The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-03-05
ASKED TO WITHDRAW.
Colonel James &. Tillman Sends Presi
dent Roosevelt
AN INSULTING TELEGRAk,
Withdrawing Invitation to Hin, to
Present Sword 20 Major Micah
Jenkins. The Facts in
the Case.

Jenkins. The Facts in
the Case.
a special dispatch to The State says
Lieut.. Gov. Tillman was in Augusta
last Wednesday and while discussing
affairs in Washington stated he would
before leaving Augusta wire Roosevelt
asking the withdrawal Of his accept
ance OF the invitation to present a
sword to Mai. Micah jenkins. The
same afternoon he wired the follow
ing:
Augusta, Ga, Feb. 26, 1902.
The President, Washington, D. c.:
A short while ago l had the honor
to address your excellency a letter re-
Questing that on the occasion Of your
visit to Charleston you present
sword to Maj Micah Jenkins Of the
First United States Volunteer Caval-
~, Of whose gallant services you spoke
so highly, your words being engraved
on the scabbard. You accepted the
invitation. for which we thank you.
I am now requested by contributors
to the sword fund to ask that you
withdraw said acceptance.
(Signed) James II. Tii!man,
Late Colonel First South Carolina Vol
unteer Infantry and Lieutenant
Governor Of South Carolina.
Tillnan said: 1T is with much re-
gret I am directed, rather required, to
have to send the telegram l did, espe-
cially in view Of the TACT that I am so
closely related to one who but few
days ago was subjected to an afront
which is seemingly, or the people who
contributed to the purchase Of the
sword think, unwarranted. As far as
] am personally concerned l care moth
ing, rather suspect Senator Tillman
would have enjoyed more the usual
informal meal with his family than
catering to royalty at festive board
where Booker Washington was a
guest"
NOT A STATE MATTER.
Governor McSweeney Thursday re-
ceiyed the following telegram: Till
man wired Roosevelt from Augusta,
withdrawing invitation to present
sword to Maj. Micah Jenkins at the
Charleston Exposition" and d request
for information. This telegram when
received by Governor McSweeney was
not understood by him. He knew
absolutely nothing about the jenkins
sword. It is not an official matter.
The state was in no way connected
with the presentation and Governor
McSweeaey could have no part in the
matter one way or another.
TIE FACTS IN THE CASE.
Inquiry into the matter developed
these facts: Lieutenant Governor
James H Tillman is a great personal
friend and admirer Of Miah Jenkins
formerly OF the United States Army
and be served with distinguished gal
lantry in Cuba with the Rough Riders
under Col Roosevelt, President Roose-
velt in his written history and in let
ter to Co. James II. Tillman stated
that Maj. Jenkins was the braveSt SOL
dier he had ever seen under fire and
complimented Maj. jenkins in the
highest terms for his distinguished
gallantry while in the fight in Cuba.
Col. James. H. Tillman who was in
command Of the First S. G. regiment,
who later on became lieutenant gov
ernor got up the idea Of presenting
sword to Maj. Jenkins, and, went about
the arrangement On his own account.
He raised the money with which to
purchase the sword from about is OF
20 well known citizens Of the state.
GEN. HAMPTON HELPS.
After the sword had been purchased,
Gen. Hampton was solicited to select
from tie letter Of President Roosevelt
one or two expressions Of commenda-
tioo and Gen. Hampton took a great
deal OF pleasure in selecting two sent
ences that were written by President
Roosevelt and which are now engraved
on the scabbard Of the sword. It was
the intention Of President Roosevelt
to be in Charleston on the 18th OF
February, but on account Of the i'll
ness Of his son he could not be there.
President Roosevelt, it was announced,
was to have delivered the sword to his
friend and comrade, Maj. Jenkins, and
the statement is made that President
Roosevelt accepted with great deal
of pleasure the invitation to deliver
the sword. When the president had
to abandon his trip, nothing more was
said Of the matter until Wednesday,
when the unexpected telegram was re-
,ceived.
WHERE TIE SWORD IS.
The sword is now in the Carolina
National Bank, under the direction OF
Lieutenant Governor Tillman, and it
appears that, as he has raised the
fund with which to purchase the
sword, he has taken charge Of the ar
rangements for it's presentation and
custody. As far as it is known none
of the contributors to the fund have
been consulted with reference to the
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