The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-12
THE STATEMENT
OF R. R. TOLBERI.
SAYS Etheridge, Killed at Phoenix,
First Assaulted 7. P. Tolbert.
HE WAS KILLED BY DEMOCRATS.
Saws His Brother. who is Now Probably
Dead, Told Him Sole Asks the
DEPARTMENT of Justice TO Inves'
tigate the Riot.

| WASHINGTON, Nov. ll.-R. r. Tolbert
whose father and brother were shot at the
| recent race war al Phoenix, S. c., was al
| the Department of Justice to-day to Sc
| cure an investigation Of the riot by the
Federal authorities. He was accompan-
led by some Of the Republican politicians
Of the State.
]. r. Tolbert is now in the South Caro-
lima State Penitentiary to protect him
| from violence.
Mr.. Tolbert says the facts Of the riot
ing have not been given. The facts are,
| ne says, as follows.
MIR. TOLBERT'S STORY.
81 was nominated for Congress by the
Republicans Of my district. For the pur-
pose Of making a contest before the
House my brother T. +. Tolbert, agreed
to be present at the polling place at
Phoenix for the purpose Of Witnessing the
afidavts of colored men who were re-
jected as voters because of their inability
20 comply with the requirements of the
constitution.
My brother took no part in the man.
agement of the polling place. which was
in the hands Of the Democrats. He SIM
ply sat on the piazza OF Mr.. Lakes house
and witnessed the afIidayits given him,
depOsiting these afiidayits In a box pre-
pared for the purpose.
NOT HIS OWN PRECINCT.
"Mr. Ethridge. the white man who was
killed was an election manager at pre-
cinct two miles away He left his own
precinct and with a party OF men went
10 Phoenix. He walked mp with his party
to where my brother was sitting at Ia
BILE and deliberately kicked over the table
and box in which the certificates were.
Then he assaulted my brother.
I'm a short while the Democratic voters
who were In the same house rushed out
and commenced shooting into the crowd.
The negroes fed Ny brother. who IS
probably dead by now, told me that Eth
ridge was killed by shots from his own
friends.
TOLBERT UNARMED.
"My brother did not have a weapon on
hts person"
Mr.. ToIbert said that he was at Able
Vile, twenty-five miles away from the
scene Of the shooting. His father, j. r.
Tolbert was at Verdrey. another precinct
When the elder Tobert learned Of the
riot he started for the scene IN his buggy,
accompanied by ten-year-Old nephew
Before he reached the scene he was met
by a mob which riddled the buggy with
bullets and wounded him and the little
boy a number of times. IL Is said that
the boy was killed by the shots. T. T.
rOlbert who was first shot by the mob
was aided TO his home a short distance
away and was pursued By the mob.
While lying IN bed IN a dying condition,
tho mob attempted TO make him give the
name OF the person who had killed Eth
ridge He said that Ethridge had been
killed By the Democrats themselves.
NEGROES BADLY FRIGHTENED.
On finding his father so badly wounded
Z. r. Tolbert procured a doctor. who at
tended TO the wounds OF the senior Toll
bert After placing his family in a safe
place Mr. T0lbert came 20 this city. Mr.
Tolbert states that his brother said that
so far as he could see no shots were fired
by the negroes at Phoenix
They fed as soon as the shooting com
menced leaving 4. T. Tolbert as the tar
get for the mob 10 shoot at.
SEES THE PRESIDENT
AT a late hour this evening Mr. Toibert,
ac0mpanled by SOlicitOr-Generai Rich
ards. Of the Department of Justice. called
0t the White House and mad IN extended
Interview with President Mckinley. He
related 10 the President the story Of his
experiences In South Carolina substan,
tally as given above, entering into minute
details Of the trouble on election day. The
President listened attentively to the mar
rative, but gave no indication OF what
action. II any. might be taken. However
be requested Mr. TOlbert 10 see the At
iOrney-ieneral and make 10 him a full
statement of the situation as he viewed A.
Returning TO the Department of Justice
sir Tolbert had an interview with Attor-
ney-General 6riggs. who has just re-
turned 10 the city from New Jersey. AT
Lhe conclusion OF the interview the At
torney-General said be- would have cor
ference with the President upon the mat
ter and IL would be then determined III
anything could be done
Tonight AttOrney-Gcneral Griggs spent
some time with the President, but so far
as could be- ascertained no decision OF
the question presented by Mr.. Iolbert
was reached.
WILL PROTECT TOLBERT.
The Department OF Justice has taken
steps TO obtain official Information bear
ing upon the trouble I'm South Carolina,
and it is said to be entirely unlikely that,
In the absence Of such Information the
President would take any action I'm the
matter. In addition. however 10 the er-
fort Of the department To secure DEFINITE
and Official information concerning lues-
DAVIS riOting steps have been made 20
afford ample protection TO the elder Toll
bert. who is collector OF customs al the
port OF Charleston.
II is said that, as Government officer
In the exercise OF his individual righis
and In the performance OF his official du-
ties. the Federal Government VIII not
permit him 10 be interfered with.
prominent official OF the administration
said tonight:
collector Tolbert's right will be main
tanned, even though an effort be made
under the guise OF law TO trench upon
them" .--.-s