The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1910-09-01
PISTOL DRAW N
AT LAURENS MEETING.
Attorney General Lyon is Attack
ed by Newspaper Man and His
Confederates.

] s"NtN~ht W ShS oidlC
thus far, when Attorney General
Lyon was the object of threats and
an extremely hostile demonstration
on the part Of J. T. Crews, Henry
Wright and others, following a de-
nunciation by Lyon of w. T. Crews,
whom Lyon charged with RESPONSE
bility for an editorial in the Lau-
rensville Herald reflecting on his
Lyons, honesty. Lyon began his
speech by stating that his princi-
pal object in coming to Laurens to-
day was to reply to the editorial at
tack which he would prove mali
ciously false, and calling the name
Of w. T. Crews in connection with
its authorship.
/ Spectators Mount Stand.
A few minutes after beginning his
speech, and while on the subject of
the editorial, w. T. Crews, his broth
er, or some one near the stand, call
ed @ut, read those other letters"
Lyon replying with emphasis, I'm
going to read all about you" j. T.
Crews, a brother of w. T. Crews,
then mounted the stand, jumping
over the side rail and attempting to
strike Lyon, but was prevented from
doing so by by-standers, Lyon hav-
! ing assumed defensive attitude and
awaiting the attack. Henry Wright,
/ leaning over the railing in an effort
! IN
torney General, who struck at him,
but missed; then Lyon kicked him
i'll the side through the space between
the rail and floor. BY this time
those near the stand were in a state
bordering on frenzy, the entire audi
ence being utterly confused. The
stand was crowded with people, som,
continueing to make threats against
Lyon and others assuring him of
their friendship. For nearly five
minu IS paEdemonium reigned, the
situation being SO tense as to make
the spectators shudder as TO the pos
sible outcome.
Pistols Half Drawn.
All this time, County Chairman r.
A. Cooper, Clerk of Court John +.
Bolt, and several policemen were
making strenuous efforts to restore
order and quiet, finally succeeding
in doing so. Acceding to the ear
nest entreaties of Mr. Bolt, Attorney
General Lyon agreed in order to
avoid further disturbance to refrain
from again mentioning the name of
w. T. Crews.
! Thus ended peacefully an affair,
which, for a while, portended .seri-
Gus results, as during the excite
ment several pistols partially drawn
were seen in the crowd.
During the remainder of the
speeches of the candidates for At
torney General. a policeman sat on
the steps of the stand, keeping his
hand on u revolver in his hip pock-
ct, but it's use was rendered unne-
cessary.
Lyon Warmly Applauded.
Resuming his speech, Lyon said
he was standing for his personal
honor when it was assailed and
would continue to do so. (Applause)
He expected the honest cole of Lau-
rens to hear him. (Applausc) He
had been their Attorney General fol
four years, and will be for two years
longer, he said.
Not if you had any one running
against you," came a voice from the
crowd in reply.
He closed by referring to his ser
vice to the State, and said he expect
ed the best people of Laurens to
vote for him. He made no reference
to-day to his opponent. He was
warmly applaudcd when he closed.
and he was exceptionally cool Gurinf
the perod OF excitement.
Chairman Calls Down Evans.
B. B. Evans began by repeating
charges against Lyon and using ex-
pressions in reference to his opponeI
that probobly were not used before
when Lyon was present. When he
said Lyon was an Infamous liar"
the Attorney General Immediately re
turned to the stand and told Chair
man Cooper that he would not stan4
for such language and intended I'd
resent it, Mr.. Cooper, begging him
he must conform to parliamentary
usages, which was done. More ex-
citement was manifested at this time
Kisses and cheers OF the audience
commingiing, ard It seemed for a