The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-23

MISSION
(Signed) a. F Fuller, chairman.
James Rogers secretary.
Washington, Nov 16.-Tbe gov
ernmens has decided to investigate
the circumstances under which James
w. Tolbert, assistant postmaster at
Mccormick. S. g, was compelled by
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
Lathrop with instructions to look
into the case with view to the
prosecution of any violations of the
federal statutes in; this or any other
cases growing out of the recer: race
troubles in that locality AS pre-
,iminary step Mr. Tolbert has sent a
telegram to Gov. Eiierbe, at Colum
bia, asking to know whether as
governor of South Carolina, he can
and will afford him protection in
returning to his family and Office.
No answer had been received
when Mr.. Tolbert was seen by a
representative of the Associated Press
to day.
Concerning claims of interference
with the postal service. it is stated at
the postofice department that there is
rc evidence that the postal service
has been interferred with, that
officially the department has no
knowledge of Tolbert, who is only
an assistant postmaster at a fourth
class postomce, and therefore, ap-
pointed and employed by the post
master and not by the department
The postmaster is the wife of Tolbert
and as she is not interferred with the
department officials Say there is
nothing to show that the department
should act in the matter Mr.. Tolbert
called on Postmaster Gen Smith
with view to securing some action
| in the premises, but was told of the
| conclusion of the department, that
there was nothing of which it could
take cognizance.
TOLBERT's INGENIOUS TELE
GRAM.
To all appearances it looks as il
the federal authorities intend to take
| some action in the matter Of the
| rioting at Phoenix on and after
election day. TIE grounds for action
will be based on interference with
the United States mails
The following long telegram to
Gov. E;lerbe from Jas: w. Tolbert,
postmaster at Mccormick appears to
be the preliminary move. 1t reads
washington, D. c Nov. Is.
ITO the Governor of South Carolina:
| 81 am citizen of South Carolina,
where was born and raised. and
have always resided My home is
Mccormick, in the county of Able
vile. Ny wife is postmaster there.
and l am her assistant, and conduct
the business of the Office for her, she
being delicate woman. On Thurs
day, the 10th instant. I was forced
by an organized and armed mob
of hundred men to leave my
family and my home under the
threat that if remained there
would be killed. l therefore fed
for safety because | was unable
to resist this mob am large
landowner in the county of Able
Vile, and also the owner of valuable
+: houses and other real estate in the
town of Mccormick NJ wife is
there with our only child, girl o.
four years old. without my presence
and my protection, Oh account of the
action of an armed mob, and my
property is without proper care
have committed no crime against the
laws of my country and have done
nothing to give any offence what.
ever to any man or set of men, save
that am member of the Republican
party aad believe in the doctrines o
that party send this to know j
you, as the Governor of South Caro-
lima, can afford me protection as one