The Portland daily press., 1879-09-27
The South Carolina Shooting

The shooting of Nix, the colored postmas-
ter of Backville, South Carolina. seems to
have been one of the most cowardly and un-
provoked attempts at assassination yet re-
ported. Even the poor defence that there
had been personal quarrel between the
parties cannot be made to apply to this case.
The events which preceded the shooting
show clearly that the only object the assassin
had in view was TO rid the post Office of
radical rule
Previous to Nix's appointment the post
office had been in charge of a Miss Maher
and her nephew, as her deputy. Charges of
Irregularities were made, and special agent
of the Post Office department sent to inves-
tigate. According to the report made by
this agent Miss Maher's nephew was accus-
toned to examine the matter which came
to the office and deliver or destroy it as he
thought best. Letters mailed at the office
would sometimes lie several weeks before
being sent, and letters received, if directed
to Republicans, were detained in like man
ner. During a political campaign it was
impossible to send a letter through the office
when it was addressed to prominent Re-
publican in or out of the State. The Special
Agent relates an instance where package
of campaign documents was addressed to
Republican at Blackville. He called at the
Office after its receipt, but did not find it.
The next day he was waited upon by q
Democratic committee, the spokesman OF
which drew from his coat pocket number
of the identical documents contained in the
package, and from his hip pocket a revolver.
The rightful owuer of the documents was
then ''quietly but peremptorily informed
that if he obtained said package from the
rost office his life would be the forfeit
The Agent relates several other equally
fragrant outrages. On Democratic glorifics-
ton days Miss Maherw as accustomed to dec
orate the post-ofice with flags and also to
wave them herself from the office windows.
In conclusion, the Agent recommended the
appointment of Mr.. Nix, colored man,
whom he described as an efficient, compe-
tent man, and one who would make trust
worthy officer. Mr.. Nix was accordingly ap-
pointed, and entered upon the duties of his
office.
His appointment was of course distasteful
to the Democrats of Blackville, and Senator
M. G. Butler wrote to the Post-office depart
ment, asking a reconsideration of it, on the
ground that he was incompetent and often
sive to the community The chivalry, how
1o1 of awaiting tho slow O.
ton of the Post-ofice department They
knew shorter and more certain way to ac-
complish their wishes. So they warned Nix
that if he didn't resign he would be shot.
Nix refused to accede to their wishes. What
followed Mr.. Nix tells the Post-office depart
ment in these words:
'About o'clock in the afternoon 1 was sit
ting in front of my office. Luther Williams
white, one of the conspirators sent across the
into the office to get his mail. \ While
I was at the letter-box getting his (Williams's)
mail for the man whom he had sent, was dis
turbed by the clicking of pistol at the deliv-
cry window about six feet from the letter-box
at which was standing. 1 half turned, and
as turned, Williams who had slipped into the
main room from across the street and up to the
delivery window, fired. putting his hands
through the window. The ball took effect in
my right arm and across my chest, and entered
the letter-box. After he had fired he imme-
diately went into the street, pistol in hand,
which created quite an excitement. l called
upon the town authorities for assistance Be-
ing all Democrats they refused to render any.
have made affidavits before the United States
Commissioner, and he has issued warrants for
the arrest of the parties concerned.
We have looked carefully over the DEM
ocratic papers to see What explanation they
would invent for this outrage. As yet we
have seen none at all. Most of them sup
press the story entirely. If there has been
any mention of it in the Argus it has es-
caDed us,