Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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A Blow to Law and Order. Escape of Macon Lesesne Goa? tinues Dec?ded Mystery. Special to Tee State. Kingstree, Nov. 7.-The where abouts and mysterious disappearance of Mason Lesesne, the negro rapist, remains ss unsatisfactory to the peo pie of this community as ever The people hav,e. confidence in Mr J. D Daniels, who vhas been sheriff for eight years, and none believe he could be guilty of an improper act, but the best men err in judgment sometimes, -and while I would no^l question "Sheriff Daniels7 good inten? tions, I believe ft ia his duty now to come out and make some statement to the public about this matter. There , is evidently some misunder standing about the whole affair Surety the white men of Williams j burg county are not going to let this i man L?8esne escape after having j committed the greatest crime The people in and around Greeleyville certainly acted; in a very strange manner about this whole matter. I am informed that Mrs. M itch cm is a poor w'omao but of unblemished character and is respectable. This being the case ehe is as much entitled to our protection as any white" -woman in the land A little more thao two months ago a case similar to this occurred in the neighboring- county of Florence, which caused that community to be shaken from centre lo circumference Searching' parties were sent out in I %very direction and business men left their work to joic io the chase. Officers and men ia Williamsburg and Marion counties volunteered their services and did not relax their efforts until tbe fugitives were captured. A great many people in this county do not believe that this negro rapist is at iarge. if Sheriff Daniels has him in charge, no matter how or where, let him say so and satisfy the public mind, and if not: let him come i quickly to the front and tell the people plainly that he bas escaped and con vince them of it so they may hunt bim dows. It may be that the v?faio is al ready inside the walls of the peniten tiary for safekeeping, and if so let it be so, but this is no time for foolish ness or child's play. , The County Record will say to- ? morrow : "The escape of Macon ] Lesesne turned loose upon us fresh | from his crime, the perpetrator of a j deed the most revolting in the cate < gory of crime. We are by no means ; an advocate of lynching or mob vio ( I ence and bave invariably, when the j occasion demanded, deprecated this j particular kiod of law breaking, j When the would be ravisher, Hamit t too McGill was captured, there was ? =a healthy sentiment that tbe law be 8 given a chance, and, as was expected, t his convittioo and punishment quick- \ ly followed. The course, of action t pursued waa a departure from the ] a$u*l method of dealing with crimi i nala of this type and the law respect- t iog people of the county boped that e the day of lyocbing bees was pa6t . The escape of Macon Lesesne Moo i .day night, nader the circumstances, f .was, to pct it mildly, most unfor- t lunate. Those who were most t anxious that the law be respected ? now openly express regret that the t negro had oot been given a short shrift at a rope's end, and if he should be captured ii is extremely likely th3t such wilt be his fate. j "We can sympathize with and ! appreciate the feeling that our peole have been poorly rewarded for their ( forbearance ft now looks as if the j prisoner had finally escaped Search for bim oateide of the authorities has ! be^n abandoned Wi? do cot know j what the sheriff is dov:g. but we hope and believe that he will use every i means in his pewer to effect a recap ture." ' Russo's Reply Published Sr Pe?.:r8bG.*?. N)v 6 -The text of j 1 the Ro3siao reply to the A og lr. Gerara j 1 a?r -?-aieot :<o'.c ts published j 1 Th* fifitt petrit. prOX*]di:i;-: for open j por;s on tfce tiver? of Ch'?