The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-07-29
ALTERCATlON MARS
RlDGELAND MEETING
Otherwise Peaceful Day
Fight Among Auditors.

shal. Harry Bennett, the marshall be-
came the object of fists and billy
at the hands OF James, Ernest and
Charles Cooler. The alteration occur
red early in the meeting of candidates
for State offices held here today and
was the only thing that marred the
placid surface and undemonstrativc
attitude Of the audience of about 800
persons, many Of them women.
Throuhgout the speeches Of all can
didates, the audience remained indif-
ferent to the various pleas for it's suf-
frage and several speakers failed to
draw applause.
The fight of course, was the draw
ing card, while it lasted, but the fight,
like the entire meeting, began and
ended In silence, with scanty applause
and disinterested observations.
In view Of the fact that close con
nection had to be made to get to
Walterboro, where the campaign
meeting was held Thursday, the
SPSSSiSo VI SahuiudlcS fOf governor
were limited to ten minutes and OF all
other candidates to five minutes.
The meeting was called to order at
10:40 o'clock by w. A. Sauls, county
chairman. The Rev. J. r. Funder-
burk offered prayer.
w. w. Moore, candidate for re-clcc-
ton to the Office Of adiutant general,
spoke first. He advocated that a mil
itary company be organized in each
county, provided the necessary regu-
lations have been complied with.
M. c. Willis, opposing candidate,
charged that the Endorsements of Gen.
Moore were secured while Moore was
on tour of inspection bearing petit
ton.
Candidates for railroad commission
er spoke next. as follows: George W.
Fairey, G. D. Fortner, and j. H.
Wharton.
Mr.. Fortner took j. A. Hunter to
task for putting in" the race for
railroad commissioner by discussing
the Fortner bill. "If Mr.. Hunter"
said the speaker. takes 1t up at any
other meeting, l will show up his
record and put him out Of the race"
Frank w. Shealey and w. T. With
erspoon, candidate for railroad com-
missioner, were absent
B. Frank Kelly, candidate for lieu
tenant governor, IN reply to the
charge Of A. j. Bethea, said that the
reason he resigned from the dispen-
sary winding-up commission was that
1t was impossible for him to attend
it's meetings because Of pressing work
at home.
Andrew j. Bethca referred to his
work in the formation Of Jasper coun-
ty as Gov. Anscl's secretary.
William NJ. Hamcr said that he was
in favor of enforcing all laws wheth-
er good or bad.
J. A. Hunter denied that he was
working against G. ID. Fortner or was
"butting in" the race for railroad
commissioner "Mr. Fortner Is too in
significant" he said, "for me to fool
with"
Just as Thomas II. Peoples, candi-
date for attorney general, began to
speak, an alteration between James
Cooler and Harry Bennett, marshal,
took place. Friends Of the two en-
tered in and there were several fight
ing. A billy" was seen. landing on
the heads Of the combatants, who
were clinching and saying nothing.
Several auditors, among them the
sheriff and candidates, forced their
way between the fighters and after
pulling, and pushing in brute silcncc
finally separated them. Blood flowed
from the faces of Mr. Bennett and
James Cooler.
The alteration began when Cooler
asked threatoningly, 1t is said, GLOW
about Tom Pecples?" Mr.. Bennett
told him to keep quiet, and rcsenting
the order, Cooler clnched. The fight
lasted only few minutes, during
which time many blows were struck.
The auicncc took only short time to
return to its previous impassive mood.
James Cooler, Ernest his son, and
Charles, his brother, were arrested.
James Cooler was released on $25
bond.
Thomas II. Peoples and A. G. Bricc,
candidates for attorney general, made