Alfred Rush, a black state representative who served two terms during Reconstruction and represented what was then Darlington County in the S.C. House from 1868-70 and 1874-76, was assassinated near here about 1/2 mi. from his home on May 13, 1876. Rush, also a deacon at Savannah Grove Baptist Church, was returning with his wife from a picnic at Mt. Carmel Church near Timmonsville when they were ambushed by an unknown gunman, and Alfred Rush was killed instantly. Several black Darlington County officials wrote Gov. D.H. Chamberlain that “this was a cold blooded murder and our people are very much excited over it.”