The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-18
THE AFFAIR AT BAMBERG, S. c..
The Colored Postmaster's Story Of the Firing
Into His House.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16-The Charleston News
and Courier contains the following dispatch
from Qrangeburg about the attack upon the
to say about his fight:
T. G. Robinson, the Bamberg postmaster,
was here last night and made the following
statement of the affair:
About sixty days ago he received an anony-
nous letter; ordering him to leave Bamberg.
and warning him if he failed to do SO he would
be killed. On Sunday night last between
and 2 o'clock, he was aroused by vol
ley of shots fired into his house, where
he and his wife andfve children were asleep.
One shot fell near his bed and he found another
in his bed the next morning. He found a crowd
outside, one of whom called to him to come out
Another said: Break down the door and kill
him. He didn't know any of the persons, but
thinks he recognized one or more. Another
yolley was fired by the crowd, and in the mean
time some of them entered into parley with
him and made him promise to resign the Office at
Bamberg, threatening to kill him if he reported
the matter, but promising not further to modest
him if he would resign within thirty days and
sign recommendation for the appointment of
another person to the Office. He then cried out
for help and some of his friends and neighbors
were attracted by his cries and came to his res
cue The crowd then left He further says
that he thought he was getting on well and
peaceably as postmaster at Bamberg, and be-
He had heard of no dissatisfaction or opposition
He does not know that his politics had anything
to do with it. Believing that his life was in i'm
minent peril, he did not go back to Bamberg on
Monday, but made his escape to Orangeburg
Robinson was at one time student Of Clafin
University here, and afterwards taught school
in this county. He was as thoroughly scared
and demoralized last night as it is possible to
conceive 1t is believed here, byhis friends even,
that much of his fear is without foundation, and
that no real harm was intended. There is no doubt
that Robinson was scared. By the advice of
friends he has returned to Bamberg, and will
meet special inspector of the department for
the purpose of investigating the matter
The Courier's correspondent interviewed Ben
jalnin Simpson, the postofice inspector sent to
make the Investigation Mr.. Simpson made the
following statement My headquarters are in
Atlanta. Yesterday morning orders were re-
ceived from the postoffice inspector at Washing
ton, directing an inspector to proceed to Bam-
befggthat the postoffice there had been closed
and the life of the postmaster threatened. /
started Immediately, acting under direction of
Inspector Hartshorn, temporarily in charge of
this district. / arrived at midnight last night;
and this morning called on quite a number of
the business men of the place. was informed
that the cause of the troubles Of the postmaster
was unknown to them; that they desired the
postmaster to return and take charge of the Of
fee, and that he would be protected in the dis
charge Of his duties then saw the postrnas-
ter. and he informed me that he was ignorant
himself of the cause Of the attack made on him
on Sunday night; that he was fired upon at his
house. and informed that if he returned and
took charge of the Office they would kill him, and
that he would be required to resign his Office
within thirty days and sign petition recon-
mending the appointment of the wife
of his predecessor, J. C. Warn.
and in view Of the danger that he was
in he agreed to sign the petition After hearing
his statement, directed him to go on in the dis
charge of his duty as postmaster; that was
fully satisfied from the general expression of the
good people Of Bamberg that he would be fully
protected. He consented to do so, and immedi-
ately went on with the discharge of his duty as
postmaster. / am somewhat at a loss to know
how the opposition to the postmaster originated.
am satisfied that if is limited to few. and
those people who are irresponsible. From all
that can. learn, and satisfied that the attack
upon the postmasteriwas not out of any hostility
to the administration or to Robinson on account
Of his political affiliations.
II have found all through this Southern coun-
try considerable prejudice against colored men
holding Office Have reason to believe that the
Office will be run satisfactorily in the future and
that the postmaster will be fully protected by
the people of Bainberg. / have inspected the
Office and found At correct, and counted the post
masters money and examined his books and
found them right to cent.
Robinson. the postmaster. is thus described;
He is an intelligent negro Of gingerbread hue,