Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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f HB SUaiTEK WATCHMAN, Established April, 2850o Consolidated Aug. 2.1881. "Be Just and Fear no-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's. TBE TKCE SOUTHKON, Established Jeno 1Z*>6 SUMTER. S. C.. WEDNESDAY. MAY 2, 1900. New Series-Yoi. XIX. No. 40 Published Evory "Weds-ssday, -Bi* JN\ C3r. Osteen5 SUMTER, S. C. TERMS : $1.50 per annum-in advance. ADTERTISEKEKT: Ono Square first insertion.SI 00 Bvery subsequent insertion. 50 Contracts for three months, or longer wil be made at reduced rates. Ali communications which subserve private iaterests will be charged foras ad versements. Obituaries and tributes of respects will be charged for. THE WAR IN AFRICA. London, April 25, 5 a. cn -The reports that the siege of Wepener had been practically raised were apparently prematnre. The Boer attack tapoo Col Dalgetty's northern position, as de? scribed from Masera, was probably a final attempt to rash the garrison be fore seen ri o g a safe retreat a od, as Col Dalgetty successfully repulsed the attack, little farther anxiety is felt on bis account Lord Roberts bas DOW spread a nee with some 40.000 or more men aod 150 gaos, covering the whole western semicircle around Wepener. while Geo Hamilton has occupied tba Waterworks, practically without opposition The Seventh division noder Gen Tooker, assisted by naval goos, ba? made a demonstration from Karee sid? ing, the Boers showing some opposi? tion. At the same time a brigade moved oat from Glen to take ap a position on a range of hills at Geo s&adenale, north of the Modder. The waterworks were fou cd on damaged with the exc?ptico of the removal of the sliding valves cf the pumping engines. The Boers now can only esoape, without risking an encounter, north? ward to Ladybrand, and the chance of a successful outcome of the plans of Lord Roberts depends on whether the British troops can reach Tbaba N'Chu aod Ladybrand before the retreating commandoes from Dewet's Dorp and Wepener. AH the correspondents report that the roads are io a terrible condition, which accounts for the slow progress of the British colamos, and if the Boers are as well informed of the Brit xsh plans as they have hitherto been, (bey ?re likely again to escape. It is now within three weeks of the date predicted for the British occupa? tion of Pretoria, and although the present operations, as suggested io some qaarters, may be the begioniDg of the main advance, it is not certain that they will not entail a further halt at Bloemfontein. BRITISH BEATEN BACK. Pretoria, Monday, April 23.-An official bulletin issued here today says : **The federals continues their fight? ing a: Wepener and have captured a herd of Gan Brabant's cattle and herses. "Gea Dewet's losses at Dewet's dorp were one man killed and fis men wounded. The British f.ppear to be retiring beyond Dewet's dorp "Cronje reports that with a strong commando he attacked the British northeast of BDsbof. A heavy engage ment followed and the Eogiisb were driven from kopje to kopje The federals displayed great courage and resolution, and spiritedly chaped the enemy in the direction of Boshoi Only two burghers were wounded The British iost 15 men k ii led and ieft three woooded and eight prisoners in the hands of the burghers " The Crooje referred to is undoubted? ly Commandant Cronje, the second son of the famous Boer general, now B prisoner on the island of St Helena. BLUE FOR THE BOERS Paris, April 24 -Capt Leon, the French engineer who had charge of the Boer artillery and engineers, and who was shot in the head daring the siege of Kimberley, arrived at Marseilles today In an interview he describes tbe Boers as ''splendid artillerists." He said they never had more than 36,000 to 40,000 men ander arms, and of these they had lost only 6,000, of whom only 600 bad been killed "In my opinion," said Capt Leon, "unless the Boers win an important victory near Bloemfontein, they must be beaten in the end. and although Pretoria could withstand a a long siege because it still possesses cannon and emplacement.0 for those temporarily with drawn, ? believe the plan of the Boers is to take refuge in the mountainous region to the north, which is practically in accessible, rather than to