The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-05-10
TilIman Calls Jervey.

COLUMBIA, S. O., May 4.-The after.
math of the Denmark lynching grows
more interesting. To-day's develop
ments are racy and those of the near
future will probably be more go. From
the published utteranceu Of Governor
Tillman on the subject the general im.
preston here has been that he would take
no action against the lynchers, but he
took preliminary steps to day and in
way that is unexpected, bold and start
ling. At the mass meeting of citizens in
this city recently at which they expressed
themselves on Governor Tillman's course
sending the Negro Peterson before the
lynchers, Solicitor tervey, of Charleston,
happened to be present and being called
upon to speak, made these remarks:
"If I we're solicitor in Barnwell County
I would indict every man who took part
in that murder and should name an &C
cessory before the fact B. R. Tillman;
cloud applause,) and in my argument
before the jury am very much mistaken
if would not show that he was more
responsible than any ofthem."
To-day the governor made public
letter written to him yesterday by solici.
tor Bellinger, of the Barnwell circuit, in
which he saya: "I desire to call your at
tention, officially, to the recent lynehing
at Denmark, in connection With the fol.
lowing statement:
$50 far no warrant has been sworn out
by any one against any person supposed
to be connected with the affair, and the
proceedings and verdict of the jary of
inquest gave no information upon which
prosecution can be begun. Under the
circumstances, if the case is to receive
that investigation which its gravity seems
to sequire. it becomes the duty of the ex'
ecutive officer to institute proceedings in
the premises. Inasmuch as the violation
of law was committed in community in
which I have many relatives and friends
it is not improbable that some of them
were implicated, especially when it is
stated that the entire community engag-
ed in the enterprise. Such being the
case, any effort on my part TO bring the
perpetrators to justice would be embar-
assing to me and probably lay me open to
the charge of partiality and insincerity.
II would, therefore, respectfully, re-
quest your excellency to charge the solic-
itor of one of your adjoining circuits to
take charge of the case and would suggest
that Solicitor Jervey, whose circuit ad-
joins this county and who probably better
understands the situation, could give the
matter satisfactory attention"
Herein comes the interesting part of
the story. To-day Governor Tillman
wrote q letter to Solicitor Jervey, in
which he notified him of BelliHger's let
ter and says: ri, therefore, direct you to
proceed to Denmark at your earliest
convenience for the purpose of thorough.
ly investigating the outbreak and taking
the necessary steps to viudicate the law
and punish the lynchers."
The conclusion of the governors letter
illustrates the very refinement of sarcasm.
He says:
II comply with Mr.. Bellinger's request
more readily because your well. known
zeal and legal ability gave assurance that
you will do your whole duty.
"Yonrs very respectfully,
"B. R. TILLMAN,
"Governor."
"Mr. Bellinger will, of course, take
your place in any work in your own cir
cult which may interfere with your COM
pliauce with this order" Greenvile
Nooue