The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-07-26
FIGHT FOLLOWS GRAVE
CHARGES AGAINST
SHERIFF.
Evans Accused Sheriff Sam
pies of Theft-The Sheriff S
Brother "Biffed" a Hench-
man of Evans at This Point.

Saluda, July 24.-Pistols flashed
and blood was shed in fight on the
campaign platform here today dur
ing the speech of B. B. Evans. The
trouble was precipitated by Evans
charge that Sheriff B. T. Samples, of
Saluda county, had been whitewash-
ed "by grand jury for theft" This
caused the greatest sensation that
has yet marked the campaign. Meth
er Samples nor Evans was in the
bloody mixup.
Simon Coate, of Gilbert Hollow, in
Lexington county, who came on the
train from Lexington this morning
and brought B. B. Evans grip to the
stage, and shouted many loud re-
marks in favor of Evans, was the
sufferer. He was knocked down by
Sheriff Samples brother, and was
struck down by the same Mr.. Sam
Piles. He was then dragged, bleeding,
from the stage by several big men.
He had tried to interpose between
Sheriff Samples and Evans when
Samples rose to demand if it were
he that Evans referred to as being
"whitewashed for theft"
Coats was apparently under the
influence of whiskey. Evans has fire.
quently in this campaign charged
that Sheriff Samples stole certain re-
ceipts from him which resulted in
his being indicted for forgery and al
so that Sheriff Samples was a thief.
mot Afraid
He began his speech today by say
ing that he came to- Salu3a fspite
of The alleged xsReft The hsssMas
repeat the charges made by him on
other stumps.
He then began the charge that
Samples had been guilty of dishon-
est acts. Sheriff Samples was on the
stage. Evans made the statement
that man of Saluda county had
sworn to an affidavit before the
grand jury and that the same grand
jury. while in session, did not indict
this man of a charge of theft, and
that he had collected Evans taxes
and put the money in his pocket"
At this point Sheriff Samples rose
and faced Evans and demanded if it
were he that he was referring to.
Evans replied that he had made his
statement, that he had the stage, and
if Samples wanted to meet him he
could do so later outside of the
crowd. Samples again demanded
Evans to answer his questions, but
Evans did not do it.
At this moment, w. P. Beard,
whom Sheriff Samples brought here,
Chairman Forest and several other
men interfered and prevented trou-
BILE, but not Evans nor the sheriff.
Simon Coats was one of those who
interposed and the seat of trouble
was transferred to him. He was try
ing to interpose when Sheriff Samples
caught him and jerked him back
and to the floor. Coats arose anC
persisted in his attempt in the inter.
ference. He approached the sheriff's
brother, who struck him down. He
hit him on the head, inlicting q
wound which bled considerably. He
was hustled off the stage by police.
man. A number of women then tool
seats on the platform.
81 am done with that" little la.
ter began Evans, as he proceeded
with his speech and did not agar
make the charges against Samples
He said, however, that his statement
were based on pure records. Late
he had little debate with Forme,
County Treasurer Walter Thatcher
concerning the charges against Sher
iff Samples, but there was no NOR,
trouble
Evans repeated his charges, Otter
made, on the statement against Lyol
and the Ansel dispensary commission
and these were later strongly denies
by Lyon, who said that Evans
charges were "infamously false"
seemed that in the crowd Evans ha,
some friends, but Lyon was loudl,
cheered when he was announced.
Jones and Blease.
About $500 people heard the can
didates, those for governor speakin,
after a barbecue dinner had bee
served. There was some evidence o
whiskey in the crowd, and after tn
Coats incident, when one man, VIII
was apparently drunk was remove,
from the edge of the stage by an of