The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-10-20

COL. BLYTHE WAS SENT TO CHAR
LESION TO COMMAND
Eight Companies Were Held In
Readiness Friday Afternoon to
be Rushed to CharlestOn-Quiet Re-
stored Last Night.


last hight at 11.3O O'Clock issued the
following statement on the Charleston
situation:
II am advised by Col. Blythe that
the situation is under control and I
hope for speedy and peaceful settle
ment of the entire matter"
Gov. Manning yesterday afternoon
called on the commanding officers of
eight companies Of the Second regi-
ment, N. G. S. c.. outside of Charles
ton, to have their men in readiness to
depart for Charleston on short notice
in case the four companies Of the Ma
tional Guard and the three divisions Of
naval militia in Charleston were una
BILE to handle the rioting and disorder,
which resulted in the death of Sid
ney j. Cohen, reporter for the
Charleston Evening Post, and the
wounding of four others. This tele-
phone order by the governor did not
contemplate the retention Of the mill
tiamen in barracks or under arms,
but directed that they be in O. con-
venient place so that mastering could
be accomplished with dispatch.
The probability Of trouble in Char
lesion was anticipated by Gov. Man
ming. who late Thursday afternoon
communicated with Col. Egbert M.
Blythe Of Greenville commanding the
First regiment Of the National Guard.
The governor sent Col. Blythe to
Charlesto.i instead Of Col H. B.
Springs, commander of the Second
regiment, because it was not possible
for Col. Springs to reach Charleston
in time.
Col. Blythe was given discretionary
power by the chief executive to call on
any part or all Of the military forces
in Charleston if necessary. He left
Columbia early yesterday morning,
after a conference with the governor
at the mansion, and arrived in Char
lesion in time to assemble the men.
He has under his orders the following
companies: A, B. c and D, and three
divisions of naval militia,
81 will give him as many more
companies as are necessary to main
tain order" declared Gov. Manning.
Col Blythe is a most efficient officer
M 5,,Io
ment, and 1 have every confidence in
his ability to preserve order. Feeling
that the situation was acute, 1 chose
Col. Blythe to take command and
sent him to Charleston last night
At 1.30 o'clock yesterday afternoon
Gov. Manning sent the following tele-
gram to Sheriff j. Elmore Martin and
Col. Blythe.
Call on me if you need additional
help. Maintain order at any cost Ad-
wise me as often as practicable"
AS soon as he heard Of the disorder
in Charleston the governor wired the
Charleston county dispensary board to
close the dispensaries. The telegram
follows:
} "Close every dispensary in Charles
ton county at once until further orders
from me. See that this is carried out
without delay. Acknowledge receipt
; of this by wire"
All assistance necessary was offered
Col Blythe and looking to that end the
governor yesterday afternoon COM
municated with the commanding Of
ficers of eight companies of the Sec
ond regiment outside of Charleston,
ordering them to have their men in
readiness, though not under arms. to
proceed to Charleston on notice.
The following companies were noti-
fed: Three Columbia companies and
one company in Brookland under Mai.
T. E. Marchant; one company in Sum-
ter under Capt. Perry NJ. Brown; one
company in Timmonsville under Capt.
j. b. Keith; one company in Elloree
under Lieut.. T. w. Collier; one COM
u.
Poser.
1t was understood in Columbia last
night, the information coming from
an authoritative source, that the Dem
ocratic executive committee would
meet this morning in Charleston at
ii o'clock to canvass the returns and
that 1t would be under mi'itrr, pro-
lection. according to an agreement
reached by both sides.
Gov. Manning, who was to leave this
morning on tour of the Mississippj
valley to study the boil weevil situation
as trustee OF Clemson college, has
postpor ed his departure until the trou-
ple in Charleston has been adjusted.