The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-11-02
D1srURmANCE AT MARION.

The Marion Crescent, of the Goth ult.
gives the following account Of the dis
turbancc at that place on the pacceding
Saturday:
On Saturday night last our commu-
nifty was disturbed by the most noisy
and dangerous riot that has ever occur
red here. At tho election n few color.
ed men voted the Reform ticket. Those
who did it openly, were, at the time,
subjected to storm of abnse and ridi
Guile. Since the election they have had
90 peace, but have, from day to day,
been compelled to run u gauntlet Of
persecution. On Saturday night this
state Of things eliminated in an attack
upon JAS. Smott, man who formerly
belonged to A. j. Shaw, Esq, Solicitor
Of this District, and who is still in the
employ Of his former master. Mr.. w.
j. Dickson, one of our most quiet and
worthy citizens, was in at Mr. Crawford's $
grocery making some purchases. Upon
starting home, James, the coloned man
spoken of above, politely offered to
assist him in charging home his pur-
chases. The offer waa accepted, and as
they went along they were preceded
by several colored men, and closely tol
lowed by several others. James, seeing
them, expressed 10 Mr.. Dickson the
fear they were going to attack him. A
moment after MIR Dickson heard some
missile whiz by his head, and immedi
al a1v tho ooeo; ;Ionta $500 ,>.. .L
They told MIR. Dickson that Jim had
sold his vote to the Reformers, and they
were going to kill him. Mr.. Dickson
demonstrated and begged them not to
commit murder, trying ut the sane time
to get Jim out Of the way. Suddenly
he heard blow and q groan and the
poor man clung to him and begged him
to protect him and save his lite. Nlr. u.
told Jim he had nothing to p rotect him
with, and told him to run for his life,
which he did. Just at this moment q
pistol shot was fired by some of the
crowd, and with terrific yell the whole
gang pursued the object Of their ven.
,cance
all this occurred in front Of the
Presbyterian church. by the time
hey reached Mr. Mauhicm's store they
,ad struck Jim about the head twice
md consi dcrably bloodied him. He
AN into the store and somebody closed
ho d doOr against tho crowd Being
,hus checked in their pursuit for mo-
ncnt, their fury was upboundcd. Every
nstnut the crowd bccamc greater, and,
besides bludgcons und pistols, there
we're soon seen in the crowd aud in the
OF it so,uc ten or fifteen
lrmy rifles. The mob broke open Mr.
hanhicm's door aud searched his house.
In the meantime James had made his
Escape and gonc to the residence Of A.
J. Shaw, Esq, his former master and
'rcscnt employer. The report was now
circulated among tho mob that Mr..
Dickson, or Jim had shot one of the
'rowd with pistol, and if tho informal
ut we're uncovered it could hardly
urnish parallel to tho horrid oaths
md yells Which rent the air They
we're heard several ,Mlus distant in the
country. by this time few white
ncn came into the crowd and tried to
'n'm the tunlult, but to no purpose.
Tho rioters were juincd by Henry Shaw
State Constable, und tho crowd went
o tho house Of Maj. A. j. Shaw, who,
'cing iu extremely delioatc health, and
entirely uoable to defend bis servant,
sus Obliged to surrender him to the
which ho did upon tho
promise that they would protect him
rom violence and lodge him in Jail for
ho night. A part Of tho mob threat
,ncd to kill Mr. Dickson and burn
lown his house. Wc would say furth-
,r that Mr.. Dickson IL one of the most
men IT, tho world, and ono
'f our most worthy citizens. AS to