Orangeburg news and times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1875-1877, 1876-07-15


nature of the case to be;tried; and lie
said lie knew nothing except what he
had heard, that these two young men
had had ean alteration with COM
pany of negro militia i'll the streets of
Hamburg, on the 4:h ofJuly, and
that Mr.. Robert Butler had complain
ed to- Rivers, the naior-gcneral of
militia and trial justice, and That he
supposed the trial referred to that
matters ! accordingly left Edgefeld
at 8 o'clock the next morning in
buggy: When / had gone about
seven miles OH the old stage road, I
met Dr.. Geo. Wise, who enquired if
II had heard the news from Ham
burg2 I replied that I had heard
nothing special, but was on my way
to Hamburg to attend trial before
Rivers. He said the information had
reached his neighborhood that the
negro militia had threatened to lynch
Thomas Butler and Henry Gelson if
they were not convicted, and that
several young men had gone in that
direction.
When nearing the town, I sent
word to Mr.. Robert Butler to meet
me in Hamburg, and give me the
facts of the cnse in which he wanted
me to appear. Mr.. Butler did meet
me in q short time, and I there, for
the first time, ascertained the charac-
ter Of the trou bic. I had nothing
whatever to do with the matter up to
that time. Knew nothing but what 1
have stated. My business there was
simply professional. I had nothing
about me but one law book, and had
no more idea of there being COLI
sion than on utter stranger. I learn
ed after reaching Hamburg that Mr..
Henry Sparnick. Of Aiken, was in
town, as the attorney OF the colorcd
militia, and sent for him with view
of arranging for the trial, OF efccting
some arrangement between the par
ties. Mr.. Spar nick met me, and I
think will do me the justice to say
that my earnest effort was to prevent
any further trouble, if possible, and
he appeared equally anxious.
Mr.. Robert Butler then interposed
and said to Mr.. Sparnick that if these
men would make acknowledgements
for their abuse and maltreatment Of
his son and son-in-law he would be
satisfied. l said nothing about any
apology myself. It was then pro-
agpsed that we hold Q conferegee wiz,
!! TIE ofmJefs 81 the militia Company 81
and Prince Rivers, and see if we could
not adjust matters; I made this pro
position to Mr.. Sparnick, and he as-
sentcd, saying he had influence with
the negroes, and he thought we could
arrange it. He went off, rs sup
posed, to bring his clients; but did
not ieturn. Sam Spencer, negro
man came to Mr. Dams store, where
[ was with Mr.. Robert Butler, his
son and son.in-law, and said that he
desired to see me privately.
/ at once went into Mr.. Davis back
room. He snid he was sorry to see so
much excitement. and | expressed re-
grets ut it. When he said that ho
thought, inasmuch rs Trial Justice
Rivers was to hear the case, he would
prefer not to be in the conference, l
agreed with the propriety Of that
position, and he then said that the
officers of Doc Adams militia com
panY would meet me, but did not like
to como to me at Davis store, rs there
were armed men there, hut would
meet mo at his (Spencer's) office if
agreeable to me. I said certainly;
would meet chem at his Office, and
alone, if they perferred. He then
went off, and did not return. The
time appointed for the trial having
arrived, I proceeded with my clients
to the trial Justices office. Rivers
was not in, and after n time his clerk
went for him, and he opened his court.
I inquired, rs preliminary question,