The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-03-17
The Riot in Meridian.


Tuesday, March Z, gives the following
details Of the violent scenes at that
place, heretofore noticed in our des-
patches
Saturday afternoon Billy Clopton
bad his thin brigade of negro militia
in arms, and paraded the streets as
usual. Billy was extremely abusive
towards the close Of the militia exer-
cises, and declared that with. 100 men
he could annihilate 1000 white men
that the whites were afraid of the
negroes, and he would have his way
in Meridian. He was not interfered
with or molested. When tho fire
broke out the same scoundrel was on
hand, thanking God the rebel pro-
perty was burning, and praying that
the flames would consume every build
ing in the city. He drew pistol on
q man who demonstrated, and would
have killed him but for tho interfcr-
ence of friendly negro. While
marching up street in front of the
fire, with pistol in hand. cursing reb-
els and gIoating over their misfor-
tunes, he was suddenly and very un-
expectedly Knocked down: disarmed,
and left to colored comrades, who
carried him out of the crowd, when
he beat a hasty retreat for home.
About this time when the fire was
raging and our citizens struggling to
arrest it and save little Of their
property, the bell. of the African
church pcaled forth the usual signal
fertile negroes to repair there. This
was more. than our people could
stand, and a company was at once
formed and marched to the residence
of the sheriff, where a tender was
made of the posse, and request
made for the arrest of Billy Clopton.
The sheriff sent his deputy, Mr.. Belk.
in charge of the posse, and arrested
Clopton and placed him under guard
in the court house. The turbulent
threats Of the negroes and their
white allies called the citizens togeth.
er again Sunday afternoon and even.
ing, when 100 mon volunteered to
vindicate the majesty of the law and
crush lawlcssness, no matter whence
it might come. The town was well
policed on Sunday night and a strong
guaud of citizens kept over Clopton
to see that he was neither rescued
nor molested. The negroes did moi
carry out their threats; the fire fiend
no longer dartcd athwart the sky
land the constant and promiscuous
shooting which had alarmed women
and children for months ceased, One
squad Of armed negroes was dispersed
and sent homo, and the night passec
in moonshinc, balm and peace. Yes
|terday, msrning there was an i'm
meLse mass meeting at the court
|'house to devise ways and means fol
keeping peace ana giving repose te
the community. The meeting wa:
large and enthusiastic, tho largest.pro
badly ever held in Meridian. Over
500 persons were present. All classes
were represented there and all climcs
Northern and Southern men claspec
hands in deliberations. The speeches
were pacific and pointed, and showed
that the white people Of Meridian
have at last determined to check tht
mad and destructive career of tht
bad negroes and their white confed
crates. In the afternoon the case o.
Billy Clopton, Aaron Moore ant
Warren Tyler came before Justice
Bramblette, Captains Evans and
Ford representing the State, and Ma
| jor Sturges his black friends. Th'
testimony shows that these negroes
| in their meetings on Saturday made
very infamatory speeches. Warner
Tylerin stepping upon the rostrum
placed his pistol on the table. Aaror
reminded bis hearers of Sodom ant
Gomorrah, ard, spoke Of what nigh
| be tho fate of Meridian. Other ne
groes spoke of the possibility of The
town being reduced to ashes. Tha
very night the hand of the incendia
ry reduced to ashes $4,000 worth O
property in Meridian.
TIE COURT HOUSE TRAGEDY.
Meridian has been the scene of one
of the most horrible tragedies thai
ever occurred in q civilized communi
ty., While the examination OF the
witnesses in the case of the State Us
William Clopton and other negroe,
charged with riotous conduct on Sat
urdny night atstho time of the fire
was progressing. Mr.. Brantley depos
ed as to some remarks Warren Tyler
had made about the white people
He was Interrupted in o rude and an
cry manner by Tyler, who,t it appears
was armed with two pistols, and who
was one. Of the defendants in the
case. Tyler stated that he would i'm
peach Brantley's testimony, forwhich
Brantley raised a eano and advanced
within eight or ten feet of him
At this juncture, Con. Patton, City
Marshal, caught Brautly and held
him. While lie was thus held, Tyler
drew a repeater, and commenced fir
ing at ;Brantley. At tho first fire
Judge Bramletto was shot through
the head, and instantly Killed. The
room was crowded with white and
black; who were attending jthe trial
and, as great excitement.was PREVAIL
ing, an indiscriminato firing commenc'
ed, III which Wni. Clopton and. q pc.
gro named Gus, Ford were killed, ard
several persons, white and black, were
wounded. .t . '.#'i
After firing several shots, Tyler
jumped out of tho window:i of the
court room, which was: in the second
otor1, of tho Sheahan huiIdinp; and