The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-10
TILLMAN OPENLY DEFIED.
A VGndGT Of Rice Beer at the State
Fair Refuses TO Stop.


Militia Companies, but the Captains
Decline to Aooede to Ris Request.
Armed Guards Summoned From the
Penetentiary-The Selling Continues
for Seven Hours Under the Eyes Of
the Governor and Despite Eis Rage.
Columbia, S. c., Nov. 9.-The state
fair grounds in this city, where thousands
of people gathered, came near being a
field Of carnage to-day on account of the
attempt of Gov. Tillman to suppress the
| sale of rice beer Dy w. 2. Meetze, OF this
city. For hours there was blood on tho
| face of the moon, and the spectators were
| all the time looking for bloody contest.
1t was an original and unprecedented oc.
| curronce. The governor of the state and
a posse of constables and penitentiary
guards making faces at a maa
who was selling before their
very eyes Il driak that tho
state chemist had decided came under
the dispensary law, tand who cooly in
formed them that interference with him,
without warrant, would be at their peril.
| MeetIe is the man who killed trial fus-
| tlce in this city several years ago, and he
| is considered dead shot. He had bought
booth from the fair authorities. though
II was not put up for sale for the dispens.
| ing Of beer A constable got hold Of a
| bottle OF the rice beer, and took t 10 the
governor, and an analysis was
| made, the report being that
| 1t contained more than three per
| cent. Of alcohol. MeetZe claimed that it
was not intoxicating that this ives guar
| anteed by tho brewers, and that he had
as much right to sell 10 as 10 sell soda wa
a
| night and he gave bond.
THE GOVERNOR AROUSED.
When the governor heard this morning
| that he was selling beer, he said that II
would have 10 be stopped if he had to call
out all the militia, aud he went at once
TO the grounds and took up his position
near the secretarys Office He sent men
to stop Meetze, and when they reported
that he paid no attention 10 the orders,
| the governor face took on determined
| look. The constables 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 gov
ernor were gathered the assistant attor.
ney general, and "a number of his close
friends, and a good many constables. The
governor sent for Sheriff Cathcart, who
| told him he would make no arrest except
under trial Justices warrant. The gov
| ernor, accompanied by the assistant attor-
ney general, and constables, and Cant.
| Allen, OF the penitontiary guard, then
went 10 Meotzc, whore he was selling
beer, and told him it must stop.
THE GOVERNOR DEFIED.
Meetze declined TO do So and the gov
ernor asked him If he would recognize
| the authority OF the state constable's
badge. Meetze said he would not, With
out warrant Quite a commotion then
ensued The people were excited, the
governor was as mad as a halter, and
Meetze was using the most emphatic
language The governor finally retired
leaving Meetze in possession The gov
ernor and the constabulary held another
consultation, and Capt. Aston, OF the
Richland Volunteers, who was pass
ing, was asked If he could get
his company together TO suppress Meetze.
Capt. Aston said he could not, and the
governor asked him TO take a similar
message to Capt. Melton, Of the Zouaves
Capt. AlstOn suggested telephoning Capt.
Melton. The governor decided to do this.
When Capt. Melton was finally informed,
lie declined IN very emphatic terms He
was counsel for MeetZe, aad stood by his
stand advising him. aud telling him to sub.
nit TO arrest only under warrant duly
executed
LARGE POSSE MUSTERED.
BY this time the governor had mustered
from the penitentiary. He made a
talk TO them, telling them TO
get their guns and shoot if necessary.
The cOnstaDulary marched by tKos 10
Meetze'5 stand, but not finding him there,
arrested two Of his clerks, and with drawn
pistols were preventing the remaining
negro from selling the liquor Just at this
1uncture Meetze appeared. and yaultiny
over the counter told the negro to 20 OIL
serving beer and at word from him the
constables cleared out Of the inner eneio-
sure. Capt Allen told Meetze that he
would have to arrest him, but the
doughty beer seller told him that he
would do so at his peril He
added that he would submit TO arrest If q
proper warrant was served, no matter b.
whom. II appears that it had been main-
tained by the governor that under the dis
pensary law the arrest should be made
without warrant.
MEETZE THREATENS TO SHOOT.
The constables knew that Moetze meant
what he snid. They We're told that is
would be a useless risk Of life, and Meetzs
fired his tongue 40 them in a lively man.
ner, doing some OF the plainest talking.
The first man that crosses my counter
TO arrest me without a warrant. Ill
shoot" said he. No one tried it. Things
logged along in this way, everybody being
on the lookout for a fight Gov. Tillman
called on the Idlf society 70 revoke
Meetzes contract Tho authorities went
to him and endeavored to do so. but he
would not consent to any revaking and
stated that he would not stop until his
supply gave out. He kept his word, and
seven hours after the governors appear
anCe on the grounds Meetze sold the last
bottle of beer that he had on hand. Some
time after that trial Justice went 10 the
grounds, and it was pleasantly arranged
that Meetze should call tomorrow and
give bond.
Gov. 1illman takes the position that
Meetze was guilty Of open outlawry, aud
it may be that he will take further action
in the matter
Meetze is man Of heavy build and
great courage. He had decided to sell
beer again tomorrow. but at the request
OF the fair society, states that he will not
do so. adding that such action is only on
their account and not on Gov Tillman's
Meetze used some rough language at the
chief executive, If not TO him.
FRANCIS PARKMAN DEAD.