The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1891-10-13
WILL BE TOLERATED.
That Is What Governor TiIlman Says
About Lynch Law.

COLUMBIA, S. c., Oct. 2.-John Will
liams, the Spartanburg murderer, is
safe back in S~partauburg, S. g. lie was
sen: from here yesterday in charge of
Deputy Sheriff Holloway, who deliY.
eied him to Sheriff Nichols of Spartan
burg County. The bringing Of Wilt
ans to this city was in a sense u sur
prise to a great many: in fact, it may
be said TO every one; and exactly why
this step was taken by Sheriff Nichols
WAS not clearly understood. Even now
that the matter is before the public in
Its true light, no just cause can be as.
signed for this faction. In speaking OF
the circumstances connected with the
case Governor Tillman yesterday said:
On Tuesday morning las Sheriff
Nichols of Spartanburg came into the
executive office to report the arrival in
Columbia OF q prisoner, John Williams,
from Spartanburg. Sheriff Rowan was
unwilling TO receive him without an or
der from me. Sheriff Nichols reported
that the jail at Spartandurg had been
guarded by Henneman's friends on Sun
day night to prevent the prisoner being
moved; that considering the excited
state OF feeling, and what he considered
reliable information that runners had
been sent out to the factories and other
points around ~Spartanburg, and also
that dispatches had been sent to Green
vile and Laurens to those desiring to
take part In thelynching, he, MIR. Mich
OILS, after consulting with some Of the
best and coolest heads. deemed 1t best to
remove the prisoner, which he did; also
upon the advice of Solicitor Schumpert,
with whom he had comm unicated. l
told him he would have to carry the
prisoner back to ~Spartanburg, and after
CONTRASTING the situation in all its fea-
lures the following orders were writ
ted
COLUMBIA, Sept. 80.
5. w. Rowan, Sheriff Richland County.
Sir: You are hereby ordered to TAX Q
the prisoner John Williams, either in
person or by q trusted deputy, to Spar
tanburk via Camden and Blacksburg
tomorrow Thursday and deliver him to
the Sheriff Of said county for safe keep.
Ing. Respectfully,
Ii. II. TILLMAN, Governor.
COLUMBIA, Sept. 20.
John Nj Nichols, Esq ~Suartanbnrg.
SIR: 1t had just as we'll be understood
that the law in South Carolina must be
respected, and that lynch law will not
be tolerated. You will. therefore, re-
turn to Spartanburg tonight and sum-
'ioiA FopoS VI plbNC gnu lIuoVJ uSpt-
ties to be in readiness by Thursday
The prisoner, John Williams, will be
sent back to Spartanburg that day, via
Blacksburg, i'll charge of 4 deputy from
this city. The Morgan Rifles will meet
tho train bearing him at Clifton, and
escort the prisoner to the Jail, after
which | shall rely on you and your
posse to uphold the majesty Of the law
and protect the Jail against the mob if
any assemblies. You can, if you deem
1T necessary ut anv time, summon the
Morgan Rifles to your assistance. but 1
rely upon your own loyalty and that of
your posse to show that Sp%artanburg's
citizens know their duty and will do 1T.
Yours respectfully,
Il. II. TILLMAN, Governor.
u. 5, | will see that your posse receive
reasonable compensation tor their
time.
COLUMBIA, September 20.
Captain j. Ct. Wardl w, Clifton, S. G..
CAPTAIN: You will assemble your
company, armed and equipped with
plenty ammunition, to take train from
Charlotte going West Thursday, Octo.
Der l, lay train.) On board that train
will be the prisoner, John Williams.
You Will act as guard to escort deputy
Sheriff and prisoner to the Jail at Spar
IdilDuTS anu see MIN SaIely lOugeQ
therein. You will Thea be dismissed,
but will hold yourself in readiness to
respond to the call of the Sheriff at any
time. You will also lend the Sheriff as
many rifles and as much ammunition as
he may need for his posse till court
convencs. Send itemizGd statement of
expenses to this Office and check will be
sent you. ltelying on your caution and
good Judgment to uphold the civil law.
l am, very respectfully,
Is. X. TILLMAN, Governor.
Governor Tillman further comment
ing on the return of the prisoner said
yesterday morning before leaving here:
81 gave instructions to Sheriff Rowan
as to what he should do. 1t may as
will be understood once for all in South
Carolina that the law must be enforced,
and that Sheriffs instead ofdodging real
or imaginary mObS must defend their
prisoners with their lives If necessary.
ST an officer of the law cannot protect
a prisoner then he has no business to
arrest him, and the prisoner once ar
rested must be safe from molestation
10y any authority except that of the
court"
1t vas ascertained yesterday morning
that Sheriff Rowan had sent the priso-
ner in charge of Deputy Holloway by
way of Blacksburg to Spartanburg, and
that the prisoner arrived safely and
was remanded to Jail under the escort
as above.-Columbia Register.
A Mystery.