Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-12-01
ALMOST A RIOT,

The action OF the police ir arresting
some of the show people for disorderly
conduct came near precipitating a riot
on last Saturday night. Fortunately
there was no bloodshed; but for a time
it looked as IL somebody would surely
lie killed.
The trouble originated at the mer-
ry-go-round. By the terms of the con-
tract between the carnival company
AID the town, the firemen were reoeiv-
ing Il part Of the proceeds, and had
ticket takers to look after their inter-
csts there as at all the other attrac-
lions. Practically everything had stop
ped but the merry-go-round. Previous
incidents had given rise to u suspicion
that the managers Of some of the at
fractions on the part OF the carnival
company, were not acting squarely, and
conditions were such that one ticket
taker could not look after the interests
Of the firemen, especially at the merry
go-round.
The young man who was managing
the merry on the part OF the
carnival company, objected to the
presence of more than one ticket taker
on the part of the firemen, and ordered
one of them off the machine. The fire.
mems representative, Mr.. Chess Young
blood, declined to recognize the order,
and the carnival man grew offensive.
Policeman Turner came up and the
carnival man attempted to push him
away. Blows passed, other policemen
came up and pretty soon the carnival
man was being marched toward the
court house.
A large portion Of the carnival crowd
had pretty well liquored up, and many
Of them gathered about the police with
the evident intention Of attempting a
tracted by the hubbub, swearing and
cursing and shouts Of kill, KILL" etc.,
and most Of these were deputized to as
sist the officers.
AS the crowd passed up street the
carnival people following the police and
their prisoners in a threatening man
ner, Mr.. A. Rose, state constable, ap-
I.eared on the scene with three Spring
field rifles and other arms which he
turned over to different citizens. This
action was unknown to the show men,
and one of them, picking up a large
stone, slipped up behind Policeman
Whitener, as if to strike. w. H. Dun
lap, Esq. saw the movement and pre-
senting revolver in the fellow 8 face
told him to Drop that rock and rum
The fellow did as ordered.
The crowd proceeded on around to
the council chamber, and the carnival
mob began to angrily debate the ques-
ton Of attempting a rescue. 1t was
about this time that Constable Rose ar
rived with his Springflelds, all in cool
determined hands, and when he told
the show people to get off the porttco
to the council chamber they obeyed.
An effort was afterward made to
find the man who had sought to as
sault Policeman Whitener, but he could
not be found. Mr.. Hoss Of the carni-
val management, arrived shortly after
the two erry-go-round men had been
locked ur and secured their release by
putting up $25 in cash for each.
Mayor Willis attempted a thorough
investigation of the matter on Monday
morning; but because Of conflicting
testimony and inability to identify the
various offenders was unable to arrive
at satisfactory conclusion as to just
what he should do. He finally imposed
n fine Of SIS on the two merry-go-
round men. and closed the case.