defend Pretoria at the ri.sk of a heavy loss of life and the exposure of the popula? tion to th-; fire of the British Ev^n Great Britain declares that, the Transvaal annexed, the Boers will never yield and an arm}* of 150, 000 will be needed to occupy the country." REPORTS FROM ROBERTS. L Dion. Apn? '24, ll 15 p. ra - ! Tu war r?S?e issues the following from j Gen Roberts : ! Bloemfontein, April 24 -Gens ! Brabant and Hart yesterday turned the position occupied by thc enemy, who ; tried to prevent their moving oorth i ward, and got ?oto heliograph corsmu j nicatioo with Col D*igetty, command? ant of the beseigfd garrison at Wepener, who reported all well Geo Brabant had three wounded, ooe missing. Three were wounded oo the previous day. The border regimeot had seven wounded. At 1 p. m. yes terdsy Brabant and Hart were eight miles south of Wepener. Tbe Eleventh division, uoder Gen Po'e Carew, and Geo French's two brigades of cavalry reached Tweede Celuk yesterday after? noon without having met serious oppo? sition Heliograph communication has been established with Geo Rundle A patrol of the Seveatb Dragoons, under Lieut Jenkin?, which was reported missing yesterday, has rejoined Gen French's camp, wirb the exception of Corpl Taylor and Private Cook, who are believed to be wounded and prison ern. Mounted infantry under Gen Ian Hamilton, occupied tbe waterworks at Sauna's Post. As the enemy are bold ing the neighboring bills to some streogth. the Ninth division, consisting of Gen Smitb-Dorrien's and Geo Mao Donald's brigades, bas been dispatched to support Hamilton Gen Maxwell's brigade, formerly Gen Cberraside's of the Seventh divi? sion, yesterday moved eastward aod seized the hills covering the wagoo bridge ever tbe Modder.-river at Kraoz kraal, ao important communioaiion much U9ed by the Boers during the last three weeks. Our only casualty was Private Brum, New South Wales Mounted Rifles, taken prisoner. After Worrying the British South of Bloemfontein, Boers Retire. London, April 26. 5 a ia.-It is ocw apparent that the chances of Lord Roberts catching the retreating Boers io a net are very slendor. Tte Boers have everywhere retired at the first pressure of the British advance, and the hope that Geo Rundle would be able to induce them to remain at Dewet's Dorp until they had beet? forced to fight or to surrender bas been disappointing. No attempt was made to pursue the commandoes retiring from Wepener. Everything now depends upon the progress of General French's cavalry brigadas, but they are entering a very dtfficuit, hilly and practically unknown country. The cavalry have already bad a iong march over heavy and sandy roads, and nothing is know regarding tae condi? tion ot the horses In any case it is now a race between the feder?is and the forces of Geu French and Gen Hamtl ! ton. The slowness of the recent movements of the British iofaotry and previous experience of toe ability of the Boers to move rapidly, with guns and baggage, over their own country, iead to a belief that Lord Roberto7 enveloping operations wili fail and will have to be repeated further north. At the mo3t, be^wiii nerhaps capture some Beer guns and baggage ao? hurry the retreating burghers. Oonoioerabie resaits have been attain? ed tn the relief ot Wepener and iii the clearing of the southeastern ojrnsr or j the Free State of the Boers, but the j i>oer army, whatever its strength, has 1 tu ne deal; wicrj. LORD ROBERT'S REPORT. Loudon, April 25, 4 57 p rn -The war ofi?ce has received the following dispatch from Lord Roberts : "Bloemfontein, April 25.-Pole Carew's division reached Roodekop yesterday eveuiog without casualties Its advance was covered by cavalry and horse artillery, which dree back the euemy with ioss, their dead be? ing left on the ground. Tbe mounted troopB halted for the night at Greet fonteio, and at 7.30 this morning were crossing the Modder river at Valsbank, in accordance with my instructions to French to endeavor to place himself astride the enemy's liue cf retreat. French's arrival near the Modder evidently, however, alarmed the Boers, for they ?vacu?t ed their strong position near Dewet's Dorp during tue night, and it was oc? cupied by Chermside's division this morning "The mounted infantry under (?en Hamilton drove the. enemy <<iT the kopjes in tiie