The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-09-07
CAMDEN CITIZENS ENRAGED.
Incendiary Circular Issued BY Ne
groes Caused Excitement-Denial
BY Alleged Authors.
The State.

ence in our midst today by the distri-
button Of revolutionary propaganda
the surprise and indignation would
not have exceeded that which followed
the finding on the streets Of sodi-
tious circular this morning which was
ostcnsibly the work of half score of
Camden s most prominent negro cit
liens.
A gentleman walking on Broad
street came on the disturbing docu-
ment and upon noting its incendiary
character turned it over to a friend
who in turn posted it in his store win
dow. 1t read as follows:
"Private notice: Let every colored
man who gets this notice and who is
interested in his rights meet at Rev. 7.
j. Williams house on Sept. 9th at 8
p. m. Not long ago letter was pub
lishcd prnising the white people and
abusing our people. They are the same
white people who not longer than two
years ago called some of our best men
before them and also drove some of
our best boys from home. We have
some of the meanest white people in
the State who inspired that letter.
"We desire to collect money to de-
fcnd the boys who had the manhood to
resent the insult. Come out. Com
mittcc. a. w. Powell, Walter Will
liamS. S. b. Gardncs, Geo. Mclean,
Jr., {. W. Cantcy, Isaac English, f..
III. Dbblc. Evans Collins. Jack Me-
Kahn. BY order of Rev. ". J. Will
liams, Rev. Jeff w. Boykin. Rev. J.
Il. Taylor.'
Excited Crowds Gathered.
In Il few minutes after the circular
was exposed to view crowds of excited
white men began to congrcgate on the
streets and it was evident that some
thin" would have t" be done very soon
or trouble would follow.
Mayor Garrison WAS advised of the
situation and in less than half an hour
after the circular had been discovered
he had the men whose names appeared
thereon before him in the city attor-
ney'S office.
An explanation was demanded and
its sum and substance was Il complete,
absolute and unconditional denial of
any knowledge of or participation in
the preparation of the circular. They
punrtuntrd their very positive denial
of completely in the affair with feel
ing assurances of high regard for the
white people of Camden, and finally
frankly asserted that the circular was
the work of one Charles Levy, color
ed man who has recently shown his
mta%onism to his race.
Mr.. Garrison talked to them very
earnestly and positively, admonishing
them that it was essential for them
to get together and prove their inno-
ccnce if they would retain the respect
in which they were held by the white
citizens of Camden. He reminded
them of the good feeling which has
heretofore prevailed between the
races in this city and impressed on
them that this was very serious ar
raiYnmcnt, striking at the very hca":.
of good feeling and confidence which
only their own earnest personal cf-
forts could now completely Y diSpel.
The c"lorcd men seem to be deeply
chagrinrd at the position in which
they have been placed and Indicate
their full determination to sift the
matter to the hnttum and reveal the
real culprit. The following statement
was handed to this reporter this after
noon.
Statement Of Denial.
"Wc, the undersigned citizens
whose names appear upon Il circular
which has been circulated in this city
and community, desire to say that we
have no knowledge whatsoever as to
the origin of this circular. There has
been no intimation or effort to our
knowledge Of any attempt to hold
such meeting by us or any other
colored citizens. We regard the cir
cnlator as wilful and malicious sland-
Nerer and dangerous person to have
in our community. f.. H. Dibble, j.
w. Boykin, C. w. Mclean, Jr., T. J.
Williams, I. B. English, Walter w.
Williams, S. B. Gardner
Charles Levy, who is charged with
the authorship Of the circular, is a