The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-10-07
MARIoN COUNTY.
a Rebel Mob Under,ake To coo,cs
q the Board OF r-Registration.
Threats and Incendiary Talk by the
Mob and IisInstIEators.
Editor Intelligencer:
FAIRMoNT. Oct. q 1868

Editor IHtelligenccr
FAIRMoNT, Oct. 6, 1868.
Apparently we came very nearly hav.
inIg repel mob yesterday in Fairmont
Nolces had been sent out TO about one
hundred and fifty persons who claimed
they had vote in Marion county, whom
the Board OF Registration had reason
10 believe had by their acts OF treason
and rebellion during the war disquali-
NED themselves as voters.
1esteaday was the day they were to
report Each man came and brought
TWO or three worse rebels than himself
to prove that he was loyal to the gov
ernment during the rebellion. The
crowd gathered around in knots to con-
SUIT the rebel lawyers who had been
going over our county during the last
thEee months making what they call
Democratic speeches-but properly
named rebel speeches-telling them the
registry law WAS unconstitutional,
and they had right 10 vote, as they
paid taxesi and II they were not allow
ed to vote peacefully, TO "be men, brave
men, and vote at the point of the bayo-
net" The msjority of these disfran
chlsed men, L learn, came armed to car
ry ont theiEthreats. They began to curse
the Board of Registration, and, as the
crowd tncreassd they became more bois-
ferrous, threatening to throw the Board
out of the court house windows and
over the bridge into the river, others
swearing they ought to be shot, &c. The
excitement got SO high that Fountain
Smith deemed It necessary 10 advise
his Democratic friends not to carry out
their threats but to go before the board
as peaceful citizens, which seemed to
quiet them. But as the board eXamiu-
ed the first one called Zone Mr.. MRrtin)
n n FnNN nd l,nEs NVnIr,W "a lfn
qualned, a second scene was conn
menced, loud swearing and threats of
violence against the board-swearinE
IL they got the registration books they
would tear them up. A meeting was
now called in the court house where
James Morrow, Jr., and E. A. Bennet
made infammatory speeches calculate
the mob to violence. Morrow de-
nounced the board In the severest
language, calling the members by many
disrespectful names, and abused the
Legislature of West Virginia as an "in.
famous" Legislature. Bennett in his
speech was more rash and vindictive
than Morrow. He said mo Democrat
ought 10 speak to a Republican, or
shake hands with him, or deal at their
stores, or worship in the samS congre-
CATION with them," Both OF the speak
ers should be indicted for trying TO ex-
cite a mob. This Bennett is the Demo-
cratic nominee for the Senate. AS
Republicans we feel very sorry
that Governor Boremaa ever appoint
ed such a man Notary Public, when
we have many other very decent Dem
ocrats If 1t was necessary to appoint a
Democrat TO fill that office. am satis-
fed that the wool was pulled over our
Governors eyes, or he would not have
appointed any such q man.
The day closed without any personal
violence, but they are back to-day ma.
king threats, but seem rather calm as
there is a gathering of the Republicans
to hear Hon. John S. Carlile. WehOpe
the day will pass of in peace.
LOYALTY.