The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-27


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saluda. July 24t-overshadowing
the rather mild joint debate between
Governor Cole l.. Blease and Judge
Ira r. Jones the feature of the state
campaign meeting here today was the
excitement attendant upon the first
blood wis shed. but without serious
hurt to anyone.
Mr.. Barnard b. Evans charges
against the integrity OF Sheriff Il. +.
Sample brought that official to his feet
and was the occasion for a score or
more PERSONS crowding upon the stand.
Uncle Slime" Coates. of Gilbert
Hollow. in Lexington. somewhat the
worse for excessive communion with
spirits. found his way between Sher-
IN sample and Mr.. Evans: he was
showed aside by the former. but his
repeated interference was resented
by some one else. The upshot OF the
matter was that Uncle Sime." as he
Is familiarly known. was knocked
down by "a blow from a brawny arm
and fist that made the blood flow free
ly.
MIR. Evans stood calmly to one side.
the crowd effecting a separation be-
tween him and Sheriff Sample In but
moment or so after the sheriff arose
officers were on hand and 1t was prac-
tically impossible for Mr.. Evans and
Sheriff Sample to get together. This
made II possible for the little side
fight that caused such a stir.
IL heat be a feature, the meetign to-
day was a corker. In the hottest lit
tie hollow that could be found i'm ten
Stctes. I'm q grove through which the
sun filtered by the gallons. 1000 per-
sons. possibly one-third of whom were
ladies'. and large representation of
sduailing babies. sweltered In the
terrific heat. swallowed oceans Of
dust. famed themselves. swore with
vehemence. some of them. ami Won
dered why they were here.
Possibly the most noticeable occur
renee OF the day was the collapse Of
almost every seat and stand on the
grounds. except the speakers stand.
and even some portions of that gave
signs of weakening when human inn
position became too great
Candidates, chairman and newspa-
per men were surrounded by a cloud
of witnesses" almost to suffocation.
A breath of air was occasionally
gained by lighting ones way to- his
feet and stretching a neck upwards as
far above the throng as possible.
Newspaper reporters had lively
contest to keep their seats and those
who were forced to sit on the floor To-
keep from being trampled under foot.
vorite with the audience here today.
on his hand primary at least two
thirds responded. Judge Jones. how
ever. In the face Of hostile audience
speech. with possibly a little more
vigor than usual.
Among other favorites were Attor-
ney General Lyon and Major John
@. Richards. Jr.. both receiving gem
erous applause. Both the Governor
and Judge Jones received handsome
bouquets Of flowers.
A new feature Of Governor Blease's
speech today was his declaration that
ne had seen today a letter from Sem
ator II. II. Tillman. In which the Sem
ator again stated his neutrality in the
present contest for the Governorship.
that he would continue so unless some
thing Is proved against Governor
Blease. and that the "slush at Au-
gusta'' had made thousands Of votes
for Blease.
There appears To be some difference
in opinion between Judge Jones and
Governor Blease "a to- the number of
counties each other will carry i'm the
August primary. Today Governor
B!ease said Judge Jones would not
have "a look-in I'm but three of the
counties visited So far. Judge Jones
followed this by saying that he would
not lose fiv" Of these counties. that he
will carry Saluda. and III Blease
doesn't look sharp I'll heat him in
Newberry"
Blease buttons were i'm evidence to-
DAY. many of them being worn by al
mirers Of the = ,ernor. The button Is
a little larger than a half-dollar. bears