Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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--I Vo..~ -- - _ -- MANNING, S. C. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6. 88 O1 AN ELECTION RIOT. Blood Spilled at Phoenix Ten Miles from Greenwood. A WHITE MAN SHOT DOWN. The Story in Detail. Relatives of the Republican State Chair man Shot. A very Seri ous Affair. At Phtenix, 10 miles below Green wood on election day there was a most serious occureuce in eonneetion with the election. Giles 0. Etheredge was killed instantly, Thomas P. Tolbert, Jr., was badly wounded and several Negroes were hurt. There is great feel ing about Phoenix and throughout the county, and the probabilities are strong ly favorable to one or more lynchings. LAbout 9 o'clock Tuesday-morning Giles 0. Etheredge and R. C. Cheatham, citizens of the Phoenix section, went to the store of J. W. Watson, where the State and federal elections were being held, and at the instance of sev eral citizens reproached T. P. Tolbe:t for the unusual proceeding he was evi dently directing. On the small piazza in front of the store Tolbert had an or dinary looking ballot box,-and in it he was directing all the Republicans who had no registration -ertiticates to drop a certificate. marked "Blank No. 3, read ing as follows: BLANK NO. 3. : .TE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ...............County. This certifies that the undersigned, be ing over the age of 21, male resident of the voting precinct. .. .. of Ward .. .. .. and legally qualified to register and vote therein, did, on this, the 8th day of November, 1898, pre sent himself at the said voting pre cinct to vote for R. R. Tolbert, the Republican candidate for congress in the Third district of said State, desiring and intending to vote for the said R. R. Tolbert, and, upon his attempting to so vote, was denied the right to so vote, and his vote thus offered to the proper officers was rejected. And the undersigned further states that prior to such an attempt to vote, and as required by statute, he had ap plied for registratin, under the laws of South Carolina, being entitled to such registration, but had been refused and denied the ri;ht to reginter; and he further states that if he had been per mitted to register and to vote at said election, he would have voted for R. R. 'olbert, the Republican candidate for congress in said district. .............. ...... WitnE5-ses. PERSONALLY appeared......... ........and made oath that the above is correct. Notary Public. ...................C. Nov. 8th, 1898. Etheredge demanded of Tolbert his right to carry on such a side election, being closely followed be Cheatham and several young men. Tolbert struck Etheredge in the face, and at about the same time some one dealt him a horri ble blow with an~iron rod. Almost at the same instance a pistol was fired, and Etheredge fell dead with a bullet hole in the centre of his forehead. Then there was excitement and fury amount ing to distraction, and rapid and seem. ingly indiscriminate firing commenceo.. By the time the men up-stairs at the boxes got down, Tolbert and all the Negroes present scattered and got away. Those who did the firing were mainly young men, and their aim was bad. Tolbert was the only man, it seems who was seriously hurt. Several Ne groes were hit, but the wounds were not sufficient to stop the flight of any one. Twenty-two men had been refused the privilege of voting when the killing took place, two being white Demo crats. Eighteen Negroes had deposited in Tolbert's box, the certificate being copied. The news was quickly telephoned to Greenwood~and all other points in reach. Armed men immediately started for Phoenix. Over 100 fully armed men, embracing many of the level-headed and best citizens of the city, went down. At 4 p. in., they were still gathering at Greenwood, Ninety-Six, Kirksey, Brad ley and the entire country side, includ ing the upper part of Edgefield county. Among those gathered at Phoenix there was little passion expressed, but there was that tense expression that means vengeanee. "Bose" Etheredge, as the slain man was known, was one of the best citi zens of that section. He was a brave, calm, public-spirted citizen, as was shown on more than one trying occasion. He was a favorite with all the people, an industrious farmer, a member of the Baptist church, a school truestee and in every way identified with the best in terests of the community. lie was 38 years old. Your correspondent was with the men at Phoenix until 3:30 and talked to the eye-witnesses~ of the tragedy and to many representative citizens. The ~talk of the crowd was surp;:singly dis passionate, but there was no disguise of the fact that it was intended that then slayers of Etheredge and the authors of the mischief, two white men should die whenever caught, whenever guilt was fixed. From the evidence taken by Coroner Dean at the inquest Tuesday afternoon, the following facts appear eoncerning the killing: Tom P. Tolbert, Jr., who is a rela tive of R. R. Tolbert, the Republican candidate for congress in the Third district, had for several days past been posting the Negroes as to voting. When he api eared at tl.e Watson store with his protest box he was closely followed by a very tall. black Negro, said to be Joe Circuit, who resides several miles from Phoenix. About 9.15 Etheredge appeared to make his remonstrance. no threat be ing heard. Tolbert rose from a seat and made a quick blow at Etheredge, striking him in the face. It seemis thc blow was not returned. Then the dead ly blow .th the iron, itself sufficient to cause death. followed by the imimedi ate discharge of a pistol. One or two witnesses say RI. G. Cheathami was shot at. but he was not hurt. Then followed _ h soing- pkrol 10 shots-and