&e*e littoral j ?9 Tiv.jrabl? ivccised. as it does ?ot ! zl'e . a:?8'i?5< treati?; T?w seeded point is m? ihc sore in i har.a ? ?y with Rassi&^s intentions, a* j the i.vegriry of tbe <'eie?tiai Empire is j the raaaaar.cSaJ principle ol Russian i po icy A* r< gards ?he po.istbili 7 of a viola tio.-? nt this principle it? the 3i arricie. R-:^ia refer* ii* her note or Maj 28 anet repeats oe: declaration ;haf. such violation Wittid cintjpcl Russia s :. ? modify, aa oirceai:.tance9 rc:??t re'ju?:c the alidade ?..lc ha-; tasto. Garyism in England. With L>rd Salisbury aa pre^if-r. hts sro, Lord Cranbourne, as under ?:crc tary of state for foreign affairs, h:3 fcon j :c-taw. Lord Selbourne, as first lord of j che admiralty, his nephew, Arthur 1 Biifocr, as his first lord of the treas- j nry, ...aad. another .nephew, Gerald ? Balfoux,,as comnaisaioner of works, it j seeos SB/ though the Burleigh family j was doing.pretty nearly as weil 33 the Wettia- coaneoticn in the matter of separating thc British taxpayer from bis shillings. The Ceoils, however, have been coted for their facility in that direction, over eioce the days of Eliza EMILY GEIGER'S FAMOUS RIDE. Published Letters Wbich Dis? prove the Rooaaotic Story. Having received a letter from Mr A F Lever, wbo was recently norn inated by the Democratic primary to represent Lexington County in the coming Legislature, telling me that be proposes at the coming session to iutroduce t? bili looking to the erect ing by the State of a monument lo Emily Geiger, and inviting sugges? tions from me. ? have determined to publish a few facts as to the campaign in which Emily Geiger is alleged to have played so conspicuous a part. I dislike to play the role of an idol smasher, but as I have been appealed to io this matter, and as the South Carolina Historical Society, of which I am the secretary, has for its object the preservation and dissemination of the true history of South Carolina, I deem it in order to give some facts as they are shown by the records The story of Emily Geiger, as told by Mr. John A Chapman, in his Annals of Newberry District, and by other writers, is that after Gen Greene had abandoned the siege of Ninety-Six in June, 1781, he retreat? ed across the Saluda River and was pursued to the Enoree, by Lord Raw don ; that Lord Rawdon stopped at the south bank of the Enoree while Greene moved on toward the Broad River ; that while encamped between the Eaoree and Broad rivers Gen. j Greene was anxious to send a dis patch to Gen Sumter, on the Wateree River, but that the country betwe?n wa3 so infested with Tories that it was imposeible for a man to go through it as a courier; that alibis time Emily Geiger, who lived about five miles off, volunteered to take the dispatch to Sumter; that Greene sent her, and that she travelled a dis tance of over one hundred miies and took the dispatch to Sumter, whom she found on the Wateree, being on the road three days, during which time she was captured and searched for the dispatch, wbich she had swallowed, after which she was taken 1 before Lord Rawdon, who released ber ; that as a result of her trip Sum ter was induced to ioin Gen Greene 1 and appear before Rawdon at Orange burg; and finally that she did not . jet back home for two weeks there- j ' ifter, because the country around 1 Grranby was full cf the enemy. Now that Emily Geiger carried a i? iispatch from Greene to Sumter dur j1 ing that campaign against Ninety ? ! Six I cannot doubt, for nearly every inperfect tradition has some fonnda ion in fact ; but the story of her ! escapade as told by the writings 8 ibov? referred to, is entirely refuted . )y tbe correspondence that passed >etween Gens Greene and Sumter, and j heir subordinate officers at that time n fact there are many things told j . R these stories about Emily Geiger | bat could not possibly have happen- i id These letters to which I have ^ eferred, and from which I snail quote n defence of my position, are to be ! bund printed in Gibbes* "Documen ary History of the American Revoiu ? ion," series 1781 and 1782, publish id in 1853, and in the appendix of he Charleston Year Book for 1S00 * Now 1 have quoted all of t?rese dis j 1 >atcbee to show that from the day, j i ;May 18. 