Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-07-16
FIELDER OFFERS TESTIMONY.
Sensational Allegations in BleaSe In
veStigatiOn.
CLAIMS T.. LETTER WAS A FORGERY
William ]. Burns the Famous Detective is Employed
and he Presents Lot of Matter Bearing on South
Carolina Affairs.

I that IL Blease had such letter 1t was
forgery and he defied him to have IL
published. Mr. Fielder started to read
some affidavits concerning something
which happened during the Southern
| Commercial congress in Atlanta, but
the committee would not allow them
to be read, and they were privately
handed TO the committee and turned
over to them. These aftidavits con-
cerned the conduct Of Gov. Blease
during his visit to Atlanta on the oc'
casion Of the conference referred to.
Mr.. Fielder said that following the
Augusta conference Burns put two
men to work in South Carolina; that
one Of them operated in and around
Charleston for several months, pos
ing as a big gambler and blind tiger
named Wilson, ana seeking location
there. He said that Wilson's real
name was Bailey and he was received
with open arms by the Charleston IT,
gers. He said that Wilson represent
ed that he wanted to get location In
Charleston and that James S. Farnum
and others were very attentive to- him,
and the result was that he learned
all about the Charleston situation;
that Gov. Blease's second primary
campaign was financed by the tigers
all about the graft situation, "the
protection money" collected by the
constables, etc. He presented docu-
ments gathered by Wilson while In
Charleston. He said that Wilson was
not present today, being away on an
other case, but he was at the disposal
of the committe whenever they want
ed him. In this Mr.. Burns assented.
Fielder gave a lot Of the dictagraph
information Wilson gathered on the
Charleston situation.
In With "Tisers."
Referring to Wilson temporary resi-
dence in Charleston while he was pos
| ing as a gambler and blind tiger and
gathering the leaders of the calling
from all parts of the country, Mr.. Fel-
der said that Wilson was so well liked
by the tigers" that he came near be-
ing elected delegate to the state con-
vention from Charleston.
HE obtained history of Charleston
from Dan to Beersheba, found out all
about how to obtain protection and got
the whole history Of the seamy side OF
the city," said Fielder, referring to Will
son.
my firm represents the Postal Tel
egraph and Cable company as general
counsel Of the southern department.
We represented it in 1900 and in a
more restricted territory" Fielder testi-
fled. "A bill was introduced in the
South Carolina legislature prescribing
a penalty for the delay or non -deliv-
cry Of kilograms.
II went over to Columbia to make
an argument in opposition to the pas
sage of this act. While in the city OF
| Columbia l was introduced to Mr..
Evans and one or two other members
of the legislature. The bill received
J favorable recommendation. We were
opposed to It, / was informed In a
rather confidential way that there was
a legislative syndicate, and in order
to compass the defeat Of the pending
measure it was necessary for me to
| reach the ear of the syndicate. told
the gentlemen that l would be very
much pleased to reach the gentlemen
who controlled the South Carolina leg
islature.
BIease Modest"
| II went down to the Jerome hotel,
where Senator Coleman L. Blease was
stopping. He said in very modest
way that he controlled the legislature
and that If my company was with him
| to come across with the quid pro quo
| (meaning money!. l made it clear to
him that 1 did not represent that part
of the company's business.
| You may expect to have pretty
rough shedding If you undertake this
graft investigation unless you employ
such distinguished men as w. j.
Burns" said T. B. Fielder this after
noon. There is so much corruption
and so much graft in connection with
this case that hardly know where to
start"
Fielder said that he was not afraid
to go to South Carolina. but that he
had been advised by his friends to re-
main away, because if he crossed the
| line his life was in danger. He said
that he knew that mercy had been
promised to one Of the governors
henchmen to put him out of the way
He declared that he had received 500
letters from South Carolina advising
him to remain out Of the state. He
said that his life was in danger In
such a state of anarchy in that un-
fortunate, graft-ridden state" He
said that Blease had sent an emissary
to Georgia to influence certain persons
to use their power with Gov. Brown to
honor requisition papers. Gov. Brown
refused.
Concerning his relations with II. II
Evans of Newberry, Fielder said that
Evans called on him every time he
went to Columbia.
ION one OCCASION" said Fielder. 81
was in Columbia at the Colonia hotel
The card of II. H. Evans was sent up.
knew his reputation as a gun-play
ist He came into the room as mild Gs
a zephyr.
You don't want to send me to the
penitentiary,' said Evans to me, and
the tears were trickling down his
cheeks. did not ask him how many
children he had"
| Fielder said that Evans wanted tc
make a clean breast of connection witt
the dispensary affairs. but that he die
not want to testify before a court.
Tribute to Mr.. Lyon.
In his testimony before the commit
tee Fielder paid high tribute to the
honesty of J. Fraser Lyon, attorney
general of South Carolina. He SAID
that Mr. Lyon acted straight through.