The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-11-01

Considerable excitement was caus-
ed on King street last night when
Policeman Mcdonald was roughly
handled by a number of young white
men In the Royal Ponciana Cigar
Store after he had arrested one Of
their number for blocking the side
walk. Mcdonald was compelled to
draw his revolver to defend him
self and Policeman Dantzler. who
came To his assistance, was also forced
into drawing his gun to put an end
to the trouble. Only one person, j.
B. Smith. was arrested.
hTe affair had it's real beginning a
week or more ago when Chief Boyle
made up his mind to keep King street
unobstructed by groups of young men,
who. he declared. stood for hours at
a time at certain spots on the side
walk. blockading the passage. Chief
Boyle gave very explicit instructions
20 his men to put an end to this prac-
,ice. and at the time the chief declar-
ed that ne would arrest all persons
breaking the city ordinance. no mat
ter how many there were.
For several days after the order
was issued. and after 1t was given
publicity. conditions on King street
improved. But the young men began
again to congregate on the sidewalks
In groups of three or four. and to
make II unpleasant for those who
had to pass, particularly for the wo-
men. who. II Ii said, were often fore
ed to take to the street In order to
get by.
Last night Policeman Mcdonald.
according to his story, noticed a
large group, Of young men In front
Of the Royal Poniciana Cigar Store.
who, though they were orderly. were
blocking the sidewalk. Mcdonald,
according to an eyewitness. went over
70 the young men and asked them
twice not to stand in groups on the
sidewalk. explaining to them that 1t
was against the rules and telling
them that he would have to arrest
them for 1t. The boys crowded into
the entrance Of the Ponciana. 1t is
-Said and Mcdonald warned them not
"a assemble on the street again. a
group az once stepped out and the
policeman seized J. r. Smith. one OF
the group Smith. IL is alleged, imne-
diately offered resistance and made
what seemed to be an attempt to grip
McDonald's club. Mcdonald, It Is
said. struck Smith on the leg with
the club. A general scuffie ensued,
and the fight soon found its way into
the cigar store.
One who witnessed the whole at
fair declared that when Mcdonald
got into the store large number Of
young men jumped On him and be-
gan to beat him, taking his club away
from him and knocking his helmet
from his head. Mcdonald evidently
felt himself to be in danger and as
soon as he could free himself he
drew his revolver. Policeman Dantz-
Ter then arrived from the next post
and also had to draw his revolver.
Most of the boys. It is SAID. then
made their escape. though the police
men succeeded In arresting Smith.
Smith was taken to the Police
station and lodged on a charge OF
blockading the sidewalk. refusing to
move when ordered to do so, resisting
arrest and assaulting an officer.
The affair caused the greatest ex-
element on King street and a large
crowd collected around the cigar
store. II is said that chairs were
/ overturned In the store and that the
place presented a scene Of wild dis
order.
1t is said that number OF young
men In the place at the time were
college students