neighborhood o? the waterworks without casualties on our bi'Je "The Highiaud brigade marched 24 miles yesterday to support Gen Hamilton and baited for trie night at '?ip ktaal, lour miles ebort o? rsi.mis Post "Brabant and Hart are still a few miles short of Wepenar and the num bers of tne euemy appear to have j increased during the last few days But it is not likely there wiii be mach ? troops in the neighborhood of ; Wepener once Dewet's Dorp is occu ; pied by our troops "I inspected the city itnperiai vol ! unteer battalion yesterday on their ; arrivai at Bloemfontein. They are in [fine form and look very workmanlike, i "I also inspeceri the first company j of Imperial Yeomanry, which has ! arrived hore The men turn out j smart and their horses are in admira< i ble condition." FLED IN TIME. London, April 25 -The war ofiBce has issued the following from Lord Roberls dated Bloemfontein, April 25, 3 25 p m. "The enemy retired from io front of Wepener last night and this morning fled northeastward along the Lady brand road Their number was be tween 4,000 and 5,000." THE OTHER SIDE RETIRES. London, April 26 -A special dis? patch fron Pretoria, dated Tuesday, says that the Boers bave reoccupied Bo8bof, the British retiring. London, April 27 -Midoight.-The war office publishes the following dis? patch from Lord Roberts dated Bloem? fontein, April 26th : "Gen Ian Hamil? ton yesterday drove the enemy off a strong position at Israel's Poort by a well oonoeived taming movement which was admirably carried out by Gen Ridgely commander of the second mounted infantry brigade and Gen Smith-Dorrien. commanding the Eigh? teenth brigade. These troops ara today advaocing toward Thaba N'Chu "Our losses were siigbt, only one yet reported-Mej Marshall, Graham? stown Mounted Rifles, severe wound in the shoulder." 5 a m.-Israel's Poort which is not marked on the maps, lies between Sen? nas Post and Thaba N'Chu. Geo Hamilton has probably by this time arrived at Thaba N'Chu as be is using bis utmost endeavors to oat off the Boers who are retreating from Dewet's Dorp. The Boer forces at Thaba N'Chu aro not unlikely to make a stand to cover the escape of the convoys from the southward. They have laagers about ten miles apart, stretching from Brandfort to Thaba N'Chu with a base camp at Samalideil station. A report oomes that a small force of British mounted infantry had a brush with a party of Boers ten miles east of Karee Siding, who were trying to establish a connection between Brand fort and the Boer forces to the south? ward. Gen Brabant io the fight with the Boers at Wepener, had a narrow es? cape. Gen Pole Carew's advance was much hampered by thc tardy arrival of artillery which prevented him from eap'uriog Lseuw Kop before darkness set in and enabled thc Boers to secure their retreat. Apparently Lord Rob? erts, with the commands in the bands of younger generals now has an exceed? ingly efficient army. The report that the Boers had reoc cupied Bosbof proves to untrue Lord Methuen is still there and Geo Hunter's division from Natal, which was 6uppos ed to be going to Bloemfontein io arriving at Kimberley. There is evidence that some important opera ? tion3 aro afoot io tba: district. The Boers are showiog more activity in Natal All the interest in the South African war is now centered in the running fight io progress between the burghers retreating from the southern portion of the . Orange Free State and Gen French's horsemen and the infantry of Gens Poie Carew, Chermside and Ran die. But the British hope cf conclu sive results is slim at present, the Boers escaping unbeaten and having accomplished an immense amount of damage. They clung to their positions as long as it was safe to do so and they have now slipped off to hold the next commanding ridge through a broken country admirably suited for a rear guard defense. Dispatches from Aliwal North under date of Wednes? day, April 25, say the Boers left Wepener so hurriedly that many of the dead were left io the trencees unburied. Commandant Orooje is reported to have been killed. Aooordiog to advices from Bloemfontein, the attempt of the Boers at Brandfort to get in touob with the command at Thaba N'Cbu was frustrated by a force ?ispatched by Gen Tucker from Glen. A dispatoh from Pretoria reports the arrival there of Lord Rosslyn as an un? wounded prisoner ! Gen tha Proving Himself Cnp?iDiJ Successor to Jau? bert. Masterly H?rras sins: Moves. London, April 2s. I 55 a m.