The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, October 25, 1899, Image 1
*iM|Jvv ff
THE SUMTER WATCHMAN, Established April IS50.
"Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's."
THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established Jane. 1566
Consolidated Aug. 2,1881
New Series-Vol. XIX. No. 13
-
?h iEattjnttittt at Sonfljrmi
Pablisliod Erery Wednesday,
-BY
fV.: ? 1 "
J>3\ <3k Osteen
SUMTER, S. C.
i "'. .. - - V . . .
TCBJIS :
.v; - . '
$1.50 per annum-io advance.
??'??l>-: \~~^.. -;
DT1BTI8IIIKT:%
Ono Square first insertion....".$1 ?
Svery subsequent insertion.... S
Contracts for three months, or longer wi
ht made at reduced rates.
All commaoicatioos which subserve privai
interests will be charged for as ad ver tie m en ti
Obituaries and tribu te of respects will b
charged for. \
HASELDEN HURLS
HOT SHOT AT HIM
K A lamber of the Board Be
||f|pfP~ plies to Mr. Ouzts
Below is given the reply Mr. J
Bodly Haselden, former chairmai
and present member of tho Stati
- board of control, and chairman of th<
sub-committee of investigation, t<
the charges > recently po bushed ty
deposed Bookkeeper D A Cf Onzts.
It speaks for itself:
fy- To the People of Sontb Carolina ;
I bave delayed a reply to the serie<
of abusive tirades published in th
daily newspapersv of the State ovei
fi .. ifne signature of D A. G Ousts anti
| their conclusion. I bave been satis
;C fied tbat the pe pie of the State, wbc
may no': know Ibis man Onzts, at least
are sufficently well acquainted witt
f . most of the men whom be bas beer
maligning to defer a conclusion as
to bis statements u nt il a further a nc
; ; Sk. contradictory assertion should
be ' made. It bas given me,
personally, and the others whose fate
^ it Had teen to incur bis malice, plea
sore to know that this confidence bac
. not beeo unfounded
It has been my policy since I have
-... been a member of the board of eon
tr ol, and it has been that of my two
colleagues, whom the X clerk of the
X commissioner designates as the
majority faction of that body, to give
io the details of dispensary manage
ment the widest publicity. The dis
pensn y is the people's institution,
its management is their business,
and they of right are entitled to such
information as will convince them.
y and keep them convinced, that it
is honestly and competently conduct
ed. We do not attempt to deny
that it offers temptation to the dis
honest who may secure place and
position in it and have ioog realized
that its best safeguard and surest
protection against the thief and the
rebate taker is an open board meeting
and the foll glare of the public eye
into it innermost workings.
A realization of this met and of the
further fact that the best way and
the only way to purify it, resta in this
publicity, prompted the majority of
the board to give the facts elicited
by the investigating committee to
the public in all their details, instead
of attempting to cover np and to
core the defects laid bare therein
within a secret board meeting
Whether the facts developed war
ranted the suspension of Mr. Ponthir,
the public eau determine. I believe
that the affidavits published are a
sufficient reply to any suggestion
that the removal of the commissioner
was doe to any factional feeling in
the board. Until these affidavits
brought to light a condition of affairs
which surprised us, Mr Donthit was
in hearty accord ano bad the unreser
ved support of a majority of the
board of control, and would have it
today but for tbese facts. I believe
that be bas been given a considera
tion that be does not deserve, in view
of them, and I am astounded that
two of my colleagues on the board
of control can strive to keep him in
the position of commissioner.
Shipping Clerk Black, in calling
some of the acts elicted to our at
tention (specific instances of ra ism an
agement affecting the efficect dis
charge of the position be held) was
protected by the board in thus cour
ageously doing bis duty, and would
have been protected, it matters not
upon whom his charges reflected.
