The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-08-30
The Town of Darien
Under Martial Law.
Governor Puts Col. LaWton in
Charge of Disturbed
District.

AZ "'SS AAOAS W. Nv Wv Wy !" ~ Wv
of great anxiety and intense excite
ment among the white people. An
outbreak of the negroes has been
momentarily expected since the kill.
ing by John Delegal, a negro, of
Joseph Townsend. prominent citi-
zen and deputy sheriff of this coun-
ty, last night Today Sheriff Biount
sent the following to Governor Can.
dler
"Please order Liberty Independent
troop to report to NE, mounted, at
once Situation critical one deputy
killed, another wounded.
(Slgned) T. B. Blount,
Sheriff.
Col. A. R Lawton, late command.
er Of the Second Georgia volunteers.
o. S. v, also wired the governor to
send a quantity of carbines and
supply of ammunition for the SOL
diers.
Col Lawton was here this morning
to investigate the situation After
conference with the officials be re-
turned to Savannah. When the gov.
ernor received the message from
Sheriff Blount ne ordered Col Law.
ton to return if necessary and take
command of the military He is now
here in that capacity and has enough
men it is believed, to easily handle
the situation.
The sheriff and his deputies con-
tinue to make arrests of the rioting
negroes and the Jail has large num-
Der in it Notwithstanding the fact
that the town boat Iris left here this
morning for Savannah with rs rioters
who had been arrested. This was
precautionary measure to prevent an
attack on the Jail by the negro friends
of those imprisoned and TO make
room for those who have been arrest
ed since the removal.
The situation here is regarded as
critical although with determined
military control it is thought further
trouble can be prevented. The ne
groes apparently have no leader upon
whom they can rely. 1t is estimated
that the negroes outnumber the white
people is this part of Georgia FIVE to
one and the whites are consequently
apprehensive.
John Delegal, the negro who killed
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Townsend and
wounded Deputy Hopkins last night,
cannot be found. He is the son Of
Henry Delegal, whose arrest for
assault started the race war. Tie two
deputies weot last night to the house of
Henry Delegal to arrest ais two sous.
John was found at the house and ToWE'
send entered. The negro made no
remonstrance but showed his willing.
ness to accompany the officers. Hopkins
who was in the moonlight outside was
joined by Townsend and the two waited
for the negro to come out. He came
to the door aud a negro woman, hand
Jag him gun, be fred on the officers.
Townsend died 10 a few minutes aud
vas brought to this place BY Hopkins,
who is badly wounded The white
people thought this would be signal
for attack and many slept on their arms
all night as they will do tonight. The
negroes have remained sulleuly silent
up TO this time gathering 10 crowds and
looking doggedly at the military aud
the cf6cers of the law.
The county officials have offered 500
reward for John Dslegal and Governor
Candler will be asked to increase this
amount.
The IS members of the First Georgia
who were left here two days ago when
old man Delegal vas taken to SaVan-
nah, are patrolliog the town tonight.
All saloons are closed and the strictest
order is maintained.
ARMED NEGROES IN A
SWAMP.