Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-26
TESTIMONY OF W. K. ToLBERT IN
THE CONTESTED ELECTION CASE.

before Hon. Willi8m llutson Wlgg, Judge
Of the Probate Cont, February IL, 1860, in
a contested election case, between 8. L.
Hoge and j. P. Reid. d. Pope, Esq,
counsel for tho latter.
William X. Tolbert, being Of lawful age
being duly sworn, says:
Question What is your name, wheIe
d you roaide, and what is your occupa-
ton.
Answer live at Greenwood, AbteviI!e
County. Farming.
Q.-How long have you lived in Able
vile County
A.-All my life.
Q.-Were you in Abbeville County du
ring the months Of July, August, Sep,ern-
Der, October, and November, 1862
Al" was.
Q,-Did you belong to either Of the po
lisical parties. during the last campaigna
Al did.
Q.-To which one?
A.-Democrat.
Q'-How was the Democratic party or
ganized in Abbevile Countyi
A!-Into Clubs. Democratic Clubs.
Odd you belong TO one Of those
Cubes
Yves, to Greenwood Club.
Q.-Where did your I lub hold it's meet
ipgs2
A.-At tho Depot. Met once a week.
Q.-Were your meetings public
A.-Publc to Democrats, but not te
radicals. No radical was allowed 10 com.
in.
Odd you take an oath as membs,
OF these Clubs?
A.-Not when joined.
B.--Were there any secret organizations
connected with these Clubs
A.-Yes, sir. Committees were appoin
ted which met in secret, and they appuin-
ted men to patrol 10 each different neigh
b,'hooJ.
Q.-For what purpose were those mer'
oSA6hoo W phtIoi
A-To find out where the negroes were
holding Union Leagues.
R'-What other instructions had they,
:anyi
A.-To break them up, kill The leaders,
fire into them, and kill the leaders if they
could.
Q-Were those tho instructions given
in ali the clubs
A.-C"n't say throughout the country,
but believe they were.
Q.-Were these instructions given and
enforced At any time, and pu, in execution
against any Of the Uniou Leagues in lb
berille!
A.-They patrolIe,l for them, but could
not find where any We're held.
Q--Wore there any other instructions
given to these committees by the Demo-
cratic clubs in relation to the election 10 he
held on the 81 of November
A.-Yes, sir, the day before the election
the tickets were taken away from the Re
publican party, from those who had cllasg,
Of them, by these committees. The CON-
mittees were riding fer them the night be
fore tie election, taking them wherever
they could fnd them. I was one Of the
gang myself. Ten or eleven were ~th ms
WAS inenber Of the con,nitte myself
Destroyed the ricketa. All Of US were arm
ed.
Q.-What were your instructions, If tht
persons having the tickets in charge refused
70 give them upl
A.-Shoot them, and take them by force
Q.-Have you the means Of knowing
and do you know, what was the politica
sentiments Of the negro population in All
Seville County, and how they would hav,
voted if they had been allowed to voteq
A.-There were at least four coloret
votes to one white vote in the County
They would have voted for the Republican
canddate-for you (Judge 'Hoge)-at leas
nihe y-nine out Of each hundred
Q-Where were you the day of the slec
ton, November 8, lsesa
AIN the fore part Of the day At 70
ting precinct, Greenwood, in Abbevill
County. A courier came in from Whit,
Hall precinct, Abbeyille County, say:n!
they were fighting there. (.his was about. !:
o'clock,) and that the Republicans wer,
about whipping. A squad Of us, armed
abont thirty in number, besides myself
we're sent there. When we got there, III
Republicans were all gone. except one. VIII
Tas lying there dead. Heard that other
we're wounded. There had been som
shooting Don't know If Vie Republican
shot. Ao white man Was shot. OnIy,tw
so)orsred men were ,alloyedyio vote hefor-
: shooting commenced. Four TO Eve hun
Died colered men usually voted at this pre-
dncf,. sho, il SaIIowel 70 vote, would bsv
voted the Republican ticket. -,,
Odd the Democrats come to tn
White Hall polling precinct armed n