The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-07
YELDELL IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
He In Brought Back to his Native
State and Creates no Excitement
He maintains his Innocence and
is Confident Of Acquittal-A Tri.

| He ma1nta1nS his Innocence and
is Confident Of Acquittal-A Tri.
butte to our Officers.
COLUMBIA, August Especial: John yell
dell. OF Edgefield and Plttsburg, who for sew
other distinguished representative Of the ne
gro race in America, Fred Douglass arrived In
Columbia this morning with his escorts,
Echols, of PIttsburg, who is to defend him at
the EdgefieId Court. Yeldell was met by nei.
ther lynching party or delegation OF ad-
miring friends. He attracted no attention
Richland County jail just like any other
plain, everyday colored prisoner.
Col. Echols, who will remain In the State
until the end Of the trial, is the gentleman
Pennsylvania proceedings before the Churts
and the Governor. He is q native OF that
State, but settled many years ago In Augusta,
where he was foT years close iriend ana law y,
Toombs he returned to Pittsburg, where he
commands very large law practice. Col.
Echols Is q Southerner in his sentiments, and
conducted the case OF the State with signal
ability. He has become the attorney Of yell
dell after consultation with Governor Beaver,
In order that he may, upon his return to
Pittsburg, assure, with personal knowledge,
has received proper treatment and q fair trt-
al, He has no fears of violence In Edgeheld
and will accompany the prisoner TO the coun.
ty seat Col. Echols's expenses are betrayed
by contributions from white and eolored peo-
has stated, Yeldell will also have Mr.. w. C.
Benet to defend him, and with such men as
counsel he will be far better off than many a
white criminal. T.
Col. Echols had an interview with Govern
or Richardson today, and officers Strom and
Lyon made a verbal report TO him. The trip
from Pittsburg was without special Incident
AS the officers named have been freely criti-
cised by the Northern Republican papers, II
may be well to say that Col. Echols stated TO
the Governor to-day that they had conducted
themselves with the utmost propriety. The
dicates the representatives OF the State from
these aspersions:
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
BUREAU OF POLICE,
PITTsBURG, Pa, July so. N
To his Excellency the Governor Of South
Carolina-Sir: We desire to state on behalf
OF officers Strom and Lyon, who have been In
iGn IN WtR the OF arrest Of
John Yeldell, alias the Rev. Flemon. on the
charge Of murder In Edgefeld County, your
State: In the first place we made the arrest,
at once, and upon their arrival here the pris-
oner was identified out OF q group Of fifteen
colored men, the Identification being positive
and beyond doubt. As you are aware, consid.
population Of this city interesting them
selves in behalf Of Flenon, who for the last
year or so had assumed the vocation Of an A.
M. E. preacher, and thereby gained the conn.
dence and respect Of the people In this city.
| Indignation meetings were held and money
raised for the purpose Of contesting the case,
as were also threats made against the officers,
but they remained unfinch1ng in their duty,
for which they certainly; deserve credit In
this respect they were exceptional, as they as.
sumed the same position throughout, that OF
simple duty, in no wise melting or creating
bad feeling by statements through the press.
| Very Respectfully,
| ROGER OMARA,
| ?. Assistant Superintendent Of Police.
'..' JOHN MCALEESE,
| Inspector Of Police.
| A representative Of the News and Courier
sought to interview Yeldell this afternoon,
but he announced that by advice Of his coun-
sci, Mr.. Echols, he must decline to talk. BE
is an ordinary looking yellow fellow, aP-
preaching middle age, and has nothing intel.
lectual in his appearance. His face ts mark.
| ed by a scar under the left eye.I In converse
ton with the Sheriff he seemed TO be at ease,
but made no reference to his casa
4 Solicitor Nelson and Mr.. Echols will 60 over
to Edgefeld on the early train tomorrow
morning. Who will accompany them is not
officially announced. N. q. It.