The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-05-05
WHAT PETERSON TOLD TIE GOVERNOR.

CoLuNBrA, April 26th, 1892.
Nesus. ". 4 Neal and A. II. clayton:
GESrLENgN Please give me statement
Of what you know in regard to my conver-
sation with John Peterson at the Executive
Mansion on Saturday afternoon last.
ask i, for publication, TO give the public
the whole truth and leave The people at bone
and abroad to judge The case fairly.
Respectfully,
B. II. TiLLNAN, Governor
In response to the above Mr.. G ay,on,
who il reporter for ,hei Columbia Journal,
makes-ihs feilawin na0stasmspt,i .,-r-.--
negro, Wade Wyiie, approached me on last
Saturday afternoon to know where Mr..
T.llman meaning the Governor) was.
few questions ELECTED the fact that was
being addressed by John Peterson. whom |
knew to be wanted at Denmark as suspect
Of the outrage ulon Miss Mamie Baxter.
accompanied him TO The Executive Man.
sion and told the Governor who he was and
what he wanted.
Governor Tillmsn addressing Peterson,
asked him if he was John Peterson and he
replied that he was, ard iha, he wanted TO
surrender himself to him FIR protectiou, as
he had heard that they were hunting him
for the crime committed upon Miss Baxter,
and he feared that if he was caught he
would be lynched
The Governor "Are you guilty.
Peterson: mo, Sir
The Governor: Where were you on
Friday a week ngo?"
Peterson: Il was at Norths."
The Governor Can you prove that and
by white people?
Peterson "les, SIR
The Governor: Are you willing to go
back there and let the young lady s'e you p
Peterson: "Yes. SIR
The Governor iheu turned to me and
said iha: he had no right t, hold man
who was simply suspected of crime but
that Il Peterson wanted protection | had
better take him To the Chief of Police and
get him TO investigate The cise. This
did. After having him licked up by his
own request, s'arted out to tind Mr.. l.. b
jenkins aud Constable Lamberi, the latter
OF whom, l knew. Was then looking for
Peterson with u warrant for his arrest, TO
see if they would identify him, ss lie did
not appear to suit the description given me
Of him.
They were found and Mr.. jenkins began
the questioning of Peterson, which has al
ready been mentione believing at the
start TINT Peterson was guilty. Of tic crime,
but at the finish that he was innocent.
Peterson was then licked up, and after
asked him If he wouiI be willing TO return
10 Denmark aud let the Dung lady look at
him. lie replied promptly that he would
tie sail that he was innocent ard lid not
fear any recognition by her
Upon leaving the guar1h,use Mr. jenkins
AMI determined that there was at least
grave doubt Of his guilt ami thai if he was
taken back there by Mr.. Lambert o, Sun
Iny morning, believing as we did that he
would be lynched, W. determined to 90 TO
Governcr Tillman and ask him to have him
heid here until he could get his witnes.r.
together to prove his albi, which he con-
fdently GAINED that he could do. We
went, aud after hearing us Governor Till
man agreed TO hold him under condition
that l would go AMI try to get his Witnesses
together for him, which | did. lie then
wrote an order to Sheriff Cathcart, which |
delivered TO him, ordering him TO take
Peterson from the guardhouse and lodge
him in Jail unit, further orders.
went to North's the next day and work
Ell all day hunting up his witnesses for him.
That evening l wired the Governor tha.
ihey would al be on hand Monday, and
mat they coTro6orated his statement
A. w. CLAYTON.
I-Aswra tho vvuvrruatfun between Goy-
ernor lmau and John Peterson at the
Governor Mansion last Saturday aftsru oou
as stated above. W. A. NEAL,
Observation-Disclosures