Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-08-13
THE NEWBERRY MEETING
Local Papers Contradict Columbia
State Political Reporter.


State Political Reporter.
There are two newspapers in New
berry, both enincntly respectable.
The Herald and News is a supporter
OF former Governor Blease and the
Observer is an opponent OF Governor
Blcasc. Every newspaper man In the
state knows both OF these papers.
and every newspaper man regards
them as fair and honorable in their
conduct toward all men.
J. Irby koon is a young reporter on
the Columbia State. He goes around
with the senatorial campaign party.
ostensibly to report facts. but really
TO color and distOrt facts. lie has
BicascOphobia very badly, and his
business is to try TO turn each and
every incident no matter how trivial
to the advantage OF his way Of think
Ing Rooms version OF an incident at
the Ncwbcrry meeting as published in
the Columbia State was as follows:
Ncwbcrry. Aug. THE tensest sit
uatiOn OF the entire senatorial cam
Islign developed in Ncwberry today
when the shedding of blood was mar
rowly avertcd. Throughout the meet
ing the atmosphere was surchargcd
with excitement which n single rash
word or act would have caused TO flare
up into bloody wrath. One Of the
~,
pitch that John Henry Chappcll. ar
dent supporter of Cole l.. Blcase, at
tempted to get at Pollock with n
pocket knife after Pollock had con-
cluded his speech and was getting a
breath of fresh air in the rear door
of the court room.
The Chappcll incident had its in
ception near the conclusion Of Mr..
Pollock's speech. Mr. Chappcll asked
the speaker if he had said the sup
pOrtcrs of Cole l.. l'lc;ts" were disloyal.
IL am not charging anyone as being
disloyal." Mr. Pollock said. He was
simply putting the record of Mr..
Blcasc from Blcase newspapers before
the voters. This did not satisfy Mr..
Chappcll. who said something about
Mr.. Pollock. being too much of COW
ard to say so and started towards
Mr.. Pollock, who made an effort TO
answer. but only got so far as TO say,
Now look here, my friends" when he
was admoniShcd that his time was up.
Sheriff Cannon G.. Blcasc and others
forced Mr.. Chappcll back into his
seat.
While James Francis Rice was
speaking Mr.. Pollock and II number Of
others were standing at the rear of
-thc court room. Mr.. Chappell came
back through the rear room with Il
came on Pollock began to give vent
to his wrath 10y cursing. Sheriff
3lcasc and others pulled him away
before the knife could br brought into
play.
Chappell was also said TO have been
on his way to the hotel where the
candidates were stopping as they
were taking their departure for Lau-
rcns on the l o'clock train.
Candidates had been forewarned of
prospective danger at the Ncwbcrry
meeting just as threatening letters
have been received. relative to pend
ing meetings in the Piedmont. Harry
II. Blease. county chairman. also ap-
preciated the ugly mood the follow
crs OF the ex-governor were in, as
evidenced by his urgent appeals that
the candidates be allowed to deli"ai
their speeches. Later he .Seaded with
the infractious ones s6 refrain from
disorders. He was there to maintain
order Also he was closer to his
brother. Cole l.. Blease, than they
We're and stood between his brother
and the speakers if any false state
mcnts were to bc uttered.
\ number of police were stationed
about in the court room and Sheriff
Bcasc and his deputies kept within
II few yards Of the speakers through
out the meeting. Soon after the Chap
pcll incident. Mayor Wright was sent
for and rushed To the court room. The
whole situation was frauGht with pos
sibilities painful to contemplate and
many of Newbcrry's best citizens were
inccnscd over the incident.