The Right Stuff

Supervisor B.B. Chandler is in Florence today looking after the chains, guns, etc. for the county chain gang. Mr. Chandler says there are several convicts from this county who are now in the penitentiary, whom he can have brought here to serve on the chain gang, so he will not want for material to organize a squad. The only trouble he anticipates is in getting a suitable man to act as guard. This man must be made of the right sort of "stuff," and Mr. Chandler says he cannot decide upon one.

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Lynches River Bridge contract

The supervisors of Williamsburg and Florence counties will meet at Johnson's ferry, Lynches river on May the 4th for the purpose of letting the contract for building a bridge across the stream.

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Excitement

The burning of the soot in the chimney of Mr. S.P. Brockinton's residence a few evenings ago created considerable excitement, as it was thought the house was afire.

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Rumors

All sorts of rumors are afloat as to the present whereabouts of the right men. It is said they were seen in Forreston Monday. Some people discredit Nelson's statement about having seen Phelps at Lanes Friday.
The remains of the murdered men were buried at the expense of the county very near where they were killed Monday morning.

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Popular Opinion Divided

The negroes claim they were in Charleston Friday. Sam Nelson, a colored man living near Salters, was here on Tuesday and had in his possession a hat which was found near the scene of the murders, which he swears he saw on Phelps' head at Lanes last Friday. Nelson says he can have his statement corroborated by citizens of Lanes, and this will contradict the prisoner's statement as to his whereabouts on Friday.
Opinions as to the guilt of the boys are divided. If these are not the right parties, the real murderers have a five-days journey between themselves and the crime.
(To be continued)

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Charleston's Involvement

Sheriff Daniel received a telegram from Mr. J. Elmore Martin, chief of Charleston's police force, telling him that the negroes were wanted in Charleston. Mr. McManus was sent up Tuesday afternoon and interviewed the three boys When seen by The County Record man, Mr. McManus said that Simmons was wanted for robbing a house on Savage Street in Charleston two months ago. Richardson and Simmons have not long been released from prison in Richmond, Va. All three boys are well-known to the Charleston police. When questioned as to what Phelps and Richardson did in Charleston that he should want them, the detective smiled and replied dryly that the did not want them; they were only "needed" there at times. While the detective talked freely on some points, he was non-committal on others. On evidence discovered yesterday, the authorities have decided to hod the prisoners, and the Charleston detective returned alone. (To be continued)

The County Record, April 22, 1897

Mistaken Identity?

Our reporter interviewed several prominent men in Lake City and was told by all of them that the prisoners were not the three men seen there Sunday. Upon being interrogated, the negroes gave their names, ages and addresses as follows: Oscar Simmons, age 17, 10 Short Street; Nat Phelps, age 17, 26 Burns Lane; and Joseph Richardson, age 19, 16 Market Street, all of Charleston. They all told pretty much the same tale, which was prepared for publication but was left out after an interview with Mr. M.J. McManus of the Charleston detective force. (To be continued)

The County Record, April 22, 1897