The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-02-25
HOLDING THE FORT.
AGRICULTURAL HALL NOW GUARDED
BY A CONSTABLE.

6f n GUNS ABLE.
Its Purchaser Tenders Blue Ridge Bonds
In Payment of tho Two-Thirds Of the
Cost, Treasurer Bates Refuses tho Ton
der-The Governor Acts Promptly.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Feb. ia bomb
shell was burst Tuesday by the pur-
chasers Of the Agricultural Hall, which
was recently sold by the State. Gov
ernor Tillman was equal to the emer-
gency and put forth the strong arm of
the State.
Shortly afternoon Tuesday j. w.
Alexander. through his attorneys, w.
IL. Lyles, Esq, gave the State Treas
urer a check for one-third of the
amount of the purchase price of Agri-
was accepted and the title deeds of the
building turned over to the purchaser
with IN order for the parties occupying
the building to vacate the premises.
AS soon as the deeds had been OBJ
tanned the attorneys of the purchaser
rendered Blue Ridge bonds or revenue
bond scrip to the amount of $1O81O in
payment of the balance of the amount
due on the building. This was of course
refused and Attorney Haynesworth
then served the following notice on
Treasurer Bates:
The undersigned, J. w. Alexander,
having executed and delivered to you
as Treasurer of the State of South Caro-
lima his bond, dated February 2, 1892,
conditioned for $50, 1861, with interest
from said date, and having executed
his mortgage of the real estate in Co.
lumbia on which is situated the build.
ing known as the Agricultural Hall to
secure said bond, and having the privi-
lege under the terms of sale in compli-
ance with which he executed said boud
and mortgage, and also under the terms
OF the bond itself, to anticipate the ma
tur1ty of said bond and to pay same at
any time before maturity, elects now to
pay the same, and herewith tenders to
you as said Treasurer in payment of
said bond and satisfaction of said
mortgage Treasurer'S certificates of in
debtedness of the State of South Caro-
lima, otherwise known as "Revenue
Bond Scrip" issued under the Act of
March 2. 1892, Is Statutes at Large, p.
79, to the amount Of $1O,S1O, and
should you decline or fail to accept said
tender, the said j. w. Alexander
keep said tender good and gives notice
to you and the State of South Carolina
through you that by said tender he is
advised and claims that the lien on said
mortgage is liQuidated and the running
of interest on said debt Is suspended
Treasurer Bates referrf d the matter
to Governor Tillman and he acted with
his usual promptness. Attorney Gene
raj McLaurin was absent at his home
IN Marlboro and the Assistant Attorney
General WAS absent on State business
| ho l.
tained the counsel of Judge Melton, and
after receiving his advice on the situa-
tiOn. Governor Tillman appointed Mr..
| Coullette Special State Constable and
put him In charge of Agricultural Hall
with orders to admit no one. The Gov
ernor also resclnded the notice for the
parties occupying the hall to vacate the
premises.
POSSESSION REFUSED.
This ended the matter until yester-
day, when Mr.. Lyles, as attorney for
Mr.. Alexander, went to Agricultural
Hall and demanded possession, which
was refused. Thereupon he opened
the battle by sending to Governor Till
man the following, which explains It.
self:
TO His Excellency b. II. Tillman. Gov
ernOr State of South Carolina:
SIR-On yesterday, as attorney for J.
w. Alexander of Lincolnton, N. c., [
completed the purchase of the building
and lot adjoining, situate on the west
side Of Richardson street in this city,
between Gervais and Lady streets,
known as the agricultural Hail." and
acting for Mr.. Alexander, and found it
locked. Upon knocking at the door
MIR. &. w. Coullette opened it from
within, and. upon stating that I had
come to take possession Of the build
ing, informed me that he had orders
from you to prevent my entering and
to refuse to surrender possession of the
building to me. l demanded to see his
authority, If it was in writing.
lie handed me a commission executed
by yourself as Governor of the State to
him to hold during your pleasure, but
1t did not state for what purpose, and l
correct in his statement that you had
instructed him to refuse the possession
of the building to me.
About the close Of the conversation
between Mr.. Coullette and myself, Mr..
David &. Means, the clerk of the board
or commissioners Of the sinking fund,
came up, and, upon my exhibiting to
Mr.. Coullette the orders given me on
yesterday to the occupants of the build.
ing to recognize me as the representa-
tive of Mr.. Alexander as their land
lord, he (Mr. Means) Informed me that
in pursuance of instructions from you
he had revoked the orders.
beg to know If he was correct in
making this statement.
Respectfully,
VIM. II. LYLES.
Attorney for j. w. Alexander.
GOVERNOR TILLMAN'S REPLY.
About o'clock Mr.. Lyles received
the following reply from Governor Till.
man:
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,