The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1916-05-17
SAM NICHOLAS SMOTE HIM.
Encounter With New Jersey Congress
man. Fourth District Congressman

Encounter With New Jersey Congress
man. Fourth District Congressman n
Easily Beats Opponent who Starts
Race Question Argument.
The Washington correspondent of
the Columbia State sends that news
paper the following story:
Washington, May 10. News of
how member Of the South Carolina
delegation in the house, Samuel j..
Nichols Of Spartanburg. severely
chastiscd a New Jersey member in a
Washington hotel dining room last
night for remarks which the latter
made concerning the white people of
the south and their treatment of the
negro, leaked out here today, al
though efforts were made to keen the
matter quiet. That the Spartanburg-
er came out best in the fstic encoun-
ter Is quite apparent.
Last night Mr.. Nichols was sitting
in the dining room of a hotel when
the New Jersey congressman came in
and sat by him. In few minutes the
latters secretary also came in and
Joined the party. The New Jersey
man brought up the color question and
told Mr.. Nichols that the people Of
the south did not understand the ne
gro and good deal more along the
same line, none of which was compli-
mentary to the white people. He also
said that his father was an abolition
lst and that he was one, too.
at this point the Fourth district
congressman protested that he did
not care to discuss the negro uucs-
ton, the matter of who was or who
was not an abolitionist or anything
about the subject The New Jersey
man continued his insulting remarks
Ihcn quick as lightning out went
Mr.. Nichols left fist, straight from
the shoulder, landing squarcly on the
New Jersey mans jaw for a good
uppcrcut. The New Jersey man mad
been told what the South Caroiinian
thought OF himself and his ancestors.
III you repeat that will consider
mat have been insultcd," said the
New Jersey man Mr.. Nichols did
not answer but sent another swinging
blow into New Jerseys physiognomy
that Knocked him down good and
hard and there was no a,tcmnt to
rclallatc, although the New Jersey
mans secretary was standing by.
clerk in the hotel, who at first
thought he would interfere, changed
his mind when he saw the South
Carolina blow landing on the New
Jersey face and instead ran out of
the hotel door, making for home, SO
those around said, and only returned
at the earnest request Of the propric-
tor when assured that no harm would
come to him.
When the story leaked out here TO-
day Mr.. Nichols was asked for q
statement concerning the matter and
was reluctant to make it public.
however. he said that if all the facts
were given he had no objection TO
thclr publication. He stated that he
regretted the matter very much but
mat when the New Jersey man had
cast aspcrSions on the south there
was nothing to do but slap his face"
which he apparently did until pulled
Off
This morning the New Jersey man.
ai'er getting good drubbing at the
hands OF the South Carolinian last
hisht' sent an apology for his par;
IN thc encounter, if. i'm fact il can be
Sald That he had any part cXccpt his
remarks concerning the south ana
MS pecu!iar feeling when he came in
sudden and unexpected contact with
the dining room floor.