Evening star., 1894-04-05
THEY TESTIFIED 1T THE INQUEST
Troops May Be Withdrawn This
Week.
SUPREME COURT DECISION
Special Dispatch from a star Correspondent.

military discovered and raided the blind
tiger" telegraph Office, which the CORES
pondents had established. and the wires
were cut at the most critical time. The
military had taken possession of the tele-
graph Office and absolutely refused to let
any dispatches go through. The news
paper men, however. with the aid Of the
telegraph company, tapped the wire in the
building and established 4 branch tele-
graph office in vacant room. The cor
respondents would enter the main office,
bitterly bewaii their sad fate to the troops
in control, utter loud lamentations at be-
ing prevented from sending their news
and would then quietly walk around the
corner and file their matter at the tapped
wire.
At 2 o'clock the military discovered the
scheme and while they could not find the
room, guards were stationed in the build
ing so that return was impossible. The
correspondents then went down the rail-
road about 1ve miles with the operators,
and by nighttall tapped the wire again at
lonely siding. The murder occurred just
as the military descended upon the tapped
wires, and no account of 1t could be sent
out in the afternoon.
A white man named B. F. Payne, nct a
citizen OF the town, but a newcomer agent
for life insurance company, had been ac-
cused by negro cook at the hotel of hav-
Ing been engaged in recent depredations on
the dispensary. Payne was going to din
ner, and called the cook into the hall, de-
rying the accusation made against him.
The lie was passed on both sides.
Payne claims the cook laid hold of his
arm. and then Payne placed the muzzle Of
his revolver against the negros breast and
hao
sion which followed, the military rushed
In. Payne was seized, the hotel was sur
rounded and guards stationed
The news that a man had been shot
spread instantly. and with the rapid move
ments Of the militia created alarm. The
situation soon quieted. and Payne was
escorted to Jail by a file of soldiers.
| In little while another procession
marched up the dusty street-a file of SOL
diers following a wagon, upon which lay
the body of the negro, covered with a car
pet. The citizens greatly deplore Payne's
rash action.
| The Court of Inquiry.
After The Stars report of yesterdays in
quest proceedings over the victims Of the
riot closed by the cutting of the wire the
secret inquest continued. Not only was the
/ IS.
but several militia officers remained in the
room. constituting a military court of in
quiry, by The governors orders, to take the
testimony for him. Among those who tes-
tilted was one of the constables who had
been in the fight He said that Constable
McClennan fired the first shot the shot
that killed Citizen Norment and precip-
itated the battle.
The constables who participated In the
night and who are wanted to testify before
the coroner's inquest came last night from
1oiumbia They were accompanied by a
citizens committee from Darlington, con-
sisting of ex-Congressman Dargan, Col.
Coker and E. Keith Dargan, who guaran-
teed safe conduct for them. They were re-
ceived by the militia, and their presence in
the city occasioned no excitement
| A detachment of troops went by special
train last night to Bishopville to bring
Constable McClennan to the inquest. He
is the one against whom the bitterest
hatred is expressed. All interest today
centers in the inquest
ConstnbIes Spirited Away.
Gov. Tilman executed a flank movement
last night He rushed his constables into
| town late at night, ordered them to testify
before the coroner's inquest and spirited all
but three OF them away again before day-
| light. The constables did not appear in the
heart of the town at all. and the citizens did
| not know when they left
when the Florence train pulled into Dar-
lington last night seventeen men alishted
They were rough-looking hard-featured
set. and wore belts, to which were strained
big navy revolvers They looked curious,v
| around the platform, where but n few nipbta
before they had participated in a pitched
| battle in which three men were killed out
| right and from which they had fed to the
| swamps pursued by determined men CRYING
| for vengeance.
Their presence last night was for the Dur
pose of giving their version Of that fght.
A squad of militia, with loaded muskets and
| fixed bayonets. surrounded the depot, but
| there was not the slightest demonstration On
the part Of the people. The constables
marched into the station, where, behind
closed doors. the civil inquest and the mill
tary inquest were proceeding. There they
remained until o'clock this morning, CIV
ing their testimony, which was taken by a
court stenographer whom Gov. Tillman sent
from Columbia for the purpose. Soon after
daybreak they returned to Columbia
At IL o'clock this morning a special train
arrived from Florence, bringing McLennon
and two more constables, under military
escort. They were furnished accommoda-
tions for the night, and appeared before the
inquest this morning.
| All the testimony was rigidly kept from
publicity. The town is quiet, and 1t is
thought that unless some unexpected COM
plication ensues or Gov. Tilman makes an
other break the troops will be withdrawn
by the last of this week.
These dispatches yesterday recited the
secret meeting of farmers from the country
around Florence, at which resolutions were
adopted indorslng Gov. Tillman and pledg-
ing themselves to support him by force of
arms. Reports from every town in this Sec
ton Of the state, reporting similar meetings
by the farmers and the adoption of exactly
similar resolutions. gives the appearance
Of concerted action.
The opinion in this section Is that Gov
Tilman is marshaling the farmers into a
body OF armed men. which he can depend
upon in case the militia again refuses TO