the eseare of Tolbert and his backers. Y ouug Rush, Mr. Williams and an other oung man were the positive wit s. Rush picked up off the floor of the piazza, at the spot this tall Ne gro, Joe Circuit. was noticed to stand, a red mi eniorauuum book having in it the inscription "J. F. Circuit ' and soie illegible scrawling. Two wit ncses testify that this book fell out of Joe Circuit's pocket, and that it fell out as he drew a pistol. There is pos itive testimony by two boys that Joe Circuit tired tne shot that killed Eth eredge. These are about all the positive state nients in direct relation to the shooting, and the corouer's jury so rendered a verdict. Tolbert was hit by somebody's shot and some others were hit. In an hour, a party of Negroes, most of them armed, gathered about a half mile from Phoenix. Later they moved pre sumably to Rehoboth church, two miles distant. When the Greenwood dele gation. a hundred cool men with guns arrived, the plan of following the Ne groes and dispersing them was talked of, but it was decided to refer every thing to the inquest. Tine gathering at the store could hardly be called a mob, as there was no wild talk and no pronounced excite ment. Among the men present, who, while expressing deep indignation and determination to avenge the killing of their fellow citizen, were against hasty action, even against organization, were Senator J. Milton Gaines, who lives near by, Postmaster L. A. Moore of Greenwood, Prof. T. M. Wright, Mr. J. W. Watson, J. V. Duffie and others of high repute and known grit. Sena tor Gaines naturally became the leader, and his cool course probably kept down fury. Behind this death and trouble is a black story. For two or three weeks past Tom Tolbert and R. P. Henderson, a young white man heretofore esteeniea in this section, have been holding meet ings with the Negroes-sometimes at weird places and unholy hours. A party of young men attempted to locate these meetings to break them up, but the meetings were always held and the participants gone before they could be definitely located. At one meeting at Damascus, R. P. Henderson made an incendiary speech, telling the Negroes that Greenwood county was theirs, that Phoenix and Ninety-Six would be car ried by the Republicans. This was "nigger news," but today shows that was real news. Henderson is a relative of the Tol berts and had become seized with am bition to hold office. He was about to be appointed postmaster at Edgefield and had promised to appoint a Negro, some say Joe Circuit, as the clerk, but the Edgefield peopie notified him that this meant death. He is quite a young man. During the sad scenes at Kirk sey's today his riother, a noble Christ ian lady, was buried at Damascus church, near the Negro church of Da mascus, where some of the meetings with Negroes had been held. Tom Tolbert, like all the Tolberts, is a good citizen with this one fatal ex ception of tempting the Negroes. He is about thirty-five years old.-State. SEVERAL SHOT. -Tolbert and Several Democrats Am bushed and Wounded. The sequel to the tragedy at Phoenix developed in the afternoon of election day. John R. Tolbert, the veteran leader of the Republicans of upper Carolina, was dangerously wounded about sun down. With his nephew, the son of. Charles Tolbert, he was on his way from Bradley's home when he was fired on from the roadside. He was danger ously wounded and the boy was killed. A party of armed Negroes were follow ing their old leader and they returned the fire of the white men who did the shooting. Some one was hurt, but the name cannot be ascertained at 8 p. m. Three young white men returning from Phoenix about dark were fired on from ambush and were badly wounded. Dr. G. P. Neil and Dr. B. WV. Cobb are with them, and the citizens are mak ing a strenuous hunt for the bush whack ers. M. J. Younger, a young merchant of Greenwood was wounded in the foot. Cresswell Fleming, a prominent young farmer was badly hurt. Stuart Miller, a member of Co. "A," First South Cai olina volunteer, infantry a son of Col. G. McD. Miller, was wounded. These young men are at Mr. A. C. Stock man's six miles from Greenwood. FOUR NEGROEs KILLED. A company about 40 strong was or ganized at Greenwood Wednesday morn ing to make a peaceable settlement of the affair. They virited Piney Grove church and met a crowd resting, about 300 strong. who had several Negro pri soner. 'They went to the Harris place and found the house apparently de serted. Two men entered and found John Tolbert and his sister alone. Tol bert was in a pitiable condition and can't live. The company scoured the swamps for bands of Negroes reported gathering, but found none. They returned via Rehoboth church where a crowd of two or three hundred had eight Negroes. The crowd was commendably peaceful at first, but soon fired up. They were quietcd twice, but finally one Negro was dragged out in the road and 100 shots were fired into his body. At this time two ran one way. two another, leaving three on a log, who were immediately lynched. Negroes are scarce, but it is thought that they are gathered in some secluded place. The crowd has not dispersed. Excitement is at the highest. One Negro was wounded running across a cotton patch. TWO MORE NEGROES KILLED. Two more negroes were killed in Greenwood Thursday. That morning the crowd which started from Phoenix met near Rehoboth church, the scene of Wednesday's lynching, Essex Harri son, a Negro who was in the Tuesday fight when MTr. Etheridge was killed. B arrison was halted and his heart was shot out. lie was thrown on the pile of four negroes lying in front of the church who were lynched Wednesday. Their bodies still lie there horribly shot and frequent showers are falling to make matters worse. Coroner Dean went 'down to hold the inquest Thurs