SHERIFF'S OFFICE HISTORY

By an act of the legislature of South Carolina in 1785 Spartanburgh County was formed out of the Ninety-six district. On the third Monday in June of that year Court was held at Nichols’ Mill which stood on the banks of the North Tyger River. A vote was held and Mr. William Young was duly appointed as the first Sheriff of Spartanburgh County.

The next Court session was held on the third Monday in September of 1785 at the plantation of Thomas Williamson  where present day Spartanburg is located. At this time Sheriff Young produced his commission under the hand of his Excellency the Governor and was sworn in.

Since William Young was sworn in as Sheriff of Spartanburgh County in 1785 there have been forty different men who have held the office of Sheriff of Spartanburg County.  Thomas Benson was sworn in as the first Deputy Sheriff in  March 1786.  Some of these men have held the position more than once.  1799-1800 Sheriff Brittain Williford; 1820-1822 Sheriff James Hunt; 1839-1843 Sheriff Alexander C. Bomar; 1868-1876 Sheriff J. N. O. Dewberry; 1909-1921 Sheriff William J. White; 1932-1944 Sheriff Samuel M. Henry; 1945-1960 Sheriff Belton B. Brockman; 1961-1968 Sheriff Charles T. Snipes; 1969-1976 Sheriff Charles P. Alverson; 1977-1988 Sheriff Larry D. Smith; 1989-2004 Sheriff Bill Coffey; 2005-Present Sheriff Chuck Wright .  History by  J. B. O. Landrum

Spartanburg County -

1900 population  65,560

1960 population 156,830

2000 population 253,791

Sheriff W. J.  White 1909-1921 — “Sheriff Stands up to Mob, Protects Prisoner”    

A mob of close to 1000 persons massed around the court house and the front entrance of the jail wall. As time passed the crowd who seemed content to shout threats began to escalate to physical acts and took an iron rail and attempted to batter down the massive gate to the jail. 

Suddenly Sheriff White appeared and announced he would not give up the prisoner. Shots were fired by deputies after another failed attempt by the mob to batter down the gate. After a brief period of quiet, workers from the interurban railway joined the mob and brought dynamite to the scene to try and blow a hole in the gate and wall. The explosion failed to accomplish it’s goal. This time shots from the Sheriff and his deputies were returned by the mob however, no one was hurt.

An appeal to Spartanburg mayor, O.L. Johnson to have the city fireman and police to help dispel the mob fell on deaf ears. Even the fact that the wife and children of Sheriff White were within the jail failed to move the mayor to action.

South Carolina Governor Cole Blease was called upon to dispatch the state militia to help calm the situation, however this plea for help was ignored. After a long night of anger and violence the mob grew tired and returned to their homes.    -August 1913