The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-04
GEN. WATTS VERSION.
HE MAKES a STATEME ENT ABOUT THE
COLLEGE RUMPUS.
The Public Now Has tho Whole Case Con-
cerning tho Unfortunate AFFAIR.
What VIII the Verdict Bc?
(The State, 2nd.)

every ono IN South Carolina just at
this particular timc, there is still
much speculation as to what will be
tho outcome Of tho recent clash on
the South Carolina College athletic
grounds. After waiting for several
days Adiutant General Watts ycster-
day evening gave to the public his
version of tho affair. It is as fol-
lows:
I had hoped that it would not be
necessary for mo to make state
ment as to the unfortunate occur
renee that took place on the college
grounds last Friday, tho 28th inst. )
but rs there has been so much said
and written about tho affair, I
deem it my duty to tho militia and
myself to give tho facts in tho case,
and let tho public pass it's own
Judgment. Tho following order was
issued May 10, 1897:
Special Order No ~.
Adjutant aud Inspector Gonoral's
Office, Columbia, S. G., May 10,
1897
The ..nnual inspection of tho fol-
lowing companies is hereby ordered:
Governors Guards, Capt. j. Nj. Bato.
man, commanding, Columbia, May
2G, 1897; Richlaud Volunteers, Capt.
j. d. Frost, commanding, Columbia,
May 2G, 1897.
BY order Of tho commanders in
chief.
j. GARY Warts,
A. e l. General.
Owing to death in my family,
the above order wcs revoked, and
Friday, the 2Sth, was appointed for
the inspection Of tho above COM
mands. I saw Col. Willie Jones,
who WAS the colonel of the Second
Regiment Of infantry, and who
would be in command on this occa
sion, tho morning Of tho 2Sth at the
Carolina National bank. Ho told
mo that tho inspection would be
held at the usual place, tho grounds
in charge of the college, which are
used by the students for athletic
purposes Ghe time and place Of any
inspection is generally left to tho
commanding of1icer). Col. Jones
told me to take my position in front
of the stand, which was erected for
ladies to occupy i'll order that they
could witness tho games that are
usually played on these grounds.
The battalion was formed and the
usual line of march was taken. As l
ronchod the college grounds I pro,
ceeded to take my position, indicated
by Col. Jones, bnt WAS informed by
Mr.. HagOod, one of the students,
that match game of ball was in
progress, and hoped that I would
not interfere, or words to that effect.
| then rode from tho ball grounds
and was spoken to by Prof. Sloan.
He informed me that the boys had
permission to play ball on the
grounds and that q match gamo was
in progress. | replied to him that |
had no desire to Interfere with the
game, but that | had been informed
by Col. Jones that he had permis
sion from the president to havo the
inspection on the grounds. then
took my position on tho left of the
| ball grounds and did not think that
I was in any way interfering with
tho gamo of ball, rs no opposition
was raised rs to my position. The
review and inspection was then
started, and everything was going Or
very smoothly until the battalion
was passing in review, when a bal
was knocked and as ono Of the play
ers was running after it ho ran into
Capt. Bateman and knocked off h;:
cap, the crowd then began to cheer
tho battalion moved on and nothing
was thought Of this incident. Th'
battalion then proceeded with thei
field movements, and as they wer,
marching past the inspecting Office
I requested policeman to NOV
back somo Of the parties who wer
in the line Of march, which he di'
! without any trouble.