day. He met a crowd, who did not molest him, and, after some little difficulty secured a jury. The verdict mentioned the customary unkown par ties as responsible. It is reliably understood that two other Negroes shot Wednesday are lying in the woods nearby. No inquest was held over these. Later in the day a party found Ben Collins. another Negro in the Tuesday fight when Etheridge was killed. Collins was on the place of W. 11. Stallworth, Sr., and he was prompt ly killed and left there. Rhett R. Tolbert took the Giecenville and Columbia up tr-.in at Donald's, dodging a crowd looking for him. Chief Kennedy says that he is at the Mansion House in Greenville. Ile will probably go to Washington. Thomas Tolbert has been moved to Abbeville. Ile will likely die from wounds. Rhett Tolberts family is at Due West. Jim Tolbert, whose wife is postmistress at McCormick, -has left on demand of citizens. THE TOLBERT'S ARRESTED. They Are Now In the Penitentiary for Safe Keeping. The chief development in the Phoenix race riot occurred in Columbia Thurs day. But for prompt action on the part of the county authorities, Jno. R1. Tolbert and his son Joseph Tolbert, two of the leading figures in the terri ble trouble, would likely have met their death at the hands of numbers of men who hail from the up-country in the city at this time. The intensity of their feelings had been increased by a report that young Private Miller, of the First Regiments, who was fired upon from ambush near Phoenix, had died. It was about 2 o'clock in the after noon when the news became current that two of the Tolberts were in the city, having gotten thus far on the flight from Phoenix. At once excite ment ran high among the up country soldiers in the First Regiment and among others from that part of the State here. Men kept an eye to wind ward along Main street. It was report ed that the Tolbert's had a room at Wright's hotel, though they were not registered there. Later on Joe Tolbert was seen on the street by some men from Abbeville and Greenwood. It then became certain that the report was true. The crowd on the watch was not cer tain where the men were and no move was made. In the meantime, Lieut. Wyatt Aiken, having hearci the men were here, went before Magistrate Smith and swore out a warrant for the arrest of J. R., T. R. and Joseph Tol bert, charging them upon information and belief with inciting to riot. This warrant probably saved the lives of the two men, for had not the step been taken they would hardly have gotten away from Columbia. The warrant was placed in Police Sergeant Jones' hands for service. Se lecting one of the best men on the force and taking constables along, Sergt. Jones began the work of locating the men. He finally found them in a room at Wright's hotel. Both were heavily armed, and Jno. R. Tolbert did not feel like submitting to arrest though he was weak from his wounds almost to the point of delirium. Finally the men were taken down and placed in a carriage, being quickly driven to the magistrate's office. They sent for Judge Andrew Crawford, en gaging him to handle their case. Judge Crawford waived a preliminary and the men were escorted to his office. In the meantime Judge Crawford, knowing the danger that threatened the men if they were known to be in the city, had applied to Judge Gary for an order for the commitment of his clients to the State penitentiary for safe keeping. The order was promptly granted and Sheriff Cathcart then took charge of matters. John R. Tolbert is about seventy years of age. His body is a mass cf wounds from the crown of his head to below his hips. The wounds had been bandaged by his son when he began his flight and from that time until he reached the State prison Thursday af ternoon had n'ever been dressed. Clot ted blood could be seen on the mass of rough bandages. Dr. B. W. Taylor was summoned to attend the wounded collector at the State prison. He will be given the best of attention at the prison. The extent of his iuj uries were not known at 8 o'clock last night. That he was in a pitiable condition, however, goes with saying.-State. A Fertilizer Trust. The Spartanburg Herald tells of a great trust that is; being organized, and which Will have great bearing on the industrial welfare of South Carolina. The Herald says: "Every fertilizer company from Baltimore to Key West. of importance, passed into the hands of one gigantic concern, known as the Virginia Carolina Chemical Company. This is a trust, if there is such a thing. It is a combination of capital formed for the purpose of controlling production and price, in restraint of trade. If Attorney General Bellinger will tackle this monster and display the same amount of force and fire he used on th6 Broxton Bridge case, he will be named for governor two years from now with practically no opposi tion. There is a law in this state against trusts. It ought to be made effective or else be repeabd. We believe it can be made effective." Plant Wheat. The Edgefield Chronicle says: "3aaiy of the farmers of Sonth Carolina. and especially of Edgefield, we hope, arc arranging for a big wheat crop next year. It is a wise course. Very wise. There ought to be a big flour mill in Edgefield town, la~ addition to those at various points ir the county. And they ought to be run' on Edgefield wheat to."' What is true of Edtiefield is true of every County in South Caro 'lina, and we commend the good advice Iof the Chronicle to the farmers of this county. Hundreds Sick. The steamer Penn arrived at San Francisco, Cal., Wednesday from Manila. When she left MIanila there were 1500 sick among the men and the physicians were terribly dismayed at the progress smallpox was making. Ac cording to Sergeant Palmer, in one day there were ten deaths from s.mallpox. Capt. Linn said he