The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-28
THE DANvILLE RIOT.
THE INVESTIGATION ENDED FOR
THE PRysrNr,
No Money TO Pay wi,nesse.-A "yery WIN.
ma I" Witness Tesunes that He had Not
ret Recovered from the Fright Produced
~ 'he hiot, and that lie is Proud OF His
Cowardicc.

WASHINGTON, February 27.--'Squire
Taliaferro, a strongly.bujlt coIored man.
chairman OF his ward committee for seye-
raj years, was the first witness before the
DanVille sub committee to-day. He was
the sanitary commissioner (scavenger) in
Danville for six months previous TO the Let
OF last November, having been appointed
by the town authorities. He was very
Wiling witness. He heard the shooting
on The Saturday OF the riot, and hastened
10 nus house. He kept within doors, re-
1using admittance 10 all callers until
8 O'Clock Monday A. NJ. There were
white men and others about his house,
and they pretended TO have kilograms FOR
him, but he "dldn't want any news at
that time Of night" They tried 10 rattle
his door down. He did hear after
wards that one OF his tenants ut a
| distance had sent telegram. Witness
related at considerable length conyersa-
tons with white Democrats who, previous
| to the riot, had threatened with abundant
profanity TO carry the election at all hazards
'by Smith Il Wesson self-acting five
shooters and breech-loadng shot-guns.''
He rehearsed in brief speeches he himself
had made TO the cOlored people during the
canvass. Like most OF the colored wit
nesses. he boosted OF his exceeding fright
on the day Of the riot.
He had not fully recovered yet. He
fought 1t were time to look out for
Squire" and he "didn't hab no time to
take notice OF much; besides, tings was
gettin' very bilious for Squire" and he
''took water" accordingly.
Senator Vance developed the fact that
witness was once convicted Of frauds in
selling whiskey and imprisoned for 1t.
Senator Vance: 81 want to ask one
question. Are you really proud OF your
cowardicey"
Witness with a swaggerl: " Yes, sir.
am proud Of it, and l am 'shamed of it.,
too, in anoder sense. Pm 'shamed that
Pm 'bliged to play de coward for men who
is seekin' to take my life"
In answer to Senator Sherman, witness
said that a notice was put under his door
some time after the riot addressed: "This
is to Squire Taliaferro." Its contents
were: Esquire Taliaierro You are con-
sidered as one OF the leaders or instigators
OF the late riot OF Danville. AS such you
are. responsible for the blood spilled
therein. We have determined that your
stay in Danvile Is injurious to the public
peace therefore, you must go. You are
given three days to prepare, and il after
three days you are found in Danville you
must take the consequences"
Isaac G. Coleman (colored), porter in a
drugstore. was called. His testimony was
unimportant.
Samuel f. Early (colored) was called.
On the morning Of election-day he saw
two boxes OF pistols in hardware-store.
They had just been received, and were,
when he saw them, being distributed to
white men. He was cautioned by white
man, Mr.. Jones, before the riot, to take
care OF himself; If certain parties caught
him they would hang him. He knew oil
no reason why they should wish TO hang
him unless it was because he was chairman
OF committee.
The committee adjourned at half-past II
O'Clock, subject to the call of the chair
man, with the understanding that no FUR
Their proceedings should take place until
the House had acted upon the Senate joint
resolution appropriating money for fur.
Their expenses.