BLACK HISTORY MONTH: James P. Mays: Reconstruction politician

156 years ago, Orangeburg sent its first Black politicians to the South Carolina General Assembly. That year of 1868,marked the beginning of the period known as “Reconstruction.” The time also set the pace for the first years of freedom of Blacks since the beginning of slavery in 1670.

James P. Mays was an extraordinary man of great talent and ability. His time in Orangeburg began in 1868 when he was selected to be one of our first Black politicians to serve the people in the state legislature. According to the United States Census, he was born in Canada and at some point came to America and became a soldier in the Massachusetts U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War.

By the time Mays was installed in the Statehouse, he was married to a woman named Isabella. They had one girl named Mary.

On May 4, 1868, the Charleston Daily Courier printed an article on the first General Assembly in the State of South Carolina that included the Black members. “The New State Government — Saturday Last — General Canby isssued General Orders No. 78, officially announcing the ratification of the Constitution adopted by the late Reconstruction Convention of this State, and also the names of the several persons elected to State and Federal offices and seats in the Legislature. The orders also provide for the installation of the newly elected State officers ‘on the tenth day after the approval of the Constitution by the Congress of the United States.’”

For Orangeburg County, James P. Mays served in the legislature from 1868 to 1870.

After his service in the General Assembly, Mays continued his political career in Orangeburg and became a member of the Election Commission, of which he became chairman and served in the post for a number of years.

The Orangeburg News printed on June 20, 1868, “Praise to the Worthy — We are requested by the Deputy Sheriff, to call the notice of the community to the praiseworthy conduct of James Mays, Wm. Myers, and Peter Bonnett, on Thursday of last week. These colored men used all their influence to counteract the pernicious effects of Randolph’s attempting to excite the colored people to dangerous indiscretions. In so doing, they seconded the efforts of Messrs. Sturgeon and DeMars, which were exerted likewise in behalf of law and order.”

(Note: That was Orangeburg’s first Black senator, Benjamin F. Randolph. Randolph was murdered on Oct. 23, 1868, in Cokesbury by three white men.)

On Aug. 31, 1872, The Orangeburg News printed, “Mr. J.P. Mays requests us to state that the statement to the effect that he is no longer a candidate for School commissioner is totally false; that he is still before the people for their suffrages and will not yield to any one until the Convention decides against him.”

Then on April 5, 1873, The Orangeburg News reported, “Appointed — His Excellency Gov. Moses by proclamation (which is published in another column) has appointed Trial Justice J.P. Mays as Coroner of the County of Orangeburg.”

Later, on April 12, 1873, The Orangeburg News printed the proclamation. It stated: “State of South Carolina Executive Department. Whereas a vacancy now exists in the office of Coroner for the county of Orangeburg:

“Now, know ye that I, FRANKLIN J. MOSES, JR., Governor of the State of South Carolina, by virtue of the power and author vested in me by an act of the General Assembly of said State entitled ‘an act concerning the office, duties and liabilities of coroner,’ approved January 27, 1873, do hereby appoint and constitute J.P. MAYS a Trial Justice of said county, as Coroner of Orangeburg, to fill said vacancy, and to perform the duties of said office until the Legislature shall order an election to fill said vacancy.”

As the coroner of Orangeburg County, Mays took on his duty. The Orangeburg News posted on Aug. 30, 1873, “Inquest — Last Tuesday, James P. Mays, Esq., acting Coroner held an inquest upon the dead body of Albert Glover, who was killed by being accidentally thrown upon a rapidly running saw at Whetstone’s saw mill, the day before. A verdict was rendered in accordance with the facts.”

Then in April of 1874, Mays became involved with the case of Orangeburg’s black County Treasurer John L. Humbert. The Orangeburg Times printed on April 9, 1874, “County Treasurer J.L. Humbert who as on last Thursday was arrested and committed to the County Jail upon a warrant issued by the State Treasurer, for an alleged failure in paying over State taxes collected by him. The warrant of the State Treasurer alleged a failure on the part of Humbert to pay over sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000) for which he was accountable to the State. At four o’clock the petitioner sued out a writ of Habeas Corpus, upon which he was brought before Trial Justice J. Felder Myers and James P. Mays.”

In September 1874, Mays announced himself as a candidate for the office of county commissioner. The Orangeburg News wrote on Sept. 19, 1874, that: “He is intelligent and honest, thoroughly familiar with public life, and would make a good officer.”

Mays was successful in his efforts during the elections of 1874. He received 2,946 votes in becoming a member of the Orangeburg County Commission Office. Mays became the chairman of that office.

