Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-14
TIE DANVILLE RIOT.
Testimony Of Col. Sims. whose speech
Caused the HOT.


WASHINGTON, d. G.. March t0-Col Sims
whose speech it is alleged contributed to the
excitement, out Of which came the Danvillc
riot was examined BY the Senate committee
this morning. lie testified that he had made
speeches In various parts Of the State during
the campaign and never INDUCED in any
personalities except In SpDttsylvania county
and panyille, and then only because he and
his party had been wantOnly aud outrageously
assalltd personally. lie claimed The Coal-
tlonsis had a majority of I've hundred in the
county already, and were anxious to vote.
N thing remained but TO bring out the vote
and secure fair and tree election. The
Coaltionsts used none but legitimate
nethOds. The speech Of the witness was an
answer to the circular sent abroad by the
Democrats.
Col Sims said he told meeting Of the
culorcd people that they could not afford tn
carry arms on the day of election. lie
advised them to pocket all insults, 20
10 the polls quietly, without bravado and
avoid. trouble. Il feel guilty." said the
witness, "ot having INTELLECTUALLY and un.
Willingly, in The interest OF peace aud
order, given them advice which was seized
'P'", 'CllCNc Wy lttiC p''lllCal CUelllltS 10
| slaughter them on the following diy when
they were unarmed' When the witness
closed his speech, messenger from the
hayor told him he would be killed il be
remained in the town, and advised him to 60
| 10 the Mayors Office and there remain unit
| he could bc escorted to q place II safety.
| Wines vert to the Mayors Office and there
met DR.. Barksdale, a prominent Democrat,
| who told him the men he had denounced
| demanded Il rCiraclion, aud if the witness
would 60 to the front of the building and
take back what he lad said, be believed he
could quiet the crowd Otherwise the witness
would be killed. Witness refused to r-e.ract
lie said he was going 20 his room and did
| So. passing through lie crowd on the way.
The next morning he was informed by a
! friend the crowd was waiting for him and
that he would be shot. The witness went
out and found a crowd Of Bourbons awaiting
him, but passed through it urhnrmed. lie
| had an engagement to sreak twelve
miles distant ard ordered buggy to q
prominent place in tie town, where he got
into it end drove away. A crowd of DOurhons
we're standing about scowling, with their
hands in their reckes aud holding whisper
ed consultation.
returning from the engagement the wit
| ness was informed of the rot in Danvile, and
was told that men were waiting to kill him.
lie was advised to 60 in another direction but
refused. Armed men inquired If tho wit
| noes vas IN the buggy but the driver whipped
NJ the horses aud drove ~. Witness saw two
men aiming a. The buggy hut they did not
hooi After he got 10 his lodging
place mob OF two hundred gathered
around, hut ne went to bed. l. the morn
Ing be sent 10 ask the Mayor il something
COULDN'T he done to allay tho excitement.
b" Mayor snid he could Do nothing Wit
ness an led 10 tie Governor fer troops, who
promised to send come Witness went to
bic home and found lhn "Bourb9ns" there
led hibcd his ticket distributors to suhs,i.
tue Bourbon" tickets for Re.diu:tcr
tickets. The Bouybons had circulated q re.
poit that witness bad left the state and the
only chance fog the white or c.'arcd men
was to come over 70 tic Democratic party.
Witness was lold.if he did any active work
On election day he v9nld be rilled lie
however d:srcgardc} the threats.