The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-10-05
4 RACE RIOT.
Whites and Blacks Have a Fight
Up in illinois.
IT TOOK PLACE AT PANA.
The Blacks Driven from the
Streets to Their BIockades by
the Strik0ag Union
Miners.

Striking union coal miners and i'm
ported negroes engaged in pitched
battle in the Main street of Pana. Ill.,,
Wednesday night. Several hundred
shots were exchanged.
No one was wounded in the ranks of
the union men. The negroes were
driven from the city to their stockades,
carrying with them, it is believed, a
number of wounded comrades. One Of
the negroes is reported to have died
soon after reaching the stockade. Des-
ultory firing continues at midnight in
the vicinity of the stockades.
The trouble, which has been narrow
ly ayerted between the striking coal
miners Of this city and negroes import
ed from the South to work the mines,
was precipitated at $50 o'clock We'd
nesday evening.
As usual, the negroes from the stock
ades at the Springside and Penwel!
mines were making demonstrations on
Second and Locust streets, the princi-
cal streets of the city, by parading
heavily armed. The union miners were
in session at their hall, where a Chica-
go labor leader was speaking. One Of
the negroes appeared at the foot Of the
miners hall and engaged in quarrel
with union white miner. Officer
Samuel Smith Immediately arrested the
black man and was escerting him to
jail when he was closed in by a posse
Of negroes, who, pointing their revolv-
ers at Smith, threatened to kill him if
he did not release the prisoner. Smith
continued on his way to jail with the
man. Union miners and others mean
while went to Smiths assistance and
the negroes were driven back. Smith
took his prisoner to Operator George
Y. Penwell's store, and upon Penwell's
standing for the negro's fine, he was
released.
Before Smith had released the pris-
oner, however, the negro posse had
been reinforced and assumed threat
ening attitude toward the white men.
David McGavic, leader of the union
miners, dubbed one Of the blacks over
over the head with revolver, it is
said. For half block McGayic forced
the NJ groes to retreat and then few
shots were fred. The negroes retreat
ed double quick to their stockades, Sc
cured rifles, returned to Locust street
and challenged the miners to fight.
The opposing forces lined up the street,
the negroes with Winchesters and the
miners with shotguns, rifles and re-
volyers. Neighboring business houses
were Immediately closed, lights extin-
guished and citizens generally sought
their homes. At the word of command
firing commenced. The first volley, it
is said, came from the negroes. The
union men responded with volley and
heavy firing continued for FIVE minutes.
Much of the shooting was wild and en-
tirely harmless to the white men, who
finally drove their enemies in full re-
treat to the stockades. The negroes
are thought to have carried several
men with them, and one is reported
dead.
4 second encounter between whites
and blacks occurred 20 minutes after
the first battle, near the Penwell stock
ade, but the firing was scattered and
it is not believed to have been seri-
Gus engagement. The miners had full
charge of the business streets at mid
night. Desultory rife reports could be
heard from the Penwell and Springside
stockades, but no person would ven
ture into the streets near the mines,
and very few are lettering about the
business or residence sections.
The union miners say the battle Of
Wednesday night is only foretaste Of
what may be expected to follow. They
blame Operator Penwell for the trouble
and say they will tomorrow swear out
warrants charging him with melting
Wednesday nights riot. Gov. Tanner
will be asked to send militia to protect
property, and to remove the negroes.