Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-17
THE TOLBERT AFFAIR
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
DECIDE TO INTERFERE.
LETTER TO GOVERNOR vLLERDEE.
James w. ToIbert Asks 81 He VIII
ing to His Home ut Mccormick

w ASftlNGlON, IL. -, NoftihbNi w.
The government has decided to investi-
gate the circumstances under when
James W. Tolbert, assistant postmaster
at Mccormick. S. c., was compelled py
the threats Of an armed mob to abandon
his office and home. With that view. the
matter has been placed in the hands OF
United States Attorney Lathrop, with in
structions TO look into the case with
view TO prosecutions for any violations or
Federal law. growing out Of the recent
race troubles in that locality.
As a preliminary step, Mr. Tolbert mas
sent n telegram TO Governor Ellerbe, at
| Columbia, asking to know whether as
Governor OF South Carolina. he will at
ford him protection in returning 10 MS
| family and office. Following is the text
| az the telegram to which no answer hau
beon received when Mr.. Tolbert was seen
by a representative Of the Associateu
| Press to-day: - ,ooo
washington. November 10, 1888.
"To the Governor of South Carolina Co
lumbia, s. c.: o,.o,,,o
at am a citizen Of South Carolina
where l was born and reared anu n",o
| always resided. My home is at McCoT-
| mick i'm the county of AobeVllle' NY
wifa &c postmaster there. and am her
| oeeistant and conduct the business Vi
| tho Office for her. she being dehcate
woman. on Thursday, the 10Th ihst ail';
7 was forced by an organized and armed
mob OF a hundred men TO leave my lam
lily and my home, under the 'hfeaI s""I
/ if 7 remained there / would be RlIeu'
therefore fed for safety. because was
unable 10 resist this mob. | am large
| 1ord-oyyner in the county OF AbDeVilie'
and also the owner OF VaiuaDie houao0
and other real estate in the town Oh me-
Cormick Nv wife is there, with our only
child a girl years old, without my
presence and my protection on accouh'
| Of the action Of an armed MOP anu ny
property is without proper care l nav
| committed no crime against the laws VI
nv country. and have done nothing u
gi,,o any offence whatever TO any man
or cot of men. save that am menus
of the Republican party, ana DeheNe u
the doctrines Of that party. l send 'hi'
"a know If YOU as the Governor or Souti
carolina. can afford me protec'ion a.
/. one of it's citizens, and as an eh'pioye'
T 80 .be United states Government, ina
l may return to my family my piUpI no, ,y
and NV business, and be safe from mo-
,,ioIence Answer care of ST. James Hotel
Washington, ID. c.
(Signed) JAMES W. Oi-Di'i ,I,
IYTERFERENCE VERY UNWIsE.
COLUMBIA. s. c., November 10
1r,ited states Senator John L. Mclaurlr
~ south Carolina, who arrived mere "
dav from Washington, in an lnterVie'
4. - tho recent election riots in I'M
t State, said: ,,- .,o ON IN
II "Anv interference at this time on III
II | mart of the Federal authorizes III III
oninion. would be most unWlse. ne eN
Of fro
vet calmed. and any move LOOKING W 81
, !'eN,',,,o would only make bad matter
,,.orso A conservative course on the PAL
90 tho administration would be OF ma
o,1obIe value in restoring things TO tiie
rigbt conditions. The State admliistI a. a.
a. 5oiro all that is necessary at TINS I'm
and II will be most unfortunate Ioi -
Eodoral mower to take any action
cpEENWOOD PEOPLE LAW-ABll
ING.
"since I have arrived In Columpia' t a,
have heard a full statement OF the i''C
" Of the Greenwood trouble, L want "
hack to Washington, where' am 20
Ca ~ can see the proper authorlue
7 can make them see the uh"isuoii
IA | Federal interference. Inc Peo ol,a,,,
rroenwood county are conserVauV
o,iet and law-ablding, and never won
80 adopted such a radical COURSE
there had not been eXasperatlns GUM
= lions of long standing
y" The Governor is using an Tue .a thnir nc
his power to restore 'hlis'
nal conditions. ~
' GOVERNOR ADVISES DELAY.
49, COLUMBIA, S. c., November -, -.
= ornor Ellerbe sent this reply 10 ioiO''
"a telegram: ,,,;u Give Y
NV L
think it prudent for you to return
the excitement subsidies. rppr
= (SigneO W. IL "Governor.
W The Governor will await further co co
r,unications before having anything ih'