The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-23
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Order, or Outrage and BIurtlerl

MIR. EDITOR: Your paper of Friday morn
ing contains an elaborate communication,
devoted to fault-fnding with carpet baggers
and Gov. Scott, and particularly in refer
ence to his recent order to the Adjutant-
General to carry into effect recent Act of
the General Assembly, providing for an
armed force for the preservation of the
peace. In the course Of his communication,
the writer remarks:
"The law-abiding citizens Of South Caro-
lima, ever since their acceptance of the
situation which has been forced upon them.
have, from the mountains to the sea-board
evidenced desire. and exhibited by their
conduct, disposition for quiet and obe-
dience to the law. True, at the times when
elections were held, either for State officers,
for Congress-, or the Presidency of the
United States, there may have been slight
disturbances, bM in no ono instance taking
the proportion of even q small mob. And
here the question may be we'll put to the
authorities, (the lesser authorities, Sheriffs.
Constables and Managers of Elections, by
aohom were these disturbances wrought ND.
and by sohom participated in?'
L propose to answer the questions of your
correspondent, by adducing the testimony
of one who was thoroughly informed on
".
part OF which he was, and whose authority
on the subject must be deemed as indispu-
table.
Deposition of William X. Tolbert, taken
before Hon. William Hutson Wigg, Judge
of the Probate Court, February II, 1862 in
contested election case, between S. l..
Hoge and J. P. Reid. D. Pope, ESQ.,,
counsel for the latter
William K. Tolbert, being of lawful age,
being duly sworn. says:
Question-What is your name, where do
you reside, and what is your occupation.
Answer live at Greenwood, Abbeyille
County. Farming.
Q.-How long have you lived in Able
vile County?
ALL my life.
Q.-Were youin Abbeville County during
the months of July, August, September,
October, and November, 1868?
Al was
Odd you belong to either of the no.
litical parties, during the last campaign?
Al did.
Q.-To which oneP
A.-Democrat.
Q.-How was the Democratic party Or
ganized in Abbeville County?
A.-Into Clubs. Democratic Clubs.
Q.-Did you belong to one ofthose Clubs?
A.-Yes, to Greenwood Club.
Q.-Where did your Club hold its meet
ings?
At the depot. Met once week.
Q.-Were your meetings pubiic2
A.-Public to Democrats, but not to ra-
dicals. No radical allowed to come in.
Q.-Did you take an oath as member of
these Clubs?
A.-Not when 1 joined.
Q.-Were there any secret organizations
connected with these Clubs?
A.-Yes, sir Committees were appointed
which met in secret, and they appointed
men to patrol in each different neighbor-
hood.
Q.-For what purpose were these men
detailed to patrol?
A-To find out where the negroes were
holding Union Leagues.
Q.-What other instructions had thew. if
any?
A.-To break them up, kill the leaders,
fire into them, and kill the leaders if they
could.
all the clubs?
A.-Can't say throughout the country,
but believe they were
Q.-Were those instructions given and
enforced ut any time, and put in execution
against any Of the Union Leagues in Abbe-
vile?
A.-They patroled for them, but could
not find where any were held.
Q.-Were there any other instructions
given to these committees by the Demo
cratic clubs in relation to the election to be
held on the Sd of November?
A.-Yes, sir, the day before the election
the tickets were taken away from the Re-
publican party, from those who had charge
of them, by these committees. The com
mittees were riding for them the night be-
fore the election, taking them wherever
they could find them. I was one of The
gangs myself. Ten or eleven we're with me-
| was member Of the committee myself
Destroyed tho tickets. All Of us were
armed.
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