Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-07-01


OF the community unless the good sub
stantial citizenship of that community
Is up and doing. He referred to the
reconstruction period when the people
could look out from their houses at
night and see the country IL up with
blazing gin houses and residences fir
ed by ignorant negroes acting under
tie influence of vicious whites. The
understanding is that most of this H.
licit liquor making Is by negroes; but
as IN the old days it is safe to assume
that dangerous white men are backing
them up. The remedy lies in right
cous, fearless public sentiment that
will not tolerate violation of the law
BY anybody white or black-a senti-
mcnt that will follow such leadership
az Is furnished by your fine old mag
istrate here and which will not ask
him TO do it all: but which will back
him up and help him to the limit.
(Applause).
Mr.. w. D. Grist, editor of The York
vile Enquirer was called upon for a
few remarks. He said that while cot
prepared to make a speech. he wanted
the good people of Hickory Grove and
community to understand that they
had his sympathetic admiration in
connection with the problem with
which they were wrestling and he
wanted them to understand that The
Yorkville Enquirer could be depended
upon to do all In its power to help
strengthen and further their efforts.
Rev. E. B. Hunter, Of Sharon came
forward with very practical sugges-
tion based upon information of one
negro having had six bushels of corn
ground at one mill and another six
bushels Of corn ground at another mill
all within the same week. Everybody
in this country knows that no negro
has legitimate use for six bushels
that this corn Is for whiskey making,
means of keeping tab on the moon
sinners, the cooperation Of the mill
ers with the members Of the associa-
ton in finding out who is grinding too
much corn and what they are doing
with 1t.
Rev B. c. Pressly asked of Mr..
Brice a question Intended to develop
how an automobile known to carry
contraband liquor could be lawfully
arrested. Mr. Brice said that any citi-
zen has the same right as an officer to
arrest any violator Of the law; but he
made 1t clear that there must be no
shooting except in the case Of armed
resistance or in self-defense. 1t was
permissible perhaps to shoot into the
tires of fleeing automobile known to
contain contraband; but 1t is with the
understanding that the shooter takes
all risks as to consequences, both as to
hitting the vehicle or the fugitive. A
man would be held liable for killing or
injury to g. fleeing suspect; but an Of
hcer who kills suspected -malefactor
in self defense will be held excusable.
There being no further speeches
and the secretary not having returned,
Mr.. w. s. Wilkerson asked for appli-
cations for membership from the floor.
Two or three applications were re-
ported, with indications that there
would be many more, and 1t was de-
cided that all such applications be
turned over to the secretary In the
form Of signed pledge cards. Mr.. G. W..
Whitesides of Sharon, reported that he
had eleven signed cards and 25 cents
for each one.
with regard to this matter Of ap-
plications," said Mr.. w. S. Wilkerson,
with considerable feeling, 1--WE want 1t
understood that 1t is your active SYM
pathy and cooperation we want, not
merely your name. II you are not 60
ing to help US we don't care anything
about your name or your money eth
er. AS matter Of fact, we don't want
either one. This whole country around
here, waving his hand in wide
sweep from the southwest through the
south to the southeast and east, Is or
ganized against US. And they arc or
ganized too, let me tell you. Magis-
trate Smith cannot move in any direc-
tion without they know 1t. They watch
him like hawk. They've even got
their dogs trained to bark at posses
as they go by, and on the bark Of some
of these guard dogs you hear shot
or two, followed by answering shots
and spreading out until all the distill-
ers in that particular section are
aroused. Yes, they are organized and
we've got to organize and uphold the
law or the country won't be worth liv-
ing in. There is a right and wrong to
everything. The only thing am afraid
of Is to do wrong. But we are right in
this. I am not afraid to do right and
l have no respect for any man who Is
to do right. We might have
a few right in here who are subject to
suspicion; but the majority Of us are
on the square and we are not going to
be very badly fooled I guess"
About this time the entrance door
to the auditorium swung back and
Smith appeared. The rain
haG ceased a half hour before; but Mr..
Smith was still wet and dripping.
coatless, shirt collar open
thin reddish grey hair disheveled,
brownish pantaloons clinging to his
limbs, his kindly face little paler
than usual with an expression more
determined than hard, he presented a
figure which to say the least was
unique. His attitude was apologetic
rather than timid for more than other
wise he seemed concerned at having
gotten in late to a meeting upon which
he should have been in attendance
from the beginning.
Upon the appearance Of Mr.. Smith,
there was an interval of several Sec
onds of silence, about which there
was nothing awkward or oppressive.
Mr. Smith seemed to be getting line
on what the meeting was doing and
the meeting seemed to be taking an
inventory of Mr.. Smith. 1t was con-
cerned first to know that he was all
right and second to hear what he had
to report. Presently without word
on either side, all at once there SEEM
ed to develop mutual understanding
and the meeting broke out In pro-
longed round Of appreciative applause.
Mr.. Smiths face lighted up with a
pleased smile that extended into a
broad grin.
Following a request from the floor
to tell us about It," Mr.. Smith step
ped further into the room and began:
About the time was getting ready
to come to this meeting I got word
that some fellows were working at
a still over yonder Indicating direc-
ton to the southwest), and If we went
right away we could catch them. Well
several of us had been out after this
same crowd last night at one or two
o'clock, and I know that we were
within a few hundred yards of them,
but the rain was coming down in
sheets and it was so dark you could
not see your hand before your face
and we had to give It up" He broke
off here long enough to say: II tell you
this kind of thing is too much on a
man Of my age;" but he said 1t like 1t
was a matter Of unavoidable misfor-
tune rather than otherwise. Then he
went on: II did not like to miss this
meeting and 1 did not want to miss
this chance. You all know how they
watch me anyhow. So I asked Mr..
Slaughter to take charge Of this meet
.