The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-05
last week in March. When these four

COuluVI. tolcSrdpucu V}lel SOuSLd
BILE Gaillard, in Charleston: to 60 to
Darlington with all available men,
which he did, carrying with him
enough men to make his force in all
twenty-five. Some few of these were
armed with Winchesters, but most Of
them had only their private side arms.
He called on the Sheriff, to assist in
serving processes, and used every pos
sible precaution to prevent q conflict
with the citizens; and the Attorney
General was sent to the spot to advise
and direct his movements.
The conspirators had armed them
selves with improved weapons, and
had called in reinforcements from the
barkeepers and their hangers-on from
the neighboring towns Of Florence
and Sumter. A mass meeting of the
citizens Of three places ives held in
the Court House at Darlington, and
resolutions were passed denounclng
the searching of private residences,
under whatever circumstances, AS an
act of tyranny, to be resisted at all
hazards. !;
On Thursday, the Goth, j. received
intelligence of such a threatening
character that wired Capt. Thomas,
of the local military company, to keep
his men under arms and hold himself
subject to the orders Of the Sheriff.
In a very little while I received advi-
ces thata mob had broken into the ar
mory of the Darlington Guards, and
had taken their guns and fearing that
the local company could not be relied
upon, ordered the Sumter Light In
fantry to proceed to Darlington as
soon as possible by special train. This
order was promptly obeyed, the COM
pany reaching there Thursday eve
ming. The state of excitement among
the citizens was intense, and expect
ed every moment that a conflict would
be brought on; but insisted that the
Chief Constable and Sheriff should
complete the service of all search war
rants. I was on my way to attend a
meeting Of the Clemson College Trus-
tees when these kilograms were sent.
Friday morning early, the Attorney
General advising it, l ordered the
Sumter company home. | have al
ways regretted doing this, because l
believe that, had they remained there
until the constables had left, the fire
brands who were spurring the citizens
on to resistance, and trying to bring
on riot, would have failed.
With the conflict at the depot be-
tween the citizens and the constables-
who had finished their work and had
gone to take the train and, were fol,
lowed by the citizens, and the riot
brought on in which two citizens were
killed and two wounded, and one
constable killed and two wounded, one
very seriously-every one is familiar.
The whiskey rebellion had broken
out in full fury; and for twenty-four
hours men held their breaths not only
in this State but throughout the whole
United States, for it appeared that we
were on the verge of civil war.
Fearing trouble, I had cut short
my visit to Clemson and hurried
home Friday. had scarcely reached
the Executive Mansion when, at
five o'clock P. NJ, I received a
dispatch announcing the terrible trag.
edy. And then the conspiracy,
which had its origin in the false teach.
ing of the newspapers, began to unfold
itself. Dispatcher few thick and fast,
and into every town and oamlet in the
State, reached by a telegraph wire,
the news was flashed that the Consta.
BILE had provoked the conflict and
shot down the citizens In cold blood,
and were being pursued by two hund'
red armed men to be lynehed when
caught.
To me there was but one course open,
and that was to restore order and
have the law obeyed. I imme
diately provided a special train
to leave Columbia for the scene
of the disturbance, and ordered
the three companies in this city, the
company at Sumter and the company
at Manning, to get ready. The orders
were extended to General Farley and
to Colonel Willie Jones, and they
were urged to hurry. The conspirator.
in this city which seems to have i'm,
mediately become headquarters, SET
actively to work to seduce the soldiers
from their allegiance, and to prevent
them from obeying the order. q large
mob gathered in front OF the armory
of the only company, the Governors
Guards, which really attempted to
obey the order. Inhammatory speech
es were made by leading citizens. All
manner OF incendiary talk was indulg
ed in. Threats to burn tho State Dis
peniary were made, and there were
many who, listening to the threats
freely spoken, were even alarmed fol
the safety Of the Governor himself:
At 9 o'clock was informed by Colonel
Jones that the men would not, or
could not, obey the order, and shortly
afterwards received telegram from
the Captain Of the Sumter Light In:
fantry stating that his company had
likewise refused togo. Ut is but just
to say here that the next morning
Capt. Phelps reported that his company
had returned to their senses, and would
20 to Darlington. They were not sent,
but keptat home to preserve the peace,
and did good service in guarding some
of the Constables and protecting the
Dispensary.) I Immediately ordered
General Farley to proceed with the
special train to Charleston, picking
up the Manning company as he went
| down, and telegraphed General Hugu'
| enin to order the Fourth Brigade under
arms. About half-past 2 o'clock Sat
urday morning I received an unsatls
factory reply from that officer, and
next day the following:
WCuapI EsToN g g. March 81, 1894