The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-03-15
TIE CHESTER TROUBLES.
TWO SIDES OF THE,QUEsT1oN.
WHO IS TO BLAME?

''ow tue OoiuinDla papers we get iuil
particulars of the difficulties that arose
recently in Chester. The Union, a
Radical paper, publishes the following
account, which it announces as coming
frcm civil officer of the County, and
as being "the unqualified truth"
The statement says that the difficulty
was commenced about TWO weeks ago by
body Of disguised men in the upper
part of the county, who went to the
houses of three colored men, took them
out and beat them badly, and took from
their houses three muskets belonging to
the State, the men beaten being mem
bers of one o. the militia companies.
The matter having been reported to
the captain Of the company, on the fol-
lowing day he went unarmed to the
house Of one T. Crawford, who he
suspected Of being one of the parties
who took the arms, and there found the
guns in a broken and useless condition,
which guns he carried away.
Matters remained pretty much in
quiet state until last Saturday night,
when another body Of disguised men
attacked the house of Jim Woods. a
colored man, who having been Informed
of such intent, had got three or four
friends in the house With him; that
when the house was fired into these men
took to the woods, where they seereted
themselves until the attacking party
withdrew, when they followed and fred
upon them, killing the horse of one,
wounding one man severely, and, from
accounts received, it Is supposed that
others cf the party we're wounded, and
several Of their masks and cloaks we're
captured.
That on the following Sunday night
(last), the party came back again in
larger force and attacked the same house,
and were again repulsed, and that on
Monday morning, the members Of the
company ofmilitia, (these attacks having
all been made upon them,) came to the
Major of the regiment, in the town Of
Chester, for more ammunition, which
he gave them.
At this time, it is stated, much ex-
citement existed in the town, and the
1ntendaut called upon the Major, (who
is a white native Of the place,) and
agreed that if he, the Major, would get
the colored men to leave the town, he,
the 1uteudaut, aud the citizens, would
guarantee that nothing should happen,
and undcr this understanding the militia
of the county, who had gathered there
to considerable numOer, did leave.
On Monday night the citizens were
notified by the lntendant to do guard
duty, arprehensions Of fire being felt,
and the Major of the Regiment reported
with some Of the eolored militia, for
duty with the rest, which he subse-
quently learned was ruse to gain time,
for upon returning from this duty, and
after all of his men had returned to
their homes, the Major met bodies of
armed strangers about the town, and
when the night train came down it
brought an armed squad from Rock Hill,
in York County, and person, who is
supposed to be the leader of the gang.
Upon this the Major got together ten
or fifteen men with the intention OF
staying By his house.
Tuesday morning at one o'clock the
Intendart promised the Major that
nothing should happen, and in ten
minutes afterwards an attack was begun
at The depot by the parties from Rock
Hill, which attack was repalscd. one
calorcd Dan being slightly wounded,
when it was believed there would be no
further trouble; but when the three
o'clock morning train arrived, it brought
from WiDnsboro' about fifty armed men,
who cot off at the depot The Major
Of the regiment then collected near his
house company Of the militia, having
before this telcg' g'aphed to the Governor
as to what course to pursue.
At laybreak an agreement was entered
ineb, that the company Of militia was to
so beyond tie limits Of the town, and
that the collection Of arb d whites
should leave, which was carried out, and |
the Major Of the regiment referred to,
Mr. j. c. Reister, who is also Clerk Of
the Court Of that county, and one of the
Town Council, came to Columbia to con
fer with the Governor.
Yesterday morning, Major Reister
received u dispatch from his wife, stating
that on the night previous body Of
armel f1en had visited his house, during
his absence at Columbia, and completely
Sutted it.
This is the statement received BY us.
We learn that company of the 18th
United States Infantry started for the
scene Of disturbance yesterday.
TIE OTHER SIDE.
From TIE Pic ais re take the follow
ing account; written By q resident Of the
county:
-Nr. Edaor :-Taking it for granted
hat, as usual, misrepresentation Of The
recent outrage committed by body of {
SCOTS militia in this District will be
circulated through Radical influence, We t
wish to give you truthful statement Of {
he affair as it occurred, and so far as the I
acts l'avc been ascertaincd. t
Jhe undersigned was 10 the immediate I