The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1876-10-21
SHOTGUN POLICY IN THE SOUTH.

SHOTGUN POLICY IN THE SOUTH.
A Reisn Of Terror In South Carelina-
The Trath About the Recent Riots.
To the Editor Of the Ner York Graphic:
The late press dispatches from this State
10 published in reference to the riots in
Aiken and Barnwell, on the Port Royal
Railway, are such fragrant misrepresenta-
tions Of the facts that deem it but just that
the public have the truth upon the whole
matter, and 80 far as this statement IL CEN
cerned it is made up entirely from Demo.
cratic reports.
1t must be well known that all the Demo-
cratic political organizations in this State
are known ~ ne-and-s aber clubs. They
are armed with the most approved weapons,
and they attend as political organizations all
meetings appointed, and even those called
by Republicans, and demand half the time
and prevent Republicans from speaking the
other half. This was the case at Edgefield
Court-house, where the Governor Of the
own meeting, and the Congressman from
the district dare not put in an appearance,
although announced rs one Of the speakers.
1t is openly proclaimed that they will car
~ the State Democratic by. the shotgun
policy.
The riot began at Ellenton in this way.
according to Democrat reports here. Two
to the house of Mrs. Harley for the purpose
Of robbery and assaulted her, but the inter.
ference OF her son attracted their attention,
and Mrs. Harley then seized q gun, and, al.
though unloaded, it was sufficient to fright
en- the cOlored men away. Mr.. Harley
returned home from the field when he learn.
ed of the trouble, and he, with his son and
e. safe vuvst
rants of any kind, and upon finding one OF
the parties he was shot and MORALLY wound
ed. The wounded man was then carried to
the house Of Harley, where he was identi-
fed as one of the parties engaged In the rob.
berry, and then and there confessed his
guilt and implicated another, for whom .
warrant was obtained. A posse was then
discovered that he-fearing he would be
killed-had placed himself under the pro-
lection of colored militia captain, who in
formed the constable that he would deliver
the prisoner il he was allowed to 20 with
him to the Jail at Aiken and thus satisfy
himself that their purpose was not to kill
him. This the posse refused, showing that
the object was not arrest and imprisonment.
The posse then returned, related the story
of resistance. and in . few hours the well
organized rifle clubs were assembled by
hundreds ready for q fight. These rifle
clubs are not q part Of the militia, neither
are the officers commissioned by the State;
they are therefore armed mobs. Naturally
enough the colored men assembled to pro-
tect each other and the fight began. The
following dispatch from the Charleston
journal of Commerce Of the 10th inst.
(Rhett's paper) shows how easily it began:
To-day enc or two hundred blacks were in
town, using very violent and insulting language.
They have gone to Robbins and the back coun-
try ofv Aun hmm deo1 md esv hn, rod
whites are pursuing them. Five or six negroes
have been killed, but no whites.
Five or six hundred men all mounted and
armed pursuing one or two hundred color.
ed men who fled to the swamps for safety !;
and what is their crimeS Democratic re-
ports from the scene only charge them with
''violent and insulting language. " and yet
they are pursued, hunted, and killed. The
papers tell US that thirty have been killed,
but If the swamps are searched it will be
found that three times thirty will not cover
the number killed and wounded.
Among the number killed was s. P. Co.
ker, member Of the Legislature. He was a
delegate to the State Convention that NOM
mated Governor Chamberlain, and there
fore was not near the riot until after it be.
gan. The reports show that he took no part
in it, but notwithstanding that he was fixed
upon by the mob as one of the ringleaders
and ten miles of riding brought them into
the peaceful village Of Robbins, where they
found poor Coker, who had just returned
home. he was taken up to Ellenton, and
In sight OF the passengers on the train hol.
low square was formed and Coker was COM
pletely riddled with bullets from the rifles
of the armed banditti. This statement IL
taken from passengers who were on the
train, yet have not seen any published &C.
count Of his death.
The outrages that were perpetrated will
hof oil hn H. ~,
mOcracy will not inform the public out OF
the State, and the Republicans dare not &c
| int that section for the purpose Of ascer.
| taining all the particulars; but this we do
know, that the bodies were horribly mutt.
| lated after they had been killed; ears were
cut off and other similar outrages were done
while colored men were lying unburied.
The programme was to kill Congressman
Smalls and Lieutenant Governor Gieaves,
| who were expected on the train to attend q
meeting on their way home; but, hearing Of
this disturbance, they returned by way Of
Charleston.
The spirit that controls the Democracy OF
this State is the same that governed the PEG.
| pie here in 1861, and the spirit Of intoler.
ance and hate is as strong as it was then and
| is just as ripe for rebellion. Any arrest to
be made, any dispute, any expression Of
honest opinion at meetings is sufficient ex-
cuse to precipitate these murderous rows.
The following letter to the editor of the
Charleston Neics and Courier from q Mid
way reader will give an idea how easily riots
begin:
Permit me to suggest that you could do a great
deal Of service to the country il you refused to
publish any reports or rumOrs Of disturbances
| liable source, as it tends to keep the utmost
anxiety and disquiet in the country without
beneft or service to any one. l have seen an
instance of it to-day. Bamberg is only three or
mi from hor nd rf pioI
from IS to leo armed negroes here threatening or
about to commence a riot, and this rumor
brought rifle club here from Orangeburg,
believe, and would have brought many more
soon IL it had not been speedily contradicted.
This place has been known as qlict and order
" place, and v ry few have any belief or appre-
here, but these false reports have q tendency 70
bring on disturbances.
H. Jordan, the Sheriff Of Aiken, who was
instructed by Governor Chamberlain to dis .
band all armed men, reported rs follows to
the Governor:
have Just returned from the reported riot. I
have not seen or heard of any fighting; saw no
colored men under arms, nor could hear Of
any. They had dispersed. None could be found
up TO late last night. The whites are all under
pOwerlees to disbsnd t,em. The country is un-
der great deal Of excitement. This was the
condition Of affairs when left that night. The
United States troops left Aiken for the scene at
eleven p. m. l find much excitement here. II
there is further trouble will report.
No doubt you will see all reports in the
Democratic papers charl ing all the trouble
on the negroes, yet these statements all de.
velop the fact that "two whites and only
thirty niggers we're Killed.
ALFRED WILLIAMS,
Mayor Of Beaufort.
Beaufort, S. c., October 4.
THE SOUTHERN REIGN OF TERROR,
OH7cial Renort NJ the Halted lfafea ma.