The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 52

pace roua JHE GREENWOOD, SC. ments are Story of The Phoenix Riot' of Nov. 8,1898 IDEAL SHOE SHOP er of the store where the' election fight took place and where the crowd was 'that night gathered. His son, Harry L. Watson, had been one "Fight is looked for.

Some of the Negroes who were shot were, at Phoenix yesterday. Told by James A. Hoyt, of Washington C. vile tendered tf this business, it has growf steadily Mrs. Bolt is' a native of the Piedmont section, and lsmembeof tbe-PUot Club, FLAT? MONET.

MAYBE! lW man had feeen thrown out 'pt a federal relief office. "I only "The Tolbert have not been il harmed today but feeling against owned and operated by It T. Bolt Mrs. Bolt saw apportunity In Greenwood, and "talked up" the town to her husband. As a result of this, Oreenwood has a new ice plant which her husband established here.

Mrs. Bolt is a partner with husband in this ice plant, The Ideal Shoe Repair Shop employs five people, and does thousands of Jobs annually. Because of the fine management and good ser-1 In Pap er Read To Cosmos Glub of Columbia them Is Intense. "Young Miller, who was shot of my closest friends at Furman university, and has remained such until now. Harry was then at the University' of North Carolina and missed the party at his home.

It did not take me long to find out what had occurred in the Phoenix community that day. No one Saves Soles Of People (Continued from Page Two) from ambush last night is at Stockman' and may die; asked," he told Inquiring reporters, "who is going to take care of th(t unthrifty when all the thrifty ani broke." Business. "This message, is phoned to caught the train for Oreenwood; Ninety Six, Kirksey, All Over This Sec-: tion Of State Greenwood from Phoenix. I Bradley and the entire countryside, Oreenwood. Riding With The Hounds kept anything back, and in addi stay here tonight 'and send more Including the upper part of Edge tion to the men mentioned, I knew later if wire not out.

Arriving in that pleasant village, field county." You might know, If you old fedgefield county, personally some of the younger The Ideal Shoe Repair Shop of J. SPECIAL offensively active In politics but in the inflamed of feeling at the time), the fact that, his name was Tolbert was sufficient to get him into trouble. He liter made a signed statement, disavowing sympathy with the political activities -of his relatives, and awaiting his support of "white supremacy." He had been I found It deserted. I knew a number of people there, college friends I had to, stay there, because there Oreenwood keeps right abreast of the times and Is saving soles for trjat site would be there if white supremacy was in any way at men in the crowd; as a matter of fact at least one of them had been at Furman with Harry and myself, was no way to leave. The lear that Permanent and friends of my father, but no people all over this part of the the wire might be cut was well cne was at home; the town was deserted.

All the men had gone to One other had two brothers with state. vi founded, as it had been cut the They do not cobble but rebuild a Confederate soldier. Company JJOf the slain Etheridge. Leland Smith said, "'Jta Ethridge, as kje slain man was. known, was one night before, and this message was sent early in order to make sure it The State company and was afterwards for many years himself a valued employee of -The State at the shoes using the latest methods, Second South Carolina cavalry.

would get They do not simply slap on a new A Cub Reporter's Experience The election; took-place Tuesday, same time I was on the paper, and jf tlie best cltisens of that section. Ale was a brave, calm, public-splr- Later In the night this message for many years thereafter. piece of leather and cut it rudely around the edges and; call It a Job, but when they repair shoes was phoned: the 8th, the seibud Tuesday In No Phoenix. All the conveyances it was the horse and buggy age had gone to the wars. How handy a Model would have been! there was no such animal In those days not In Greenwood.

After much perplexity I learned in some, way that the "bloodhounds had been sent for. Here was my chance. If the 'iJJ'd citon, was shown on more The Reporter and the "Mob" I had my story all right, but how "PHOENIX, S. via Oreenwood. Nov, 9 Fifty whit men are now at Armed Negroes are vember.

