FIGHTING FOR REVIVAL - Clemson University

Warren and some up-country wagoners, in which one of the latter was killed by Mr.
Warren.” 72 The paper also gave coverage of the three day trial of Carson Warren, stating:
Much interest was felt in the result as Mr. Warren is a citizen of excellent
character and much esteemed by many as a friend and neighbor . . . Our
deepest sympathies are with the unlucky prisoner and his distressed
family. At the same time, we trust his grievous fate will prove an effectual
warning to others, not alone against the shedding of human blood, but
against all strife and wrangling which are too often in this latitude the
certain precursors of violence and crime. 73
Hamburg was the scene of several such violent occurrences over the next few
years, including the murder of Mr. William Spires by Lucius Pond for repeated trespasses
in 1857 74 , and an “almost fatal affray” between Major Gardner, his son John Gardner and
Mr. B.L. Hall, “three of our most valued and respected citizens.” 75
A final report by the Advertiser during this antebellum period bears witness to
“another fatal affray,” this one involving Samuel Posey, Jr. and Henry Williams, resulting
in the death of Posey. The parties fired upon one another, having partaken of “spirits”
and incensed over an apparent affront of honor. The Advertiser again uses this
opportunity to make another plea to the citizens and legislators bedeviling the influences
of liquor and firearms. 76
Public pleas of this kind in response to these events occur nearly as often as the
events themselves, and judging from the continued violent acts being reported, fell
72 “Fatal Affray,” Edgefield Advertiser, March 3, 1853, ECA.
73 “Trial of Carson Warren,” Edgefield Advertiser, March 23, 1853, ECA.
74 “Serious Affair in Hamburg,” Edgefield Advertiser, July 22, 1857, ECA.
75 “An Unfortunate Rencounter,” Edgefield Advertiser, June 30, 1858, ECA.
76 “Another Fatal Affray,” Edgefield Advertiser, October 24, 1860, ECA.
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