and Forest—(Duet) Misses Crosby and Julia Howell. Hearts and Flowers—Miss Kath- en DeTreville. le Mazuka—Miss Eulalie Cousart. Rainbow’ (Song)—Misaea Kath- ! leen DeTreville and Len Risher- Playing Tag (Duet)—Misses Ella May Crosby and Eulalie Cousart. Sleep my Dolly Sleep—Miss Marie DeTreville. Welcome Springtime (Song) Miss- i es Crosby, Cousart. Taylor, Wich- man, and DeTreville. School Days March—Miss Ethel 1 Fender. i iValse—(Trio) Misses Anna Belle and Ella May Crosby and Cousart. Bird of Paradise (Duet) Miss es Kathleen DeTreville and Mabel j Wiehman.'. Let me crowm you w ith Orange Blossoms. (Song) Mr. John Crosby. Cradle Song (Duet) Misses Cou- ! sart. 2nd Waltz- Miss Kathleen DeTre- j ville. r School Days (Song) Misses How’ell and Anna Belle Crosby. ■ Ventre de Terre—Misses Hender son and Kathleen Detreville. the sweet strains of music rendered h*bk? A power house to destroy the love of home. Where the father comes home drinking, cursing and abusing his *ife and children, where is life? It is dead, yet he swore to love, protect and keep her. A power house to destroy the church. I ask this have you found a zealous Chris tian and church worker abdicted to this habit? No. It is the power house to destroy soul and body. “No drunkard hath eternal life.” Yes, it is a pow’er house, this bottling w’ork I mean, to all evil.' The writer went with some Ep- wrorth League workers to hold a prayer meeting in the jail at Tampa, Fla. After .the meeting a white man there said, “Mr. Penny, will you come to my cell a while? I went and he said with a sob “I never thought I would have to in vite anyone in a place like this.” He said, "I, with a neighbor came to town together, 1 drank, he never PROHIBITION FOR TWO WEEKS. The general assembly at its recent session passed a State prohibition law which goes into effect on the first Tuesday of August, in every county in the State, and every dis pensary in South Carolina will be closed on that day. It is then pro vided by this act that on the third Tuesday in August, the 17th, there shall be held an election in every county now having dispensaries, and if the election results in a majority for the sale of whiskey, the dispen saries in that county shall be reopen ed as before, but if there is a major ity in any county for prohibition the dispensaries in that county shall be closed. The effect of this is to give absolute prohibition in every county in South Carolina for the two weeks in August between the first and third Tuesdays. The sections of the act, relating to this matter are as follows: THE ATT OF 1909. “Sec. 14. This act shall take effect on the first Tuesday in August. 1909: Provided \hat in the counties then having dispensaries an election shall be held on the third Tuesday in August, 1909. for the purpose of determining whether the dispensa ries located therein shall b$ v reopen ed, and such election in each said counties shall be held and conducted by the same officers and under the same rules and regulations provided by law for general elections. “Sec. 15. At such election the commissioners for such county shall at each voting precinct therein pro vide one ballot box in which the bal lots must be cast. Any person who is a qualified elector for such county may vote in said election. Every voter who may be in favor of the sale of liquors and beverages in such counties shall cast a ballot in the box provided therefor, on which shall be printed the words ’Against sale and manufacture of alcoholic liquors and beverages.’ If « majori ty of the ballots cast in such election be* ‘For sale and manufacture of al coholic liquors and beverages.’ It shall be lawful for such liquors and beverages to l^e sold in said county as hereinafter provided: Provided that the expense of these elections shall be borne by the State.” This act does not effect the 21 counties which now have nodi«pen- saries. They-remain dry, without any election.—Daily Record. NOTICE. The fourth Sunday in June has been set aside as Prohibition Sunday at Bethlehem church, recitations, songs, etc., will be given by the Sundav school, and addresses will be made by speakers of note. The pub lic is invited. 11 o’clock a. m. is the hour. J. B. Dodd, * Supt. PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN FUND. Previously acknowledgd $47.50 pleted Drug TEACHERS ELECTED. The trustees of''the Walterboro Graded School have elected the as sistant teachers for thefcext session, and will meet Thursday to electa principal. The assistant are: Miaaas Aaaie Galloway, . ANTISTOCK LAW MEETING. Ruffiri, June 11. Special:—From an article in your paper dated June 2nd, headed. Stock Law Case Up; this article shows that application has been made to the Supreme Court for issuance of rule to show cause why Colleton should not be declared under the operation of the General Stock Law. Now certain portions of Colleton County have never been under the operation of the General Stock Law. but have been operating under an Exemption Law for about twenty years, and to declare Colle ton operating under the General Stock Law at this season of the year would damage the farmers of the part of this county thous- — • o' *:* fat A ing is of great importance to your ipterest. Signed. L. Linder, Thomas Beach, Calvin Carter. George Crosby. G. A. Ben ton. Fred Padgett, G. F. Copeland, J. C. Kinard, J. K. Getsinger, J. A. Hudson, W. H. Ulmer, J. C. Nettles, W. B. Nettles, C. R. Givens, I. L. Benton, J. M. Kinard, W. E. Benton, W. J. Getsinger, G. C. Benton, J. B. Kinard, W. C. Brant. C. J. Breland, F. W. Cummings, G. C. Breland G. J. Yarn, P. C. Crosby. IB flfaJfUfafa A CARD- It is being rumored in Una county that the lawsuit between me and J. W. Rents is a friendly to teat the stock lav. I; to aw friend* I fa falaa end thar Jarthfcreaat.far Iwfa this laweiiit for justice.