It was that day that Etheridge was killed The account of that killing was sent to The State by its for Greenwood Such progress -las wood la making in tne 'annals 'of Industrial History deserves oar appre- elation. know of no better, way, to, this was I to get it to the paper? Please remember, gentle reader of they rebuild the part necessary and perform all work In a very conscientious and painstaking manner. By this method they retain the flexibility of the sole and make the 1935, that there was no such com. supposed to be near in large numbers. A conflict may come at any moment; at present all is quiet.

blood-hounds were going to Phoe plete and convenient system of local correspondent' at Greenwood, an entirely reliable reporter, who sent an adequate story (already quoted). J. E. Norment. then traveling for The News and Courier, was there Wednesday for his pa shoes as good as new, again.

elephones as now exists. In Mr, Reinforcements would be accept nix some one must take them and I went over to the Jail to interview the sheriff, who was the official man one trying occasion. He was a iljvorite with all the people, an industrious fanner, a member of the Bnptlst church, a school 'jid in every way identified with trie beet interests of the commun- He was 35 years old." jjThe coroner promptly that af-'trnoon held an inquest into the 'dtath of Ethrklge, and Leland Jjjnlth was present and reported it Jar The State. It appeared that 'JJien Tom Tolbert appeared at They: are completer equipped ble. with the most modern machinery custodian of the blood hounds.

You "Six Negroes were shot by whites this (Correct number Watson's store also were the men, or at least many, of them who had killed the four Negroes at Rehoboth church, that very day. But there was only one thing to do and might think that the sheriff would per. August Kohn, the coiumoia and have skilled workmen of several years experience. In addition to correspondent for The News and was four killed; two their proba have been at, or at least near, the scene of the trouble but that was this, they use the very best of Courier, who usually covered all bly wounded.) I did It. appreciation than to give to ladies of Green-, p.

wood a modern. perma-fT-i eut beauty service. For years It has been our TM tspeclal privilege to give yt an individual service to patrQn, one clally suited and becoming to her personality. Expert operators give yon pleasant satisfaction. the big stories for the Charleston "Thomas Tolbert's house was fir not the custom in those days.

The leathers and all Jobs are' turned out with an idea of style as well as After nightfall, I called the sheriff, F. McCaslan. did not lack ed into; (results unknown, He was Watson's store, he was accompan- paper, had been sent to Wilmington in the expectation that a story durability. Western Union office at Greenwood courage; far from it, he was in bed, wounded in yesterday tod by "a very tan, oiacx negro, The manager Is very careful in on the phone I could not get Col would break there cn election day, brave and fine gentleman. But if Aid to be Joe Circuit, who resides the direction of this business, em but election day in Wilmington Negroes were to be killed, it was 5' "-'V-v.

passed off peacefully and the Wll no pluce for the sheriff, in that day At Phoenix, that night also was ploys only the, best and purchases only the best of stock to umbla and gave the operator the story to wire to Columbia. It was brief but complete and accurate. It is quoted, in full at another place BEAUTY. PERMANENT mington riot did. not occur until and time.

be used In the repair of shoes. This several days after the election. Kindly as the sheriff was, he was that, Chesterfteldlan Journalist, J. Norment, then of The News and Courier, later private secretary to in this narrative. suspicious of a reporter, especially practical honesty In the management of the business Is constantly Professional Beauty Shop Eighth Floor Professional Bide.

Phone) 2726 istveral miles from Phoenix." When iQlierldge made his remonstrance gainst the special box, 'Tolbert itse from a seat and made a blow 0 Ethridge, striking him in the i fcce.1 Ethridge, according to the $rrt, was also struck a blow with iawsran. "itself sufficient to cause death, followed by the Immediate discharge of a Witnesses As I stood at the in Meanwhile, Kohn left Wilmington and went to Greenwood, arriving early Thursday morning and going one. as youthful and inexperienced Governor Hey ward, and colonel on his staff. He knew something, at bringing Iq, new customers. the back of the store, and talked to But he did admit that he had been the Greenwood operator, the "mob' The Ideal Shoe- Repair Shop' Is to Phoenix immediately.

He was present when Negro, first hand, about riots, for his kinsman had been a victim of the dis asked to send the bloodhounds and that he was preparing to send stood around and sat around In the store. I did not have to ask any one to keep quiet. The if broken Harrison, was killed at Rehoboth them. Then could I ride with the pensary riot at Darlington several years before. Norment also had to hounds? Well, it seemed that it might be necessary for someone to church.

