Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-07-26
SENSATION AT GAFFNEY.

campaign.
SENSATION AT GAFFNEY.
Editor DeCamp Brings Personal
Grievance Against Candidate Till
man.
A somewhat, sensational incident de-
veloped at the campaign meeting In
Gaifney. It had its inception in per-
sonal grievance that Mr.. E. H. De-
Camp, editor Of the Gaffney Ledger
had against Lieutenant Governor Till
man. The story of the affair, as told
by Mr.. Norment to The News and
Courier and Columbia State, Is as fol-
lows:
Lieutenant Governor Tillman was the
next speaker who came forward with
cheers and applause and hurrahs for
Tillman. Returned thanks for this and
for past support. Glad to see these
people face to face to let them see If he
is the man painted. Appeals to his
country, and by this to be judged:
standing on his record. Referred again
to the ruling incident In the senate,
then on to the sword affair. Finish
ing these in detail. he found 1t neces-
sary to notice an editorial In the Gaff-
ney Ledger published some weeks ago.
This editorial charged Colonel Till
man with being a gambler. liar and
a drunkard." Colonel Tillman was
reading the article. stopping for Wig.
orous and sarcastic characterization OF
it's contents. The article stated that
County Chairman T. B. Butler and
Messrs. McCraw and Sarratt could sub
stantiate what was said. Turning to
Mr.. Butler. Colonel Tillman asked to
hear from him. Replying, Colonel But
Ter said: II know absolutely nothing
about the statement and the man who
wrote it did so without my authority.
Colonel Tillman was proceeding In
vigorous and sarcastic characterization
Of the article when Editor DeCamp, OF
The Ledger. stepped upon the stage.
and advanced directly to Colonel Till.
man, whom he faced. said: Il am the
man who wrote the editorial and am re-
sponsible for it." Turning to Colonel
Butler. Mr.. DeCamp said: Have you
not been drinking with Colonel Tillman
in Columbian"
mot more than with you," replied
Mr.. Butler. (Cheers).
The crowd was very noisy and Vehe
ment now and the ladies left precipi-
lately, the scene being stormy and
threatening. Cheers for Tillman and
some for DeCamp: various cries and
suggestions to both and general move
ment among the audience. The chair
mans gavel and other noises were
heard. Mr.. DeCamp stood his ground
resolutely and again expressed with
determination his authorship and re-
sponsibility." -.
"Then you are the author Of some
thing Of which you ought to be asham-
ro1ono1 rTillp,on Mr. he.
Camps cool reply made terrific COM
motion when he said: Colonel Tillman.
can prove you a liar over your own
signature" Colonel Tillman requested
him to do so and Mr.. DeCamp went to
his office for the proof. In the mean
time Mr. Caughman, who had been alb
sent tried to speak, but no one heard
him.
Colonel Tillman was proceeding with
his speech when Mr.. DeCamp returned,
producing the two letters below, he
stated again that he could prove Colo
mel Tillman a falsifier and read the
letters which. were in reply to bills
sent from time to time regarding an
advertising account. Following is a
verbatim copy of the letters: .
EDGEFIELD, Jan. 3. 1902.
Mr.. f. H. DeCamp. Editor Grit and
Steel Carney, >. e.:
I have received several letters from
you. enclosing a bill for advertising In
Grit and Steel. I beg to say that
you will find that all these bills made
with Grit and Steel were promptly paid
and in advance.
Yours truly.
(Signed) JAS. H. TILLMAN.
Replying to another bill from Mr..
DeCamp, came the following letter:
COLUMBIA, S. c.. Feb. 12. 1902.
Mr.. f. H. DeCamp. Business Manager,
Grit and Steel, Gaffney. S. c.:
While I am satisfied that I have al
ready paid the bill which you sent to
Mr.. Sherhard, I hand you under this
same. Kindly acknowledge receipt.
Yours truly.
JAS. H. TILLMAN.
Mr.. Decamp maintained that Col.
Tillman knew he owed the account
when he denied it and he also insisted
that the contents Of the two letters re-
vealed this fact. Mr.. Decamp further
remarked as he finished reading the
letters that Colonel Tillman had never
paid the bill and knew that he was ly-
ing when he wrote the letter. Colonel
Tillnnan asked Mr.. DeCamp to hand
him the letters. Mr.. DeCamp refused
to do so. Colonel Tillman insisted.
Mr. DeCamp again refusing. saying
they were his property. Colonel Till
man said he only wanted to read them,
and Mr.. DeCamp handed them to him,
standing by Colonel Tillman while he
read. After reading Colonel Tillman
said:
IF only had one matter on my mind
at once l would have known, but after
consulting my books and finding the
error. l sent him the money due him.
Mr.. DeCamp then wanted to know IT
it took six letters to find out one mis-
take in a set of books. There was much
noise and excitement in the audience,
much cheering and some kissing. Not
majority of the audience by any
means was cheering. Most of the noise
seemed to be i'm favor of Tillman. but
Mr.. DeCamp. who firmly and aggress-
lively stood his ground. was by no
means without friends ana supporters.
Finally Chairman Butler. regarding
that Colonel Tilman's time limit had
expired. adjourned the meeting.
Presidency of Furmnn.
DR.. A. p. Montague has resigned the
presidency of Furman university with
a view to accepting the presidency of
Howard college, near Birmingham. Ala.