The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-04-06
UNWRITTEN HISTORY.
How Bridges, A Negro, Gave The
Wallace House Majority in
1875.

tation. to COl.> D. A. Dickert, of New
berry. Is responsive to a conversation
had between them concerning the
manner in which a quorum was Sc
cured for the Wallace House in 1876.
1t was a Republican representa-
tive from Newberry who gave to the
Wallace House a quorum in 1876.
The three candidates on the Re-
publican ticket from Newberry for
the leeislaturt were negroes. The
three Democratic candidates were Col.
E. S. Keitt, Dr. W. NJ. Dorroh, and
Judge Y. ]. Pope.
Col. Keitt explains that it was his
suggestion. (in response to a state
ment Of President Grant, that they
secured one of the Republican mem
bers to identify himself with the
Wallace House. Just how that was
done, of course, has never been print
ed, but at any rate it was one of the
three negro representatives from New
berry who gave to the Wallace House
its quorum.
In addition to i. B. Whites and
Bates Maffett, who are mentioned by
Col. Keitt as remaining with the ne
gro Bridges all night at the hotel,
Mr.. D. W. T. Kibler was also with
them, and was largely instrumental in
keeping Bridges at the hotel.
The Bridges negroes had been
slaves of Mr.. Kibler's father before
the war, and Bridges at the time he
was member Of the legislature iv-
ed at Prosperity, where Mr.. Whites
and Mr.. Mafett also lived.
The legislature of 1876 after hav-
ing been secured by the Democrats
held a session in TT, and in May ~,
Thomas, the negro representative from
Newberry, was denied his seat or ex-
PEELED from the house on account Of
his; gross contempt and defiant atti-
tude toward the lawful house. Follow
ing his remova: as member Of the leg
islature convention was held in
Newberry and Judge Y. j. Pope was
elected as his successor.
During 1877 Tom Keitt was con-
victed of bigamy and he was expelled
during the session of 1877 and George
Johnstone was elected in his place.
Bridges on account Of having seeur-
| ed a quorum for the Wallace House
served out his term.
The following is Col: Keitt's let
ter which throws additional Light on
| the proceedings incident to the organ
ization Of the Wallace House.
Enoree Plantation, Meh. 80, '09.
Col. D. A. Dickert,
Dear Sir: I recently had talk with
you in regard to Bridges going over
to the Wallace House in 1876 and
what brought it about. Thomas Keitt
(colored), Samps Bridges. (colored), 3,
and William H. Thomas (co), were
nominees Of the republican party in
this county in 1876. Y. J. Pope, E.
S. Keitt, and DR.. W. NJ. DorrQh were
nominees Of the Democratic party. At
the polls we were defrauded and. I
determined to put in a protest and
contest their rights to their seats. I
went to Columbia the day before the
legislature met. That night George
D. Tillnan and I went to the: State
house locked arms, Hampton made us
speech in The house Of representa-
tives. That night after we left Cham
berlain took military possession of the
State house: No one was admitted in
to the State house the next morning
unless he had a certificate of his elec-
tion signed by the secretary of the
State. Hampton made us a speech
from the steps Of the State house. He
requested us all to retire and not
stand in squads in the streets; that
conflict might be avoided. When
all of our members could not get In
the State house Wallace withdrew all
to Carolina Hall where he organized.
That evening I proposed to James N.
Lipscomb that We go to Gary's room
and learn what was up. When we
knocked at the door and were admit
ted there were thirty or forty men in
the room. George Tillman was in the
chair. He rose and said, "Gentlemen,
every man who comes in here tonight
is expected to give his sentiments
what Of tomorrow at twelve o'clock.
Shall the Wallace house go down to
the State house, I said to Col. Lips