Kohn returned to Oreen-wood that afternoon and sent In his story to Charleston from said Cheatham was also shot at, but he was not hurt. Shooting general, probably 100 shots at all, was broken only by the sound of two knees knocking to take his turn at the teleephone, and my recollection is that our of cour go along and hold the dogs while someone else drove the horse, and gether as a very badly frightened tesy, or perhaps from a more sordid being fired. It seems that the first shot fired killed Ethridge. It also young man talked into the mouth' that is how got to the Phoenix motive, let him talk first Here is the dispatch sent: appeared that Ethridge was not piece- If that story seems somewhat sketchy and excited, It Greenwood that night by wire. With its competitor having competent staff men at the scene, The State probably concluded it should have a special reporter there also, If only for the looks of things.

But riot. I held those flea-infested and restless pups while a very slow horse pulled a most uncomfortable The situation here Is extremely should not be difficult to Judge the beauty and lasting service from "BROWN reason- buggy to the scene of carnage at critical. Four Negroes were lynched this afternoon and the crowd of 600 dispersed, leaving only 30 or 40 men here. Two crowds of Negroes are armed. Tom Tolbert was wounded and left the scene on foot The Negroes ran, but later a party of Negroes gathered at Rehoboth church, less than a mile away.

The whites, from all around, eongregat- Having got that over with, I be Phoenix. all the able-bodied men on The State were in the army. William E. gan to wonder what the reaction of Along the road from Greenwood the men would be, and I soon de to Phoenix not a Negro was to be on each aide of us. and trouble Is Gonzales was captain In the Second 8outh Carolina regiment.

cided to put out pickets around the seen that Wednesday afternoon. Imminent Couriers are out and cided to put out plskets around the There were no children playing in help has been telephoned for from expecting to go to Cuba, in the army of occupation. Ambrose E. Gonzales ru mh uhu own v. wm posed to go after the Negroes and "dirperse them," but cooler head settlement.

Captain Rodgers had the yards; no men nor women Greenwood. Things are dangerous- been made captain: he was a for was in the quartermaster corps, working in the fields. Every house There are only 40 good men mer Confederate soldier, of course. prevailed that afternoon. State Senator J.

M. Gaines, a resident of we passed was without a sign of In a later dispatch, Norment md though anxious to be released after fighting had ctpsed, was kept In the, army because of his excel went up to him and to Captain MM ti' life; doors were shut tight windows the community "naturally became RUeytand told them I would like to "The citizens here consider the were down, and every window was the leader and his cool course pro go on picket duty with the rest of darkened with quilts or other situation very critical An armed bably prevstited fury." Others who make-shift shades. The inhabitants body of men, about 50 In number. them. They at first protested that it was not necessary for me to do are named as exercising their In lent work, but was back at his desk a few weeks, later.

William Banks, The State'sstar reporter, whose vivid powers' of description illumin of these homes were either huddled from Edgefield, 'Abbe- fwence against violence were that, as I was there as a reporter, but I Insisted, and they apparently vCle and Greenwood counties, is here. Reliable Information says that "Postmaster L. M. Moore of Greenwood, Prof." T. M.

Wright J. 8. saw that It would probably, have a Watson, J. V- Duffle and others of the Negroes are arming In considerable numbers. Pickets are posted good effect to let "me so serve, and high repute and known grit." inside, in silent terror, or had fled to some refuge considered more secure.

They all believed that it was not safe for a black face to be seen-This lonely silence was once broken by a sound that proved this fear was pot unfounded the sound of sporadic firing of rifle, shotgun Captain Rodgers asked me If I was armed. I pulled the old Colts from These wise counsels prevailed that Tuesday afternoon at Phoenix, but very different spirit asserted all around and lights are put out. The men are divided Into two squads In a cotton They are prepared to meet any emergency to under my coat but he said I would need a real gun, and handed Itself the next day, and for several the best of their ability. Direct ru. ed that paper's pages for many years, was a soldier in the First South Carolina.

