Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1919-10-29
MATTRESS HAS LEFT oCoNRE.
His Presence Here Considered Dam
gerOus to Both Races.
(Farm and Factory, Oct. 2sd.)

| " a +" oAu rdCIOiS, OCt. lou,J 81
For efforts and assertions calcu-
lated to cause trouble between the,
races, w. II. Mattress, negro, has
been ordered TO leave Oconee coun-
ty The demand has the backing OF
the best members OF his race in
town, and Of white people. :.
Mattress was taken from north
bound train No. A; at Westminster,
Sunday morning at 2 O'Clock, and
ordered to cross the Georgia line
without loss Of time. Sheriff w. NJ.
Alexander, Rural Policeman Mitchell
and Special officer B. r. Moss are
said to have been at the station when
tie arrest was made. Mr.. Alexander
told Mayor Lowry Monday morning
that Mattress was taken to the
Georgia line and told to- continue
going South. This was in accord
ance with the wishes Of prominent
Seneca negroes.
The charges against Mattress we're
instigated and rushed largely by
members of his own race. A dele
cation of negroes met white people
of the town here the middle of last
week and reported that Mattress was
believed to be assembling ammuni-
ton and guns for some unknown
purpose. Officers were then investi-
ton with Mattress activities which
had come to their attention.
At the Southern Express office it
was ascertained that Mattress had
been expecting the arrival of a box
for week or more, and seemed to
regard it as very important. He
called so often for it that the agent
took notice Of it when the box finally
came. He found that the box,
labeled from Sears, Roebuck & Co.,
Chicago, ILL.,, contained ammunition
in such quantities as to direct at
tentiOn. Inspection showed, too,
that while the box label showed
that it contained cartridges Of .22
calibre, 1t really contained ammuni-
ton for much larger weapons.
1t was ordered that by one pre-
text or another the delivery be de-
| layed until investigation could pro-
gress further.
Colored people reported to the
| officers that they had good reason
to believe that Mattress was getting
together ammunition and supplies
to be sent ultimately to MATTRESSES
former home in Anderson county
Investigation showed further that
Mattress was in Anderson last
Thursday. He came back to Seneca,
and, being informed that the ship
ment had not arrived, hurried out
and caught train for Atlanta. 1t
Is now clear that his intention in
going to Atlanta was to purchase
other supplies Of ammunition and
guns.
While he was absent officers
searched his home and took there
from two guns, one rifle and one
automatic shotgun. They left one
single barreled shotgun.
mere was some excitement I'm
town when these facts became
known, and had Mattress been here
then there might have been trouble.
Realizing that some action should
be taken as soon as the negro came
back from Atlanta, the negroes
asked several white men to meet
with them and advise them Of the
best procedure In dealing with Mat
tress. They finally decided to de-
mand that he leave the county on
short notice, and resolu ton to this
effect was drawn up by Magistrate
j. N. Todd and signed by five repre-
sentative colored men, as follows:
Nathaniel Williams, NJ. P. Perry, e.
Owens, E. l.. Kibler and H. B. Bias
sengame. Rev. Dangerfield, pastor
OF the colored A. NJ. p. church, wrote
his name across the back OF the
paper as endorsing It's provisions.
| Tho resolution as passed and
signed was given to the sheriff to be
presented to Mattress on sight. Mr..
Alexander found him on train No.
ID and gave him the paper. At the
same time Mr.. Alexander searched
Mattress, and it Is said, found an