knew of but five deaths from that disease in a single day. The filth poured into the catnals by the Chinese is said to be a prolific WILMINGTON HOT. The Mayor of the City Requested to Resign. NEGRO EDITOR MUST LEAVE. Negro Laborers to be Excluded to the Preference of White. Com mittee Appointed to Carry Resolutions Into Effect. There was a mass meeting of the bus ines:, men of Wilmington, N. C., Wed nesday, attended by fully 800 of the best white citizens, at which the follow ing resolutions were adopted: "Believing that the constitution of the United States c3ntemplated a gov ernment to be carried on by an en lightened people; believing that its framers did not anticipate the enfran chisement of an ignoraut population of African origin, and believing that those men of the State of North Carolina who joined in forming the Union, did not cohtetplate, for heir descendants, a subjection to an inferior race. We, the undersigned, citizens of the city of Wilmington and county of Han over, do hereby declare that we will no longer be ruled and will never again be ruled by men of African origin. This condition we have, in part, endured because we felt that the consequences of the war of secession were such as to deprive us of the fair consideration of many of our countrymen. "We believe; that, after more than 30 years, this is no longer the case. "The stand we now pledge ourselves to is forced upon us suddenly by a crisis, and our eyes are open to the fact that we must act now or leave our de scendants to a fate too gloomy to be orne. "While we recognize the authority of the United States, and will yield to t if exerte-, we would not, for a mo ment. believe that it is the purpose of more thau 60,000,000 of our own race to subject us permanently to a fate to which no Anglo-Saxon has ever been forced to submit. "We, therefore, believing that we represent unequivocally the sentiment of the white people of this county and city, hereby, for ourselves, and repre senting them, proclaim: "1. That the time has passed for the intelligent citizenoof this community, owning 95 per cent. of the property and paying taxes in like proportion, to be ruled by Negroes. "2. That we will not tolerate the ac tion of unscrupulous white men in affil iating with the Negroes, so that, by means of their votes, they can domi nate the intelligent and thrifty element in the community, thus causing busi ness to stagnate and progress to be out of the question. "3. That the Negro.has demonstrat ed, by antagonizing our irterests in every way, and, especially by his bal lot, that he is incapable of realizing that his interests are, and should be, identcal with those of .the community. "4. That the progressive element in any community is the white population and that the giving of nearly all of the employment to Negro laborers has been against the best interest of this county and city, and is a sufficient reason why the city of Wilmington, with its natur al advantages, has not become a city of at least 50,000 inhabitants. "5. That we propose, in future, to give to white men a large part of the employment heretofore given to Ne groes, because we realize that white families cannot thrive here unless there are more opportunities for employment for the different members of said fami lies. '-6. That the white men expect to live in this community peacably; to have and provide absolute protection for their families, who shall be safe from insult or injury from all persons, whomsoever. We are prepared to treat the Negroes with justice and consida tion in all matters which do not involve sacrifices of the interests of the intelli gent and progressive portion of the com munity. But we are equally prepared, now, and immediately, to enforce what we know to be our rights. "7. That we have been, in our desire for harmony and peace, blinded both to our best interest and our rights. A cli max was reached when the Negro paper of this city published an article so vile and slanderous that it would, in most communities have resulted in the lynch ing of the editor. We deprecate lynch ing, and yet there is no punishment provided by laws adequate for this of fense. We,. therefore -owe it to the people of this community and of this city, as a protection against such licens in future, that the paper known as the Record cease to be published and that its editor be banished from this com munity. " We demand that he leave this city within 24 hours after the issuance of this proclamation. Second, that the printing press from which the Record has been issued be packed and shipped from the city without delay; that we be notified within 12 hoursof the accept ance or rejecttion of this demand. "If the demand is agreed to within 12 homns, we counsel forbearance on the. part of all white men. If the demand is 'refused or if no answer is given within the time mentioned, then the editor, Manly, will be expelled by force. "I4t is the sense of this meeting that the mlayor, S. P. Wright, and chief of police, J. Rt. Mullen, having demon strated their utter incapacity to give the city a decent government and keep order therein, their continuance in of fice being a constant menace to the peace of this community, forthwith resign." A committee of 25 citizens was ap pointed to direct the execution of the provisions of the resolutions. NEWSPAPER OFFICE SACKED. A General Fight in Which Ten Ne groes Are Killed. The committee of 25 men represent ing the mass meeting of white citizens in the execution of the provisions of the resolutions adopted Wednesday, de manding the departure of Editor Manly from the city and the removal of The Record plant, were to have received a definite answer to their demands from representative -Negroes at 7.30 a. mn., Thursday morning. Chairman A. M. Waddell was to epnort the nswer