The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-07-03
Dargan in Edge6eId:
A MOB PREVENTS HIM
FROM SPEAKING.

! N"~
Constitutional Convention and suffrage ques-
tions returned Thursday. He was waited
on r, a committee aud Informed that be
should not speak in Edge6eld, and was in
suited on the streets The report of the
occurrence sent out from Edgeield is given
elsewhere.
The following interview has been given to
the papers by Col. Dargau
Colonel Dargan, we see by the dlspatchee
in the daily papers Of this morning that you
had pretty rough time in Edge6eld yester-
day, tell US something more about it?
81 reached Edge6ed on Tuesday night.
Early Wednesday morning I went to the
Office of Clerk of Court to see if could get
the use of the Court House, Col. Bacon going
with me to Introduce me to the Clerk.
The deputy clerk Informed me that the
Clerk was not in and would not be in during
the day, and iu his absence could not get
the Court House.
then went 10 the Chronicle Office where |
had some acquainteuces, and from there
endeavored to obtain ball, where | could
speak From the window saw the people
coming 10 from various directions. After
about half hour a committee with Sheriff
Outz at the head appeared, the Sheriff doing
the talking After introducing himself as
Sheriff, he aaid:
'We have been sent as a committee from
another body 10 inform you that you cannot
speak in Edge6eld County to-day or any
other time We don't like your views and
don't intend that you shall express them IN
this county
replied, "Well gentlemen, l am sorry that
you take that position, had hoped when |
saw you coming that you would announce
that you had arranged for meeting and
debate, as you know have invited reply
aud will cheerfully grant two minutes TO
one to any opponent.
Another member Of the committee prompt
| ly spoke, and said No debate on the negro
question in Edge6ed County, that's a settled
Question here. We have get the negro down
and bv Cd we are going to keep him down.
said Well gentlemen, am very sorry,
and hope you will reconsider and have the
discussion Every man on the committee
then expressed himself, in effect, that should
/ not speak. There are enough Of US here to
stop YOU if you try it. They started down
the steps, but after consultation, turned, the
Sheriff sayiog: 'We demand 10 know if you
are going to attempt TO speak
replied certainly will, if as many as
haf-dozen persons will express willingness
10 hear me-
His reply was we will stop you no matter
what it costs
Iauswered will speak no matter what
it costs, if can find few men willing to
hear me. The committee then left.
a few uicutes after their departure three
men came up, one Mt time. and began 10
ply me with questions iu regard to my views
on the 'nigger question: While they were
talking, another body of about fifteen persons
entered the room aud announced that they
had come to look at me and see what kind Of
looking thing was, anyhow.
One of them said, you consented to make
an address in Charleston With all the oegroes
shut out, We dare you TO let US shut you up
with US in the Court House here
replied: will agree TO let you bring
into the Court House only white people, and
then lock the door, provided you will give
me one hour of quiet attention aud you may
have the rest of the time.
They accepted this proposition with de-
menstrations of delight and began to retire
to get the Court House, when one of them
said, Il 60 into no such id agreement, un-
less you promise not 10 say e word for the
id negro.
said will pledge myself TO speak what l
think in regard 10 the question am discuss
ing and will enter into no other agreemet.
Thereupon the committee Informed me that
if would 90 into the Court House, l would
have to retract the speeches | had made at
Charleston and other places, or l would
never come out.
told them would 60 into the Court
House or any other place, but Id never
retract anything had ever said on this SUBJ
lect until was convinced that what had
said was untrue
After much talk and multitude Of vile
oaths one fellow said i we might as n ell
make short work of this matter and began
toNapply to me personal epithete saying If
you have 3 pistol you can use it, told
them | was not armed. 'YouImake out you
are brave man, resent these insults if you
dare!'
Col. Dargan said 9" cannot 20 into the
details, for the crowd became 90 boisterous,
and ladies being in hearing they were order
ed out of the Office.
Tbay would no, leave, 80 went out and
they followed me down on the street
AS roo. as 1 got the street COM
menced to speak, thereupon they rushed
around me saying, He is trying to make
that ID speech now Threats of vilest
character were uttered and the crowd grew
30 beisterous that could not hear my own
voice
stopped trying to speak and begged the
crowd to give me room to breathe. Push
ing through them walked down the street
towards the hotel followed by mob of two
hundred, bowling, yelling aud cursing.
As turned the corner they said, He's
running, catch him, lets ride him on g rail,
let's tar and feather him. Seeing them
pursuing me, stopped and they swarmed
around me like band of Comancbe Indians.
Won't you resent any of these iusults?'
they said. replied "No." Then man
with kindly face said Haven't you got
a wife and several dauehters?' replied
have" They then applied to them the
vilest epithets known to man, while one
fellow stocd by and hissed in my ear: Re
sent it if you dare, and will cut your id
heart out
Another invited me to hand TO hand
conflict to settle the matter, the crowd cheer
ing him.
Soon after, friend reached my side, and
told me had only a few minutes TO get
1.,,.b oo6 rooch Tho train fhereppoO