- In Cammandunt Gen Louis Botha the Boers appar to have found a capable successor of Jaubert AH H reknit of his insight and quick dtcision it may ? be assumed now that the retreating j commandoes have gotton safely away with the tramper;. It is tree that Lord Roberts' dis patch ieaves much unsaid as to the whereabouts of other forces than those of Gen French and Gen Rundle Nothing is said about the troops of Gens Brabant, Pole Carew, Hart and Chermside, but the indications from Aliwai North show that several smail commandoes are still hovering in the vicinity of Springfield, causing a certain amount of danger, and the advices from Dewet's Dorp, outlining the duties of Gen Chermside, justify the conclusion that it will be still necessary to employ a considerable bady of troops to keep the Free State clear of Boers. The position ie that the Boers who began their raid a month ago by com pelling Col Broadwood to retire to Bloemfontein, have gotton safely away to the northward, practically without loss, bat with the advantage of seven guns, together with a hun? dred prisoners captured Meanwhile, the advance to Pre toria has not begun Small wonder is it that muffled complaints and criticisms are beginning to be beard here and there against Lord Roberts Two thirds of his entire force have been employed in effecting this small satisfaction, and the probability is that the whole force most be again concentrated on Bloemfontein before the main advance begins As similar raids on the British communications are likely to be repeated it is eviden? tly still a far cry to Pretoria. The eignificenc of Gen Hooter's division going to Kimberly, where mounted troops are also arriving daily, is now said to be a serious attempt to deal with the strong Boer forces on the Yaal river, now threat? ening to retake Barkley and then en? deavor to relieve Mafeking. It will be borne fn mind that Gen Hunter paid a hurried visit to Lord Boberts at Bloemfontein A temporary railway bridge has just been completed at Betbulie, where hitherto railway trucks had beea transferred over the ??agon bridge. This will greatly facilitate getting stores up to Bloemfontein Mr Poultney Bigelow, discussing the treatment of South African rebels, says that the wisdom of the United States government in not punishing the Confederates after the war of secession bas borne good fruit, and he suggests that a similar result would follow a similarly liberal policy in Sooth Africa. The Bloemfontein correspondent of the Morning Post, telegraphing Thursday, says : "Most satisfactory progress ha8 been made in the accu? mulation of stores during the present week. Sopply park now presents a respectable appearance. The pros I pects of a general advance are more ? favorable " The Bloemfontein correspondent of ! the Times, telegraphing Thursday. I says : ' There appears to be little j chance of inflicting effective punish i ment on the retreating Boers Com? mandant General Louis Botha who arrived at Dewet's dorp Monday realized the situation at once and ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Boers both from there and from Wepener " The Bloemfontein correspondent of i the Chronicle, telegraphing Thurs I day, says : "The latest reports show i that the Boers passed east of Toaba N Cbu, when going north A pris? oner reports that a commando which doubled back on the pursuing British is now making its way west in the direction cf Leeuw kop " The Bloemfontein correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, under Thurs? day date, says : "The Boers who retreated from Dewet's dorp kept weil ahead of Gen French's cavalry Unless the enemy should make a stand at Kroonstad Lord Roberts will rapidly cross the Vaal river " Other Bloemfontein dispatches throw interesting points of light upon the situation. One special says : "Seven hundred and fifty wagons of a Boer heavy transport train have reajhod Kroonstad from the south. Only light wagons have been left behind. The Boerb have organized a specially mounted corps for forag ing and other work requiring special mobility." Another dispatch reports that be? fore the Boers were driven from Dewet's dorp about 7,000 of them had been slowly retiring toward Ladybrand where large supplies are stored and immense cornfields are ready for harvesting. VALUABLE WORK. Col John 1). Frost bas been engnged .c: some r ? rii e on ;i iii eco or voluntary work of value ro ti:e H:a?e F ?r ! m-C5 year- !he:e his bees hanging in t e office or r?e a : i u ' nt general s; maccscM-p! roil vi tue members ot (fcc j historic P.: r.i tl T- gimerit in the w?r j with Mexico K c :. ly ir:.