1781,) that Gen Greene left j : .Jen Sumter at Granby to toe day hat he abandoned Ninety Six (June IO, 1781.) that Gen Sumter was at jrranby, or in its immediate vicinity, >n the south bank of the Congaree, in the present county of Lexington, that Greene and Sumter were in I < ilmoet daily communication with eace j < other, and that if Emily Geiger took j | any dispatch from Greene to Snmter j j during that lime it was only one of ? ? many that Gen Greene sent through i i during toe month that he besieged Ninty Six, and that ?he did not have to go to the Wateree No troops of the enemy were in ?he fork of the ; i Saluda and Broad during that month, j i and if the country was so infested | with Tories bow is it ?hat Greene, ' Sum'.er, Mariou and others exchang ed so many dispatches by couriers j through that country 't When Lord Rawdon marched irotn j Mouck's Corner to the relief of Nine ty ?>ix he marched up through Orange ? burg village, crossed the Edisto and j took up th-3 Ninety Six road When j be reached Ninety-Six and found i that Greene had abandoned the a<-ig? j and retreated across the Saluda River ; he followed as far as the-Encree Wheo Gre?oe retreaded troir. Nisety S:x to the B."'?ao River :-:::a;*..'r in o v. ri up fr? m G ."- by, ? .% ? to b?? near, niru, and ?.: tb : ver? tim? -har. Mr Chapman rays Gre< w. i-?:n- Baily Geiger with I :bc (ii?pu".eh ?C Sumter, on rho W:?NT j Sumter *<? ; only H few uiiles fr >ru Greene's oas p. ready ; ? j un o:ai io caso Rawdon pushed t;::^, and cammo i nicaticg with bim. -otoo iu>.o; twice a day If Eaii?y Geige: took a dispatch . frocn Greene to Suin'er at ia"i?? tiene ?ho carried it only a lew miles through :? friendly country And how did Rawdon ?et i? bc'wee:. Greene acd Sumter ? 1 eau soo how , she might havo been taken by a British j scout and carried to Rawdoi.'? o-tmp. : but that would have taken ber ou" or ! her route to Sumter. Mr Cbampman's ! story dees not fit snob a oooticgency. j New, wheo Rawdon gave up hope of | overtaking Greeoe and retired, Greece moved oe to Winoaboro. wbiie Gen Sumter took a hasty ewing around to Camden by way of Hanging Rook. Rawdon next moved down to Granby and Greene moved down upon h'.m from ! Wioosboro Rawdon retired to j Oraogeburg and Greece's army follow j ed, being joined by Sooner from j i Camden. During tbe?e movements j I Greene and Sumter were still frequent j j !y cocnajUD?oatiog with each other Iii Emily Geiger took a dispatch from j Greene to Sumter at ibis time why was ehe aot S2Li direct to Sut^fcr ? Greeoe j was cass cf Broad River, with oolbun i hetweeu him and Sumter ; why was Emily sent around across both the Broad and Saluda rivers by Granby ? Sureiy thi* way not the time thai, Emily j took the dispatch, and yet this was the | only time during the whole campaign that Sumter was on tbe Wateres, and even if she carried a dispatch to Som ter, at Camden, urging him to join Greeoe for the movement cn Rawdon at Granby or Orangeburg, it was only one of several dispatches tbat Greene sent Sumter un that sabjeot at that time, aod Sumter, even before he got snob dispatches, had announced bis determination of rejoining Greeoe as soon ss be bad straightened up some militia troubles about Camden. it is also strange that in not one of the dispatches before ns does Gen Greese say a word about sending a dis patch by Miss Geiger, or a young womaD, or anything like that Gen Sumter does not. say a word about receiving a dispatch by the band (or word of mouth) of Miss Geiger, or anything of that sort, and yet io one of Geo Sumter's letters to Gen Greene he acknowledges a dispitob by "Capt Linton," and in ?no?hor he notes hav? ing sent one by "Capt Glenn 11 They did not caasider it necessary to mention the names of ordinary couriers, but wheo a commissioned