White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-08-27
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN cA1RoI

CAIRo, July 26
DEAR TmEs.-Our city is now in state Of
great excitement. Riot and lawlesslSs ranr.u.
part last night; blood was shed, and the city had
narrow escape from cOnaagration. hasten
to give you the details, 30 far As can gath.,
them.
II seems that number Of slaves escaped from
Missouri, in this vicinity, few days ago. Twas
aScertained that they had made their way to
Cairo, and number Of Missourians came over
in pursuit Of them. They we're here joined BY
number Of the most desperate characters Of
the city, who supposiHg that the fugitives were
secreted among the free negroes of the place,
determined to make search for them after dark.
About one o'clock, this morning, our citizens
who knew nothing Of the affair, we're alarmed
BY the repeated discharge Of firearms, accom-
panied BY the yells Of men and the screams Of
women 1t was terrific, and brought the people
to the streets. A gang of men, armed to the
teeth, eursing the niggers, made their way TO
that portion Of the city occupied by the free
blacks. They surrounded and Immediately COM
meneed an assault upon one Of the houses, for
cling in the doors and windows. A number Of
blacks, including two or three women were in
the house, and as they endeavored to escape,
they were fred upon. No less than ffty shots
were fred, some of them BY the negoes. There
was an instant stampede Of the blacks from all
parts of the city, and they were pursued. and in
some instances fred at. The ASSEMBLING party
declared their determination to drive every one
Of them from Cairo, no matter ut what cost.
One Of our constables was soon upon the
ground, and valiantly interfered in behalf Of two
negro women who were being maltreated. He
also endeavored to force the mob to cease their
violence, telling them that If they did not, he
would have them arrested. They laughed in his
face, and prosecuted their work of destruction.
They entered the house they had broken open.
piled the furniture up in the centre Of room,
and with yell set it on FIRE. Tho constable, al
ded BY some citizens, fortunately extinguished
the flames. A high wind was blowing at the
time, ard II the fire had once got under way, as
was intended, Cairo would BY this time have
been in ruins. Amer performing this act, and
causing Settlement among the negroes,
the rioters retired.
visited the scene this morning. The house
is perfect wreck. The doors and windows are
all demolished, and the weather boarding rid.
died with bullets. There are three bullet holes
in the headboard Of the bed-stead, on which the
women slept. Several Of the negroes were woun-
ded, but none seriously or severely, As / can
learn, although lis miraculous how they Is.
capped. One Of the rioters, whose name is ALL,
was shot by one Of his own party By mistake.
The ball struck him on the chin, and glanced
around his jaw into his neck. His jaw is com
pletely shattered, and all his teeth knocked out.
He is in very critical condition.
The excitement this morning was very great,
the citizens generally eondemning the outrage
Mayor S. s. Taylor called the citizens together
at 10 o'clock, and the meeting determined that
the rioters should be brought to justice. Mr..
NJ. w. Williams was appointed Marshal, and
fifty resolute men volunteered to aid in the AZ ,
rest. They were divided into three squads, and
Immediately marched OF in different directions
in search Of the rioters, one squad pacing up
each side Of the town, and the third through the
center. Each man was armed with 9 six shoot
er, and they went determined 70 capture the n
oters dead or alive. At three O'Clock they had
arrested three-Ewing, Stanton, and LAtting-
The rest could not be found.