The state journal., 1884-02-23
WAR OF THE RACES.
The Affair at Danville.

/. graves, (Wnltt,1 u commission
merchant of Danville, and an inteIli.
gent benevolent looking gentleman,
63 years of age, was the first witness
called in the Danville investigation
to-day. He said he took little inter
est in politics except to vote. He
did, however, attend the opera house
meeting of November 3, and he had
signed the Danville circular and APP
proved its contents; saw no women
and children-only men-in the
crowd of negroes during the riots.
He was not at the scene of the riot
when the firing began, but was going
toward his place Of business, which
was in that directio,s lie was armed
and fred four shots into the crowd
of colored people. lie fred because
he twas never yet able to stand and
allow a man to shoot at him." or
'strike at him. without retaliation.
He described each Of his shots in de-
tail The colored men were firing in
his direction. The firing for short
time was as hot as he ever saw. Wit
ness was a soldier during the Mex
lean war, and a Confederate officer
during the rebellion. He bought his
revolver a month before the riot.
Witness did not know of any secret
political organization in Danvile, ex.
cept the Democratic Club. Witness
denied that he shot Charles Adams.
Describing the scene, he arose and
said that be saw Charles Adams ap
preaching him, trying to escape from
the crowd. Adams threw up his
arms and asked witness not to fire.
Witness told Adams TO go into
store. Soon afterward, Adams came
out of the store and ran away. Wit
ness ''hoIlered'' at MIN, telling him to
60 back into the store. Adams turned
and threw up his arms, begging wit
ness and others not to shoot. At
this time Adams was shot 10 the arm.
Witness did not fire the shot. lie
had fred four shots before that. Wit
ness did not know whether he hit
any one or not. He would not say
that he fred without intending to hit
any one, but be saw no one fall as a
result of his shooting. Witness said
rumor had become current the day
before tie election that the negroes
were to have torch-light procession
before daylight on election day, and
were to march in three columns to
the polls and take possession CT
them.
Senator Lapham-Was there any
predetermination on the part Of the
Democrats to break up the procession
if it did take place? A-No, Sir. l
will tell you frankly, Sir. There was
no understanding to that effect, but
if it had been attempted, it would
have brought about a collision.
George Adams (colored) described
the riot in the quaintest Of negro dia
lects, arising to his feet and swinging
his arms and body, in illustrating the
movements of different individuals
and of the crowds. Witness was the
man who attempted to take the re-
volver from Lea, Noel's companion,
at the preliminary riot. He 'libs in
de country, but bis chaps (boys) works
in town He "war in Mr.. Basil
Blair's sto' payin' de clerk some
money-owed him 70 dollars-when
de firm began" &c. While scufling
with Lea, the latter fell, and witness
fell on top. Taylor, one of the pre-
liminary white rioters, seized witness
by the heels and "sort o turned him
somerset like" As witness was
engaged in his involuntary gymnas-
tics, Lea fred twice, the bullets pass,
ing under witness body. INC, Sab;
de pistol did not fire hissef." In
reply to Senator Sherman, witness
described scene which took place
last Wednesday night, after he was
subpenaed to come to Washington
lie vas sleeping in the railway sta
ton with sn old man, and Mr.. Free
man came and shook the door. Wit
ness let him in after some delay.
Freeman asked what he knew about
the riot. Witness said be saw it
all. Freeman asked if he had any
whisky, and came up and felt Of his
pockets. Freeman then called in
Hatcher, Barksdale, Lea and others,
all Of whom were on their way to
Washington. They told him he had
s'better know but id little" about
the riot when he went to Washington.
Lea did not speak, but looked as if he
''would jump through witness Mr..
Barksdale came into the room and
witness described the affair to him.