tonthe white citizens in front of the Wil mington Light infantry armory at 8 o'clock. At the appointed hour more than 500 determined white citizens, consisting of merchants, lawyers, preachers, doc tors, etc., well armed with guns and ievolvers, gathered at the armory, and Col. Waddell reported that he had re ceived no answer from the negroes. They waited at the armory until almost 9 o'clock, hoping that an answer com plying with their demands would be re ceived, but none came. The men then formed in line, four abreast, and started on the march to the Record office, in a thickly populated negro settlement. As the long column of armed men approach ed the vicinity great crowds of Negroes, men, women and children, were fleeing this way and that in a perfect frenzy, and very soon, scarcely one was in sight anywhere. When the column reached the building, a two-story frame struc ture, the men were halted, and several advanced to the door. It was locked. A few blows by stalwart men forced it open, about 20 citizens entered, and within a very few minutes the whole plant was wrecked, and the broken pieces pitched into the street. The windows of the house were broken out. As the numerous fragments were tossed into the street, and the people recog nized what they were, exultant shouts went up. Yet with it all there was a remarkable demonstration of coolness and determination. It was when a long sign, "The Record Publishing Co.," was cast into the street, that the greatest outburst of cheers went up. A beaver hat was thrown out and quickly torn in pieces, as was a life bust crayon likeness of editor Manly. When the wrecking was about complete it became evident that the building was on fire. Smoke was rising out of the upper windows. There were shouts of indig natioD and commands to extinguish the flames. But the fire spread quickly, so that the fire department had to be call ed out. As the engines and hose reels dashed upon the scene, several rounds were fired by the men who were lined up for inore than two squares either way. The department quickly had the fire under contrui-out not before the building was a total wreck-and pre vented the spread of the iamus to adja cent buildings, Conservative men very much regret the fire, not only because it was entirely unnecessary, bat because it endangered a great deal of other pro perty as well. Close on one side of the building was St. Stephen's church, the largest and hand-omest Negro church in the city. On the other side, with only three or four small cottages, join ed closely together, between it and the burning building is Ruth hall, a 'large and well equipped hall owned and used by Negroes. Happily not a single one of the adjacent buildings were injured. As soon as it was apparent that the fire was under control, the people left the scene and dispersed through the city, many of them going on guard duty on their various blocks. All was quiet until wild rumors, with no foundation in fact, were carried to the Negroes, more than 500, a- work in the cotton compress. They were told that their homes were being burned, etc. They rushed pell mell from their work. However, by the heroic efforts of Messrs. James and. W. H. Sprunt, the proprietors of Alexander Sprunt & Sons Co., the great majority of them were stopped, and finally so controlled' as to leave for their home in small squads. About the time the trouble at the compress was gotten under control, news came from the first ward, over the railroad, that a riot was in progress there. Large numbers of armed men boarded the street car or ran on foot to the scene, corner of Fourth and Harnett streets. This was about 11:30 o'clock. When they reached the scene five Negroes had already been killed and fully 20 wound ed; one highly esteemed young white man, Mr. William Mayo, was seriously wounded and two others, George Piaser and a Mr. Chadwick, were slightly wounded. What gave rise to the trouble was that white guards who-were on duty on the corner of Fourth and Harnett streets, halted a squad of Negroes who manifested a threatening air. All of them save one heeded the advice of the guards to disperse. He finally turned as though to move away and suddenly wheeled about and fired at the squad of guards. Very quickly several rifle balls crashed through his body, killing him instantly. The ball fired by the Negro took effect in Win. Piner's arm. The Negroes in sight quickly darted around corners, and in a few mo meats one of them raised up from be hind a fence anid fired a Winchester rifle, severely wounding Win. Mayo, now of Yonkers, N. Y., who was stand ing on the piazza of his father's resi dence. Mr. Mayo was here to vote and would have returned home in a few days. The Negro was captured. lie was in his own yard and two Winches ters were found in his house. Within 10 minutes his body was riddled with bullets. A large mob of Negroes as sembled about a square away, and rein forcements for the white men having arrived a volley was fired upon them killing four more and wounding others. The Negroes quickly retreated. The Wilmingfn Light infantry and the naval. reserves were called out and the rapid-fire gun and the Hotchkiss one pounder were also hurriedly carried to the scene. A mob of several hundred Negroes was gathered on Ninth street, corner of Nixon, but as the military ad vanced the Negroes fell back and rapid ly scattered. When near Sixth and Nixon streets a shot was fired into the naval reserves from a Negro house. A-volley of bul lets was fired by the military through doors and windows, killing one Negro. Nine inmates were captured arnd es corted to jail. The house was 'emol ished. With the exception of two er three casualties in remote portions of the city this ended the really riotous scenes of the day. The news of the conflict spread quickly to neigh boring cities and large bodies of men arrived during the after noon from Fayetteville and other nearby towns, and all sections of the city in habited by white people arc closely guarded tonight.