The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-05


The town Of Cairo was, Monday last the scene or
most horrible ARRAY in which three white men and one
negro we're killed. From an eye witness who mp
from Cairo Tuesday morning last, we gather the fol-
lowing porticnlars:- -
The negro had committed offence and process or
the Law was issued against him. which being attempted
to be executed BY officer named Tucker he was shot
dead by pistol In the hands Of tho black man Az soon
as the Of the spread the popuace became much
excited, determined on taking suunary vengeance
Tor the bloody deed and to tho
negro. re rttreated towards fla boat belonging TO
MN which was lying ut the river bank holding pistol
in one hand and keg Of powder Of his arms
and wearing he would blow tho whole poodle Of them
up, u they dared to lay Lands On him.
Arriving at his boat he jumped aboard and was about
pushing out, when two OF the officers made their
gro he shot both Of them dead with lhc remaining
charges in his pscl This done the boat being IN
around his neck, and Jumping overheard, instantly
drowned.
The Ne'cs Of yesterday evening contained the follow
1--WE we're informed by passenger from Cairo yester-
day q most horrible Luchcry Of three white men by
negro, and the subsequent burning of the negro ID
death BY the populace Our informant stated that the
negro had committed breach OF the law, and that
on an attempt being made to arrest him. no resisted I'd
The extent of killing ,rcc of the officers engagcd IN e.
The ropuace then took the matter in hand aud after
capturing him. took him on board Of at bos. Of which
he was the owner After tying him securely they pilcS
lot OF combustblcs around him, and set fire to them
then pushed the boat out in the stream aud the wboN
bnrnt up together We did not learn the OF amt
Of the parties and the above Is all the information w
could obtain on the subject"
also
The nesro's namo was Joe Spencer He had lived
long in Cairo, aud many other free negroes are OBJ
served TO be- was very taucy and bold in his intercourse
with the whes. ne owed debt Of some kind and was
suen beioe Justice On the day set for trial he pro
cecded to the office of the Justice, CARVING with him
hss OF powder, viii. hole knocked In its head, ami
also loaded revolver, snd setting the powder il tn
middle Of the noer, aud cooking his pistol aenss ued
Jndf ment in bis favor, and IL II not given no
would blow the hone The court and himself ali to hi
as IN bOrifv kcr~x,
fearful odds, and SO gave Joe jrdgu emit.
,o soGn Is this became Lncwn much Indignation Was
were made against the black man. which hearing no
procured an additional revolver and double barfsed
shot gum and going down with his key Of powder 70 His
ed assault. -
grew dserate took his stand again with cooked pistol
py The side 81 his kes Of powder and swore hat ths hrst
devil All afraid AZ last Joe agreed that too men
should come and talk 10 HIM. While psrlsyine With him
o. ,Se snrsm the powder oyerboard this Joe
a. the whites would loer down intait, he ared Spon
This kind Of warfare eventually cleared the deew.
uncn Joe came soft gan and commenced airing at tho
crowa on shore leading and dscbarsing his pistols and
whites ners hsd,vP oms seven or ssht .. ne
serious, and at last IL determined that the boat
should be set on FIRE and cut loose from tho shore This
Psned through great DANGER Joe keeping up
The boat slow drci out into the stream, While
nshcs 0exau 10 htr huu orthy VIII
lore and aft Tho negro with Astonishing bravery and
resistance, ss kept firing at his enemies even thesgn
the smoke and blaze almost hid Thorn from sight But
the flames gathered cose TO BIN and to those on shers
seemed 10 be wrcathng their tofkcd tongues aroun0
his very lmbs but like smother CaGsabanea, no stood
proudly cefan; on the burning 'ecks "when all around
had Hed.v
moment and be was hid from sight but Immediate
IL vas seen 10 leap high in the air above the famine
boat and aght far ont In ID. turbd stream. Hare n
struggled for short tine, but at last sunk his bed
Above Tho water Ike the snow hake, ia momspt black
then gone forever"