Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01


cratic ticket they would be killed, and they
were ordered to discontinue their meetings.
They were Informed that lists Of prominent
colored men had been made who would be
killed. On the 10th Of September the dis
turbance began by an assault Of three hum
bred armed and mounted men upon Re
publican meeting. Owing TO the previous
threats only ten coored men were present,
who We're informed that if they dared to
meet again they would be killed. During
the ensuing night several colored men were
killed. The next day general assault was
made upon the colored people who had fled
TO the swamps, some twelve negroes being
killed during the day The diabolical work
continued on the 18th, every colored man
who could be found being killed.
About ten O'Clock the report was received that
the colorcd men had assembled at Robbins
station, about fifteen miles below Ellonton
Thoreupon, about twenty-five men from the rifle
clubs got into q hox-car and were taken down to
Robbins Station Here they found Simon Cocker
already named, an honest, peaceable man, we'll
known to me personally az member Of the legisla-
ture from Bamwell county sitting on the railroad
platform with his wife aud eolored female
school teacher. Coker WAS then awaiting the
train from Ellenton in order to 20 to Yemmassee
where he could telegraph me the condition Of
things in his vicinity. The rifle club men forced
him into the box-car, took him back TO EIleuton
and after a brief parey, shot him in open field
in full presence Of the passengers on the train and
Of the rifle club, robbng his dead body Of his
watch and money, shirt studs and ring num-
her Of colorcd men were also killed at and near
Robbins station by another detachment Of the
rifle clubs on the same day, but the number cam
not yet be fixed
Later the same day the main body OF the
rifle clubs returned to the swamp, where
some eighty to ninety colored persons were
hiding, and surrounded it with line of
pickets armed with breech-loaders. Here
they remained during the night, one Of the
leaders remarl,ing that they had got the
niggers in a bunch at Rouse's Bridge and
got them surrounded. and, 10y God, they
intended to kill the last one Of them"
Early in the morning Of 10th the orders to
advance were given, and the skirmishers
had actually advanced to within hundred
yards of the spot where the aifrighted ne
groes were huddled in the swamp awaiting
their doom, when Captain Lloyd, Of the
18th United States infantry, fortunately ar
rived with a small detachment of troops,
and the state was spared the disgrace OF a
most horrible and cowardly slaughter. lie
says, in conclusion
~ have acted as the chief magistrate Of the
state. have sought TO protect the lives and
rights Of the people without regard to party, No
man in South Carolina, by reason Of any act Of
mine OF Of the President Of the United Slater
will be hindered or dissuaded from voting the
democratic ticket if his free Judgment shall so in
cline him. Bight-minded men would have judged
Us recreant TO our trusts IT, in proper case We
had failed to exert the powers intusted to VA for
the restoration Of public peace and the preserve
zion Of the state government Upon a calm re-
view am convinced that such case has arisen
and that such a condition of affairs now exists in
this state rs warrants my action and that Of iht
President Of the United smte-
No better guarantee could be given of the
fairness and truth of Governor Chamber.
ain's statement, than the fact that promi
nent democrats have since appealed 70 him
10 insure a fair election in Charleston county
by the presence Of troops Governor Cham
berlain's letter in reply promises full impair.
tiality in all his official acts, and gives hi.
pledge Of a peaceful and honest election, il
it be within his power The democracy car
surely ask nothing more than this, for il
Wade Hampton is the choice of majority
Of the people of South Carolina-as they
would have us believe-a free and unmo
Tested ballot is the very best means of ascer
tanning that fact