--State. A Prediction. Ex-Senator Ingalls of Kansas rises to predict that McKinley will be heaten and the Republican party knocked into finder two year hence. We hope so. THEY PROMPTLY RESIGNED And Turned the City Government Over to the Whites. After a day of bloodshed and turbu lence Wilmington has subsided tonight into comparative peacefulness. Eight Negroes were killed and three white men wounded during the day, one of them William Mayo, seriously. Tonight the city is'in the hands of a new municipal government and law and order is being established. This after noon the board of aldermen resigned one by one. -4s each alderman vaca ted, the remainder elected a successor, named by the citizens' committee. un til the entire board was changed legal ly. They resigned in response to pub lie sentiment. The new board is com posed of conservative Democratic citi zens. The mayor and chief of police then resigned and the new board elected their successors, according to law. Ex-Representative Waddell was elected mayor and E. G. Parmelee chief of po lice. The first act of the new govern ment was to swear in 250 policemen, chosen from the ranks of reputable white citizens. They are vested with all the authority of the law and will take charge of the city. The citizens will remain -on guard, however, throughout the town to prevent possi ble attempts at incendiarism. The new government will devote its attention to restraining recklessness among the whites as well as keeping down lawlessness among the Negroes. Further trouble of a general or serious nature is not expected. Soon after the meeting Mr. George Rountree received a telegram from Governor Russel, say ing that he would .use all his efforts to influence the mayor and city council to resign if that would restore peace. Mr. Rountree sent the following re ply: Mayor and aldermen have resigned. Two hundred and fifty speci.dI police men sworn in. Law will be maintain ed and peace restored." Mr. Rountree is a prominent attorney here and a member of the Democratic campaign committee. THE OFFENSIVE EDITORIAT. The Article that Caused the Trouble in Wilmington. The following is the editorial pub lished in the Wilmington Record that caused the destruction of the news paper plant and the banishment of the Negro editor Manly from that city: "We suggest that the whites guard their women more closely, thus giving no opportunity for the human fiend, be he white or black. You leave 'your goods out doors and then complain be cause they are taken away. Poor white men are careless in the matter of pro tecting their women, especially on farms. They are careless of their con duct toward them, and our experience among the poor white people in the country teaches that the women of that race are not any more particular in the matter of clandestine meetings with colored men than are the white men with colored women. Meetings of this kind go on for some time, until the wo man's infatuate on or the man's bold ness brings attention to them and .the man is lynched. Every Negro lynched is called a 'big, burly, black brute,' when in fact many of those who have thus been dealt with had white men for their fathers and were not only not black and burly, but were sufficiently attractive for white girls of culture and refinement to fall in love with them as is well known to all." The Deadly Hot Supper. The time for the deadly hot supper among the colored population has arrived, and we may expect to hear from time to time of the sudden taking off of some of those who attend these danger oUS places of amusement. The first hoi supper of this season was held at the house of Charles Zeigler, in the town of Woodford, oni last Friday night, and as a result Charles Coleman has made the journey to "that undiscov ered country from whose bourn no traveller returneth." He was induced to take this long journey by John Wil liams, who was assisted in the argument with a lightwood knot. Magistrate G. W. Dannelly, acting as coroner, held an inquest over the remains of Coleman when the above facts were elicited. Williams stands a good chance of fol lowing Coleman by the rope route. It is always pretty safe to count on losing at least one colored citizen when a hot supper is held.-Times and Democrat. Ladies Take Notice. Brother Bacon, of the Edgefield Chronicle, says; "Ladies must now have their dress skirts made long-de cidedly long-touching the ground in front, and sweeping on the ground two inches behind. Lately we have been out into the haunts of fashion, and we know whereof we speak. And a, worsted walking dress must have sleeves exactly like a man'scoat. "Brother Ba ou l au old bachelor, but he seems to bc posted on the subject of ladies dresses, and we hope they will take due notice and govern themselves accord ingly. _________ Won the Prize. ENsiGN Willard won the prize of $100 offered by a patriotic American citizen to the first American soldier who would plant the stars and stripes on Cuban soil. As soon as he got the money Willard set about distributing it among the men who accompanied him upon the expedition. Paid for Them Pigs. Two little pigs caused contention be tween a couple of neighboring farmers in Shannon county, Mo. Each claim ed both pigs. They went to law about them, and when the posts amounted to $90 the litigants compromised by each taking a pig. Takes the Cake. The Columbia Record says: "Rich land county has a precinct that should be accorded the palm for taking the least interest in Tuesday's election. At Killians only one vote was cast. The managers did not even take the trouble to deposit