The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-05-17
DO NOT like IT
People Of Florence Resent Action Of
Gov. BIease in Removing
NEGROES FROM THERE
News OF Governor Blease's Order for
Removal to the Penitentiary of
Negro Prisoners Under Death Sem
tence Received with Complete Sur
prise by the People Of Florence.

tence Received with Complete Sur
prise by the People Of Florence.
The News and Courier correspon-
dent at Florence says the article in
Tuesdays News and Courier sent
out from Columbia headed Rush
Negroes to Penitentiary, was a stun
| ner to Florence folks, inasmucn as
lit gave out news emanating from the
Governors Office that the people OF
that city believe was absolutely with
out foundation, for its publication.
and it has caused no little harsh COM
ment of the Governors action. by
not only his enemies, but by some Of
his Florence friends and admirers.
The correspondent says the story
| is considered so ridiculous that Flor
ence folks really take it for State
House joke of the first water. The
Sheriff knew nothing Of the story
until it was shown him by the cor
respondent in The News and Courier,
and then he hurried to the postofice,
where he found the Governors letter
Of the night before awaiting him.
The correspondent says:
Sheriff B:,ch. who by the way.
has never had to carry a prisoner to
the Penitentiary for safekeeping. but,
on the other hand, has faced Two
mobs at the risk Of his life to de-
fend his prisoners, is mortified over
the fact that the Governor has order
ed these two prisoners hustled to
the Pen;tentiary, and states that
there is absolutely no use or reason
for these prisoners to be removed
from the Florence prison and feels
that it is reflection on him if in
sisted upon.
The following letter from the Gov
ernor to Sheriff Burch was received
by the sheriff at eleven o'clock Tues
day morning. the postmark on the
envelope showing that it was mailed
at Columbia, or rather stamped. May
IS, $50 D. NJ. at the Columbia post
Office.
"state of South Carolina, ENecu-
tive Chamber, Columbia, S. c., May
Is. 1911.-To Mr.. Thomas S. Burch,
Sheriff Florence County, Florence. S.
C.-Dear Sir: In view OF the action
| of the Supreme Court against the
two negroes convicted along with
the negro Ham, for killing white
man and. after talking with some
parties who are acquainted with the
facts, think it would be advisable
| for you to bring the negroes to the
State Penitentiary: for if they are
granted new trial it is possible that
they may be dealt with at once or
cause you much trouble, so bring
them on the next train and commit
them to the State Penitentiary for
safe keeping. Very respectfully.
"Cole L. Blease, Governor.
To the above letter the following
telegram was sent in reply by Sheriff
Burch, after immediate consultation
with Solicitor Walter H. Wells. OF
this circuit, and State Senator Joseph
w McCown:
FLORENCE. S. c., May 9, 1a11.--
TO Governor Cole L. B!ease, Green
Vile, S. C..-Have read article in
The News and Courier of today. Sher-
lift, deputy sheriff and I think no dan
ger whatever. Ask to have prison
ers remain here. Sheriff guarantees
protection.
walter H. Wells. Solicitor.
State Senator Joseph W. McCown
wired the Governor as follows:
FLORENCE, S. c., May 9, 1911
To Cole L. Blease. Greenville. S. c.,
care Ottaray Hotel think prison
ers are perfectly safe in Florence