The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-24
Tie Meeting al gumters

H y. a-
There cannot by any possibility be any
better evidence Of the Determination Of
the people Of South Caroline TO avoid the
appearance as we'll as the reality OF po-
litical evil than is given in their. conduct
at the Mass Meetigg which was held ii,
Sumter on Saturday. We do not care TO
tell again the story 30 we'll told I'm these
columns yesterday morning. It must be
said, however, that nothing was wanting
in notice, in preparation, in talk and
jeer and insult, and in actual injury. 60
make the white citizens of Sumter take
the law into their own hands and punish
those who had so insolently and horribly
offended them. Instead of tllis-con-
scious of their peculiar obligations to
themselves and 10 the Democratic party
at this juncture-they acted strictly in
self-defence, and almost forswore their
manhood in their determination that
nothing should be done ct Sumter that
could by any possibility be blot upon
tho name OF South Carolina, or effect an
injury to the Democratic party of the
United States.
Enough of this, however. Besides
what was said in these columns Yesterday.
there were other reasons why the mr.
bearence and fortitude OF these wbita
people at Sumter, on Saturday. was al.
most miraculous. ~
1t will be remembered that the noto.
rious black Radical leader, Sam Lee, was
rendered particularly conspicuous on
that occasion by reason of his persistent
and suspicious abssnce from the scene Of
the lawless proceedings he had planned
and inaugurated. We are informed tbat
his absence was owing to the fact that he
was in hiding to avoid arrest upon The
very serious charge of having instigated
the poisoning of the entire family. Of Mr..
y. ID. Noise, of Sumter, on the occasion
OF tne Democratic meeting at that place
on the 21st of September.
me circumstances cf ;he poisnnins, g
told to US. were, in brief, that on the Hday
=: Butler and other gentlemen to dine
with him, at his home. after the speak.
ing. For some reason Gen. Butler was
unable to do so, and was not present
though expected up to the last moment
After the dinner every member of AIR
Noises family, the guests preserl. the
servants and.nil who had pnrtakenof anv
portion OF the bountiful feast provided
were attacked with violent pains and
otheF iiidu5ita5ie and liiistTessiiir. srf,;,-
toms OF active poisoning. Medical aid
was quickly summoned. and in more than
one instance fatal consequences Were
dotes, '.1s.
An examination vi several different
articles of the food remaining untouched
revealed the presence of arsenic ia atl.
and confirmed the suspicious of mr.
Noise that the poison had been adminis.
tered by design. The matter was kent
as quiet as possible, however, and diff
gent investigation instituted, which soon
discovered circumstances pointing strong
y. TO Sam Lee as the would.be assassi1.
Wiio iiad thus endangered the lives OF a
dozen or moro innocent people in G des.
peratc attempt to procure the death of
one OF the Democratic leaders. That Iie
failed to accomplish his purpose. and
more than his purpose, is considered TO
be wholly due to the fact of the UNUSUAL
~ large amount of food that Ind been
prepared for the entertainment and the
consequent weakening of the poison
which had been distributed ihrouehout
the whole.
II may De depended upon that the
matter viii moi be suffered TO rest mere +
ns Judicial Investigation iiaa si1a., :, de.
termined upon. ]. was the knnnarglall9a
Of this fact, and Of his intended arrest it
is believed, that occasioued Less All
sence from the streets OF Sumter on Sat. :
ufday.--Ne,cs and Cosrier.