Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-11-06


wounded almost to the death before he
killed his adversary. The case Is a
most peculiar one, and there was sur
prise at the mans conviction. 1t seems
that Gibson and the deceased, who were
not acquainted, were at church. Glib
son is blind in one eye. In coming out
of the church he accidentally ran
against Bradley, the victim. Bradley
followed Gibson out Of the church,
cursing and abusing him, and cutting
him twice before he began to act.
Bradley continued the assault, pushing
Gibson back and slashing him with
knife. Finally Gibson fell over a log
and while on the ground fired, manag-
ing to get out his pistol. Bradley at
this time plunging his knife time and
again into his leg. These are the essen
tial points in the interesting case. The
governor took the view that the case Is
clearly one Of self-defense, and accord
ingly granted the pardon.
Statement From Mr.. Koester.
Columbia Record, Monday: Collector
Koester was asked this morning for an
interview as to The States attack upon
him today in connection with the lynch
ing at CASTOR on July 30, 1893. Mr..
Koester said: II was there as report
er for The Register and wrote an ac-
count of the affair, which was publish
ed in The Register. The State publish
es this morning what purports to be ex-
tracts from that report, and I suppose
it was honest enough to give truthful
transcripts from that report. The
transcripts tally with my recollection
of what wrote and have no apologies
to make for my conduct on that occa-
sion. undoubtedly was responsible for
saving Preston from death by fire. The
State publishes a very vivid article
from The News and Courier, intended
as a defense Of my conduct. had
nothing to 10 with the giving out Of
that interview, and never made such
statements as are credited to me in 1t.
do not intend engaging in any con-
troversy about the matter and simply
make this dispassionate statement to
keep the record straight. 1t has only
been since my appointment that the
charge has been made that I did any
shooting at CASTOR. 1t seems strange
that Ole who hates me as bitterly as
does tie editor of The State, should
have allowed eight years to elapse be-
fore preferring such charge. 1t is alb
solutely untrue. never fired shot at
CASTOR and advised various Columbia
friends who were there not to take any
part in the shooting. The facts in the
case are fully known in Washington.
l have nothing further to say and have
said this, not in a controversial spirit,
but simply to keep the record straight,
for want to be Judged upon it."
Befriended by the Governor.
August Kohns letter of Saturday to
The News and Courier: A paragraph
was telegraphed last night relative to
the stopping Of the confetti nuisance,
and how the police were followed to the
police station by large crowd Of small
boys. The incident showed the tender
feeling of Governor McSweeney for
boys and his appreciation Of the trou-
bles of the small boy. Governor Nc
Sweeney has five boys and he knows
that boys will be boys at times. While
the police were making the arrests in
front Of Wright's hotel to stop the con-
fetti nuisance, Governor McSweeney
passed by and 1t was not long before
one Of the youngsters had hold of Gov
ernor McSweeney's arms and was
pleading that he get him out of trouble.
Governor McSweeney assured the lad
that he would help him, but the little
fellow stuck the closer to the governors
arm. He offered to go on his bond or
do almost anything that was in reason;
but the little fellow insisted on holding
on to the governor, and so the two
small boys who had been arrested, and
the policemen and the governor went
to the police station, where everything
was explained, and the boys allowed to
go home on condition that they keep
out of further mischief, and made no
hurrah about the matter. Governor
McSweeney thought that the police
might much better have taken charge
Of some Of the grown men who were
throwing confetti instead Of the little
bits of fellows; but the incident put an
end to the nuisance. Governor Nc
Sweeney told the boys that they would
have to do as the police told them. but
that he would see that no harm came to
them. The boys were followed to the
police station by a large crowd that
wanted to get up a demonstration at
once for the governor; but he insisted
that such a proceeding would be alto
gether wrong and prevented it. The
whole thing was over In a short time
and all that the police wanted to do
was to set an example Of what would
follow If the throwing Of the bits Of
paper was not stopped.