The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-07-25
S. c., THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1912
KING ANSWERS BLEASE.
Greenville Man Denies Statements
Made from State House Steps.

per to reply to the false statements
made by Cole L. Blease in his speech
at Columbia last night concerning
Mr.. Watson and myself.
The simple facts will be sufficient
for my friends and the public gen.
orally to understand the situation.
Olin NJ. Watson and l went to Co.
lumbia to ask for respite OF 60 days
for a negro, Stake Morris, condemned
to be electrocuted July 26, so that a
largely signed petition for commuta-
tion to life Imprisonment could be
presented later. We went to the
mansion Sunday afternoon after din
ner after making an engagement by
telephone with him and told Blease
our mission. We were in the bed
room and the door shut.
He said they had the sleuths and
dictagraphs after him and he would
not do anything.
We showed him the petition signed
by many citizens and the majority Of
Greenville county officers. He refused
to look at it. I called his attention
to the fact that if anything we're done
it must be at once. I was 80 sur
prised at his decision that said, "Af-
ter all 1 have done for you if you
won't grant this little request I am
done with you.'
Blease said angrily, "Get out of my
mansion" I replied as I pulled on
my hat, Damn you and your man
sion, too."
\ This was in ordinary conversation
and was heard by no one except those
in the room. Mrs. Blease met Mr..
Watson and me as we went down
stairs to the front door and talked to
US and told us goodbye in friendly
manner. She did not know what had
happened.
Mr.. Watson was 80 surprised that
he said to me that Blease certainly
could not have understood US or must
be drunk or CRAZY, and after we got
to the street, he went back against
my advice. He did not stay long az
Blease ordered him out in the same
manner.
I have been a supporter of Blease
for several years and personal
friend. I remember one incident sew
eral years ago at Union. where he
got so drunk he could not get on the
train. I bought a ticket, put him in
seat and told the conductor in
which pocket he would find his tick
ct. It looks like if had been drunk
Sunday and he the friend he claimed
to be, he would have taken care Of
me in his house as I have done for
him, but the difference was that l
was not drunk Sunday, but absolutely
sober.
He claims he sticks to his friends.
Watson and 1 are both poor working
men and we were interested in Stake
Morris because we were sorry for
him. Perhaps if there had been
few hundred dollars in it we might
have been received more cordially.
Blease said from the State house
steps last night that if Watson and
l were gentlemen God pity the ho-
boes."
If he felt this way about ne why
did he write the following letter last
month:
Columbia, S. c., June 26, 1912.
Dear sir: l forwarded you by ex-
press, prepaid, on yesterday a supply
of my books in regard to pardons,
paroles, etc.
please distribute them to the best
advantage possible; and, should there
be any expense connected with the
distribution thereof, please send me
bill, and 1 will reimburse you for the
outlay.
with kindest personal regards
and best wishes,
Very respectfully,
(Signed) "COLE L. BLEASE."
"Mr. James N. King,
Greenville, S. c."
I have no favors to ask of Blease,
but have supported him without re-
ward or hope of reward because l
believed that he was sincere and true.
1 know now that he is neither, and
liar besides.
When he gets ready to have me
turned out of the Red Men, I will be
glad to have him come up and try it.
l am also a Woodman and a Mason,
and think that my record will COM
pare with his any day he wants to
make the test.
I hope 1 won't have to make any