officer took a dispatch his name was mentioned. It does seem that so extraordinary a bearer as a young g:-' would have been men? tioned ia some letter by one or the other of these officers As I said before, there is something in the Emily Geiger story, but'it is very little It was first publisBed by Benson J Lessing in hie Field Book of the American Revolution, in 1850-52. and Mr Lessing, like many others of oar Northern historical writers who j make our history for us, knew very little about the history of the campaign in South Carolina io 1781, and he just wrote the Geiger story from some imperfect tradition that he beard in South Carolina, aod it has grown and ' ?rown during these fifty years until sow we hive a story that is unreason- j1 ibly ?7roog, and before we ' go any |1 further with it we should get the troth 1 )f it, or we are likely to do as our New Boglaod friends do-claim all. Paul Severe galloped down thc road one light when there was scarcely the slightest dancer in bis way. and carried i message ; and to let oar New England historians and our South Carolioa icbooi chi?drdo tell it, he was one of the eaders in the American revolution, jpbiie the nobleec Roman of them all. Ubristooher Gadsen, is seldom mention* id. Of cooree we should honor Emily Geiger-we should honor all of the )oble women who helped out the men n our Revolutionary stroggle, and we ihould s?iif more honor the brave aromen of tfce Confederacy, but if the S^ate were to put op a monument to ?ach one who did some brave aot there wouid not be ground enough left fora >oe horse fares, aod there woold likewise je co money reft to pay the keeper of he cemetery. If Mr Lever would do ; grand serviw for tbe State lot bim *et through a bill to publish oar Colo oial, Revolutionary ana Confederate -coords. The publication of these .ecords (this State being particularly nob in them)- weald not only enable the ?tudeot of toe State's history to get at )ur true history, but if put io the bands >f competent per60os eculd be made to pay the expense of publication, and probably !ea7e profit eooush to pat up i glorious mooament to Tbcmas bum ter, vinuaiiy thc dictator of Sooth Carolina in tbe summer and fail of 1780, when everything looked so gloomy, and the r?al savior of the State, ??atead of Greene, who gets the credit, io 1781. A. S Sally, Jr. in Sunday News. According to the census figures just mad? public, it is possible that South Carolina may get another Representa? tive in Congress, unless there is a change in the basis of representation. At present, there is coe Congressman ? for each 171,000 inhabitants. South j Carolina's increase is 189,183, but it | is nor. improbable thar, there will be a ? change io tb? ba*is of representation. ?mi- .??. -.'H - The Coestrr Lantern bas an account of the death ;'f a "valuable citizen''' in 0.cF<trr County It ca$.s . "Edward Henry, reputed to bc thc oldest man io j thc county, died a few days ago, aged j MG years He was born a slave in Gal copper. Va, in 1784 During his j j-'iit? career hf* was married five times, j and is survived by his fifth wife, by j whom he had thirteen children He is i raid to bo the father of (j!) children." Mr A. J Lat'a, a native of York j County, S C . uted near Jacksonville, j Ark. Oct 27, 190?. On Saturday, j Oat 20. bc star'cu to market with some eggs and a coal oil eau The mule became frightened and began running, Mr Latta th.-rw d-wn tho eggs, which oaused the muk* ti? jump and threw him on his heid. cracking his skell He lived one week but never spoke or regained consciousness. Constable Danois Overhauls a Desperado Near Florence. I Whee, jailer aod constable Thee. Denni* I drove into Florence tois morning with ta.ee j dripping with blood sod collar nsd shirt ? stained H deep ar;d gl-iri^g crix3oo, there i WH3 ca tu ral ly much excitexeM uu? ?.ecol* tun ns to what was "up." Mr Dt-nni^ soon lift town ag*io. aod toogns-s were kept a wagging until ns returned et cae o'clock, passing down the 3:ree?, with a crowd a: bi? h??'