The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-11-16
FIVE COMPANIES COAST ARTlL.
LERY TO ENFORCE ORDER AT
MILLS IN ANDERSON.
MILLS MAY OPEN UP AGAIN
governor Manning Orders Soldiers to
ENFORCE Wrts of Ejectment
Against Strike Employees.

Iiuck COttOn Mills, residing on mill
property Sunday passed without dis.
order.
After Major Nj. f.. Robertson of
Greenville, commanding the troops,
had announced OH his arrival that he
wished to acquaint himself with the
situation and the mill owners were
loath to drive the strikers out in the
rain, constables decided to postpone
the service of writs until Monday
Reports that the mills might be re-
opened were current and it was stat
ed that the managements would be
guided by Major Robertson's decision
In this matter.
Governor Orders Troops.
Columbia Governor Manning Fri
day night ordered five companies of
Coast Artillery to proceed to Ander-
son Immediately to afford civil author.
ity there to carry out orders Of the
court in ejecting striking mill opera
tives Of the Equinox Mill from houses
and in enforcing the law
The Governor ordered Major Will
liam f. Robertson, commanding the
battalion Of Coast Artillery, to pro-
ceed to Anderson and take command.
He also telegraphed Commander
Crouch, Of the four divisions of Naval
Militia at Charleston, to hold his com
panies in readines to answer a call
The decision Of the Governor to
send the National Guard into An
derson to preserve order and enable
the civil authorities to carry out the
orders OF the court came after all the
civil processes had been exhausted.
The militia companies at once as
sembled in their armories and are
proceeding to Anderson. The Cover
nor ordered the necessary railroad
equipment made ready. BY daybreak
Saturday $50 soldiers were in Ander-
son under command Of Major Robert
son ready to carry out the orders of
the Governor.
The trouble at Anderson began
some time ago, when constables who
went to ejectc strikers from the
houses on the mill property under
ejectment orders from Magistrate Cox
were stopped by sympathetic crowds
Of armed strikers.
The ejectment writs we're then
placed in Sheriff John Fl. NJ. Ashley's
hands, but the Governor received all
appeal from Manager Ligon, OF the
Equinox Mill. for protection, saying
the sheriff refused to act.
The Governor wired the sheriff to
know Of the situation and in reply
ol 4, ;,l
ernor said was "insolent." The sheriff
in his wire to Governor Manning said
In part:
"Writs of ejectment have not been
served yet. | will do this work ac-
cording to my own Judgment and il
that don't suit you, you can send up
here and do it yourself"
Immediately the Governor replied
TO him: Your insolent telegram re.
ceived. l shall without delay take
necessary steps to enforce the law in
spite of your attitude Of disrespect
and defiance of the law and en-.
couragement Of lawlessness"
In addition to the $50 National
Guardsmen who proceeded to Ander.
son there are 200 more in the naval
militia which are being held under
arms to be sent there If needed.
Orders to Troops.
Governor Manning's orders TO the
troops read in part as follows:
!. Being satisfied Of the failure of
the civil authorities of the county Of
Anderson to execute the laws and en-.
force the orders Of court, hereby
order and direct that the following
troops Of the National Guard of South
Carolina report to Maj William r.
Robertson at Anderson. S. c., at once
fully uniformed armed and euuipped
for active service:
First Company G. A. c., Grecnville,
Second Company c.. A. c., Spartan.
burg
Third Company G.. A. c.. GaTney.
Fourth Company G.. A. c., Jones.
VILE.
Fifth Company G. A. c., Greenwood.
2. Maj. William r.. Robertson OF
Greenville. will proceed to Anderson,
at once and take command OF these
forces.
3. Major Robertson will use such
force as may be necessary to execute
the laws, preserve the public peace
and protect the court officers in en-.
forcing the courts orders. and Is au.
thorized to call on me for such addi.
ttonal troops as he may deem neces.
sary to execute the laws, protect the
court officers in enforcing the courts
orders and preserve the peace and
dignity OF the state.
d. The travel enjoined is necessary
to the public service.
Richard I. Manning
Governor and Commander in Chief