The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-04
EXCITEMENT AT COLUMBIA.
The Troops Refuse to 60 the Seat Of War.
GSnecial 70 Atlanta Constitution.

The Troops Refuse to 60 the Seat Of War.
Especial to Atlanta Constitution
COLUMBIA, S. C., March S0.-Tbe old
saying is that "HelI's broke loose in
Georgia" bat the seat of war has been
transferred TO South Carolina without
a doubt. Tillman and the dispensary
are the causes of war and there Is no
telling in what manner the uprising
against them may break forth and to
what desperate extremes the lndlgna-
ton of the citizens may carry them.
The killing ftwo citizens at Darling
ton by dispensary constables to-day
and the ordering out of the local mill
tary by Governor Tillman to that city
has infiamed the entire city OF Colum-
bia 70 the highest pitch. The people
are rampant and to- night it looks as If
a magazine might be exploded at any
minute, the consequences Of which
would be terrible in the extreme.
No such scenes have been observed
here since the memorable days of 1876.
Troops have refused to obey the Gov
ernor's orders and have thrown down
their guns. Thousands of citizens
crowd the streets and on every side
deep curses against the executive and
the dispensary are heard from men
prominent. in every walk of life. To
crown all, crowd is organizing to
break open even the big State dispen-
sary and empty its hundreds of Darrels
of official liquor into the river.
Indeed, the scenes and events Of the
hours from 5 O'Clock this afternoon
until midnight cannot be extravagantly
told. The people have their dander up
and have been on the very verge OF
violent acts. When the news of the
killing WAS received people began hur'
rying to the bulletin boards of the
newspapers and soon the main street
from the city ball to the telegraph
office was throbbing with its hundreds.
When it was noised around that Gov
ernor Tillman had ordered out the Co
lumbia battalion to 60 to Darlington
there was loudly expressed indignation
on every side.
-. 1ScrrED NOT TO GO.
Prominent citizens declared it would
be an outrage and disgrace, and on
every side it was urged that the mem
bers Of the companies resign rather
than obey. Old rnen took their sons
aside and told them to throw down
their guns. Finally the talk became so
hot that there were threats against
Governor Tillman. 1t was declared
that be was responsible and as the
fountain head be should suffer. Men
said they would 60 to Darlington, but
if they did it would be to hunt the
conssablos. Only one company made
any show of going. The Zouaves,
under command Of Captain John q.
Capers, were the first to act. On as
sem mbling at their armory Captain
Capers outlined the situation to them
and then called a business meeting
The matter was discussed and it was
unanimously decided that they would
not obey. The company was then for
med and as each mans name was
called, he stepped forward and put
down his gun. Then Captain Capers
placed his sword on the pile and Off
cially declared the Columbia zouaves
-..
TAKE THEIR GUNS AWAY.
When this news was communicated
to the big crowd at the city hall it was
received with wild cheering. The
Volunteers failed to get up
even a corporaps guard and then the
crowd turned it's attention to the Gov
ernor's Guards, whose armory is in the
city hall.
About thirty men had assembled
therein, Adjutant-General Farley and
Major Meetze being among the num-
ber. Hot speeches for and against
going were made. The idea of any one
wanting to 60 to Darlington in uniform
acted like firebrand on tie impatient
crowd below and they thronged up
stairs, declaring that they would take
their guns away. Finally, Bishop Eli.
son Capers appeared on the scene and
he addressed the crowd, telling them
that personally he would throw down
bis gun, but that the company should
be allowed to decide for themselves and
not be interfered with.
Kissing THE GUARDS.
At Lis advice the crowd retired tc
the street.
= It soon became noised around th al
the Guards had decided to 60 with
about fifteen men. The effect of this
on the crowd beggars description.
"Three groans for Tillman's body
guard" yelled some one, and misses
rent the air. =;
"Get some eggs, boys" shrieked an
other.
"Meet them at the door and take
their guns away" came next, and 8
rush was made for the door. But il
appeared that the meeting was still il
progress with no decision made. Their
it was rulnored that the Guards were
coming out at the back door, and mer
rushed there and barricaded it. The
guards finally decided to give it up.