The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-04
DIFFICULTY In DARLINGTON
TWO ACCOUNTS OF THE TRAGEDY OF
LAST FRIDAY.
No Evidence Appears that the Con.
stables Had Gone Into AnybOdy's
Castle-They Were at the DepOts.
Trying to Get Away, when the
Fight was Brought On.


CaslIe-They Were at the Depots.
Trying to Get Away, when the
Fight was Brought On.
Register.
Columbia, S. G March 81, lS94.-The condi-
tion in Darlington IL such as words cannot
paint. What will be the outcome no man can
say. God alone knows what 1t Will be.
have just returned from Darlington. Afer
careful inquiry from eye witnesses, l have
gathered what / believe TO be the true story
ternoon, and give IL without fear or favor.
Many stories are told and it is hard TO get the
straight account. Sitting down ~ the stories
have heard. I believe the following to be as
near the truth as can be ascertained at This
time:
The cunstabes had performed their duty in
Darlington and five went 10 the Charleston,
sumter and Northern depot TO take the train,
the Cheraw and Darlington depot 10 take the
train there. The train was behind time and
the constables sat and stood around. waiting
for IT to come along. Three or tour OF the cit
liens of Darlington were standing around,
waiting for the train also. Paul Rogers, clerk
in the Enterprise HOTEL came down on the
bus. He had few words with Billy FLOYD, q
man who had been accused Of carrying tales
from one side to the other In Darlington.
Floyd struck Rogers In the face, knocking
him down, and then Jumped on him. Con
stable I'M MGLendon T5e H. men sy We're Waap sep
arated and Rogers went off, coming back q
few minutes later with several others. Chief
Of Police Dargan had meantime approacneu
Floyd and told him to appear before tne
mayor next morning. Floyd offered TO go
with Dargan at once, but he said 1t was not
necessary.
him and ask ed h I'm what he wanted. He said
Floyd had not fought him fairly. He wanted
a fair fight. Frank Norment said: You
town boys can have your fight up @ toWn; l. THIS ms
snP i aG paie dewn MGeLendon 's ssd s semenns
about the fight having been fair. Norment
then said IL had not been. McLendon said :
"Youre damn liar" Norment replied :
you're lying ---- and the cause Oh all
McLendon said: ~ won't stand It," draw
Ing his pistol as he uttered the words and hr
Ing quick as he could get 1t level. Norment
fell, killed by bullet through his breast, he
knocked aside another man, which probably
saved his life.
McLendon said as he fired, ITS got TO come,
attempted to knock up McLendon's hand
when he saw him going to fire, but was not
quick enough. AS McLendon fired, those
citizens present who had pistols In their
pockets, drew them, supposing there would
be fight. The constables, seeing the status
of affairs, drew their weapons also and the
firing began almost simultaneously.
On one point there Is difference OF testl'
mony, chief OF Police Dargan was between
the Two parties trying 70 preserve order.
Some say he was struck by the first bullet,
others that he was struck by the second.
The firing lasted but q few seconds, but
tied bis pistol, 1t being reported that ne gave
Constable Pepper his death wound and also
wounded McLendon. AS he half turned 10
reload, a bullet struck the back Of his neck
AS Dargan started TO get of the platform, one
Of the consables drew bead on MIN ano
pulled trigger. Fortunately his gun missed
hre, An old gentleman, Mr.. Fontalne, an an
man, hasn't enough blood been shed ?" The
constable then turned and ran after the body
OF consLables, who were making LOT the
woods near the oil mill.
When Constable Pepper fell one OF the con
stables stopped down and tried TO attend 70
him. He held his ground after bis comrades
had disappeared. The noise OF the shootlne
brought a crowd of armed men to the depot
on run. The town bell was rung and more
men turned out. Several went 70 the consta-
BILE attending to Pepper, cursing and threat
ening him. The constable said "Gentlemen 20
part in the fight. am simply attending to
my wounded friend" He was left alone, but
later others turned 10 him and renewed the
threats that had been made. The constaoie
then drew his pistol and SAID that ne woui9
have 10 do what he could TO protect himself
but that he had no desire TO shoot ANYBODY
and had not participated in the shooting
The crowd then rushed off In pursuit OF the
bic, soon as he found that Pepper was dead
left Also The wounded citizens are all get
ting along we'll. The bullet was cut from
DaTgans side to day. Several or the cohsta
bIes are reported to have been wounded. one
IN the face, one in the leg, one in the knee
and another In the breast.
The wife of Mr.. Norment, daughter o.
Colonel Zimmerman Davis OF charleston
| nK,1 q
the scene when she rea chez the dead body O.
her husband was so heart-rending lnat II
wrung tears from strong men: She lell upon
his body and when she was lifted up ner lace
husband. This put the frenzy OF the crowd a.
fever heat and created a thirst Tor oiooG
whi ich robbed men OF their reason anu al
lowed passion to rule. 1t was known thai
Ga!llard, Swami, Meakin and two otner con con
the train. A crowd OF men, In less time thaI
II takes to read this account. had dashed
down to the crossing and when the train wen
by they fired at ii, utterly reckless OF tine
fact that there were others In the train be-
sides constables, and that those constaoles 10
| 1t had had no part In the fight. came over
| to Sumter in that coach to-day ana saw tne
places where the bullets had struck. Some ol
| the windows of the coach were broken no"
| IL was that no one aboard that train was IN
| jured Is q modern miracle. Inc lnciaenI ou
shows the frenZied thirst OF the cltiAens o.
people, If they had any connection with TIL
Attorney General Buchanan was at the
| Charleston, Sumter and Northern depot wheI
| he heard the shooting. He had purchased
| his ticket and was waiting for the Train 10
come along on which he WAS to return 10 20
lumbia. Soon as he heard the guns ne gol
into the bus and started for the other depot
| on the way he passed a small squad Of the
command Of Captain Thompson, on The
double quick He jumped from 1.-The the bus bus, aht be
would be able TO assist In stopping the fight i
| il was still going on. When he arrived at the
depot guns were thrust In his face and there
were shouts OF "Kill the damn -: he's
nothing but damn spy" etc. MIR. Buchan'
| an did not realize his danger. Some DARING
| tonians again showed him behind the sol dier
and as the threats grew louder, escortednlnl
60 the hotel and he was carried to the private
| house OF friend. Had he gone TO the hotel
| he might now be among the slain. -.
horse horse INN Immediately a did so and started in
! pursuit. kilograms were Immediately sen
! out to the surrounding towns aud BODIES OF
men started from them In pursuit. Inc 9e'
tails of how some OF the constaoles got 70 90
| lumba will be found elsewhere. BEFORE
left Darlington IL was reported there that Con
stable Gaiilard's son had been found In the
woods, having been uns6e TO & g9 ION on on ,isS ac
with shot while pleading for liie
a mass meeting OF the Reformers or OAR.
linpt ton County was to have been held In the
courL house to-day at noon. 1t was 10 have
been addressed by candidates for the Reform
nomination for Governor, but senator Evans
lVas the only one who showed up. He arrived
in Darlington Friday about midday. Some o.
| the eulet people OF Darlington thought II
would be we'll for him to leave the town, bu!
he is not built Of that kind OF stuff and
remained there to speak In case the meeting
was held, though he did not think 1t q wise
! thing to attempt TO hold the meeting as @
| tght might have been started. the tension o.
reached the conclusion that in the interest o.