Bot, unlike Black, so long as
Oozts held bis job be bad nothing to
report to the board, although be
knew that three ont of the five bad
recently voted to retain bim in his
place while the other two acqniesed
because it couldn't be helped, and
hence would protect him ; although,
like Josephus Woodruff, be kept bis
little note book, eavesdropping the
conversation and taking notes of the
supposed errors and supposed dis
honesty of Commissioner Yance, to
whom he held the position of confi
dential clerk. The facility with
which dates and incidents are quoted
is astonishing, and the fact that they
were taken at all at a time when
Commissioner Yance was befriending
bim daily and on two occasions
saved bim from dismissal, is equally
astonishing to any fairly honest man.
But the contemptible Raosey Snif
fles, who was beguiling himself into
Mr. Vance's confidence, knew, or
thought he kne*v, how to play his
game: He judged other men like
unto himself, and doubtless fondly
cherished his little note book, which
was to serve him in such good stead,
to blackmail his position back again,
whenever he should be ousted for
either of his fallings, incompetency
or dishonesty. Of these failings, the
former of course bad long been
known to ns, and the latter we had
good reason to suspect, but unfortu
nately gave him the benefit of the
doubt and retained him as a co ur
iesy to a member of the board of
control who lived in the county from
which he came, and to preserve if
we could harmony in the board, as
we knew his dismissal would enrage
two members of the board who were
tied to bim by some bonds we were
o nable to comprehend.
That blackmail was contemplated
by bim and relied po, is plainly
shown by the threat, which he even
went so far as to give to.the newspa
pers, that he would lay bare certain
inside history if his suspension were
made permanent- It will be noted
by the public that he did not "blow
off bis moutb,'? in his own classic
language, until the board of control
had invited him to it by making his j
suspension permanent-a very good j
evidence that the authorities there did
not fear its production.
That they, or any of the gentlemen
whom he bas so maliciously malign
ed and slandered bad no canse to fear
his revelations will be indisputably
shown to the public in due season
That the worst that he knows has not
yet been told by him, as he says, it
is easy to believe, from our knowl
edge of him, and of tbe opportuni
ties for 8tealage which be bas enjoy
ed during the six, years be has been
connected with, the dispensary, but
we are equally certain that it will not
be given to the public-at least by
Ouzts The. public is cot asked to
fake our word even for tbe statement
that from investigations which have
been made of the so called charges
of this maa, are not only absolutely
groundless, but are outrageous lies,
with a thin veneering of truth in
minor particulars only sufficient to
give them plausibility. A large ma
jority of these assertions must have
been known to Oozts to have been
false when he penned them, as the
public must conclude wben the facts
are given them' The other state
ments are but twisting of transac
tions gathered by this sneak from the
desks of his fellow clerks while
their backs were turned and infor
mation sifted through a keyhole, of
which innocent pastime this saintly
ex clerk has occasionally been found
engaged.
If tbe members of the board of
control have really treated this man
with leas consideration then he de
served in his dismissal, as he claims,
and have at times been less harsh
with the shortcomings of other clerks
whom we believe to be conscientious
and honest men-and these short
comings we are glad to say are not
greater than is found among the em
ployes of any mercantile bouse do
ing an equal business-as Ouzts
claimB that we have done, to this
estimate of his character (and to his
abortive attempted blackmail, for we
all have names of which we are jeal
ons, and there are some men in the
State who are only too ready to be
lieve any assertion derogatory to an
cflScer ot the dispensary) and to this
alone must he attribute the fact
That many of the daily papers of
the State have dignified his abusive
and outrageous attack upon the char
acter of a number of gentleman with
admission to their colums, makes
this plain statement to the public
necessary. Were the people of the
State all acquainted personally with
the men whom he has maligned, and
with Oozts, no reply would be made,
and we desire this fact understood.
In due time evidence showing the
details of all transactions that have
lean quesiionect that merit a reply,
will be given to the public
J. Dudley Haselden.
Newspaper "Patria" Sup
pressed.
Manila Oct. 17, 3 39 p m -The
newspapers Patria has been suppress
ed and editor. Senor Utor, a Span
iard, placed under arrest on charge
of printing and publishing seditious
documents For some time the
Patria sad been hostile to the Ameri
cans.
Recently pamalets attacking the
Americans and the friendly Filipinos
have been circulated, and the police
believe that Utor wrote and printed
them.
-- -i i > -
Call, see and bay, embossed or f oral Grepa
Paper. H. G. Osteen 4 Co.
