Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-03-29
A. ROW IN COLUMBIA.

James Heron, one of the Fairfield pOliti
cal prisoners, who was boarding at the
Grand Central Hotel where young Cash
also had registered, and in the lobby OF
which house the altercatlon occurred. IL
seemed that Mr.. Cash, in the presence of
Mr.. Heron and several others, had given
free expression of his opinion as to the
fraudulent practice in the last election in
South Carolina. Heron, who had been
drinking, and who did not know who Cash
was. REPLIED in substance that he was from
Fairfield, and the last election there had
been fairly conducted. Some sharp words
passed between the two men, when Mc(illl
and Evans interposed and tried to quiet
them, Mr.. McGill going to Cash and assur-
ing him that Heron was, in liquor, and
begging Cash not to regard anything said
| by him. Cash said that he would not re-
gard what came from an old man like Her
ron, but walking around through the crowd
in a staggering manner and with many
oaths, hoped that some of the younger men
of the party would put himself in Herron's
place in order that he might fight them.
Approaching Heron, who was seated,
he Herron) rose up from his chair in front
of Cash and some words passed between
them, when Cash struck Heron in the face,
and then rushing on him, bore him to the
wall, striking him several blows before
those nearest could interfere to stop the
fracaS.
AS soon as he could be reached he was
taken hold of and Immediately released
his hold upon Heron, expressing regret
that he had struck him and declaring that
he had been forced to do so.
A few moments after Policeman Duncan
appeared and took charge of both Cash and
Heron, and they were carried to the Guard
House, where Cash was disarmed of two
1t,bi ha
for the night. Heron was bailed out by
Captain McMaster.
The above is substantially the account,
as given by the Register, of the origin Of
the difficulty. The subsequent proceedings,
on the following morning, before the May
or's Court, are thus reported by the cores
pondent of the Ne,cs and Courier:
The examination was begun at 8 o'clock,
EX-Judge Willard and Snyder, of Govern
ment counsel in the political trials, sitting
by Cash as his counsel. The testimony OF
various parties was that Heron asked Cash
for Fairfield. He replied th'.' ..e alluded
to Chester county and the Fifth district
Both parties were under the influence OF
liquor. The discussion was not all heard,
but it waXed warm and Cash was asked
by two elderly Fairfield prisoners not to
notice Heron as he was rather intoxicated.
He agreed not to do so, but presently the
discussion was renewed. One of the pro-
prietors of the hotel tried to stop Cash, but
he began cursing again; In response to
some statement by Cash, Heron called him
liar. Cash then struck him, as told in last
nights dispatches.
Cash himself testified that Heron had
made, at the beginning of the discussion,
some remark that grated on him. He saw
some of the crowd snicker, and feared that
if he went away it would look as if he
were backing out. Heron called him a liar,
and he struck him without stopping to
think, and twice again. When he found
Heron did not resist, he stopped. After
Heron was taken away, Cash drew his pis-
tOl, but not on Heron, He saw some men
closing around, and feared some cOmbina-
tion Of which Heron was only the tool.
That was his reason for drawing the weapon.
Snyder said that he regretted the unfOr-
tunate occurrence. Whiskey was the cause.
Mayor Rhett said that it was not a per-
sOnal question, but one of violating the Or
dinances of Columbia.
Snyder said that Cash was deputy Uni
ted States marshal and had been instructed
to carry arms, He had the right to do so.
Major It. w. Woodward said that the
only Fairfield men present when Cash had
ron's cause, We're three old gentlemen, men,
bers of the church and wearing gray boards.
If any of the young men Of Fairfield had
been there they would have taken no BAN
ter or threats,
Mayor Rhett replied that he was conf
dent Of that.
The mayor, in sentencing, Heron said
that there was no excuse for him. He had
applied term to Cash which was very ag-
gravating. He was compelled to fine him
$40 or ten days. The fine was at once paid.
TO Cash, Mayor Rhett said that he ad.
mitted that he had been provoked, and
that if young man had called him liar
as Heron had done and he had struck him,
he would make his fine nominal. People
were not called on to take such words, but
Heron was too old a man to be knocked
down. He told Cash, besides, that the streets
of Columbia and the vestibule of it's princi-
pal hotel were not the place for him to vim
dicate his honor. There was no mitiga-
tion for his offence, and he must fine
him to the full limit of his power, $50. He
would also fine him $40 for carrying con-
cealed weapons against the ordinance.
Snyder said that as far as the revolver was
concerned it was case of the United States
against the City of Columbia.
Mayor Rhett said, with emphasis, that
he would solve that question. He would
see if the United States Government could
give its employees power to violate the
city ordinances. He would impose this
fine and he felt assured that if Snyder wish
ed to test the matter in the courts, the city
would see it to the end.
Snyder said then that Cash was on duty
and instructed to carry arms.
Cash, more TRUTHFUL said that he was not
Snyder said, when pressed, that he be-
lieved there were general instructions al
| lowing deputy marshal to carry arms. He
denied that Cash had drawn his pistol in
the hotel.
Cash said that he had pulled it out.
The Mayor said, warmly, that he would
inform the assistant district attorney that
he would enforce the ordinance, and that
if he (Snyder) or any of his men should
make the attempt to carry concealed Weap-
ons in Columbia, whether the Government
allowed it or not, they would be arrested
and put in Jail. Cash could appeal from his
decision to the Council at its meeting next
Tuesday.
Cash paid the thirty dollars fine
Major Woodward was SO much incensed
at Snyder's effrontry in trying to help
bully the city when here ostensibly to as
sist the Government, that in leaving the
Police Court he applied some terrible cpl
thets to him. Snyder said: 81 can stand
that, sir"
At 1870 A. M. Cash was, in accordance
with the custom, taken by the police officer
who found the pistol on him, before Trial
Justice Marshall for cognizance of his Of
fence against the State law,
Snyder demanded that the case be with
held until Melton arrived,
Iustica Marshall said that on the contra