The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-07-20
THE HAMBURG COLLISION.
Gen. M. c. Buffers Connection with
the Riot-An Advocate of Peace, Law
and Order.
Editors Columbia Register:

| IlUtLOJo SUtUUtOtSo A'NJ'N'
Certain newspaper editors and report
ers have done me so much injustice by
false reports in reference to the recent
disturbance in Hamburg, that it is due to
myself to make to the public statement
of my connection with it.
On Friday evening, July 7, Col. Thos.
Shaw, with his brother, the Rev. VIM.
Shaw, was at Edge6eld Court House to
see Mr.. II. w. Addison and Mr.. A. ).
Norris and myself on business. After
transacting it, Col. Shaw said to me that
Mr.. Robert J. Butler, who lives near
Hamburg, in Aiken County, desired me
to be at Hamburg on the following even
ing, Saturday at o'clock, to represent
professionally. his son, Thomas Butler,
and son-in-law, Henry Getzen, in trial
to be had before Trial Justice Prince
Rivers. Mr.. Butler has been lucrative
client of mine for many years. 1 in
quired of Col. Shaw if he knew the nature
of the case to be tried, and he said ne
knew nothing except what ne had heard
that these two young men had had an
alteration with a company of negro
militia in the streets of Hamburg on the
4th of July, and that Mr.. Robert Butler
had complained to Rivers, the Major
General of Militia and Trial Justice, and
that he supposed the trial referred to that
matter. -,
accordingly left Edgefeld at o'clock
next morning in buggy. When had
gone about seven miles on the old stage
road, 1 met DR.. Geo. Wise, who inquired
if I had heard the news from Hamburg.
1 replied that I had heard nothing
special, but was on my way to Hamburg
to attend a trial before Rivers. He said
the information had reached his neigh
borhood that the negro militia had
threatened to lynch Thomas Butler and
Henry Getzen if they were not convicted,
and that several young men had gone IN
that direction.
When nearing the town, sent word to
Mr.. Robert Butler to meet me IN Ham,
burg, and give me the facts of the case IN
which he wished ME to appear. Mr:
Butler did meet me in short time, and
I there for the first time ascertained the
character of the trouble.
Ihad nothing whatever to do with the
matter up to that time-knew nothing
but what 1 have stated. My business
there was simply professional; had no.
thing about me but one law book, and
had no more idea of there being a COLI
sion than an utter stranger.
I learned after reaching Hamburg that
Mr.. Henry Sparnick, Of Aiken, was in
town as the attorney of the colored mill
tia, and sent for him with a view OF ar
ranging for the trial or efecting some
arrangement between the parties. MIR.
Sparnick met me, and, l 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.
MIR. 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.
1t was then proposed that we hold
conference with the officers of the militia
company and Prince Rivers, and see II
we could not adjust matters. l made
this proposition. Mr.. Sparnick assented,
saving he had influence with the negroes,
aud he thought we could arrange it. He
went off, as / supposed, to bring his
clients, but did not return.
Sam Spencer, a negro man, came to
Mr.. Dams store, where was with MIR.
Robert Butler, his son and son-in-law,
and said that he desired to see me prl-
vately. at once went into Mr.. Dams
back room. He said he was sorry to see
so much excitement, and expressed re-
erets at it, when he said that he thought
inasmuch as Trial Justice Rivers was to
hear the case, he would prefer not to be
in the conference. I agreed with the
propriety of that position, and he then
said that the officers of Doc Adams
militia company would meet me, but did
not like to come to Mr.. Dams store, as
there were armed men there, but would
meet me at his (Spencer's) Office if agree
able to me. l said certainly | would
meet them at his office, and alone if they
preferred He then went off and did not
return.
The time appointed for the trial having
arrived, proceeded, with my clients, to
the Trial Justices office. Rivers was not
in. and after a time his clerk went for
him, and he opened his court. L in
quired as preliminary question whether
he was sitting as civil or military officer
He replied that that depended upon the
facts, as they would be developed; that
he was then acting as peace officer. L
remarked that was Indifferent 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. He
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 matter could be settled.
I replied that he must see the Trial JUS
tice, and if he would suspend, L had no
objection. Whereupon Rivers announced
tile case suspended for ten minutes, and
I was invited by the Intendant of the
town, negro man named Gardner, to
the Council Chamber, for the purpose OF
meeting the militia officers of Adams
company. I repaired at once to that
place, and remained there about quarter
of an hour. Nobody appearing but
OaIuueI, Will W mnoni i4"N
to the necessity 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
means of settling the present difficulty
and guarantee against future recur-
renee he said he knew nothing about
it; and waiting, as I thought, long
enough, I 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 persons as to- the status of affairs in
Hamburg, to whom 1 replied that L
thought collision between the whites
and blacks imminent and likely to take
place.
After despatching my business, ] was
returning through Hamburg, on my way