Clarence B. Smith, the steady and reliable. Citadel graduate, was 'an officer in First South Carolina; afterwards to become an officer in the regular army and to retire as a colonel, N. G. Gonzales had only returned from his "gruelling service in the Cuban Army of Independence, and during his absence the editorial chai? had been filled by James Henry Rice, still then on the staff a native of the Ninety Six section himself, E- J.

Watson, me a shotgun. He assigned me to the watch that went on duty from mors Indicate that the Negroes are o'clock to daylight and teamed arming and assistance is needed. me up with Captain Riley, also 'a Evidently the future Colonel Nor the lead, and vengeance and violence held sway. To kill the Tolberts and their Negro adherents became the slogan of the "mob." At least four Negroes were killed the Confederate veteran and a man of ment and I also to become a colo and revolver some few miles away. It was soon over.

The 11 Negroes at Rehoboth church were facing the unofficial firing squad, and four of them were falling dead; two others wounded, one of whom died later. I suggested that we turn off and go to the scene of the firing, but the escort of the bloodhounds proved courage and coolness. In af nel a year later on Governor Mc- ter years, ate many a meal at Sweeneys staff that night shared next day, Wednesday, and two Captain Riley's hotel In Greenwood, keen anxiety for reinforcements. where the trains stopped for din and lots of them. We also shared a lack of knowledge of the true sit thought we better proceed to Phoe the hardest working newsman any of us ever knew -was citv editor ner, and where the chicken pie was famous, and I never saw Captain uation, as Watson's store that long nix, and so we did.

It was a disillusioning ride. But and the entire city staff. Physical Riley without recalling with grati night was probably the safest place for 20 mOes around. The Negroes tude his companionship that night. disabilities had kept him out of the army.

He. and were stationed, if my were more frightened than the when I got there I at once began to wonder how I would get back. I did not not that night. I had to stay at Phoenix, and the telegraph The State had no one in the of whites, and had no desire or In. fice who could be spared.

So in memory is correct down a lane leading into a pasture; pur station was several hundred yards from tent to fight, especially after their office was at Greenwood. When I white leaders, the Tolberts, had left suggested going back to Greenwood the suggestion was very promptly the scene of hostilities. But we had no means of knowing this. No fast the store. It seemed many miles to me.

It was a quiet night. But every time a brush moved in the desperation. The State, Wednesday morning, wired its Greenville correspondent to -gO to tlie scene of hostilities. What a thrill that was for a fellow, Just a year out of col-lege, who had never Covered a realr motor cars, few telephones; bad and quite unanimously vetoed by slight breeze I could see dozens of roads. The apprehension expressed the men there assembled at Phoenix and for very good reasons It murderouadarkies advancing.

But in their telephoned stories by "the ly big story! i would have been a very unsafe ride. two Impounded future colonels was 6 For A Greater Greenwood CONGRATULATIONS TO GREENWOOD COUNTY AND BUZZARD ROOST PROJECT We are glad thajt we are located here in the region of the Buzzard Roost and we sincerely hope that it will be of benefit to us that we, in turn, will be of benefit to all concerned. You will always find a complete stock, of the follow-, ing brands of furniture: Globe Parlor and Queen City Living Room Furniture? McDowell, Table Rock and Bald Rock Bed Room Furniture Dining Room Furniture Alexander Smith and Mohawk Axminster RugS "Gold Seal, Service Bond and Pabco Felt Base Riiga r. more on Thursday. Another died several days later from wounds inflicted on Wednesday.

The feeling among tne white people, already aroused by the killing of Etheridge at Phoenix, and the belief that the Tolberts had incited the Negroes, was greatly intensified by another attack that frame afternoon of Tuesday. Three young men, returning from Phoenix to Greenwood, were fired on from ambush and This gave substance to the suspicion that the Negroes had been organized to attack the whites, whether that suspicion was correct or not. The State's regular Greenwood correspondent, Leland Smith, wired Tuesday night: 1 "Three young white men returning, from Phoenix tonight about dark were firei on from ambush and were badly wounded. Dr. G.

Nell and Dr. R. W. Cobb are with them, and the citizens are making a strenuous hunt for the bushwhak- M. J.

