The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-15
Especial to Greenviiie News

COLUMBIA, S. c., November 9.-The
State fair grounds in this city where
thousands Of people were gathered
came near being field of carnage to-
day on account of the atten pit of Gov
ernor Ti!lman to suppress the sale Of
rice beer by w. B. Meetze, of this city.
For hours there was blood on the face
of the moon and the spectators were all
the time looking for bloody contest.
It was an original snd unprecedented
occurrence-the Governor Of the State
and posse Of conseables and peniten-
tiary guards making faces at a man
who was selling before their very eyes
drink that the State chemist had de-
cided came under the dispensary law,
and who coolly informed them that in
reference with him without warrant
would be at their peril.
Meetze is the man who killed a trial
justice in this city several years ago
and he is accounted q dead shot. He
had boughr-a booth from the fai: au-
thorities, though it was not put up for
the sale of beer. A constable got hold
of bottle of the rice beer and took it
to the Governor and an analysis was
made, the report being that it con-
tanned more than 8 per cent. Of alcohol.
Meetze claimed that it was not intoxi-
eating, that this was guaranteed by
the brewery and that he had as much
right to sell it as to sell soda water.
Papers were served on him last night
and he gave bond.
When the Governor heard this
morning that he was selling beer be
said that it would have to be stopped
if he had to call out all the militia
and went at once to the grounds and
took up bis position near the secretary's
Office. He sent men to stop Meetze
and when they reported that he paid
no attention to their orders the Gov
errors face took on determined look.
The copstables were not after glory
with such man and did not see any
fun in running the risk OF being per-
forated with bullets. Around the
Governor were gathered the Assistant
Attorney General and 8 number of his
friends and good many constables.
The Governor sent for Sheriff Cath
cart who told him that he would make
no arrest except under trial justices
warrant. The Governor, accompanied
by the Assistant Attorney General and
the constables and Captain Allen ofthe
penitentiary guard, then went to
Meetze where he was selling beer and
told him be must stop. Meetze de-
clined to do so, and the Governor
asked him if he would recognize the
authority of the State constsole's
badge. Mee,ze replied that he would
not do so without warrant. Quite a
comuletion then ensued. The people
were excited. The Governor was as
mad az a halter, and Meeze was using
the most energetic language. The
Governor finally retired, leaving Meetze
in possession. .-..-.
The Governor and the constables
held another consultation and Captain
Aston of the Richland Volunteers
who was passing, was asked if be could
get his company together to suppress
Meetze. Aston said he could not and
the Governor asked him to take SIM
liar message to Captain Melton Of the
Zouaves. Aston suggested telephon'
ing Melton. The Governor declined to
do this. When Melton was finally in.
formed he declined in very emphatic
terms. He was counsel for Meetze and
stood by telling him to submit to ar
rest only under warrant duly execu-
ted
BY this time the Governor had mus.
tered a large posse and had sent foi
guards from the peuitentiary. He made
talk to them, telling them to get their
guns and shoot il necessary. The con.
s,abulary marched by twos to Meetze's
stand but rot fudiug him there ar
rested two of his clerks and with drawn
pistols were urging the remaining ne
gro to stop serving the liquid. Just al
! this juncture Meetze appeared and
] vaulting over the counter told the ne
= gro to 60 on serving beer ard at woro
from him the constables cleared out o
1.-THE inner enclosure. Captain Allen
!. told Meetze that he would have to ar
rest him but the doughty beer seller
goid him that be would do so at hi:
= ;:eriI. He added that he would submit
arrest if q proper warrant was served
!. matter by whom. 1t appears thai
bad been maintained by the Cover
that under the dispensary law the
st should be made without war
The constables knew that Meetze
what be said. They were tole
would be useless risk Of life
'ne teetze fired bis tongue at them II
Sba In 'uo manner, doing some Of tht
Eth talking.
ef irst man that crosses my coun
est me without a warrant III
S1s:"nefe laid he. No man tried it
ao q c.gged along in this way, every
- VI. sg on the look out for fight
Eve; Tillman called on the Fai
En-, revoke Meetze's contract
"a e'' Ssssorities went to him and en-
'RreJ % ''ls! to do so but he would no
sSh iio AZ sto any revoking and STATE,
&c sould not stop until his suppl,
M o He kept his word, and sever
o,E uas Nfser the Governors appearance
|Se o 'nSsgrounds Meetze sold the las
hos beer that ne had on hand.