- documcLt has faded rapidly. Coi Frost busspect runny d^ya retracing .iii the names with india ink. The work is sew nearing completion.-The State. The Penitentiary Scandai. Attorney General Beliioger Appeals the Case. Attorney Generai Beilinger has filed a formal notice cf his intention to appeal from the decision of Judge Benet in quashing the indictment against Col Neal on the charge of failure to turn over certain money received by him as superintendent of the State penitentiary The formal notice reads as follows : State of South Carolina, Richland County-Court of General Ses? sions, Aprii term, 1900-The State, appellant, vs W A Neal, respond? ent, neglecting and refusing to turn over moneys to his successor. Notice of intention to appeal To P H Nelson, Julius Boggs and Cole L Blease, attorneys for de? fendant. Take notice that the State will appeal to the State supreme court from an order of his Honor, Judge Benet, quashing tbe indictment charging the said defendant, W. A. Neal, with neglecting and refusing to turn over moneys to bis successor, the superintendent of the peniten? tiary, and will ask for a reversal of said order upon grounds hereafter to be served G Duncan Bellinger, For the State, Appellant. Colombia, 8 C., April 23, 1900. Mr Bellinger is not bringing tbe matter to the attention of the su? preme court for the purpose of keep? ing up the litigation against Col Neal, but he thinks that the indictment he framed was correct and be wants the supreme court to indicate whether or not he was cor? rect Besides, there is an important principle involved If the supreme court holds, in accordance with the line of the circuit court, that Col Neal had no right to receive money from convict contracts and that it was not specified in the act that this was one of bis duties, but that it was specified that it should be turned over to the board of directors of the penitentiary, then Mr Bellinger thinks the State will have DO trouble in winning its suit for the recovery of the money advanced through tbe discounting of notes made by the Ragsdale8 and paid by the Carolina National Bank to the State peniten? tiary The grounds for the appeal will be filed later, the formal notice which is given being all that is necessary to secure the consideration of the ap peal. Senator Quay Loses. Pennsylvania Boss is Refused a Seat in the Senate. Washington, April 24.-Honorable Matthew S. Qaay was today refused a seat in rho Uoited States senate on the appointment of the governor of Pennsyl? vania by a vote of 32 to 33 The galleries were thronged with mul? titudes, while other multitudes were unable to gain admission. On the floor of the senate was every member of the body cow io the city with scores of members of the house rf representatives. The great throng listened with d.:ep attention to the brilliant argument of Mr Spooner in 1 favor of the seating of the former Pennsylvania senator and to the demo eratic and G^ry clcquecce of Mr Daoiel of Virginia, who appealed to his colleagues to do what, on his oath as a senator, ho deemed right, and vote to do justice to bim who was knocking at the senate dcors. Mr Daniel concluded 10 minutes before the hour fixed for the voting to be;zto. The excitement io the senate hy this time was intense. There was a hush in tbe chamber as Mr Frye, in tho chair, announoed at 4 o'clock that tte bcur for the fin ai vo e had arrived and that tbe question was the pending motion of Mr Chand? ler to strikeout of the resolution declar? ing Mr Quay not to be entitled to a seat the word "no:." Amid suppressed excitement Mr Chandler demanded tbe yeas and nays and (he secretary of the senate began to oall the roil Ali knew the vote would be close The first sensation was caused by the failure of Mr Pettigrew, of South Dakota, to answer to bis name although he was in bis seat. When Mr Vest's name was caiied he voted "no" io a clear, distinct voice, thus dashing the last hope of the friends of Mr Quay, who had expected confidently that the distinguished Mis? sourian would vote tor his ?cog time personal friend. Sultan Must Fay up. Constantinople, April 27.