The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-10-26

From the CndrieSfoa Nevs aud Courier, lila in,suhL
Early in the present political canvass
in Charleston County the Democracy ex-
pressed desire to meet the Republicans
in joint discussion. The request was
promptly acceeded to, the only condition,
and one eetirely satisfactory to the De-
mocracy, being that no guns should be
taken to the meetings by either party.
Under the arrangement 80 made Joint
discussions have taken place at Straw
berry, ON Johns Island, on Edisto Island
and at other .points. The Democrats
conformed strictly to their agreement,
but the Republicans, on some occasions,
as at Strawberry, were armed with mus.
kets aud shot guns. On Edisto, on Sat.
urday, they were we'll provided with
bludgeons and knives. No uneasiness or
distrust was, however, aroused, and the
Democratic speakers would have willing
" gone alone, and without escort, to any
part of the county. This was the condf.
ton of affairs when the steamer Pocosin
left the wharf Monday morning, having
aboard the Democratic speakers appoin.
ted to attend the joint meeting to be held
Mt Brick Church, about three miles from
Cainhoy, in the parish of st. Thomas
and st. Dennis.
The Pocosin was chartered for the ex-
elusive use of the Democratic party. and
had between 100 and 200 Democrats
aboard. Among them were the speakers:
the Hon. NJ. P. .O'Connor, candidate for
Congress; Mr.. ST. Julien Jervey, candi-
date for Solicitor; Messrs. Ficken and
C. c. White, candidates for the Legisa-
ture; Mr.. G. g. Leslie, cOlored, candidate
for County Commissioner; Gel. n. r.
Delany, colored, and others. Before the
Pocosin left large party of negroes
made dash and endeavored to secure
passage. They were very noisy and
threatening, declaring that they intended
ITO 60 anyhow" and that they wanted
chance "to clean out the d-n Demo
Gratis" &c. Some of them are believed
to belong to the Hunkadori Club, whose
members were tho leaders in the riot of
the 9th Of September, when the colored
izens were wounded. AS many of these
men as conld be accommodated we're,
however, taken aboard. One man
threatened "to raise h-ll ON that boat"
He did not go. Just as the steamer was
ready to start, word was received that
County Chairman Bowen was on his way
down, and would like to accompany the
Democratic party. This courtesy WAS
extended to him md his compenions,
and at last the steamer got away
There was no incident worth noting on
the run to Cainhoy. The Democrats
amused themselves by firing with their
pistols at such objects in the river rs
attracted their attention, and before the
journey was over many of the few pistols
we're empty. This fact YVES known 60
the Republicans who were aboard. Du-
ring the "Trip, Mr.. O'Connor and County
Chairman Bowen conferred together, and
it was agreed that each side should be
allowed two hours during tho meeting,
each side dividing the two hours, as might
be thought proper, among its speakers
The steamer reached Cainhoy Mt about
half-past two o'clock, and the Democracy
we're most Hospitality received by the
other vehicles to convey them to the
Brick Church, the place Of meeting, about
threo mites distant. Bowen started off
in buggy as soon as he could land, and
must have reached the Brick Church half
an hour or more b ,forc the arrival Of the
Democrats.
The place Of meeting WAS on rising
ground, Il small hill. In front of the
speakers stand. and forty or fifty yards
distant, was the church, with the small
building used rs vestry on its right.
To the left of the stand was an old brick
building, with only part Of the walls
standing. Bowen called the meeting to
order, and James Stuart, colored, was
appointed chairman for the Republicans,
and Mr.. Samuel Sanders, the precinct
chairman, was chosen chairman for the
Democrats. A lively air was played by
the Eutaw Band, which the Democrats
had brought from town, ana the speaking
began. Mr.. w. ST. Julien Jcrvey was
the first speaker. and. as, much as he has
spoken, never spoke better. The speech
was listened to with deep attention, and
there was no sign of trouble.
W. j. McKinlay, colorsd, ,wns to follow
Mr. Jeryey.. The band was playing, and
some of the negroes SHOUTED out that
they did NOT want any, mfisic; they van
ted to hear their people talk. AS soon
the. air was s:siishcd, the band stopped,
and McKinlay, who seemed nervous and
excited, began very violent speech. lie
had not, however, spoken more than two
or three minutes when there was slight
disturbance, such as might be caused by
runaway horae, on the left Of tie stand,
This attracted very little attention, but
was followed by musket shot. Instant
~ the colored men at the meeting darted
to the bushes and seized their guns which
thffeaay hidden, s FhoiD tie bushes and
irotp lhe further side of the fayine yolley
alter volley was Ard into the surprised
betrayed and almost defenSefess Demo
ciats. ,,.,,ts s3Sf - MHsfte( Z
Many d:sMcc::ssI..y ..y and conflicting accounts
OF the origin Of the fighting have been
given. One statement Is, that while Nc
kiniay was speaking, some negro women
aI rE INTO The crowd, crying ont that "the
whites had taken the muskets Of the coll
ored men, and that the firing ihimedi-
ately followed. Another of our inform
ants says that there was fight, and a
pistol drawn, and the negroes then began
hfing. Comparing the .seyeral accounts,
which have so,ie points if common, and
Msope respects 'eorroborato ,achi other,
some general conclusions ran be reached.
before tho meeting SOME of the Demo-
Gratis walked over to the ruined building
on to the left of the stand, and found
that large nnmhar nf lnaded mnstets
some toyty or fifty, were hidden in ;:
corner, or in the e-place. They di',
not remove the guns, or say anything
ABOUT them, but the fact thatthey visited
lae on,'diox may have given rise to the
report Of t;ie ejkeuhitiohs of tIr, negro
Women. The guns were found some time
pe,ore the firing commenced. 1t is toler-
soiY Certain that somewhat later there
was quarrel between two MEM col
CIed Republican and white Democrat.
ohe Informant asserts that the Republi-
eahs mad denounced what MIR. JerveY had