The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-17
GOVERNMENT TO TAKE IT UP.
JAS. W. Tolbcrt Sends Telegram To
the Governor Of South Carolina,

WASHINGTON. Nov. 16.-The govern
ment has decided to investigate the cir
cumstances under which James W. Toll
bert. assistant postmaster Mccormick
$. c.. was compelled by the threats OF
an armed mob 10 abandon his Office ana
home
with that view the matter has been
placed I'm the hands Of United states
Attorney Lathrop with instructions to
look into the matter with a view TO the
prosecution Of any violations Of the Fed
eral statutes IN this or any other cases
growing out Of the recent race riots
in that locality As a preliminary step
Mr. Tolbert has sent a telegram 10 Gov
arnOr Ellerbe. at Columbia. asking 20
know whether as Governor Of South
Carolina. he can. ard WIZ afford him
protection in returning TO his family ana
Office.
Following is the teyt Of the telegram.
90 which no answer had been received
ND 10 II O'Clock this morning.
Washington. -. c.. Nov. l5 lSeS.
To the Governor Of South Carolina. Co
IT am a citizen Of South Carolina.
where / was born and raised ard have
always resided. Ny home is az McCor-
mick. i'm the county of Ahheviile. Ny
wife IS postmaster there and I am her
assistant and conduct the business OF
the Office for her. she being debate
woman on Thursday the tenth instant.
was forced by an organized and armed
mob OF a hundred men 10 leave my iam-
lily and my home under the threat that
II / remained there I would be Killed.
I therefore fed for safety because l WAS
unable to resist this mob.
II am large land owner IN the county
Of Abbeville. and also the owner Of yalu-
able houses and other real estate he the
town of Mccormick Ny wife IS there
with our only child. a girl, four years
old. without my presence and my pro-
lection on 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 10 give any onense what
ever 10 any man or set Of men save that
/ am a member of tho Republican party
and believe in tho doctrines OF that
party.
II send this 20 know If you. as the
Governor of South Carolina. can afford
me protection as one Of its citizens ana
as an employee OF the United states
Government that / may return 20 my
family 10 my property and my business
and be safe from mob violence. Answer
care OF ST. James Hotel. Washington, ID.
O..
(Signed) JAMES W. TOLBERT."
Concerning claims Of interference with
the postal service. it is stated at the Post
Office Department that there Is no evil
dence that the postal service has been iu-
terfered with; that officially the depart
mcnt has no knowledge of TOiDert. who
is only assistant postmaster at fourth
class pOstOfiice and therefore appointed
and employed hy the postmaster ana lot
by the department
The postmaster is the wife Of I)'bcrt
and as she Is not interfered with the de-
partment officials say there is nothing 10
show the department should act In the
matter. Mr. Tolbert called on Postmas-
ter General Smith to-day with a View 90
securing some action In the pr mises hut
was told Of the conclusion Of the DEPART
ment that there was nothing ~ which