The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-08-02
THE STATE HOUSE PLOT.

| OF tne Senate. iiii.
THE STATE HOUSE PLOT.
Some Interesting Recollections of the
Closing Scenes of Robber Rule I'm
Columbia by One of the Men who
guarded the State House Doors.
A reporter for the Ne,us and Courier
yesterday called upon James Shannon,
the signer of the communication in rela-
tion to Furniture" Dennis & Co., pub.
lished day or two ago. Mr.. Shannon
gives an interesting narrative of his ad-
ventures from the time that he received
his discharge from the United States
navy, July 81, 1876, until his arrival in
this State. He says that he made his
way in search of work from Brooklyn
across the country until he reached Darl-
ington on the 9th of November last.
Upon his arrival there, he accidentally
came into contact with Baruch, then a
Trial Justice, and now Sheriff of that
county. Through him he was introduced
to Whittemore as one who could proba-
bly, procure him employment. White
more seemed to think that he had found
in Mr.. Shannon a man with nerve and
recklessness enough to do the work which
he himself said that his "niggers lacked
the courage to do" He accordingly
promised him a situation as United
States deputy marshal, to execute war
rants which he was then preparing to
issue. Mr.. Shannon witnessed much of
the process of manufacturing affdavits
against some of the most prominent and
respectable white men in the county who
were marked out for arrest and persecu-
ton. He describes the modus operandi
quite minutely. He says that White
more kept his blank afidavits ready, and
sent out his agents to drum up negro in
timidation witnesses. a negro who made
his appearance was invariably given to
understand about what he was to swear
to, and against whom. When hewas too
stupid or too conscientious, (this latter
rarely happened, his language was twis-
ted and contorted to suit. About forty
of these were prepared one, he remem-
bers, against Colonel Law, prominent
Democrat of that county. The manu-
facture was continued until the time ar
rived for the converting Of the Legisla-
ture, when Whittemore left for Columbia.
Almost Immediately upon his arrival
there he sent down an urgent message
for Mr.. Shannon to come up, rendering
him the position of "Arresting Sergeant"
of the Legislature, and Offering at the
same time to defray all expenses. His
idea evidently was that he had gotten
hold of desperate and courageous man
who would hesitate at nothing. On the
morning of Mr.. Shannon's arrival he was
met by Whittemore, who went into the
State House, and returning in few min
,utes bearing a. commission as Deputy
!Sergeant-at-Arms, which he handed him.
Mr.. Shannon Immediately went on duty,
and was given virtual command of the
negro constabulary about the DOORS
Here he remained until the storming of
the House by the Democratic members.
He states that the movement was q COM.
lplete surprise. He was the only man at
the door at the time, and was swept out
of the way, despite his resistance. On
that day, about three hours after the en-
trance Of the Democrats, Mackey came
Ito Mr.. Shannon and asked rather abrupt
ily if he did not have pistol. Upon his
replying in the negative, Mackey told
him to call at his Office next morning.
He did so, and was handed fine Colts
six-barreled revolver with the significant
remark that he ''knew how to use it."
The force of negroes was increased, all
of whom being armed and under Mr..
Shannon's orders. On the first or second
night that the Democrats were in the
hall of the House, six cases containing
120 breech-loading rifles with ammuni-
tion and accoutrements were brought
over from the State armory and deposi-
ted in Kennedy's Office. Mr.. Shannon
heard Beatty, who acted as his superior
officer, say that in case of an emergency"
the door of Kennedy's Office was to be.
broken open if the key could not be con-
yeniently obtained, and the men armed
with the rifles. After the Democratic
members had been in day or two, Mr..
Shannon ascertained, or was given to un-
derstand, that Jillson, Dennis, Hayne
and some other of the bolder spirits,
were to act as deputy sergeants-at-arms,
and attempt the election of the objec-
tionable members, being supported by
the Radicals and negroes whowere freely
admitted by orders, while all white men
were rigidly excluded. Upon resistance
being made sufficient force was to be
used to provoke violence. immediately
upon any manifestation of this sort
Lieutenant Anderson or Kellogg, one Of
whom was to be at the door, would. give
a signal to, bring up the troopsfrom down
stairs. These lieutenants expressed many
fears lest their men should refuse Ito act
in putting out or shooting at the white.
men, but it was determined to lead the
troops into the melee, SO as to get at least
one hurt, which they judged would be
sufficient to answer the purpose of secur-
ing martial law, or the ejectment of all
Democrats and the upholding of the
Chamberlain government. How this
plan was bafled by the withdrawal of
the "Wallace" House is known to all.
The Radicals in the House were, he
thinks, fully cognizant of the plan, and
were all armed. After the adjournment
of the two Houses, Mr.. Shannon was re-
tanned to discipline and watch the negro
constabulary, and remained there until
the final capitulation of Chamberlain
and his. crew. He says that Elliott
brought in an additional supply of arms,
which, with the others, were stored in
the headquarters Of the constabulary, and
kept ready for use. He also says that
the troops frequently declared their in:
tention Of throwing down their arms if
Hampton or his men attempted to cap
ture the State House, and expressed their
wish that he would. Twenty determined
men, he says, could have taken the build
hind the scenes, and certainly knows of
| what he speaks. His statements can, he
claims, be confirmed by Andrew Doherty,
who was, like himself, in the Radical
service with. Democratic feelings, and
who is now ID Columbia. y Ne,os and C6,t-