Lynch Law In Sumter

To copy the following from the Sumter LYNCH LAW IN SUMTER. Democrat, with the remark that if lynching was ever justifiable, it was in the case mentioned: LYNCH LAW.-A few weeks since we noticed the murder of a Miss Thornton, of this county, by one of her father’s negro men. The negro was lodged in jail-having of his own free will confessed the crime. The case was called at the Inst term of our Circuit Court, and a day set for the trial. When the day came on, much to the surprise of every one, on application, a change of venue to Greene county was granted. The mur- der had been attended by the most diabolical and aggravating circumstances which the imag- ination can conceive. Yet, the heart-rended parent and outraged community had permitted the law to take its course till it arrived at this point, when they would stand it no longer. Accordingly, on Wednesday night last, about 12 o’clock. a number of gentlemen, from the neighborhood where the foul deed had been perpetrated, comprising, from what we can learn, some hundred or hundred and fifty of the most respected citizens, came to Livingston, and some of them, entering the jail for the purpose, they said, of committing n negro they had with thein, got possession of this boy Dave. Others immediately ran to their assistance; the keeper of the jail was held in duress and the negro was borne off by the infuriated throng. We were unable to learn what the punishment reserved for the negro was, but it was intimated that he was to be burned on yesterday in the neighbor- hood of Mr. Thornton. It is proper to remark that the Sheriff and one of his deputies and the jailor, were the time on a trip to Welumpka, with Robinson who was sentenced at the last term of Court, to the Peni- tentiary. The deputies, however, which were here. are entirely free from censure. We cannot approvethis high-handed measure; fer, aggravated though the case was, while we have laws we should abide by them. To copy the following from the Sumter LYNCH LAW IN SUMTER. Democrat, with the remark that if lynching was ever justifiable, it was in the case mentioned: LYNCH LAW.-A few weeks since we noticed the murder of a Miss Thornton, of this county, by one of her father’s negro men. The negro was lodged in jail-having of his own free will confessed the crime. The case was called at the Inst term of our Circuit Court, and a day set for the trial. When the day came on, much to the surprise of every one, on application, a change of venue to Greene county was granted. The mur- der had been attended by the most diabolical and aggravating circumstances which the imag- ination can conceive. Yet, the heart-rended parent and outraged community had permitted the law to take its course till it arrived at this point, when they would stand it no longer. Accordingly, on Wednesday night last, about 12 o’clock. a number of gentlemen, from the neighborhood where the foul deed had been perpetrated, comprising, from what we can learn, some hundred or hundred and fifty of the most respected citizens, came to Livingston, and some of them, entering the jail for the purpose, they said, of committing n negro they had with thein, got possession of this boy Dave. Others immediately ran to their assistance; the keeper of the jail was held in duress and the negro was borne off by the infuriated throng. We were unable to learn what the punishment reserved for the negro was, but it was intimated that he was to be burned on yesterday in the neighbor- hood of Mr. Thornton. It is proper to remark that the Sheriff and one of his deputies and the jailor, were the time on a trip to Welumpka, with Robinson who was sentenced at the last term of Court, to the Peni- tentiary. The deputies, however, which were here. are entirely free from censure. We cannot approvethis high-handed measure; fer, aggravated though the case was, while we have laws we should abide by them.