Blood of a Brother
Shed in Charleston.
N. T. Pittman of Gourdin's
S. C., Killed by A. J.
Pittman.
Special to The State.
Charleston. Oct. 18.-N. T. Pitt
man, a well to do and prominent
merchant of Gourdin's Station, was
shot to death this afternoon by his
; brother, A. J. Pittmao. The' killing
occurred about 1 o'clock, io the read
Jog room of the Hotel Calhouo, which
is to the rear of the office.
The trouble that led op to the trag
edy is not folly known, but from what
was learned shortly after the killing it
ie supposed that either money matters
o * ao unpleasant family affair was the
ciose that led to the shooting.
There were no eye-witoess to the
shooting, aod jost what took plaoe io
the reading room between the dead
nan and his brother cannot be stated.
They were the only occupants of the
room aod bad been for some little time,
having gooe there, presumably, to dis
cuss bosioess matters.
The curtains of tbe re&diog room,
wbicb shot oat the view from the office,
I were partly drawn, though the two meo
could be seen, sitting down in chairs,
talking together, bat their presence io
the room attracted no attention what
I ever, and their conversation was held
in an ordinary oooversatioaal tone and
; did oot foretell of the tragedy that took
! place.
I Saddeoly the attentioo of . Mr. Gay
A. Stooer, the manage, of the hotel,
was attracted by the report of a pistol,
j followed in quick succession by four more
i shoos, all of wbioh came from the
writing room
Manager Stooer turned Pittman over
to Police Officer Luby, who sent bim
to tbe station house.
Mr. Pittman did not appear to be
much excited, bat for a mao who had
jost killed bis brother, was remarkably
cool and collected. The only state
ment that he would make was that be
did oot care to know tbe result ; that
be did it io self defense.
Tbe pistol with wbioh he fired the
fatal shoes was a new Smith & Wesson,
32 calibre. All the shells in the wea
pen bad been discharged.
Corooer Rivers aod Deputy Corooer
Waring were notified aod they took
charge of the body at once. The dead
.mao was found sitting io a chair, be
bsiviog been removed by some one from
the floor, where be fell after beiog shot.
A hasty examination was made of his
body, and it was found that he had
been shot io the back, oear the right
side, and under his arm. It is sup
posed that wheo be received the first
ball he threw ap his arms to protect
himself.
On his person was found a heavy
(fold watob. a telegram from A. J.
Pittman to N. P. Pittmao, sent from
Sommerville yesterday, saying tbat be
would meet bim today at the Calhouo
hotel betweeo 9 aod 10 o'olock, several
letters, a large sam of money and an
unsigned note for $1,000, payable to
himself. These the coroner took charge
of. The inquest will be held tomorrow,
sod it is expected that there will be
some important developments
The deceased arrived io the city last
night from Gourdin's, accompanied by
Mr. J. C Graham. They slept togeth
er last eight and were together early
this morning Mr Graham stated this
morning that he knew about the trou
ble that existed between the deceased
aod his brother, but had co idea it
would terminate fatally or be would cot
nave left them together He said it
was a family affair, but refused to state
what it was. saying that it was told to
him in confidence.
Tbs dead mao was about 60 years
old and well-known iu Charleston.
He is a mao of wealth. He leaves a
wife and ten children
Mr. A. J Pittman, who did the
killing, is about 50 years of age At
one time bc was engaged ic tbe cotton
business on Vendue R'^o^e. Fie now
lives in Summerville.
The family of Mr. N. T Pittman
have been notified of his death.
No weapon was found on the dead
mao On one of the writiog tables
as fouod a small, pearl-haodled knife.
There was no evidenoe of a straggle
having taken plaoe. The ink stands
were in place, and the chairs and Labios
were undisturbed, which would not
have been had there been a scrimmage.
Up to a few years ago N T. Pittman
and A J. Pittman were engaged in the
ootton and naval stores business under
the name of Pittman Bros. About
four years ago they failed, wbioh left
Mr. A. J Pittmao in straightened cir
cumstances Mr. N T. Pittman, hav
ing considerable means, it is said,
helped his brother in money matters
considerably.
