Evening journal., 1898-11-12
TOLBERT'S VERSION.
Candidate For Congress on
Carolina Political Riots.
APPEALS TO PRESIDENT M'KIyLEY.
Federal Government Looking Into
the Anair-Attorney General Says
TOlbert's Father, Collector at
Charleston, VIII BE Protected.

bert, Republican candidate for congress
in the Abbeville (S. CO district and
the brother OF T. p. Tolbert. who was
killed in the political riots at Phoenix.
S. c.. on Tuesday, has come to WASH
ington to lay his case before the fed
eral government.
Mr.. Tolbert says that the true story
of the rioting has not been given. The
facts are, he said, as follows:
Il was nominated for congress by the
Republicans of my district. For the
purpose OF making a contest before the
house my brother 7. p. Tolbert. agreed
10 be present at the polling place at
Phoenix for the purpose OF watching
the afndavits of colored men who were
rejected as voters because Of their in
ability to 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 ahidavits Civ
en- him, depositlng these ahidavits in
box prepared for the purpose.
Mr.. Etherldge, the white man who
was killed, was an election manager at
a precinct two miles away. He left
his own precinct and with a party Of
men went to Phoenix. He walked up
with his party TO where my brother was
sitting at table and deliberately kick
ed over the table and box in which
were put the certificates. Then he as
saulted my brother.
"1n a short while the Democratic vot-
ers who were In the same house rush
ed out and commenced shooting into
the crowd. The negroes fed My broth
er. who is probably dead by now, told
me that Etherdge was killed by shots
from his own friends.
MY brother did not have n weapon
on his person"
Mr.. Tolbert said that he was at Alb
beville. 25 miles away from the shoot
ing. His father ]. r. Tolbert, was at
Nerdry. another precinct. When the
elder Tolbert learned OF the riot, he
started to the scene in his buggy, ac-
companied by little 10-year-old
nephew. Before he reached the scene
he was met by a mob. which riddled
his buggy with bullets and wounded
him and the little boy a number Of
times.
It is said that the boy was killed by
the shots.
4. p. Tolbert, who was first shot by
the mob was aided to his home some
distance from the scene and was pur-
sued by the mob. While lying in bed
IA a dying condition the mob attempted
60 make him give the name OF the per-
son who had killed Etherdge. He said
he could not, because Etheridge had
been killed by the Democrats them
selves.
on finding his father so badly wound
ed, Mr.. r.. r.. Tolbert procured a doctor,
who attended to the wounds Of the Sc
niOr Tolbert. After placing his family
in a safe place Mr. Tolbert came on to
this city.
Mr.. Tolbert states that mis- brother
said that, so far as he could see no
shots were fired by the negroes at Pho-
nix.
They fled as soon as the shooting
commenced. leaving Il. =. Tolbert as
the target for the mob Go shoot at.
At a late hour yesterday Mr.. Tolbert,
accompanied by Solicitor General Rich
ards of the department Of justice called
at the White House and had an extend
ed interview with President Mckinley.
He related TO the president the story cf
his experiences in South Carolina sub
stantially as given above entering into
minute details OF the trouble on election
day. The president listened attentively
TO the recital, but gave no indication of
what action, II any, might be taken.
However. he requested Mr.. robert TO
see the attorney general and make 20
him a full statement of the situation as
he viewed It.
Returning to the department of JUS
tice, Mr.. Tolbert had an interview with
Attorney General Grggs, who had just
returned TO the city from New jersey
At the conclusion of the Interview .he
attorney general said he would have a
conference with the president upon the
matter as soon as possible, and IL would
then be determined what, IL anything
would be done.
Last night Attorney General Griggs
spent some time with the president. bul
so far as could be ascertained no de-
cision OF the question presented by Mr.
Tolbert was reached.
The department OF Justice has taker
steps TO obtain official information
bearing upon the trouble in South Car.
olina, and IT is said to be entirely un.
likely that in the absence Of such IN.
formation the president viii take an,
action I'm the matter. In addition, how
ever, to the effort of the department (,
secure definite and OFFICIAL information
concerning tuesdays flOAlnB Sten'
have been taken TO afford ample pro
lection to the elder Tolbert. who is col
lector OF customs at the port Of Charles
ton. IT IS said that as a government
officer I'm the exercise OF his individual
rights and In the performance Of hi
official duties the federal government
will not permit him to be interfere,
with prominent official of the ad
ministration said last night:
collector Tolberts rights will h
maintained, even though an effort D.
made under the guise Of law 10 trencl
upon them"
White Republicans OutIawed.
RALEIGH. Nov. IA special to TIL
News and Observer from Newborn. n
c., says; &C. II. Gilbert. r. II. Buntin
and ex-Chief OF Police Melton. three q
the white Republicans who were force
out of Wilmington yesterday. arrive
here via the Atlantic Coast line yester
day afternoon. They were met at Ia
depot by a committee OF citizens an
notified that their presence was not d.
che