a ballot." A New Industry. A Kansas man has discovered that brandy can be made from wet elm saw dust, and a discouraged prohibitionist asks what chance the good cause will have when a man can go forth with a ,.p-saw and get drnk on a fence rail? COTTON GROWERS. Proclamation of a General Planfor Their Organization. ANDERSON'S FARMERS ACT. Howto Create a Deficiency or Sur plus as the Occasion De mands. Prompt Action is Asked For. We, the undersigned committee, ap pointed by the Cotton Growers' conven tion assembled in the court house at Anderson, on the 7th day of November, 1898, by resolution adopted by the same, do proclaim the following as a plan for organizing all of the cotton growing counties of this State and all ther States in the cotton growing belt, and ask that prompt action be had: Mr. Editor: Allow me through your paperto offer a-plan, or a suggestion, to the Cotton Growers' association. Being a farmer myself, I am very much interested in a plan by which we can' better our condition. We have only three features to contend with to ac omplish our purpose: First. We must ontrol a certain amount of the cotton produced throughout the cotton belt. Second. We must control the labor necessary to produce that amount. 'hird. We must be able to create a de iciency or surplus, as the situation de mands. It does not seem to me that we can ever accomplish much, if anything, in a farmers' organization as a unit, sim ply from the fact that some are not so ortunately situated as others. Hence this plan. With these fortunate ones depends the solution of this cotton luestion. They can over double their prosperity and that of their neighbors without injury to themselves. The first feature: To accomplish this nd, let 50 independent farmers, or who can be accommodated to indepen iency, meet, organize, form a corpora tion, or, to put it plain, form a trust, to be governed by laws regulating trusts, etc. For the benefit of those who may not comprehend the magni tude of their representative body of 50 men, we will take our own county, An ierson, forillustration, and'see what we ave. (We will say where the counties ire small and are not so wealthy it is ot necessary to have so many men in the organization.) By selecting your men you can find them- to represent or ,ontrol anywhere between 8,000 to 15, )00 bales-of cotton. But for fear this stimate is too high we will cut it down to 6,000. Apply this to the State and. we have 246,000 bales of cotton, about Dne-third of the cotton produced in the State. This will hold good throughout the cotton belt. The estimate for 1898 is 12,000,00 bales. Grant this to be true. Then you will see that this or zanization holds 4,000,000 bales. Do not lose sight of this and we will see ater what they can do with it. Second feature: How are we to con trol this labor necessary to produce the mount of cotton above stated? Very easily. We will take the crop of 1898 for a basis. Let each individual mem ber of this organization retain the same tnants or hired labor which he had in 1898, or in case of a change he must supply their places with labor equiva ent. For he will not be permitted to represent more cotton than he can pro duce labor to make the same. And it shall be his duty and he will be requir ed to furnish this labor with supplies as ordinarily. For one-half or three fourths of the cotton he represents in this body will be theirs, according to the terms of their contract. How are we to create a deficiency or surplus as desired? My answer to this is through the New York Cotton Ex ehange. Pick up your daily paper, turn to the market quotation. You will see your crop of cotton for 1899 an be bought by a man who wants it from a man who hasn't got it and for a given price, which many claim is below the cost of production. Knowing these facts to exist, can we not get together in a body governed as a trust, so that no one can act independently? We will have a president and board of di rectors. Grant that we have this trust established. What will be the conse ruences? Our president, acting in uni son with our board of directors, will autlorize his agents to go on the floor if the exchange and purchase the en tire crop controlled by this trust. Then the order will go out to each individual member-I will not say member, but stockholder-to put his lands in wheat. rats, peas, corn or anything he may hoose, but under no condition must he plant a seed of cotton, and to keep his tenants employed so they cannot assist n raising cotton for a non-member. [f he should plant cotton after receiv ing this order he would forfeit his bonus money, which would be $4 or $5 per bale. He would have as much cotton to sell the next fall as he could make out >f other products he raised the year before, and all he could make out of ther products would be a surplus. lake the 12,000,000 bales. You will ee by buying 4,000,000 instead of rais ing it, we have reduced the amount raised to about 8,000,000 bales. Four :housand bales must be bought for us, which will leave only four million bales or the use of the world. Can't you ce it would be a grab and snatch game or this cotton, and prices would run way up~? On the other hand, if cot o is bringing a fair price, we could sell our crop, roll up our sleeves and raise it, as we have it sold. There is rot a corporation or trust that could lave the advantage we would have. Now, we know the cry will be "You :annot make your purehase or sale." We will see. In order to keep cotton :own they have got to sell, or else it will go up, and if it goes up, .then we will have accomplished our aim. We ire willing to sell and make it. They will either have to put up or shut up. [t takes $100 to buy 100 bales or sell. Sonmc may think this is gambling. It is not-far from it. It is simply a pro tection