-Toa Americio cote heeded to the Turkish mioister or foreign affairs. Tewfik Pssha, on Tuesday, is couched in peremptory terms, demandig immediate payment of the indemnity several times promUed to Minister Strauss by the suitan. The oote does not fix a time limit for an answer, bot its tenor ts not far from the character of an ultimatum. It has produced a great impression upon tho porte which, however, ?hows no disposition to modify the attitude hitherto maintain? ed, namely, repudiating the responsi? bility and seeking to diminish tbe importance of the matter. It is pre? sumed that the ported reply will be in this sense ; and hence it is feared the United States government will be obliged to take steps to enforce its de? mands. Turkey's decision to send an officer to America to 8tody naval eonstraotioa is interpreted to be another sop. It is the revival of an old projeot to bay a oruiser in the United States in the price of which tbe indemnity shall be included, so that the porte will be at liberty to say it bas not paid the indemnity. The American govern? ment has already categorically refused such a compromise, which wmld mean prolonged negotiations and the drag? ging oat of the matter indefinitely, to which the United States will not listen. As regards the indemnity, it is ia the nature of a debt of honor. If the porte wants to boy a cruiser, that is a matter in no way ooaneoted with the indemnity. Prohibition Committe issues Call. A State prohibition conference will be held in the city of Columbia. C., on Wednesday, 23d day of May, 1900, for tbe purpose of considering the propriety of suggesting candi? dates for governor and lieutenant governor to represent tbe prohibition* ists of South Carolina in tbe Demo? cratic primary, and also to announce the principles and purposes of the prohibitionists in seeking to obtain control through the Democratic or? ganization of tbe executive and leg? islative departments of the State gov? ernment, for tbe enactment and en forcemen o? measures which are in best accord with the highest interests of the people, and which will take the State out of the liquor business. For the purpose of obtaining a full and free expression of the prohibi? tionists ic regard to these matters, a call is hereby issued for them to as? semble in their respective counties at the court bouse on Saturday, 12th day of May, 1900, to elect three representatives, with alternates, to attend the State conference oe the 23d day of May, with or without instructions and to choose a county chairman for the ensuing campaign. Joel E Brun8on, Chairman. Waddy C Thompson, J. S Moffatt, James A Hoyt, Jeremiah Smith, C D Stanley, E D Smith, Committee. - ? ? * fi The Race Conference. Montgomery, Ala. April 25 - Visi? tors from every quarter will be welcomed to the ce-sions of thc ap? proaching conference to bo held here May 8, 9 a?.d 10 to discos the race problems of the south. After address? es of welcome by the mayor of Mont? gomery and the governor of Alabama, Hon Hilary A Herbert will make the opening address oo "The Problems That Pre?>e%Tbemselve8." Among others who will speak wiii be A M Waddell, mayor of Wilmington, N C ; ex Governor MaoCorkle of West Virginia ; Dr J L M Curry of Wash? ington ; Kev C C Brown of Sumter. S C ; Rev D Clay Lily ; Rev S D Slat? tery cf Baltimore ; Alex C King cf Atlanta ; Clifton R Breckioridge ; Dr Paul Barringer of the University of Virginia and W Bourke Cockran of New ?ork. Question regarding the education of the negro, lynching aod tbe future cf the African race will be discussed. Atlanta, April 25.-Thomas J. Hunter, former auditor of the Atlanta and West Point Railroad company, was found guilty of embtzzlemeot io the superior court today and sentenced to the penitentiary for five years. f HB SUaiTEK WATCHMAN, Established April, 2850o Consolidated Aug. 2.1881. "Be Just and Fear no-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's. TBE TKCE SOUTHKON, Established Jeno 1Z*>6 SUMTER. S. C.. WEDNESDAY. MAY 2, 1900. New Series-Yoi. XIX. No. 40