The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-17

He Asks South ,CarOIina's Governor il
Protection VIII Be Afforded

Protection VIII Be Afforded.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.-The govern
ment has decided to investigate the crcum-
stances under which James w. Tolbert, as
sistant postmaster at Mccormick. S. c.,
was compelled by the threats of an armed
mob to abandon his Office and home. With
that view the matter has been placed in
the hands of United States Attorney Lath-
rop, with instructions to look into the mat
ter with a view to the prosecution of any
violations of the federal statutes in this or
any other cases growing out of the recent
race riots in that locality. AS preliminary
step Mr. Tolbert has sent a telegram to
Governor Ellerbee, at Columbia, asking to
know whether. as Governor of South Caro-
lima, he can and will afford him protection
in returning to his family and office. In
the telegram Mr.. Tolbert says:
Il am citizen of South Carolina. where
was born and raised and have always re-
sided. My home is at Mccormick in the
county of Abbevillc. My wife is postmaster
there and L am her assistant and conduct
the business of the Office for her. she being
delicate woman. On Thursday, the 10th
inst, was forced by an organized and
armed mob Of a hundred men TO leave my
family and home under the threat that if
remained there would be killed. there
lore ned for safety, because l was unable
10 resist the mob. / am large land owner
In the county of Abbeville and also the
owner of valuable houses and other real es-
tate in the town of Mccormick. My wife
is there with our little child, a girl four
years DID, without my, presence and my pro-
lection on account of the action of an armed
mob and my property is without proper
care. l have committed no crime against
the laws Of my country and have done
nothing to give any offense whatever to
any man or set of men save that l am a
member of the Republican party and be-
lieve in the doctrines of that party. 1 send
this to know if you, az the Governor of
South Carolina. afford me protection a
one OF its citizens and an employee of the
United States government that l may re-
turn to my family, to my property and BUSH
ness, and be safe from mob violence. An
swer care of ST. James Hotel, Washington
d. c."
Concerning the claims of interference with
the postal service, it is stated at the Post
that the postal service had been interfered
with, that officially the department mas no
knowledge of TOlbert, who is only the as
sistant postmaster at a fourth-class post
office and therefore appointed and employed
by the postmaster and not by the depart
ment The postmaster is the wife of Tobert
and as she is not interfered with the de-
partment officials say there is nothing to
show the department should act in the mat
ter. Mr.. Tolbert called on postmaster gen.
eral Emory Smith to-day with a view to
securing some action in the premises, but
was told of the conclusion of the department
that there was nothing of which it would
take cogniZance.
COLUMBIA S. c.. Nov. 16.-Governor Ell
lerbee sent this reply to Tolbert's telegram:
'If you return home will give you all the
protection in my power. don't think it
prudent for you to return till the excitement
subsidies"