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The Indianapolis Journal
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
What is this article about?
At South Carolina State Fair in Columbia, Governor Tillman attempted to halt W.B. Metz's 'rice beer' sales under dispensary law, mustering an armed posse amid refusals and threats, but no arrests occurred as Metz sold out his stock.
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Governor Tillman Tries to Suppress a
Rice-Beer Seller, but Fails.
COLUMBIA, S. C., Nov. 10.-At the State
fair, yesterday, W. B. Metz was selling
"rice beer." Governor Tillman heard of it
and sent word that it must be stopped.
Metz refused. The Governor told Sheriff
Cathcart to stop it and Cathcart said he
would make no arrests except under a
trial justice's warrant. The Governor, ac-
companied by some penitentiary guards,
then ordered the sales to cease. Metz told
him he would only recognize the authority
of State constables when they were armed
with a warrant. The captain of a local
militia company was appealed to and said
he could not get his company together.
Meanwhile Metz dispensed more beer. Then
the Governor mustered a large posse,
armed them, telling them to shoot if nec-
essary, but to carry out his orders. He
marched at their head. Two of Metz's
clerks were arrested in Metz's absence,
but he appeared suddenly and ran all the
posse out, and said that they would inter-
fere with him at their peril. Governor
Tillman said they could arrest Metz under
the dispensary law without a warrant and
ordered them to do so.
"The first man that crosses my counter
to arrest me without a warrant I will
shoot," said Metz. No one tried it. Neither
would Metz allow his contract to be re-
voked by the secretary of the fair, when
the latter tried to do so at the Governor's
request. Finally, Metz sold out all his
beer and war was averted.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Columbia, S. C.
Event Date
Yesterday, Nov. 10
Key Persons
Outcome
no arrests made; metz sold out all his beer and war was averted.
Event Details
At the State fair, W. B. Metz sold 'rice beer.' Governor Tillman ordered it stopped, but Metz refused without a warrant. Sheriff Cathcart declined arrests without warrant. Governor mustered armed posse to enforce dispensary law. Metz threatened to shoot anyone crossing his counter without warrant. Posse arrested two clerks but Metz ran them out. Secretary tried to revoke contract at Governor's request but failed. Metz continued selling until sold out.