National Republican., 1884-04-04
DANvILLE REPUBLICANS,

VINO FfONe Thetr NepublIcRnism by |
Voting the Democratic Ticket, and Hate
Niggcrs.
Alexander w. Miller (white), Of Danville,
was tho first witness examined by Senator
Sherman's subcommittee yesterday On one
occasion before the riot he heard pistol shot
at distance. A coored man, who was walk
ing in front of him, thereupon drew his
revolver and fired an answering signal, saying
at the samo time, my brother, l meet you"
He had seen colored women "butD white
ladies off tho sidewalk. When the negroes
were flying from tho scene of the riot witness
saw Il. NJ. Hatcher, n white man, chasing n
colored boy. Witness caught the boy, placed
him in hallway, and told Hatcher to let tho
boy alone. Hatcher, who was under the infu
ence of liquor, ceased his pursuit.
y. l.. Dance (white), of Powhatan county,
Virginia. was called. Ho testified to hearing
negro say to a crowd of his fellows that ho
wanted to get chance to kill n white man.
(Tho same scene was described by Mr.. Ruilin
yesterday.)
Chess ingram (colored,) was called He had
been democrat for five or six years. Geo.
Adams, q colorod man, had threatened at tho
election before the last that if witness voted
the democratic ticket he should not live out
his days. Tho colored people followed him
after voting his ticket, so ho had to take
lcluko III MS iOlOTeu people III
Danville did not visit or associate with him.
Aaron Pointer (cOlored), of Danville, who
described his occupation as q general handy
man, saw tho riot. He rehearsed the fight
between Lawson and Noel. The white man
lNoeD had slightly the advantage, when
George Adams jumped on the white man and
in the struggle the pistol the white man had
won't OIL. Some one thon ran up and took
Adams of. Lawson was drunk, and he
thought the white man was also George
Adams went across the street and said to n
crowd of colorod men there, Lets get him
(the white NAM and kill him." Mr.. jeff
Corbott camo to the crowd and tried to pre-
vent disturbance but without success.
Adams got some moro negroes and they
started after Noel. Seven or eight of tho
negroes had pistols. Glass had pistol, and
started after the man they said hit Lawson,
and would have killed him but for little
whito man with big head, who stood in a
doorway aud pointed gun at tho colorod
men.
the colorcd man who was a principal in the
preliminary fist fight, was drunk, and was
generally in that condition.
a. Wimbish, commission merchant Of
Danville, who lives short distance from
town, testified that George Adams, leading
witness subpGnaed by Senator Sherman, was
q very quarrelsome man.
and republican, helper in q livery stable,
was examined. He saw two of the men who
were killed by the rioters. Several white
men picked up one OF the bodies and a pistol
dropped from the pocket. He heard col
ored man deprecating the riot on the ground
that 1t was brought on prematurely. He saw
ten or twelve of the colored men in the crowd
of rioters fourshing arms and saying to their
colored associates behind them Come on. 1t
is as good time now as ever" He had heard
colored men planning to divide up the stores
in Danville.
Senator Vance. You say you are a repub-
lican?
eyes, sir, am republican
"How did you vote the last timer"
II voted the democratic ticket straight"
"How is that?"
"Well, I'll tell you"
Senator Lapham. Well, I object to that.
Senator Vance. think when professed
republican votes the democratic ticket
Senator Lapham. That's the reason why
object, because he is professed republican.
Senator Vance. Well, / insist upon it.
Witness. Well, I'll tell you. didn't con.
slider there was any issue in Virginia at the
! last election, except the nigger against the
white man, and Pm for the white man every
| time.
Senator Lapham (smiling contentedly)
exactly.
X. w. Valentine, a merchant of Danville
was examined. He said he thought he sold
greater number of pistols to the colored peo
pie than he did to the whites.
c. c. Lance, Of Lynchburg, agent of Yves
| Virginia coal company, republican in na
tional affairs" was examined He votes the
democratic state ticket in Virginia for the
reason that he thinks the democrats bes
qualified to manage state affairs Was in
Danvillo on the day of the riot. Saw people
running down street. both white and black
"getting out Of the way together" Saw nc
| firearms heard no threats The only person
he heard talk about the riot after it was over
was Maj. Sutherland, who expressed regret
for it. Was in South Boston Thursday
There had been political meeting of colored
people the night before, at which threats were
made to burn the town. Since he has lived
in Virginia has seen no attempt or disposi.
tion on the part Of white people to intimidate
the blacks or prevent their voting.
Roger A. Pryor, jr., and Wm, A. Norman
both of Danville, testified to tho condition OF
affairs in Danville and to certain features Of
the riot.
At o'clock the committee adjourned until
to-day.