for the services rendered throughout the year, and if they pro pose to sell us cotton cheaper than we aa raise it, we have a perfect right to buy it and sell it next fall at a profit. Now, gentlemen, it is a duty we owe >urselves and surroundings to do some thing. We have farmed long enough Mr the glory there is in it, and if these men offer us a saucer of ice eresin, I say let's at it. J. B. Watson, Ch'm., S. N. Dearman, L. D. Harris, H. G. Anderson, A. T. Newell, W. H. Glenn. Anderson, Nov..8. FAST TRAIM ROBBED. Eight Robbers Were in the Gang.That Did the Work. The Great Northern through train, which passed through Fergus Falls at 7.30 p. m., was held up and robbed about five miles west of there. There were eight robbers in the gang, all well armed. Two of them evidently board ed the blind baggage in that city. The train was scarcely out of the town when these two climbed over the tender, and, presenting revolvers, told engineer Brace and his fireman to stop at a lone ly spot near the Pelican river bridge. Arriving at this place, the train was stopped and the engineer and fireman were ordered to leave the cab. The other members of the gang rushed from -the woods and boarded the express car. All wore handkerchieis over theirfaces. The gang was regularly organized and went by numbers. When the train stopped, the condue tor and brakeman started forward to find out what the trouble was, bat the bandits fired a number of shots and warned them to keep back. They then compelled the express messenger to leaye the car, and while , three or four stood guard, the others proceeded to blow the safes. The local safe was destroyed, and it was thought they succeeded in secur ing considerable money, but the exact' amount cannot be learned. The through safe was drilled and dynamitedi four charges being used. The jacket. was blown off, but it was found impo sible to reach the inner part and get at the cash. They worked over it nearly two hours, holding the train for that length of time, but gave up finally and joining their companions on the out-' side, started south. Captures the Senate. Republicans will control 'the United States senate after March 4, next The Iresent party division of the sen ate is: Republicans 43, Democrats 34, Populists 6. Silver Rpublicans 6. Prior to the late election the figures were changed by a Republican gain of two, viz: McComas, .of Maryland. who will succeed Gorman, and Simoh, of Oregon, who was elected to fill a va cancy. This increases the Republicar total to 45. The terms of seven Repub lican senators expire March 4, next leaving 38 hold-over Republicans. The elections of last week made certain the choice of 10 -additional Republican senators. This gives a total of 48,- or two more than a majority over Demo crats, Populists an'd Silver Republican. There are 21 Democratic hold-over senators. To this number last week's election will result in adding four er tainty and one probably, making -a to tal of 25. The Populist and Silver Re publican hold-overs number 8. This was increased Tu esday by 1. E loodshedin Texas. A special from Dallas, Texas, says: "Tuesday was a bloody election day in Texas. At Hubbard, Stevens coun ty, Rosario McCarthy, Joseph Banmby and Jefferson Squires, were killed and J. F. McCarthy and Riley Squires prob ably mortally wounded in an election quarrel. At Steuper, in Hopkins county, R. E. Sutton and George- Young were kill ed. William Roung is in jail as a party to the killing of Sutton, who had murdered Young's brother. "At Aubrey, Denton county, Dep'a ty Sheriff B. Taylor ,was shot through the neck by Lee Webb and dangerous ly wounded. He shot Webb through the leg At Sheffield, in Trinity county, J. W. Ashfield was killed and his father probably fataly wounded by persons whose names have not been learned. Many minor affrays occurred in vari ous parts of the state as the result of election differences. A Good Yield. The Cotton Plant says: Col T. J. Moore, of Spartanburg County, tells the Evening Star that he has already picked 2,256 pounds of seed cotton from one acre and thinks he will gather five hundred pounds more. This is a good lot of cotton from an acre of ground, but it is likely there is not much money in it after all. The Cotton Plant would like for Col. Moore to tell its readers the net profit on that acre of cotton and how it was cul tivated. Every farmer is trying to find out the way to make money in growing cotton. An Election Odity. The latter days of the campaign de veloped some oddities in eleetioneering. A few days ago several prominent pol iticians, candidates for office, went down in the coal mines of Cherokee and Crawford counties, Kansas, and made speeches to the miners. On one occasion, while 600 feet below the sur face, the candidates crawled through a tunnel and made speeches while on their hands- and knees because of lack of space to stand up in. The cam paigners spent a week in the mines, working among 10,000 miners, only coming out into the open air at night. The State Farm. Superintendent W. A. Neal, and the board of directori of the South Caroli na penitentiary. have arranged to give a free excursion to and from Colambia to the State Farm on November 18. The invitations includes all visitors to the State Fair who care to see the farm, and the visitors are promised a big barbecue or other entertainment. The excursion will be at the privato ex pense of Superintendent Neal and the board of direstors. Their object is to furnish taxpayers the opportunity of seeing what is being done. A Wonderful Voice. A colored citizen of Sedalia, Mo., has a most wonderful voice. Speaking in an ordinary conversational tone, it is said, he can be easily heard across a 40 acre field, and when calling at the tr of his voice his words may be dist muise for more than a mile.