New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-09-24


FURTHER PARTlcULARs-How THE CHIvALRY USED
ToHrIP THEMSELVES TO RFPUBLIcAN MAIL, AND
HOW THEY TRIED To "REuOvE" NIX BECAUSE
HE STOPPED THE PRACTICE.
iBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Sept. GA special dispatch TO
THE TRIBUNE from South Carolina, printed to-day,
briefly announces the shooting of Frederick NIX,
Postmaster at Blacl1vile. Some further particulars
respecting the shooting and the events which pre-
coded IT have been gathered here to-day.
For long time prior to the LIST Of last July COM
plants had been made that there were irregulari-
ties in the management Of tho Blackville Post
Office. special agent of the Post Office Depart
ment was directed to investigate these complaints.
He did So and made q report under date Of July 4,
1870. According TO this report both Miss MaheT,
the Postmstress, and her deputy, who was also her
nephew, were persons as unsuitable as could have
been found TO place in charge of such an Office.
Letters mailed at tho Office would sometimes lilo
there for weeks before being sent, and letters re-
ceived if addressed to cOiored people or Republic
cans. were often detained in like manner. During
political campaign il was found impossible 10 send
q letter through the Office at all when it was nd
dressed TO a prominent Republican either in or out
OF the State.
The Special Agent relates an instance where
package Of campaign documents was addressed to n
after its receipt but did not find 1t. The next day
lie was waited upon by Democratic committee,
the spokesman OF which drew from his cOat-pOeket
a number Of the identical documents contained in
the package, and from his hIp-pocket a revolver.
The rghtful owner of the documents was then
"quietly but peremptorily Informed that If BIO oh.
tanned said package from the post Office his life
would be the forfeit" The agent continues d" How
did these persons know of the existence of the
package and It's whereabouts p
He also relates an instance where q similar pack
ace received for person who, calling for his
mail, was informed that there nothing for him.
few hours later the m8il-carrier who had seen the
superscription on the package asked him what 1t
contained. He Immediately returned TO the post
Office and found tho package open. its contents
scattered the floor and several of tho citizens
of the town perusng and examining the same.
The agent continues "From my observation /
can say that the post office IN question is not man
aged in such q way as to insure security. num-
bers of unauthorized persons not only enter the
Office but sit in the window where they reach in
and help themselves to such mail as they deem
proper TO take"
to the Fe5" hst ths
decorating the post-ofice with flags, etc. on Demo-
cratic glorlfcation and speechmaking days." and
also to "waving flags herself from the post Office
windows on such occasions. The agent thought
that this 'n violation OF true system OF ClVll
service reformD In conclusion the agent recon-
mended the removal of the postmlstress and the APP
pointment of Frederick Nix, whom he described as
an efficient competent man, and one who he was
satisfied would make "a truss worthy officer.
Nr. Nix was duly appointed and entered upon the
duties of his office. The change was of course dis
tasteful to the Backvlle Democracy because, to the
crime of being Republican, Mr. NIX ADDS that OF
being a cOlored man. Senator VI. {. Butler inter
estod himself In the matter and on the l4th inst.
wrote letter TO the Postmaser-Generai. Ill which
81 was greatly disappointed when learned that
YOU had removed Miss Maher at Blackville, (. g.,
and appointed in her stead one of the most objec-
tonable men. Fred. Nix, that can be found III that
entire community, and the people who most patron
ize that Office sorely disappointed and disturbed
ihe complaint against NIX does not result, either
with myself or the people Of Blackville, from his
being q Republican, but because he Is turbulent.
violent, rude offensive and incompetent man,
wholly without the character and qualifications
necessary for an efficient Intelligent discharge OF
the duties of postmaster. trust that You may DO
induced To reconsider this appointment ana either
restore Miss Maher or appoint some less obJectona-
BILE person."
Two davs after Senator Butler wrote his letter the
impatient chivalry of Blsckville concluded to re-
| move the postmaster themselves The effort to
do this Is described BY the postmaster himself whO
on the Goth inst. had recovered from his wounds
sufficiently to be able 10 write letter to the Post
master-Ciencral. The letter WAS received to-day
Mr.. Nix saws that upon his accepting and taking
made by the Democrats. and a conspiracy was
formed TO take his life simply on account of his
politics and color. He relates the circumstances of
the attempt TO assassinate him the 10th inst. as
| follows:
"About 4 o'clock in the afternoon was sitting in
front Of my Office. Luther Williams, white one of
the conspraors sent the street for his mail.
. 1 got up and went into the Office to get his
mail. While was at the letteI-6oI getting
his (WilliamSs mail Tor the man whom lie had sent
| i was disur by the clicking of pistol at the
delivery window about six feet from the leteI-b0X,
| AT which | was standing. half turned, and as
| turned Williams who had slipped into the main
room from across the street aud up to the delivery
window, fred, putting his HANDS through the winuOw.
| The ball took effect my right arm and across my
| chest and entered the letter-box. After lie had
fred he Immediately went into the street, pistol ia
| hand, which created quite an excitement. called
upon the town authorities for assistance. Being I'll
| Democrats they refused TO render any. have
! made atfidavts before the United States Commits
S0nor, and he has issued warrants for tie arrest OF
#, the paroles concerned"
The letter, which is in the hand writing of Mr..
Nix, ~ fairly written, aud is itself. in part,
answer to Senator Buffers charge that the writer
| is incompetent 10 discharge the duties of post
! master.
| The following telegram has to-day been sent TO
the special agent Of the Post Office Department in
| Souh Carolina by tue Chief of Special Agents
| here, Cease of shooting of Postmaster az Black
! Vile s. c.. requires immediate attention. The
postInaster-teueTal will abolish the Office if the
and is not protected by the authorities. 10 your
| self II possible"
| WASHINGTON NOTES.
| WAsHISGroN, Tuesday, Sept. %. 1879.
rvcta, II Crooker will. IL is understood be appointed