The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-04-04
The Tlllmanite Version.

EOItOr OeOISe II. IAoeotel, W Luz
Register, who returned from Darling
ton, on Saturday night wrote the follow
iug account Of the Darlington riot for
bis paper Sunday.
The condition in Darlington is such
as words cannot paint. What will be
the outcome no nan can say. God
alone knows what it will be. | have jast
returned from Darlington. After care
full inquiry from eye-witnesses. / have
gathered what | believe 20 be the true
story of the lameotable occurrence there
Friday afternoon aud I give it with
out fear or favor. Many stories are
told and it is hard to get the straight
account. Sitting down all the stories |
have heard, | believe the following to
be as near the truth as can be ascer-
tanned at this time:
The constables had performed their
duty in Darlington and five went to the
Charleston. Sumter and Northern depot
to take the train. while the others,
eighteen in number. weot to the
Cheraw and Darlington depot to take
the train there. The train was behind
time and the constables sat and stood
around awaiting for i, to come along.
Three or four citizens of Darlington
we're standing around waiting for the
train also. Paul Rogers, clerk 10 the
Enterprise Hotel. came down on the
bus. He had a few words with Billy
Floyd. a brother of the dispenser at
Darlington, aud a man who has 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.
Constable McLendon said
Go it. Billy Whip hi ont of the
The men we're separated aud Rogers
went OF, coming back a few minutes
later with several others. Chief Of Po-
lice Dargan had in the meantime APP
preached Floyd aud told him to appear
before the Mayor next morning.
Floyd offered to 60 with Dargan at
once. bat be said it was not necessary.
When Rogers appeared. Dargao went
up to him aud asked him What he want
ed. He said Floyd had not fought
him fairly. He wanted a fair fight.
Frank NormeDt said:
..You town boys can have your fight
up town. This is no place for a fight"
At the time he vas sitting down.
McLendou said something about the
fight having been fair. Norment then
said it had not been. McLendon said !:
lyon are 4 damn liar"
Normeot replied ;
You are a lying ----." and
that was the cause of ell the trouble.
McLendon said
II won't stand it." drawing his pistol
us he uttered the words and firing as
quickly as be could get it on a level.
Norment had risen as be spoke to Nc.
Tendon. As he fell. killed by a bullet
through his breast. be knocked aside
another man, which probably saved bis
life.
McLendon said as he fired,
..lt's got to come boys. Let 'er
roll"
One Of the copstables attempted to
knock up McLeudon's hand when be
saw him going to FIRE. but was not
quick. As McLendon fred those citi-
zeos present who had pistols in their
pockets, drew them, supposiug there
would be a fight. The c~onstables.
seeing the status Of affairs, drew their
weapons also aud the firing began al
most simultaneously.
On one point there is a difference Of
testimony. Chief of Police Da.gan was
between the two parties, crying to pre-
serve order. Some say be was struck
by the first bullet ; others that be was
struck by the second
The firing lasted not over a minute,
but deadly work was done. Mr.. Red
mood empsied bis pistol, it being re-
ported that be gave Constable Pepper his
death and also wounded McLendon.
As he half turned to-reload, a bullet
struck the back of bis neck, coming out
under his chain. He dropped dead.
As Dargan started to get off the
platform, c Of the coustables drew
a bead on him and pulled trigger.
Fortunately his gun missed Ere. An
old gentleman, Mr.. Fountain, an un-
armed spectator. said to him,
".My God man! Hasn't enough
blood been shed 7"
The constable then turned and ran
after the body Of constables who
we're making for the woods near the oil
mill.
As Pepper i,ll, o stopped down aud