Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-11-12

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-R. r. Tol.
bert, whose father and brother were
shot in the recent race war at Phoenix,
S. O., was at the department of justice
to secure an investigation of the riot by
the federal authorities. He was accom-
panied by some of the Republican poll
ticians of the state. The elder Tolbert
is now in the state penitentiary for
safety from popular violence.
Mr.. Tolbert says that the true facts
of the rioting have not been given.
He was nominated for congress by
the Repu blicans of his district. For the
purpose of making contest before the
house his brother. T. J. Tolbert, was at
the polling place at Phoenix for the
purpose of witnessing the affidavits of
colored men who were rejected as yot.
ers because of their inability to comply
with the requirements of the constitu-
tion.s He deposited the affidavits in a
box.
MIR. Etherldge, the white man who
was killed, was an election manager at
precinct two miles away. He, with a
party of men. went to Phoenix, walked
up with his party to where Tolbert's
brother was sitting at a table and de.
hberately kicked over the table and box
IN when were put the certificates.
Then he assaulted Tolbert's brother. In
short while the Democratic voters
rushed out and commenced shooting
into the crowd. The negroes fled.
Mr.. Tolbert said that he was at Able.
vile, rs miles away His father, J. r.
Tolbert, was at Verdry, another pre-.
cinct. When the elder Tolbert learned
OF the riot he started to the scene in his
buggy, accompanied by little IO-year
old nephew. He was met by mob.
which riddled the buggy with bullets
and wounded him and the little bow a
number of times. 1t is said the bow
was killed by the shots.
L. +. Tolbert was aided to his home.
While lying in bed in dying condition
the mob attempted to make him give
the name OF the person who had killed
Etheridge. He said he could not he
cause Etheridge had been killed by the
Democrats themselves.
On finding his father SO badly
wounded, Mr.. r. r. Tolbert procured q
doctor, who attended to the wounds Of
the senior Tolbert. After placing his
family in a safe place, Mr.. Tolbert
came on to this city.
Mr.. Tolbert stated that his brother
was unarmed and said that SO far as he
could see no shots were fred by fine
negroes at Phoenix.
M. Tolbert, accompanied by Solicitor
General Richards of the department. of
justice, called at the White House and
had an extended interview with Presi.
dent Mckinley. He related to the presi.
dent the story of his experience in
South Carolina substantially as given
above, entering into minute details of
the trouble on election day. The presi-
dent listened attentively to the recital.
but gave no indication of what action
If any. might be taken. However he
requested Mr.. Tolbert to see the attor-
ney general and make to him a fnIl
statement of the situation as he viewed
it, which Mr.. Tolbert did.
Attorney Griggs spent some time with
the president, but so far as could he
ascertained, no decision of the Question
presented by Mr.. Tolbert was reached
The department of justice has taken
steps to obtain official information hear.
ing upon the trouble in South Carolina
Steps have been taken to afford annie
protection to the elder Tolbert who is
collector OF customs at the port of
Charleston. 1t is said that. as a gov
eminent officer in the exercise of his
individual rights and in the perform.
ance OF his official duties. the federal
government will not permit him to be
lnterfered with. A prominent official
OF the administration said:
collector Tolbert's rights will he
maintained, even though an effort be
made under the guise of law to trench
upon them"