The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-06-02
South Carolina College Stu
dents and Police Fight.
Both Sides Make Statements,
Though General Watts, Z
Who Was Present.
REFUSES TO say ANYTHING.

The usually brilliant. splendid aud
imposing inspection exercises in this
city were deprived OF their peaceful
ness and general good military dis
eipline yesterday by series of fra
cases on the inspection grouod. in
which policeman was badly beaten
up BY college students, aud Prof.
Davis received severe confusion on
The head while attempting to prevent
3nrther trouble
About how it all started there is q
daiiHereace of opinion, but the fact is
that there was sesbali game going
san on the college grounds between
she South Carolina students aud the
Independents of this city, when the
military, consisting of the Governors
Guards aud sne Richland Volunteers
marched on the college green for in
speeticn, the place they have been
inspected for years They were
Rnder the command of Col. Willie
Jones with Adjutant Michae! Bren-
men. Gen Watts and his staff. con-
tsistiDg of Lient. Stokes Of the United
States army and Major B. B. Evans
were present for the purpose OF in-
specting the troops The usual in
spection was made. aud nothing hap
psned TO indicate that anything un-
usual was gong to take place The
boys went on playing ball, unmind-
&fnl Of the inspection, being much
more interested in the game
after the inspection was all over,
Col. Jones took charge of the troops
and there was drill Some order
brought the troops near the third
base and theiS further progress was
prevented by the ball players and
spectators blocking up the way
Gen. v ats ordered them to move
away, but they refused. He then
ordered Col Jones to advance bis
troops, which be did.
Previously, General Watts had Or
dered che policeman there, officer
Dowie, to disperse the crowd. lie
started TO do 80, but as soon as it was
seen that one policeman could not
move them. Gen. Watts ordered Col
Jones to advance. The crowd broke
away considerably. but some of them
were IN belIigerent attitude. They
broke into the ranks, but 80 strong
was the Impetus that they were prac-
tically swept away
The next thing the officers of the
military knew there was a fight in
their rear, and the greatest excite
ment prevailed among the spectators
and milstiamen. Even some of the
men broke ranks. not being able to
withstand the temptation and excite
ment. They were soon quieted
however.
1t developed that the row was be
tween number of South Carolina
College boys and Policeman Dowie.
They were beating him all over the
head with base bali bats aud pummel
ling him generally
He blew his whistle aud his fellow
policemen fed to his rescue There
was bloody fight Between the two
and the students Bats and police
clubs few thick and fast through the
air, and it was evident that the po
iicemeh must soon succamb by rea-
son of superior numbers. In the
meantime Prof. Sloan. acting presi-
dent of the college. Prof Davis and
others, military AID civilians, we're
rushing in to prevent further blood
shed, for there were bloody heads
and faces without number.
In trying to quiet the students
Prof Davis received severe blow
across the head by a Dat or some
thing else. In the general melee it
is impossible to tell who struck him,
bat, however, it was not intended for
him. Nevertheless the blood stream
ed from the wound all over his face.
aud it was at 6rst thought that be
was most seriously wounded
Policeman Dowie, in the meantime.
was one rnass o. clotted blood about
his hair and face. Finally he pulled
his pistol and shot to the ground. not
wishing to wound anyone. This.
with the effort of others. had desir-
able effect, aud the row ended
Policeman Dowie displayed bravery
in the face of overwhelming odds
that was truly cemmendable and
heroic As soon as all was quieted
he went to the police station. where
he had his wounds dressed It was
found that the skin of his skull had
been split from the forehead to the
crown. 1t was deep and painful
wound, but is not fatal.
Prof Davis is the only other one