The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-07-27

'i''i'ary question whether he rs
sitting as civil or military officer.
He replied that that depended upon
the facts, as they would be developed:
that he was then acting rs a peace
officer. I&emarkcd that | was indif
ferent as to the character of the court
as we only desired to arrive at the
facts, and inquired if the accused
parties would be present. lie said
that he did not know, but would have
them called, which his constable
proceeded to do from the door,
About this time Sam Spencer came
in, and said to me that he thought if
the trial could be suspended the mat.
ter could be settled. [ rcplicd that
he must sec the trial justice, and if
he would suspend | had no objection.
Whereupon Rivers announced the
case suspended for ten minutes, and
was invited by the intendent of the
town, negro man named Gardner,
to the council chamber, for the pur-
pose OF meeting the militia officers of
Adams's company. l repaired at
once to that place, and remained
there about a quarter of an hour
Nobody appearing but Gardner, with
whom l had some talk as to the me-
costly of something being speedily
done, and that l thought the best
solution OF the matter was that these
people should deliver up their arms
as a means OF Sc Ting the present
dilhculty and a guarantee against a
futnrc recurrence, he said lie knew
nothing about it; and waiting, as |
thought, long enough, l got in my
buggy and went over to Augusta on
business having no relation to the
Hamburg matter; and while there
WAS questioned by a number of per,
sons as to the status of affairs in
Hamburg, to whom | replied that
thought collision between the whites
aud blacks Imminent and likely to
take place.
After despatching my business, |
was returning through Hamburg, on
my way to spend tho night at Mr..
Robert Buffers, two miles in the
country, and leave for home early
next morning. When about half way
across the bridge, | met delegation
Of fur negroes-Pjxlcy, Edwards,
Spencer aud Sims-who etoppcd rnc,
and said that, if would 60 to Spcn-
GERS Office, the officers OF the militia
would meet mo and cndeavur to stop
the impending trouble. l agreed;
went directly to the appointed place,
and waited there some twenty or
thirty minutes, bnt one of the officers,
Cartledgo, appearing. He said he
would do all in his power to induce
the militia to dioband and give up
their guns, and | believe he did.
Whilst was in Augusta, a BODY
of men rode into the town QIambnrg}
IN united.
l went around the street to look
for Mr.. Butler, and had not been
gone long before | received q mess
age from Prince Rivers asking me to
meet him. | declined to do so, saw
ing that we had made about four ap
polntments, which were observed by
myself only, and that he must come
to me. |, however, did 90 to meet
him, and he asked me if the men
would give up their arms would |
guarantee the safety of the town.
said | have nothing whatever to do
with the town, and could give no
guarantees of any sort, as | had no
command or authority, but would
say, a8 a citizen, that, in my iudg-
ment, if they would do that, there
would not be the slightest trouble;
and he said that he thought that
right, and would 90 and advise them
to that course. L. about ten minutes
the report was circulated that the
negroes refused to give up their arms
and intended to fight. And few
minutes thereafter the fight did en-
sue. The negroes were fortified in
their drill room in a brick building,
known as SibIey's corner, and they
raised yell and fired from the win
dows, which was responded to by
the whites, and general firing took
place.
Not very great while after the
firing began, NJ. McKic Merri-
wether, a most estimabo youag man,
was shot through the head and killed
Not a negro had then been touched,
and Mcrriwcthcr's death naturally
iufurated the already excited crowd,
ana they were under the leadership