The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-10
DEFIED TILLMAN HIMSELF.
THE 0opERNOR AND A BIG POSSE
DARED NOT ARREST ONE MAN.

lie Was Selling Iice Beer mt the State
Fair and Had n Reputation Ms n Rad
Mantle Threatened to Shoot Unless
Served with a Warrant, and the Governor
aud Posse Were Afraid to Tackle Him.
COLUMBIA. S. c.. Nov. 9.-The State Fair
grounds in this city was the scene OF much
excitement to-day because OF the attempt OF
Gov. Tillman to suppress the sale OF rice beer
by W. b. Meetze OF this city. There were
thousands OF visitors at the fair.
Tho Governor. at the head OF posse OF
constables and penitentiary guards. found
himself deiled by man who was selling be-
fore his very eyes n drink that the state
chemist had decided came under the disper-
sary law. Meetze informed the Governor and
posse that interference with him without
warrant would be at their peril.
Meetze Is the man who killed q trial Justice
in this city several years ago. and he is ac-
counted dead shot. He had bought booth
from tho fair authorities, though 1t was not
put up for sale as a liquor booth.
A constable got hold OF bottle Of the rice
beer yesterday and took 1t to the Governor.
and an analysis was made at once. The re-
port was that 1t contained moro than three
per cent. OF alcohol Meetze said that
the beer was not intoxicating. that 1t
was so guaranteed by the brewers. and
that lie had as much right to sell 1t as to sell
soda water. Papers were served on him last
night. and he gave bonds. When the Governor
heard this morning that Meetze was still sell
ing beer. he said that it would have to be
stopped II he had to call out all the militia.
The Governor went at once to the grounds
and took UP his position near tho Secretary's
Office He sent men to stop Meetze. and when
they reported that he paid no attention to tho
ha Envnrnpr'c fur fDnt 1pter-
mined look. Tho constables were not after
glory with such man as Meetze.
Around the Governor were gathered the
Assistant Attorney General and several close
friends and good many constables. The
Governor sent for sheriff Cathcart. who told
under a trial Justices warrant. The cover.
nor. accompanied by the Assistant Attorney,
the s"sea tent .s then anu
and told him it mus. stop. Meetze declined to
stop selling and the Governor asked him II he
stables badge. Aleetze replied that he would
not do SO without a warra mt ,,, o
cited. the Governor was angry. and Meetze
did not epare using mphatlc language. The
FIX GOVERN AMI the
ary held ,H HnotheP ronsHttn,l1n ana ean
Aston said he could not and the Governor
.phoning to Melton The GoyernGr declined
counsel for Meetze., and stood by his client.
on nm ns ns a am s%Sm to
By this time the Governor had mustered a
f sen for ia from the
Them to get their guns and shoot II necessary.
The eonstabulary marched by twos to Meetze's
Not finding him there there arrested two of
his clerks. and with drawn pistols prevented
at this this time Sfeetze appeared. Vaulting over
the counter he told the negro to go on serving
beer. and at word from him the constables
Cart, Allen told Meetze that he would have to
arrest him. but the doughty beer. seller told
wos prop s wn
rant was served. no matter by whom.
the Governor that under the Dispensary law
the arrest could be made withou: a warrant
he said. they were told that it Would be use.
less isk Of life. and Meetze talked at them in
"'The frst man that crosses my counter to
arrest me without II warrant III shoot said
No one. tried 1t. Matters went on in this way.
everybody being on the lookout for fight for
some time. Gov. ,Tillman called on the fair
society to revoke Meetze's contract
The authorities went to him and endeayored
that he would not stop selling until Ills supply
hours after the Governors appearance on the
grounds Aeetze sold the last bottle Of
beer that he had on hand, Some time after
that trial Justice went to the grounds and it
was arranged that Mectze should call amor
row and give bond. Gov. Tillman takes tho
position that MeetZe was an outlaw. and 1t
may be- that he will take further action in the
matter
Meetze is a man Of great courage He had
decided to Sell beer again Tomorrow. but at
the request of the fair society announces that
he W III not do SO. adding that such action 10
only because OF their reuueSt, ana not on GOV.
Tillmans account Meetze hurled some very
rough language right at the chief executive.