The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-10
A RIOT IN GREENVILLE.
Eloodshed Ia Very Narrowly Arerted-TIe
Trouble Arose from an Attempt to ;
Enforce the Most Odious Fea-
ture of the Dispen-
sary Act
Special to News and Courier. !

day, and at one time there was serious
danger of riot and bloodshed. The
cause of the trouble was the attempt of
dispensary constables to search a pri-
vate residence. This morning the con.
stables captured trunk on a dray,
while coming down Main street, which
contained several dozen bottles of ex-
port beer. The negro driver was ar
rested and stated that be hauled the
trunk from the re-idence of Sol Edel,
| in North street. Edel formerly kept
the Mansion House bar and his place
has been raided several times.
SHERIFF DECLINES TO SEARCH A FRI
vATE RESIDENCE.
Constable Workman obtained a war;
rant from Trial Justice Davis to search
Edel's house, and took it to the sheriff,
who declined to execute it, saying that
as the Supreme Court bad not decided
on the validity of the dispensary law
he thought the search of a private resi-
deDce was going too far. Constable
Workman then found Mr.. Mark, owner
of the house where Edel lives, and told
him of the warrant. Mark is Edel's
father-in-law. Mark consented to the
s,arch and started with Workman.
In the meantime Edel bad heard of
the warrant and went home, sending a
negro ahead with double -barrelled
shotgun.
On the way Mark stopped and con-
suited with friends and then informed
Workman that be would prefer con-
sulting his lawyer before permitting
the search. Workman agreed to this.
Constable Eichelberger had gone on
ahead and, seeing him, Mark and
Workman followed to the house. DR..
L. H. PEBBLES and James J. Earle had
walked up to the house. Mrs. Edel is
in very delicate health and the arrival
of her husbandiand news of the con-
templated search excited her to con-
siderable degree and her suffering ex-
cited the indignation of Edel.
A DOCTOR DEFENDS HIS PATIENT.
DR.. PEBBLES, who knew of the condi-
ton of Mrs. Edel's health, stationed
himself at the front gate, and when
Constable Eichelberger came up said:
mo constable can 60 in the house ex-
cept over my dead body"
Citizens, hearing of the attempted
search. rapidly gathered. Chief of Police
Kennedy marched twelve officers to the
scene and began to patrol the street,
which was blocked with people. At
t is juncture Mr.. Mark called attention
to the fact that Edel rented the pre-
misses from him and that Edel was in
possession and be alone could give per-
mission to enter. Workman took the
warrant to Justice Davis and had it
changed so as to apply to Edel.
EnEL INFLAMES THE CROWD.
At this time Edel came out on the
piazza and frantically declared that his
wife was frightened almos: to death, and
that be would blow the brains out of
any man who attempted to enter his
premises.
The crowd gave volley after volley of
cheers at every such utterance and cit
izens continued to flock to the seat of
war. Eichelberger was standing at
the front fence. Edel made sudden
rush toward the gate. Some Of his
friends on the piazza caught Edel;
there was Slight scuff1e, and Echel-
berger says be thought Edel was COM
ing at him with shotgun and be drew
his pistol.
There was an ominous silence and
everyone thought the time of killing
was at hand. Fully one hundred re-
volvers were ready for deaths work,
and single move of the arm of Eich-
elberger to use his weapon would have
been the signal. But he did not make
the move and bloodshed was averted.
It was only moment Of time, but the
tension made it seem an age.
EICHELBEBGER'S NARROW ESCAPE.
In moment several policemen sur
rounded Eichelberger to protect him
and Kennedy at once placed him un-
der arrest for drawing his pistol on a
citizen, who was or his own premises.
Eichelberger submitted to arrest and
was taken to the store of Mayor Will
liams, who heard statement of the
case aud placed the constable under
$50 bond for his appearance to answer
the charges. Eichelberger complained
Of his treatment and became
so aggressive in his remarks that the
mayor ordered him to go ont of the
store and stay out.
THE MAYOR FEARS A RIOT.
Later Mayor Williams was applied to
to furnish force of police to assist in
the search, but declined to un-
less advised 80 to do by his counsel.
During the afternoon Sheriff Gilreath
offered to make the search,
but Constable Workman refused to
allow him to do so unless accompanied
by State Constable, and the sheriff
refused to 60 to Edel's house with con-
tahlps.
Everything is quiet tonight.
Constable Workman thinks, and the
general sentiment is with him. that if
he could have managed the affair by
himself be would have made the search,
and no excitement or trouble would
have followed.
The following kilograms passed dur
ing the day:
3WORKMAN'S TELEGRAM.
GREENvILLE, S. c., October S, 1854
To Governor B. R. Tillman-Colum-
bia, S. c.: Upon refusal Of the sheriff to
execute warrant, bad warrant issued to
myself. Sheriff refused to accompany
me. Mayor could not be found. In
to execute warrant, Mark
consenting. Eichelberger was openly
resisted by Edel, his son-in-law.
Cheered by a large crowd standing
around. Richelberger was arrested by
the Chief of police and required to give
bond. The mayor refused to permit
the police to assist in the search until
the city attorney is consulted, and for
fear riot would be brought on. The
sheriff now offers to execute original
warrant provided no constable goes
with him. No search yet. More. Wire
lstructions.. ]. B. WORKMAN.
TILLMAN's ORDERS TO THE SHERIFF.
COLUMBIA, S. c., October s, 1884,
To J. D. Gilreath, Sheriff: II you do
not execute search warrant againstMark
will have to report it to General AS
sembly and ask your removal.
B. R. TILLMAN, Governor.
COLUMBIA, S. c., October S, 1894
p. M. You may refuse to do your duty
and aid the whiskey sellers, but unless
I am mistaken the Legislature will
make you regret it. The constables
must be protected and assisted and
must see that search is thoroughly