Ic is understood that bad blood
existed a long time between tbe two
brothers over financial matters lt is
not known who Mr Pittmao will retain
as counsel to defend bim.
THE INQUEST.
Charleston, Oot. 19.-A J. Pittman,
who shot hie brother, N. T. Pittman,
to death io the Calhouo hotel yesterday
efteroooo, was committed to jail today
by the coroner opoo the fioding of the
jory that heard the testimony at the
inquest held this morning.
At tbe inquest the prisoner was
represented by Mr. J. N Nathans, Jr ,
and Hager Siokler and they will prob
ably appear before a judge aod make
application for bail.
The testimony was heard by the
coroner at J. M. Conoeily's aodertak
taking establishment on Meeting Street.
Several witnesses were examined, but
not one stated that he had seen any of
the abets fired.
. J. Pitman was present, having
been brought there by Lie ot. McManus
and Private J. B. Laby from the polioe
station, where he spent last night. He
spent a quiet night, and this morning
when breakfast was offered him he
refused, saying he would take it later.
He, however, did not take any nourish
ment before being taken before the
coroner's inqaest.
Daring the entire investigation the
prisoner displayed little interest io
what was being said. Occasionally he
would whisper a word to Mr. Nathans,
and at times there was a nervousness of
his bands, which appeared rather as
habitual than as resulting from any
special emotion. He was apparently
the most indifferent man present at the
inquest.
The inquest developed co new facts,
and all that is koown of the case
already bas been substantially given io
The State. The witnesses who were
examined today cast co new light.
Thc tragedy was without witnesses, as
aiready stated, and the facts leading
immediately to the killing will never
be knowe positively. Much was ex
pected of J. C. Graham, of Gourdins,
S. C., the mutual friend, bat he kept
the confidence imposed io bim. and the
sensational developments, which be was
expected to give oat, were cot given.
A. E. Lomady, a traveling salesman,
Manager C. A. Stoner acd Steward
John E. Heffron, of the Calhouo hotel,
testified to responding to the reading
roora io time to see the slayer leavi g
it. Thus was practically ail they knew
of the tragedy of their own knowl
edge.
Manager Stoner deoied the statement
in a Charleston morning paper, credit
ed to bim, that he saw A. J. Pittman
standing over his brother and fire the
shots. Graham was cot asked to di
vulge the dead mao's Beeret, as this
was cot necessary to a coroner's verdict.
A camber of police officers were pat
oe the stand, bat they could tell noth
ing of interest The only new iight
that they famished was that Pittman
desired to report at the police station,
unattended by ac officer.
The sympathy io Charleston is all
with the dead mao. The affair is
greatly regretted, especially because of
the prominence of the parties. The
cold indifference of the slayer is amaz
ing.
The general belief is that the killing
was tbe outcome of business transac
tions between the Pittmaos, for it is
knowe that there bad been ill feeling
between tbe mee for some time. Wheo
the two men were io business here
some years ago aod failed, both suffered
financial losses, bat Mr. N. T. Pittman
started oat with reoewed energy, open
ing ap business at Gordin, his old
borne, where he met with success. His
object was to make money, and in busi
ness transactions he had the reputation
of being very shrewd.
A. J. Pittman has been uosuccessful
in business since bis failure in Charles
ton. He is of a liberal nature, aod
spent money freely. Hie brother, it is
said, helped him in money matters.
The prisoner has relatives in Charles
ton, but since bis arrest none of them
have visited him.
His counsel has forbidden him to
talk about bis case.
True Bills Against Colonel
Neal.
The indictments against Colonel Neal
were handed to the grand jury tbis
moroioe. Colonel Neal was not pres
eot. He is at bia home sick and will
hardly he able to stand triai this term.
His attorney, Mr. Biggs, says the
latest information from him is that he
is a very sick man Several witnesses
from Anderson appeared before the
graod jury
The grand jory speot a comparative
ly brief session in consideration of the
Neal case and brought in true bills as
to each indictment.