Younger, a young merchant here. was wounded in the foot Cresswell a prominent After showing the telegram to they never came, and after long hours daylight did come; and with it 'great relief. that night, and no conveyance available anyhow. So at Phoenix I my father alio was. a veteran in the news game and the most ac Then we went over to the Watson very real to' them, and reflected the mental attitude of the 40 or 60 men there assembled.

There was nothing to do but wait and see what would happen. curate reporter I have ever known I went over to the courthouse and confided the news to mv friend The expected "conflict" that house, across the road, for breakfast and hdw good It was that breakfast. I got a lot of kindly attention from for I was Harry's friend, and he had often been at my parents' home in Greenville I have eaten in some And stand-byheriff p. D. Gllreath, the "Old Bald Heuded Sheriff," as he called himself.

The sheriff in night did not come. The only "arm ed Negroes in large numbers" anywhere near were those who had been gathered as his' guard by R. stayed that night, and that of itself is a story. I don't have to look up any records to tell it It is an experience that la writ large in my memory. That my experience was not any more unpleasant than It proved to be was due to three gentlemen when I shall always regard princes of men Capt T-, F.

Riley of Greenwood aqd Capt. James Rodgers, of Ninety Six. friends of my father, and J. S. Watson, own sisted ihat if I were going to the wars I must be properly armed.

He splendid dining rooms since that Tolbert at his home. Neither R-' nor any' of the other Tol ent to his high desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a 45 caliber Colts, with a belt and holster, and berts nor any i of the Negroes, had any plan or desire to make an attack on the whites that night strapped It under my coat. "I Stewart Warner (Grady Cole) Radios New Perfection and Ivanhoe Oil Ranges 1 Nu-Idea and Sellers Kitchen Furniture' 4 Tennessee Wooc( and Coal Ranges Porch Furniture of Gliders and Rockers Trunks, Cedar Chests, Tables aad other articles not They were fathered for defense only, and the Negroes of the com WEST END SCHOOL (Colored) munlty were nearly all in hiding terribly afraid for their lives. Feel A I I 211 I IL. 2 A day, and tasted the -very best that famous chefs could produce, but that breakfast at Mrs.

Watson's home that chilly November morning remains In my memory as the most delicious meal I have'' ever eaten. Fear Negroes KOlei This is the story that was phoned in to Greenwood from Watson's store Wednesday night by the cub reporterr "PHOENIX, 8. C-, via Greenwood. Nov- 9 Four Negroes were 'killed near Rehoboth church about 5 o'clock this afternoon by a crowd of whit men. Several other Negroes art Miller, a member of Company A.

First South Carolina Infantry, a son of Col, O. McD. Miller, was wounded. These young men are at A. C.

Stockman's, six miles from town." I ''y It turned out that Ella Tolbert was also at stockman's but the ing was Indeed tense, but as long as distance separated the Tolberts and the aggrieved whites, and as iiieuiiuiieu win ue luunu nere at ui nuiii prjvca iiu terms with a liberal discount for cash. V-W uVt' ini A WARM WELCOME AWAITS YOU AT ALt TIMES li -1 long as darkness prevailed, no further bloodshed was Imminent With daylight came courage, and Is h-h again the crowd. When we returned to the store from the Watson fan house, after breakfast, men were fact was kept secret, lest he be attacked. I visited the Stockman home Wednesday afternoon to ascertain the condition of the wounded men. At that time tifler was raid to he in a serious condition I aVso inquired If Ellas Tolbert was there and was told he was not.

Mr. rtorkman was later sevenly condemned for harboring a Tolbert ruit Ms action was courageous and wl e. ElUtS Tolbert had never been riding up on horseback, and In buggies, from all directions. They had returned home to protect their own families during the night but now were ready to ride again and "finish the Job." As long as the Tolberts were alive, and the negroes who had killed Ethridge. the Job LOCATED JUST ADO VE BUS STATION cnnzrnrccD, c.

c. 'cAuzizzr; escaped. Including Joe Circuit, who shot Ethridge. There has been a large crowd at Phoenix today, but nearly all have now left. "The situation at dark Is critical.

Negroes are gathered a. few miles from here In large crowds. "The number of white: men at Phoenix is small but reinforce- (Continued on Page Five, CoL 1).