The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-10-01
AUGUSTA BARS DOORS
TO SOUTH CAROLINA
Militiamen Guard Bridges Across Riv-
er to Prevent Treuble-Lfttle
Danger Within City.

Augusta, Ca, Sept 2S.-Torn and
agitated, her business paralyzed, de-
clared to be in state of insurrec-
ton, Augusta is tonight seemingly
more apprehensive of trouble from the
South Carolina side of the Savannah
river than from her internal waring
forces. The shooting of citizens last
night has dissipated the belief pretty
generally shared yesterday that the
militiamen had their guns loaded with
blank cartridges. With this fact es-
tablished at the cost Of three human
lives, even the most impulsive are
seemingly disposed to find another and
safer outlet for the play of their pas
sions than resorting to the violence Of
mob spirit. But disquieting reports
have all day been Pickering in from
the Horse Creek valley on the South
Carolina side of the Savannah river,
and though at first denied, have fared
threateningly up and again. So per-
sistent were the rumors today that an
organized mob was coming tonight
from the mill towns On the line of the
Augusta-Aiken trolley line to join with
the strikers and their sympathizers in
a demonstration against the Augusta
Aiken Railway and Electric company
that the military authorities early this
afternoon closed the gates of Augusta
against South Carolina.
Guards at Bridges.
Both wagon bridges and both rail-
way trestles spanning the Savannah
river were closed to ali, except those
leaving the city, and with these
strongly guarded by the militiamen
and patrolled by policemen, no one
was permitted to enter the city. Rail-
way trains enterting the city from Co.
lumbia and Charleston tonight were
not interfered with, however, al
though one of these brought in 25
strike-breakers from New York.
A report from Aiken early tonight
was to the effect that crowd of mill
operatives had assembled at Warren
vile, having received intelligence that
the strike-breakers we're to pass
through that place, with the intention
of stopping and turning them back.
There was, however, no trouble at
Warrenville, and the arrival of the
strike-breakers in Augusta created lit
tie or no excitement, which was prob
ably due to the fact that the military
authorities today forced the street
railway company to take off the cars
they have been operating in the city
under police protection and run them
into the car barn.
Martial law is resting heavily upon
Augusta. There are now On duty five
companies Of infantry, two companies
of cavalry and one Gatling gun squad.
The closing Of the city's gates on
the South Carolina side works a Sc
rious inconvenience to the people of
North Augusta, most Of whom find
their employment in Augusta. Going
to their homes tonight, they can not
return to the city until after the
threatened danger from Horse Creek
valley is allayed, and no exceptions
are made to this rule. The mayor OF
North Augusta this afternoon sought
to secure from the military authori-
ties a permit to reenter the city, he
being engaged in business here; but
this was denied him. Several citizens
of North Augusta, who met with the
same refusal, wired Gov. Blease ask
ing if there is no step he can take to
relieve them or at least use his good