Mr. Boggs moved for a continuance
on the ground of bis client's pbysioial
condition, bat Solicitor Thurmond
insisted that the roles bs complied with,
which require the presentation of affi
davits Mr Boggs may have those
affidavits ready tbis afternoon or it may
take a day or two to get them up.-Co
lombia Record.
There is a growing conviction that
the price of cotton bas not yet reached
the top, and that when the world be
comes convinced that the crop bas near
ly all been marketed and is not being
held back by the farmers the price is
goiog ap in a jiffy-Augusta Chron
icle, j
AMERICA'S C P,
COLUMBIA'S CUP!
SHAMROCK DISABLED IN
SECOND RACE.
New York, Oct. 17.-Tbe topmast
of the cup challenger Shamrock carried
away 20 minutes after the big single
sticker had erossed the startling line
today, and her enormous club sail with
its 3.000 feet of canvas came rattling
down on the deck, leaving her a hope
less cripple. No amount of pluck or
courage could face such a catastrophe,,
and Capt. Hogarth immediately aban
doned the race, towing back to the
anchorage after he had cleared away
the wreokage.
The Columbia continued over the
course alone, plaoiog to her credit the
seeood of the races for the America's
cap. The accident to the Shamrock
ruined the race and caused the keenest
regret among the yachtmeo and the
thousands of sight-seers who were on
hand tb witness what bad promised to
a be glorious duel.
It is unfortunate that the defender
should have been the beneficiary of an
accident, as there is little glory io
beatiog a cripple, but the rule is iron
clad. If crippled before the start, time
for repairs is allowed, bot once ovar the
line if anything carries away the suffer
er most make such repairs as he can,
or, if rendered hors de combat, as thc
Shamrock was. today, he must take the
consequences. There is good sense
and logic behiod the role. The ra<*es
are a test of construction as well as
design and seamanship.
Doubtless, if Mr. Iseiin could have
had his choice ic the matter, he would
generously have declined to continue in
view of the crippled condition of his
rival, but the mles gave him oo alter
native. He was in duty bound to go
co, and as be finished well withio the
time limit, the race was his.
Had the accident not occurred, how
ever, it is believed that the Yaokee
boat would have repated the beatiog
she gave the challenger yesterday
During the 25 minutes the yacht sailed
she had gone through the Shamrock's
lead like a streak and had established
a lead of more than 300 yards oo the
weather bow.
Time Limit Out When Co
lumbia Was Nearly Home.
New York, Oct. 19-Had the
wind held today, the Colombia-Sham
rock series for America's cup would
have ended in three straight wins for
this defender, and the Irish cup
humer would have sailed home with
out the trophy, beaten as decisively
as any former candidate. Only the
failure of the wind saved the Sham
rock from a defeat more stinging than
on Monday Today she was beaten
on the run to the outer mark 5 min
utes and 51 seconds, elapsed time,
and on tbe leg borne, which should
have been a beat, but which owing
to a sbift of the wind, was a broad
roach, Columbia sailed away from
ber like a witch. WbeB the race
was declared off, about 10 minutes
before the expiration of the time
limit, Columbia was leading about
three miles She was then four miles
from the finish
Had the race ended Shamrock
would have been beaten by at least
20 minutes.
Glorious Ending of the Con
tests For the Valued
Trophy.
New York, Oct 20.-Through wild
nod hoary eas. io a breeze that ap
proached the dignity of a gale, the
gallant sioop Columbia today vanquish
ed (be British challenger Shamrock by
6 minutes and 18 seconds corrected
time, thus completing the series for tbe
America's cup with a magnificent rough
weather duel and a glorious Yankee
victory.
For the 11 tb time the attempt of a
foreigner to wrest from America he
yachting supremacy of the world bas
tailed.
The intrinsic vaiue of the reward
which hundreds cf thousands of doiiars
were expended to secure is small
simply an antiquated piece of silver
ware which Q'ieeo "Victoria offered to
the best sailing ship in the world io
tbe early days of ber reign* but around
it olaster the precious memories of
unbroken American triumph and the
honor of mastery in the noblest of
sports.
