The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1891-04-14
UNDER BONDS.
THE SHERIFF PUTS A STOP TO AN AN.
TIclPATEp ENCOUNTERS.

THE SHERIFF PUTS A STOP TO AN AN
TlclPATED ENCOUNTER.
Colonel Taibsrt Arrested ana Put Under
Peace Bonds--Mr. N. @. Gonzales Tom
porsrily Bound over--His Case to be
Heard this Afternoon.
COLUMBIA, s. O., April 1O.-For the
past day or two there has been some ap-
prehension of personal difficulty oc-
curing between Colonel w. j. Table rt
Superintendent of the South Carolina
Penitentiary, and Mr.. N. q. Gonzales,
editor of tho State, on account of re-
cent publications rejecting severely on
each other, and on yesterday from in
formation given to him, Sheriff Rowan
was led to believe that there was some
grounds for these apprehensions, and
accordingly he took cut warrants for
the arrest Of both of these parties i'm
order to have them Put under peace
bonds. The warrants were issued by
Trial Justice Muller and placed in the
hands of Constable Pollock. Colonel
and at once proceeded to the Trial Jus.
tees cffice, where he gave the required
bond for $500, with Mr.. w. II. Martin
as surety. He stated to the Trial JUS
tice that he did not object to giving
the bond II 1t was required of him, but
that at the same time he wanted it un-
derstood that he vas thirsting for no
mans blood, and further, that as a law
abiding citizen, he considered himself
to be always bound to keep the peace,
although always ready to protect him
self when necessary. He said also that
he did not want any one put under
peace bond for his protection. He
asked the Trial Justice if any one had
requested that he should be put under
bond, to which the Sheriff replied that
he had taken out the warrants on his
own responsibility.
The warrant against Mr.. Gonzales
was served later in the afternoon, and
he appeared at the Trial Justices office
about 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
MIR. Gonzales was accompanied by
Mr.. T.. I'll. Weston as his attorney, and
demanded trial on the ground that he
had made no threats against any one,
and could therefore see no reason why
he should be required to give q peace
bond.
Sheriff Rowan made statement to
the effect that he had made inquiries
of parties who he thought were in a
| position TO know as to whether there
was any likelihood of difficulty occur.
ring between Messrs. Talbert and Con
zales. and that he had been informed
by them that there was. Mr.. T.. j
Watson Of the State being one of those
| who so informed HIM in response to his
inquiries. The Sheriff further stated
that Col. Geo. X. Wright had notified
him in the morning that a difficulty
was pending, and that thereupon he
considered it his duty as peace officer
to take the course he had taken.
Mr.. Gonz ales said that the course OF
the Sheriff was unwarranted by the
facts and that II he was put under bond
Mr.. Calvo of The Register ought also
to be put under bond as he had pub
!lshed in his paper an article written
by Colonel Talbert that might have
provoked bloodshed.
THE SnERIFF'S SWORN STATEMENT.
After making an unsworn statement
as above, counsel for Mr.. Gonzales re-
quired the Sheriff's testimony to be re-
duced to writing, it being as follows:
5. w. Rowan, being duly sworn. says
"My attention was called to the proba
bility of difficulty between Mr.. N. G
Gonzales and Mr.. w. j. Talbert. 1 was
Informed that policemen were sta.
toned near The State Office and that
the citizens along the street were an
tlcipating difficulty. made inquiry
last night to get something definite, but
the parties gave me evasive answers
have not seen MIR. Gonzales for three
or four days. When read the paper
(Ehe State of the 0th) read an article
that made me suspicious Of trouble.
went on the street this morning anC
a gentleman informed me that trouble
was expected between Mr.. Gonzales
and Mr.. Talbert, and that he thought
that they ought to be placed under
bond. | requested my informant tt
make his aflidaVit and told him If
made it could not make the arrest
He declined, giving no reason, and
then came round and made the affidavit
had been told If these two parties met
on the street there would be trouble
Mr.. Geo. X. Wright came to me anC
stated that Mr.. Condit was alarmed
and so told him."
Cross-eXamined-"I saw the police
men standing near the State Office;
have freq uently seen them standing or
the corner of the Opera House anC
at the Opera House steps. There
is one store between the Opera
House and the State Office. | did not
approach either Mr.. Gonzales or Mr.
Talbert, was suspicious of trouble last
night, and from the time of the appear.
ance Of the first article in The Regis
ter, knowing Mr.. Gonzales not to be 9
man who take insults. L think, but dc
not state positively, that both Mr.. Wat
son and Mr.. Reynolds told me that il
Mr.. Gonzales and Mr.. Talbert met there
would be trouble. Mr.. Watson anG
| Mr.. Reynolds both are employed in the
State office; Mr.. Watson as local editor
and Mr.. Reynolds as business mana
ger.
"(Signed) S. w. ROWAN"
Mr.. Gonzales was then required tC
give bond until o'clock this afternoon
at which time the examination will be
continued
Colonel Talbert stated at the time that
he was in the Trial Justices Office that
he regarded the whole trouble as hav-
ing been purposely brought about by a
Radical Sheet" as previous to its at
tacks upon him there was no cause for
any trouble.
The Evening Record, commenting
upon the arrest, Says:
"Since the publication of Mr.. w. j,
Talberts letter in The Register yester-
day morning in which the following
reference TO the editor of the State APP
peared: i denounce his insinuations
against my good name as contemplate
lies and SANDERS the public generally
have felt that bloodshed was imminent
All day yesterday every one was on the
qui Ylye of expectancy"