The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-07-01
RACE WAR IN KEY WEST.
An Attempt to Lynch a Coiored Man
Leads to a Riot. e.
A CALL FOR U. S. REGULARS.

Men-One White Man Killed and
Several wounded-Governor Bloxham
Asked Help From Federal Troops
Rioters Shot Dead and Many Wounded.
KEY WEST, Fla. (speciaD.-The excite
ment in Key West over the assault upon
Mrs. Livingston Atwell, by Sylvanus John
son, and the unsuccessful attempts to
lynch him, eliminated In an attempt to
mob C. B. Pendleton, and fight between
colored men and white men, In which one
white man named William Gardiner was
killed and dozen wounded. 1t Is re-
ported that four colored men were killed
and ten wounded.
When Johnson was taken to the court
room for his trial, he was placed in closed
carriage and driven up town well guarded.
Four shots were fred at the carriage, but
they went wild.
At the courtroom the colored men gath
cred in large numbers, all excited and
showing arms. They swore that johnson
should not be harmed. They surged into
the room and almost filed 1t, only about
thirty-fve whites being able to get In. The
details Of the crime as they were given by
the other women, Mrs. Atwell being too i'll
to be present, were terrible, and this stirred
up the white men.
One of the women tainted, and at this
Colonel Pendleton, Editor Of the Equator
Democrat, jumped upon bench and called
out in a voice trembling from passion:
Are there enough whites here to aid me In
lynching this scoundrel?"
Shouts OF eyes, we will aid you'll Let's
lynch himw rang through the room, and
the whites made rush for Johnson, who
sank behind desk. The colored men
jumped up also, and several made a start
for Pendleton. He drew his pistol .and
warned them to stop, saying that he would
kill the first man that attempted to touch
him. The whites rallied around and the
clicking OF revolvers was heard all through
the room.
About 8 p. m. an attack was made on
Pendleton's house, which Is situated on the
outskirts Of the city, and many shots were
exchanged The colored men hid In the
bushes and trees near by and fired into the
building.
Pendleton had been warned, and with
ifty of his friends were inside, well pro-
tected and pretty well armed, They re-
turned the fire and drove the colored men
Of. The ground where the attacking party
stood showed evidences Of several men hav-
ing been shot, and 1t Is reported that five
colored men were badly wounded there.
About O'Clock the colored men again
gathered about the jail and began to make
demonstrations, while several smaller bands
paraded up and down the streets, threaten
ing every white man seen. The stores were
all closed and business was suspended
everywhere.
1.-THE jail party of whites approached
about 10 p. m, and the colored men fired
on them. The whites returned the fire and
sharp fusillade ensued for several minutes,
but the whites were forced to retire, the
colored men being In too great force. This
retreat was greeted by them with boots
and yells. William H. Gardiner was killed
here. Charles Lamson and FIVE others, un-
known, we're wounded. Many OF the col
ored men were seen to fall, and 1t Is sup
posed that they had several killed.
An appeal was made for the Government
troops stationed in Key West to act, there
being a full battery at the fort. They were
asked to come out, but the commanding
officer refused until he was ordered by the
War Department.
Sheriff Knight wired the Governor asking
aid TO quell the riot. He requested the
Governor to order out the military and re-
quest the Secretary OF War at Washingtcn y
to order out the National troops II needed
to protect lives and property.