?3, sod njiiciiing before bira rr.tb ft slight limp a big brawnv negro, upon whose ol&ck fact was an expression teat no student of bumm nature coold interpret. Jailer Donnis bad bis maa but not UDP! a desperate 5gbt and an exciting capture bad taken place in which figured to a deadly extent pistol*, Win? chester rifles, koivc3 and hand cuffs. Tbe story of the sffiir i3 interesting and bloody. This morning *e be was going out into toe country Mr. Dennis was informed that a negro was hanging around tbe Jeffrey's creek pump 9tation with a Winchester r.fb and probably a history. Witt pi3tol io band ; Mr. Dennis went to tbe pump, spproa^hed j tbe negro and demanded bis arrest, at tba same time taking bold of him by the belt. Mr. Jos. Templo, tbe informant, was aluog. Tbe negro wanted to see tte warrant, and refused to be arrested. From description, Mr. Denuis was now sure thc man waa wanted ia Marlboro for the murder of Mr. Garter, guard of the chain gang, which will be remembered, and hand? cuffed the man The powerful negro resisted and with an effort wrenched ene o' bis bands free. There followed theo a desperate fight. Usiog the cuffs ?3 a weapon the negro struck Mr. Dennis l?verai awful nlows upon the brad Ujiy ?ia;bea were indicted and the blood flawed freely. Mr. Dennis fought with grim determination, the Etwo clinched and the negro was considerably bruised. Not wishing to kili tbe cgro Mr. Dennis stet j him in tbs ?high. Mr. Deonis' thumb w: 3 j in tura literally chewed up. In tbe meier, the negro in some manner got possession of the pistol and, tearing himself iocs?, fled in the swamp. Hurt and bleeding bis- energy kept aihe anly by grit, Mr. Deani3 returned to Fior ?nce and secured a posse, among whom w?-re Messrs. J H. William?.. S A. Jonesand Charlie Lee All were armed. The doge found the scent at tba pump sad roliowed in a round about Jmanncr tbrocgb ibe swamp, to tbe place or Mr S A Gregg. Sere the cegro was captured1, frz^zr^. Mr. Williams eaw tbe negro running up a yu] aod almost at tbe 9ams time a bullet sassed near bis bead. He f>ed bia Wiocbes :er. A bole in a negro'.* nerk shows where be ballet laoded. The negro returned the ira with a pistol, but the sto?s, eren at this rlose rao2e? flew wide. Mr. W ?litaras seizsd i shot goo from young Lee and peppered the eltow with duck shot. Tbs r?*gro threw up jia-'bands-and surrendered. Bia Winchester Eas* unfaded. Tbe p. ^cession mored into Florence at one )'olo?fe. A Urge and curious crowd follow? ed the i r?ro to j*il aad saw bia* searched iud leckel ?p. The ne^ro says his name ie Beor? Williams md r?ut bia borne ia Sumter. Be claims to :aTt l?eeo retnrniog to Georgetown (rem 5um??r to resume bis work wiib tbe A. C. ?umter compo3y. Aa A.C Lumber cott? ony ?heck wag found in bis pocketbook. 3e saj9 resisted Mr. Dennis because he lid not know be was a constable and tbat he lad dcaoe not bing to be arrested tor It ja laid that he gave several other names. Mr. 5)en3ia thinks be bas captured Carter's aurdaser. The aegro bas two ballets in bds> body and will oe cared ios by a physician. Mr. Dennis Hso bad need of medical attention. Willem's history will be looked into im? mediately.-Florecce Time3, Nov. 8. Vin-rented a Tr?gs??>7? Tiaealy iuformaiton giren Mrs George Long, of Xe"? Straiiavillc, Ohio, prevented a dread? ful tragsdy a&d saved two live?. A ?righfu? cough had Jong kept her awAe every night. She h?<? tried many remedies and doctors but steadily gri-vr worse- until urged to try Dr King'i New Discovery. Cns bottle wholly cured her. a?d sae writes thia awrvelous medi? cine also cajed Mr. Long of a severe attack of Pneumonia- Such cures are positive proof of th i :a at chitas merit of this grand remedy for curing all throat, chest an-d lung troubles. Only 50c ?nd $1. Every bottle guaranteed. Trial bottles free at J. F. W. DeLorme's Drug R toje 6 Mr. S. W. Vogel, the sewing machine mao, baa just received a new piock of j Domestics, and New Homes, tie is offering a Gjnebme cando by mc Sew Home Co. tor $18. This intcbine ?s Buperio? io any ever appear? ed at tbs ?ame price Nov. 6-2t. For Infants and Children. The Kind Ysa Have Always Bougiii Signature, ?f ^^^jj^^c??