To Sir Thomas Liptoo, whose name
is now added to the list of defeated
aspirants for the honor of carrying the
cap back acKDss the Atlantic, the fail
ure was a crushing blow. His hope
had been high. Bat, like the trae
sportsman that be is, the sting of defeat
has left no bitterness, aod with un
daunted courage he intimates that be
may be back with a better boat to try
again. Daring his stay here, Sir
thomas has made himself more popular
than any previous challenger, and the
yachtsmen of this country will be glad
to welcome him back.
Except for the repeated flukes aod
the unfortunate accident to the ebal*
lenger on Tuesday, this series of races
bas been unmarred by a single unto
ward incident. The boats have had two
fair aod square races, one in light airs
and the other in a heavy blow, aod Sir
Thomas is perfectly satisfied that he
was beaten by the better boat.
Today's race was a glorious test of
the rough weather qualities of the two
yachts. There was too much Vostineas
in tbe air for comfort, and it was far
too rough for land lubbers. The sky
was overcast with cold gray clouds,
and the fierce flaws of a chilling blast
out of the northeast whipped the foam
out of the raciog waves until they
whitened the face of tbe sea. Outeide
the ocean was a riot of white caps.
Some of the holiday fleet declined to |
brave the perils of the harpies riding
down oo the northeaster, aod those .
that did rolled and plunged io the
tumbling billows, Beading all but the
old salts below. The prayer of Sir
Thomas for wind was answered, it ,
was blowiog 25 miles ao hour at the ~
lightship, enough wiod aod enough sea
to make any racing maohioe stagger.
The course, 15 miles before the wiod, <
6outh by west, carried the yachts :
straight down the Jersey coast to a
point efl Long Branch, so that the race
was sailed io pian view of the thou-ii
sands perched upen the heights of
Nevesiok aod stretched along the -':
shore from Seabrigh Mto As bury Park.
Negroes Threatened to Burn
a Georgia Town.
Atlanta, Ga , Oct 16.-Gov. Chan
dler received a telephone message
late tonight from the sheriff of Pike
county at Barnesville, advising bim
that the negro population of the
town, in an attempt to avenge the
whipping of three of their number
last night by whites, were gathering
and threatening to burn the place.
Gov. Chandler at once ordered out *
the Barnesville Blues at BarnsvUle :
and the Capital City Guards of
Atlanta. The Bines reported to the- ;
sheriff and were at once placed on
guard around the principal build
ings The Capital City Guards, 5^ :
men asembled at their armory ia v
Atlanta at ll 30 and a few minutes
later a special train was in readiness
for them. Gov. Chandler decided, ^
however, to await further advices ?
from Barnesville before ordering the -
train to leave
The trouble dates back one week,
when the women operators in the
Oxford knitting mills struck because
several negroes were given employ
ment by the management. It was
admitted Saturday that the mill could
not be run without the white help |
and the uegroes were consequently
discharged The negroes mingled,
with their race and indulged in con
siderable talking. Saturday night |
three of the negroes who had been
discussing the affair freely were
taken out by a crowd of white men
and soundly whipped This perform
ance was repeated again last night
and the negroes in retaliation threat
ened to burn the town
The prompt astion of the sheriff,
I however, prevented any trouble, and
at midnight all was quiet, with the
militia guarding the town
Canned Tomatoes,
Mr. C. W. Chandler, of Chatsbury,
! was in the city Saturday showing
j samples of C3cced tomatoes poe up by
j him this year. Those who have sam- .
j pied them pronounce them of excep
! rieoally fioe quality.
Mr Chandler has a caociog cu:fit
that cost 40, the capacity of which
is 40 to 50 CZ O cans per day. The cost
of the cans is very little, and the
amouctcf tomatoes that cac b~> grown
oo ao acre of Und is practically unlim
ited. Mr. Chandler was offering the
tomatoes to tbe merohants at 95 cents
per dozen for three pound cans, aod
says there is good money io them even
at that price.
It might be well for those who are
trying to abandon the all-cotton plan to
see Mr. Chandler aod investigate this
caooing business further.-Greenwood
Iodex. Oct. 19.
BAKING
1%V POWDER
^ dWSOWXEIY TOBE
Makes the food more delicious and wholesome
- N