The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-06-09
The Gary Watts Outrage.
The Statement Submitted to
Gov. ElIerbe by the Facul-
ty of the College.

.of tbe South Carolina College have
formally presented to Governor Ellerbe,
ias commander-in-chief of the military
forces of the State, the following Off
'cial complaint of the conduct of the
militia officers in charge when the re-
cent clash occurred on the College
green, which will, 10 doubt, result 10
the Governor ordering Court of in-
aniry. The Governor said few days
ago that he could not act until such
charges we're laid before him.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT.
Here is the report of the faculty to
sbe commander chief. made public
yesterday
,..To the Governor of the State of
South Carolina, Commander-in-ch chief
Of the Militia of the State:
s.The faculty of the South Carolina
college beg leave to present the follow
ing statement aud protest. The state
meat is made by-she acting president.
Prof. Benjamin Sloan
Friday. May %. the college base
5ball team had permission from the
proper authorities to play match
game Of ball with the Independents Of
the city. This permission bad been
given without knowledge that review
and inspection of the militia had been
ordered on the same afternoon, aud on
the same field. The president Of, the
college had been absent since the pre-
vioua Wednesday afternoon. and bad
said nothing to me of haviog granted
permission for the review to be held Oh
the college grounds nor had any ap-
plication been made to me for this per-
mission Bat having read 10 the morn-
iDg'a paper that the review wonld be
held. went on the field before either
ot the bail teams or the militia arrived,
Il: order to arrange for both the review
and the game, so that there should be
no unpleasantness.
sIs may be as we'll to state here that
the athletic grounds are college proper
y, placed BY law under the care and
control Of the president Of the college,
aud that they cannot be used by auy
one without the permission Of the.
president
..As soon as Mr.. Hagood, the mao
ager of the college team. appeared oa
the feld, called him to me and direct
ed him to look outfor Gen Watts aud
AK him to hold the review on the east
crn part Of the field. beyond the foot
bail goal. This would have allowed
him about six acres for the drill and re
view, aud there could have been no
possible clash between the soldiers aud
the players
.The general and his staff, some
What late. came riding directly across
the ball grounds upon that part called
the diamond. thus temporarily break.
ing up the game Which sas uoder way.
Before Gen Watts reached the 'dia-
moDd, Dir. Hagood met him aod made
the request as directed Gen Watts
roughly replied to Mr. Hagood: You
have nothing to do with this, SIR
Dir. Hagood then came to me and ask
ed ne to see General Watts. I waot
immediately to the general. who had
by this time crossed tie diamond, end
as nearly as I can remember, said to
hin General, I shouid be very glad
if you would occupy the eastern end of
the fe!d'-pointiog with my hand
just beyoud those posts there IS am-
Pile room there, aod the ground is just
as good I said, further. The boys
are playing match game of ball this
afternoon they had permission to play
before anything vas known Of this re
view Otherwise the game might have
been postponed
General Waite replied, This is the
Of the State.' Yes l an-
swered. 'but it is under the control Of
she college and it is intended for the
use Of the college He then said, 4
suppose Col. Jones has permission to
use che grounds My reply ~as, IF
he has / know nothing of it Dr.. Wood
row is absent aud he told me nothing of
having granted permission. A. any
rate I went on, there is 90 necessity
for the game to be interrupted the
eastern part Of the field is ample and
smooth aud I beg agaio that you will
allow the game to 60 en- without inter-
ruptioo l have grated permission
for the game to be, played and should
not like to see it broken up He shen
snswered most pleasantly, why, GER
sainly. will not interrupt the game,
aud repeated. i will not have the game
| replied, L thank you.
general. / did not think you would
/ then left him. feeling sure that there
woald really be no interruption.
q