^C THF. BANK OF SUMTER. SUMTER, S. C. City and County Depositary Capiinl stock paid io, .. . $75,000 00 1 Undivided surplus, . 16,000 00 Individual liability of ?rockholders in f ia-53 ol their jf-cck, . 75,000 00 Transacts a general basking miriness; uiso bas ? Savings Bask D?partaient. Deposits o? j $1 and upward received interest allowed aj j tbe rate of 4 ter cent, per annum, payable gemt-annaailr. W. F. B. H AYN'S WORT ri, President. MARIO? MOIS*. W. F. RHAUI, Vice-Presideat. Cashier Jan 31. L^^^^ft^^ g^rliifai^ts and Children. ^iSl^M ii ha Kind You Have I^^mmm? Always Bough! ri! A\^getilderrepara?ioiiiorAs- || * W M siiTiitati?igUi?xoo?iandScgu?a- ?j? ? li ^g^s^^^Boneisof ,j| ?earg the / . ?H**^ ii Signature /?w Si Promotes Digesiion.Ck-erfu?- |g # lil' I aess and Res?Cont?ins neither S rr & M Bm ft' Op;um>?orphme ?ior>Laeral.. M Ul J^H^VXT [j-KOT NARCOTIC. ffl ntw?/^ jj fe? tfOLZLr&jaZLPITCoU? Jg {"j Punrpiaa SetJ>~ |B ll Jj ^ I] JLx.Smiut * \ ra /ir?* ? ? TO A ni ^ ill j E M V II ?j Apct?ec? Remedy for Constipa- il | ^ ' rion. Sour Stomach.Diarrhoca, S I _ ! WonnsConvulsions,Feverish- Si if I* ft ft* ?lflfjft* j ness and Lo ss OF SLEEK ? W g U ? UV?! YacSimile Signature cf $ _ a Vs- ? THC CCNT?UM COMPANY. NC*' YOBX CITY. ATTENTION, PLANTERS! CROP GROWER" A NEW COMPOUND FOR GENERAL and TRUCKING CROPS GUARANTEED ANALYSIS Available Phosphoric Acid ATninonia - Potash Actual i 2 2 0> - 3 to 9 per cent 3 to i per cent 2 to 3 per cent We are nov? entering tbe 27tb year of the manufacture of cur Celebrated Sracd "Bocce Fertilizer ;" having coade "Oereahta Top Dressing" atd "Yncc.ey'b Forcaula fer Yellow Leaf Toraeeo" fer th- peet fif'ren tear-:, we ure now, at the rtqeett of nu, y of our old and rallied customer*, nincing upon ;be markrt "Peoenix Croy Grower" for *il general crops ?na especial!; tor Trucking Crops The "Phoenix" is 32* nuf* ct a red wno tne same care and ittentiou ina: bes been tb? cause of tbe success of OK.- o?ber well ksown brssde, for which ;be denjf\ad twa steadily iccrea;fd from year io year. The ingr?dients eotencg into the composa on cf toe ''Phoenix," like our'other brands, ire of tbe highest grade koowo rodav io tee manufacturers of F?rtil ser ; tt is, therefore, a ligb grase manure, and ii not put upoo ?he m-irket to compete with nor of tbe inferior or trasb gooes thai a:e s:- numerous Asking for your ;j?trooa?e b?c*us? a tri?l we fee? sore will convince you of the superi >rity of the "Pocenix Crop Grower" over other brands of the ?ame analysis, we are, Ver/ -eepectfally, The Home Fertilizer Chemical Works, Manutaetnrers of tbe foiiowiug Celebrated .'Fertilizers : ? 4HOISS PEBTILIZEB," "CSBEAL2TE," -AND "YANCEY'S FQEMTJLA FOE YELLOW LEAP TOBACCO," BALTIMORE, MD. THQHAS STJHTEB, A|?ent. Sumter, S. C., Nov 7-3t Office over Bultman's Shoe Store Stylish - ccmiorubie - thc most economical shoe a woman can buy. 'iueonly advertised American shoe shown at thc Paris Exposi? tion. For house, dress, or walkin?. Three gracies and each one is .iiir.rar.teed by the makers - tiiree prices and each price represents "honest va!::c ter \-.;:r money." Thc dcaicr w':o-s? Hs the Herrick ^hoc in. your city deserves your cunhder.ee and trade. lie (thc dealer) knows that the makers of the Her? rick Shoe have had thirty ei^lit years of experience in the manufacture of women's shoes-th at thev have united tn the Herrick Shoe ali thc strong points and iiave discarded all the weak ones <i the ordinary shae for wemen. Y<u:r dealer is a <:.>'(! judje-you jan trust niiz. Oxfcrcls 50c. a pair .ess tran prices quoted. WALSH'S SHOE STORE. 0 rf SH O SH c? & o X 0 rt t? cd m > o Ul rt J?*@w ?mmplete. WATCH TM?! O bf) rt .rH ?H m T. C. SCAFFE, The old reliable Stove Dealer.