Humbert was convicted for his breach of trust and grand larceny. On Nov. 6, 1875, The Free Citizen printed, “Pardoned — John L. Humbert has been pardoned by the Governor, and, we understand, is now at home with his family.

“The defendant was convicted at the January term, 1875, of the Court of General sessions for Orangeburg County of official misconduct as county treasurer and sentenced to imprisonment for one year in the penitentiary and fined $1,000.”

During this historical period of Reconstruction (1868-76), the Blacks in our state played a prominent role in the political life in the governing of the people. In the so-called “Compromise” of 1876, South Carolina became a Democratic state again. The move took down most of the Black political leaders in the Republican Party in our state. This brought about the fall of Reconstruction.

In January 1878, James P. Mays faced a number of court cases that were filed against him by the State of South Carolina. Such as: State vs. J.P. Mays for official misconduct and breach of trust and obtaining money under false conspiracy to defraud.

Then in April 1879, George Boliver filed charges against Mays and his wife Isabella. The complaint stated: “To James P. Mays: You are hereby summoned and required to answer the complaint in this action, which is filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County.

“If you fail to answer this complaint within the time aforesaid, the plaintiff will apply to the Court for judgment against you for the sum of one hundred and fifty Dollars, with interest at a rate of twelve per cent per annum from the twenty-seventh day of November one thousand eight hundred and seventy one, and costs. Jas. F. Izlar, Plaintif’s Attorney-Dated March 20th, AD 1879.”

With the numerous court filings against Mays, he departed Orangeburg to an unknown location. The Orangeburg Times printed on Oct. 29, 1880, “Jas. P. Mays, who has been wanted here for some time to answer to an indictment for crimes committed under Radical rule, and who fled the County to avoid imprisonment, is on our streets again.”

By 1881, Mays and his wife had moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. He joined the Republican Party and continued his involvement in politics.

Mays must have been a most likeable person in the political world that he lived in. On Dec. 23, 1882, the Chattanooga Daily Times reported, “Broken Association — A Day of Great Excitement Among Policy Holders — Yesterday was a day of the most intense excitement among the policy holders of the Lookout Birthday Association (Colored), which collapsed, as reported in yesterday’s Times, on Thursday.

“Deputy sheriff C.E. Stanley left for Atlanta Thursday night in pursuit of J.P. Mays, the treasurer of the association, who, it is alleged, left, with all the funds, for South Carolina. The officer spotted him shortly after his arrival, and at once arrested him. Mays made no resistance. A warrant was issued in Atlanta, under the laws of Georgia, and formally served by the Georgia officers, and the prisoner waived a requisition and was carried back to the city on the first train.

“The news of his arrest was telegraphed here and created great excitement. During the day various rumors were afloat, it being the general impression that he had fully $1,500 in his possession; these statements kindled the excitement, and before the train arrived last night fully 150 negroes were in the depot to meet the prisoner; when he stepped from the train, they begun yelling and screaming, and a scene similar to the Tayloy mob was enacted.”

“Mays was taken to jail and was there interviewed by the Times. He stated that he had been connected with the society but one week, and proposed leaving long before he thought the society was in danger of collapsing. He stated that what money he had on his person when arrested was his own and he could easily prove by the bank officials that he had it on deposit even before the association was organized.

“Mr. Stanley states that he is well convinced that the money Mays had was his own and had been in his possession before he became connected with the association.”

On Dec. 24, 1882, the Chattanooga Daily Times printed – -”The Birthday Association – Mays Trial Adjourned to Monday and He Gives Bond – J.P. Mays, the treasurer of the collapsed birthday association, was arraigned before Squire Giffe yesterday afternoon on the charge of obtaining money under false pretense. Mays did not become connected with the association until a few days since, and that the money he has had been deposited in bank several months before.

“In an interview with a reporter of the Atlanta Constitution Mays said: ‘As far as being the treasurer of the association is concerned, I was not, and am not, its treasurer. I bought out the interest of the treasurer one day last week. He stated to me that the affair was in a good condition and could pay all its bills. I paid him ten dollars for his interest. As soon as I got into the concern they wanted me to be treasurer, but I told them that I would first investigate and see what there was in the treasury. In the bank I found $31.98, and on that day the association was called upon to pay $250. I went down in my pocket and loaned the concern $50. I told the other members that the concern had no money, and that they would have to go down in their pockets to meet the bills falling due.

“I put in $25 more. They owed me aside from that, on two policies, $76, making $161 that I was out. I told them that I was going to my home in Orangeburg, South Carolina and accordingly left yesterday. I was arrested here this morning, but as I have done nothing criminal, I have no fear that I will not come out all right.”

