Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-11-16

to Columbia, as already stated, and
were placed in the penitentiary for safe
keeping. Tom Tolbert, the man who
figured IN the first row and who was
probably fatally wounded, was remov-
ed to Abbeville on Friday, and has
since been receiving careful surgical
attention. Elias Tolbert escaped to
Augusta. Jim Tolbert also escaped to
parts unknown.
An inquest was held on Friday over
the bodies of the Negroes who were
killed at Rehoboth church. AS usual,
however, the investigation was farce,
and the verdict of the jury was in the
usual form to the effect that the de-
ceased-naming them-came to their
deaths from gunshot wounds at the
hands of parties unknown.
1t develops that Mr.. Ethridge was
the only Democrat who was shot at
the first breaking out of the trouble at
the voting precinct. Tom Tolbert was
wounded in a volley that was fired by
the Democrats. A party of whites fol-
lowed Tolbert and the fleeing Negroes,
and young Miller and two other white
men were wounded by volley which
was fired by the Negroes from am
bush.
1t is claimed that the Tolberts are
responsible for all the trouble. They
had arranged the whole matter before
hand. After arming quite a number
of Negroes they gave it out that the
Negroes were to be permitted to vote
or the Tolberts would know the reason
why. 1t was this kind of talk at
which the Democrats were so much
incensed, and it was by reason OF it
that Democrats happened to be at the
polls in force and with arms. The
feelings of the Democrats were ar
reused not so much against the Ne
groes as against the Tolberts, and had
the Tolberts not gotten out OF the
country there is no secret of the fact
that all of them would have been
lynched.
Governor Ellerbe failed to take any
action in regard to the rioting until
Friday, when he telegraphed Sheriff
McCaslin, of Greenwood that quiet
must be restored. The sheriff tele-
graphed back that all was then quiet.
The feeling against the Tolberts con-
tinues intense. The Greenwood peo-
pie say this family has been dis
turbing element for years and that
every member Of it must leave the
county forever. This is said to he the
verdict of the best and most represen-
tative citizens of Greenwood.
A meeting of citizens was held at
Phoenix on last Saturday and the
following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved 1st. That we the citizens of
Phoenix and surrounding country, IN
mass meeting assembled, desire to ex-
press our deep regret at the loss or life
and bloodshed that has occurred i'll this
vicinity during the past few days and to
call attention to the fact that this section
has always been noted for the high moral
character OF its people, its peaceful, law
abiding disposition and the friendly, re-
lations that have heretofore existed be-
tween the races.
End. The evidence of Negro, as we'll as
white eye-witnesses of Tuesdays riot
agrees that the first hostile attack was
made by Thomas Tolbert and certain Ne
groes and the first shot fired was the one
which killed J. /. Ethridge and was hred
by Negro, We regret that deluded Ne We
groes have had to suffer the penalty for
misdeeds committed as result of the in,
fluences of white men whose greed and
selfishness has led them to act the part OF
enemies to both the white and colored
people of our country.
Sd. We hereby express our firm con-
viction that the deplorable troubles
through which we have just passed are
attributable solely to the evil influences
exerted by John r. Tolbert, R. Rhett
Tolbert, Joseph w. Tolbert, Thomas P.
Tolbert, and Robert H. Henderson, and
we believe their further residence in
Greenwood county or its vicinity, will
tend to imperil the lives and property OF
both the white and colored people, and
we earnestly hope that they will choose
to remove themselves and their evil in
fluences elsewhere.
4th. That we urge all good citizens,
white and colored, to 60 to their homes
and use every effort to avoid further vio-
lence and bloodshed.
5tb. That committee of safety be ap-
pointed who shall be asked to suggest and
put into operation such measures as Will
best insure peace and the protection of
life and property. That we desire TO as
sure the colored citizens OF this commu-
nity, that we will, to the best of our
ability, protect them so long as they are
| in the discharge of their duties and in the
exercise of their rights as peaceful and
orderly citizens, and that we condemn all
reckless assaults on Negroes by white
persons.
Immediately following action on the
above resolutions the following infor-
nation was read from Elias Tolbert
and accepted as such:
To the Citizens of Greenwood County:
Heretofore have acted as I have from
a sense of high Christian duty, from pure
conscientious motives not from desire for
any office, or the emoluments of office. L
have tried to do my duty by my country,
as knew it, by church and school. l
have never shirked my duty as saw it.
I tried to do my duty as 15-year-0ld SOL
dier boy in the Second South Carolina
cavalry, company I. If there are any old
soldiers present belonging to my old COM
mand, they can testify to the fact that L
was always found at the front.
find that in many things l made mis-
takes. That the two races cannot act to-
eether in the formation of government
and that the country should have white
supremacy, that the Anglo-Saxon race
should predominate, and hereafter in
tend to stand shoulder to shoulder with
the white people to do all in my power to
have a government that will protect every
one alike, but let it be made by the white
people. l solemnly promise to do all in
my power and shall heartily co-operate
with them in doing this.
f. l.. ToLBERT.
Stockman's, S. c., Nov. II, 1898.
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.