FIGHTING FOR REVIVAL - Clemson University

immediately. Gomillion was dismissed in court in the act of self defense. This event
captures the vivacity and violence of antebellum Edgefield, especially its prickly sense of
honor and its public defense. Glover, though from the record the specifics are unknown,
felt his honor had been infringed upon by Gomillion and sought a very public resolution
on the public square. Gomillion, after being accused of a wrong, and then fired upon
publicly, had no choice according to the strictures of honor other than to act in kind. 45
This “fatal recontre” was given extensive coverage in the Edgefield Advertiser,
recounting the events similarly to those described above, and closing with remarks on its
meaning for the Edgefield community:
We cannot, however, as a faithful conductor of the press, and as a citizen
concerned for the welfare of the community, allow this occasion to pass
without calling the attention of our legislators to the pernicious practice of
carrying concealed and deadly weapons; in their hands must the remedy
be found. 46
Taking issue with the concealment of the deadly weapons, and not with the issue of how
these weapons were used toward the destruction of human life, reveals much about the
public mindset regarding violence in Edgefield. Acts of violence were well understood
and even accepted, but only if they remained true to the notions of honor upon which
they were validated. The concealment of deadly weapons was presented as being in
violation of these honorable notions, which only then brought into question the acts of
violence in which the weapons were employed.
45 “The Murder of Joseph Glover by Lovett Gomillion, September 2, 1844,” Edgefield
County Judge of Probate, Coroner’s Book of Inquisitions, 1844-1850; Edgefield
Advertiser, September 4, 1844, ECA.
46 “Fatal Recontre,” Edgefield Advertiser, September 4, 1844, ECA.
24