Apparently, Mays came out of that situation OK. I find nothing that indicates him being convicted on the missing money from the Birthday Association.

Then on March 17, 1883, the Chattanooga Daily Times reported, –“Saryntha Conley loomed into public notoriety again yesterday by having a fight with J.P. Mays, in which the former was considerably bruised.”

Fitting in with the public was always a part of Mays’ character. On May 20, 1883, the Chattanooga Daily Times reported, “A Protest — The following was handed in for publication last evening: A mass meeting of the colored citizens is called for Monday afternoon at 4 o’clock, at City hall. To adopt a memorial to the city council, protesting against moving the colored school from its present site to a frog pond on Branham street.”

Since 1868, when James P. Mays was elected as a Republican in the South Carolina General Assembly, he continued his support as a member when he was living in Chattanooga. In November of 1884, Mays spoke at the Benevolent Hall in favor of the Republican ticket that had been presented.

James P. Mays, while living in Chattanooga, often had encounters dealing with criminal matters that he became involved in. Such as the case reported by the Chattanooga Daily Times on Feb. 21, 1887, “A Deadly Blow — Policeman Mitchell Nearly Killed in a Den of Gamblers — Shortly after midnight, Saturday night, Policemen Mitchell and Huffaker went to a saloon of J.P. Mays, near the firemen’s hall, and by careful watching discovered that a large number of negroes were in the room playing cards. They at once determined to make a raid and it came near costing Officer Mitchell his life.

“About 3:30 o’clock Chief Allen was summoned and arrived on the scene with Officers Shelow, Duncan and Light, making a total of twelve officers around the den. Doors were burst open and the gamblers were placed under arrest. There were fifteen in the gang including J.P. Mays, the notorious proprietor of the vile hell-hole. Mays was placed under $3,750 bond, which he gave and was released.”

Charges were brought against Mays for felonious assault. The Chattanooga Daily Times reported on May 25, 1887, “Mays Acquitted — The jury in the case of J.P. Mays colored, charged with felonious assault returned a verdict of not guilty this morning, after being out. The verdict was a genuine surprise to every one, and the jury were censured by a number of people.”

Then on July 28, 1887, The Chattanooga Commercial wrote “Protecting the Minors — Will Dobbs, bar-keeper at J.P. May’s saloon, was yesterday fined $10 by Mayor Sharp for permitting a minor to visit the saloon and play pool.”

Mays had to be in Mayor’s Court in May 1888 for doing business and selling whiskey on Sunday. The case was discharged.

On Aug. 2, 1888, The Chattanooga Daily Times printed from the Mayor’s Court — “J.P. Mays you are charged with selling whisky last Sunday. ‘I am not guilty, your honor.’

“Two witnesses swore they bought whisky in May’s saloon on Sunday. Mays said if whisky had been sold it was done in violation of his orders by Dick Gresham, the manager of the saloon.”

The Chattanooga Daily Times then reported on Nov. 13, 1891, “A Cow Given as a Marriage Dowry — A document rather out of the usual was filed with Register Rogers. It fully explains itself and is as follows: In consideration of the love and affection I have for my daughter, Miss Mary E. Mays, who is about to be married, I have this day given to her one milk cow (a dark brown in color), with a white face, to be hers free from any debts or liabilities of any future husband that she may have, and the intention for this instrument is expressly to give the said Mary E. Mays this property as her separate estate, for her sole use and disposition, and J.P. Mays my husband, joins me in this deed of gift. This 11th day of November, 1891 — J.P. Mays and Isabella Mays.”

Then on Sept. 21, 1893, The Chattanooga Daily Times printed, “M.F. Michael, the proprietor of the St. James hotel, and J.P. Mays, a negro had a fight, that is Mr. Michael did the fighting and Mays was the fightee. Mays came into the hotel kitchen to see his friend, the cook, and became so hilarious the he disturbed the guests. He was ordered out, and refused to go. Then Mr. Michael after drubbing him soundly, put him out. He then had Michael arrested on the charge of assault and battery. He was discharged.”

James P. Mays lived a most interesting life in Orangeburg right after the years of slavery. Joining the United States military during the years of the Civil War set the pattern of life that he ultimately lived. His role as one of the first black state representatives of Orangeburg County set the pace for his future life that he would live.

Mays served the people of Orangeburg County in various positions and roles from 1868 to 1879. From Orangeburg, he went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and made his marking on that city from 1881 until his death in 1900.

James P. Mays died on Sept. 5, 1900. He received a military-style burial in Chattanooga, Tennesee, with the rank of corporal in Company G of the 55 Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War.

Undoubtedly, the life James P. Mays was one of a kind that was of the good and bad. He touched many people in many ways.