The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-03-13
THE STRIFE IN CHESTER.
DETAILED ACCOUNT OF TIE TRoU-
BLES FROM THE BEGINNING.

A Ku-Klux Proclamation-Ho o w the
Disturbances Originated-The Fight
on Wedaesdny-A Night OF Alarm
What the United States Officers Re-
port-Meeting OF the Citizens-AI
Qufet mt last Accounts.
The mails and telegraph yesterday brought
to us more. detailed and connected accounts
of the disturbances in Chester County than we
have heretofore published. While the troubles
are suspended for the moment, it Is eVloent
that a volcanic condition of affairs exists
which may end in fiery optourst, and lament
able results. The only preventive is the pres
ence of United States troops, Of whom several
companies are now at the scene OF ;.::sorder;
but even these will be powerless, we fear,' to
avert the fate which impends over the head OF
every negro caught with arms in his hands,
and suspected of using those arms against the
whites.
E. &. MANIFESTO.
That there is certain degree Of system and
determination in the movements OF the mys-
terious Ku-Klux is apparent from the follow
ing document, which was received BY the edit
or of the Yorkville Enquirer, through the
postofsce, and ispuollshed in the last issue OF
that paper. The editor saJs: ''As to whether
or not the paper Is genuine, and emanates
from the mysterious 'Ku-Klux Klan,' we have
no means Of knowing, as the handwriting is
evidently disguised. Although 1t is our rule
TO decline the publication of all anonymous
communications, we have decided to waive
the rule in this instance, ane print the docu-
ment for what 1t is worth. Here it is IN full:'
EXTRACT OF MINUTES.
l. Whereas, there are malicious and evil
disposed persons; who endeavor to .perpetrate
their malice, serve notices and make threats.
under the cover of our august name, now we
warn all such persons. and all such bogus OF
carnations, that we will not allow OF any
Interference. Stop It!
any honest, decent, well-behaved. person,
whether white or black; and we cordially in
yite all such to continue at their appropriate
labor, and they shall be protected therein oy
the whole power of this organization. But we
do intend that the Intelligent, honest White e
people (the taxpayers) Of this county shall
rule it.! We can ne longer put up with negro
rule, black bayonets, and a miserably degraded
and thieysh set of laW-makers. (God save the
mark, the scum OF the earth. the scraplnGs OF
creation. We are pledged to stop 1t; we are
determined to end 1t, even If we are "lorced
by force, to use force"
9RT, 8 Our attention having been called to
the letter Of one Rose, county treasurer OF
York. zee GRAND it as q lie Our lieutenant
was ordered to arrest him that ne might oe
tried on alleged charges OF incendiarlsm, anu
if convicted he will be eXecuted.) But there
were no shots fired at him, and no money
hat 10 ot IN 1ino-tha GpOiSlatllre
Of the State of South Carolina have monop-
oily in that line.
Official: X. K. E., A. A. G.
II the above manifesto be legitimate Off
cial emanation from the Klan, the dnimus
which moves its leaders and members Is con-
fessed.
THE CAUSE: OF THE TROUBLES.
An armed force OF colored people. it seems,
had taken up their quarters at the Mount Car
mel Church, on the main road to Union, about
eight miles from Chester. Here they drilled
with the avowed intention of attacking the
Ku-Klux, pcketted the road, stopped travel
lers, and subsequently bushwacked Mr.. Gar
land Smith and killed his horse. On Saturday
night, the 4th inst, they barricaded the road
and from ambush shot and wounded young
man. This provoked an attack from "a
few disguised men, who were obliged to
retreat in consequence of the superior
numbers OF the negroes. Whereupon,
on the following Monday morning, the
9Th instant, the negro company to the num-
ber of sixty marched into the Town Of Chester,
with the arms and accoutrements furnished
by the State, ''cursing, swearing and behaving
Hike demons" They camped in the suburbs,
posted sentinels, ,-challenged and turned back
citizens, and provoked hostility. That night.
the residents feared that the town would be
burned, and the people responding to the
summons of the insenlant, turned out aud
performed guard duty until daylight About
o'clock in the morning, q number OF the ne
groes, having been gathered by one j. G. Refs
ter, the major commanding the State militia,
and stationed in front of his house, sharp and
heavy firing took place. On going to the spot
in the morning.. our informant ascertained
'sthat there had been skirmish between
the negro militia from Carmel Bill and the
whites, in which one of the former was
wounded. The sheriff aud others had remon-
strated with the negroes during the day as to
the -improPriety of their conduct and they
agreed that they would not enter the town.
1t appears, however, that Reister, disregard
ing this pledge, sent out for them after night
fall The whites, exasperated by this want OF
good faith, and the lawlessness of the militia,
and alarmed at the threatening aspect of af-
fairs, submitted as an ultimatum that the mill
tia must either march five miles out Of town
or prepare for fight. Fortunately there was
then no bloodshed save that which Is already
recorded, and the negroes retired. The whites
were in a condition to have compelled harsher
terms, but behaved with forbeaVance and dis
cretion."
THE FIGHT on WEDNESDAY.
The negroes, still irfiamed with passion,
tookSpp position on the road between Union.
and Chester. During the day Tuesday
courier arrived at Union calling on the people
Of that town to go to the assistance OF the
people of Chester Courthouse, to defend that
place from threatened attack. To this call a
number of young men promptly responded,
and started from Union late Tuesday evening.
Early on Wednesday morning, when about
mile from the church, hearing that the negroes
had burnt that building, and, 1t was supposed,
n