Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-31
BY TELEGRAPH.
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES
From New Orleans.
FIRST DISPATCH. !

II MA procession of negroes, with
flags flying and drums beating, in march
ing toward the Mechanics Institute,
were met by some whites, who were re-
pulsed after endeavoring to dispense
them. Several shots were fred, but no
one was hurt. The city is considerably
excited.
The Convention met at II o'clock.
Twenty-six members were present
The militia will be ordered out
SECOND DISPATCH
Ills P M.-The most intense excite
ment prevails at this writing. lndis-
criminate firing is going on at the corner
of Dryades and Canal streets. Two ne
groes were killed on Dryades and three
on Common streets. Two whites are re-
ported wounded. An immense police
force is out and using every effort 10
quiet the riot.
THIRD DISPATCH.
1880 P. M.-The police are behaving
with exemplary conduct in trying to pre-
vent lynching and mobbing. W. R.
Fish was dragged ont of the Convention
and carried to the lookup" by double
guard of police, amid cheers from the
uopulace and cries of hang him"
The excitement is unbounded.
FOURTH DISPATCH
l.5s P M-The members of the Con-
yention, together with the President, are
being arrested one by one and confined.
A little more order and quiet prevails.
FIFTH DISPATCH.
2:3O P. M--On the meeting of the
Convention at noon, the populace sur
rounded the building. There was an
immense mob of negroes outside and in
side the Institute, but the people quickly
became masters of the situation, and the
building was closely besieged. Seeing
themselves besieged, those inside hung
out a flag of truce, when the police en-
tered TO protect the members, but no
sooner had they reached the hall than
the parties inside opened an indiscrimi-
nate FIRE The flag then was no longer
respected, and every head visible in the
building was fired at This continues,
and it is not known how many in the
building have been killed. Arrests con-
tinue to be made and the crowd is in-
creasing.
SIXTH DISPATCH.
2:45 P N-The parties inside of the
Institute have surrendered in body to
the police. Ex-Governor (so-called)
Hahn was terribly cut up, and some fifty
or sixty men we're killed The dead ne
groes are being carried away in carts.
The military have not interfered The
firing to-day was confined to the police
and negroes. Canal and other streets
are filed with crowds who do not parti-
cipate. Everything looks better now
[sEyENTH DISPATCH
N-The city is quiet, the crowds
on the different thoroughfares having
been dispersed at the point Of the bsyo-
net, and artillery planted within sweep
ing range of the Institute
[ncHTH DISPATCH.
$50 P. MA. Shaw aud J. Henderson,
Jr., we're not killed, as reported, but
badly wounded, and the latter is not ex-
pected to live.
The Times extra says the riot occurred
By one Of the negroes in the procession,
this morning, showing white man and
tripping him. A policeman, who sup
posed that the man had been struck, ad-
vanced to arrest the negro, when he was
met with a volley of pistol shots, bricks,
ETC., which at once produced a general
alarm, and hence the bloody tragedy
that has been enacted. The excitement
has greatly subsidized, and the utmost
order prevails. Mayor MunrOe, previous
10 the riots, had an interview with Gen
Baird, and asked for assistance. Gen.
Baird consented, but the troops came
after the disturbance was over.
The mass Of the good citizens lay the
whole blame upon Gov. Wells, who, they
say, provoked 1t by his proclamation
convening the Convention Of "a