American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-05-05
Terrible Array Between the
y Whites and Blacks Last :
b v Eve ming.
Policemen, Firemen, Citizens and
Negroes Engaged in the Array.
One Fireman Murdered, Two Police
.lr men M0rtally Wounded. gH3a.
SEVEN 1HEeReE kILLEDs OUTRIGHT
FULL PARTICULARS OF THE
5rr FRIGHTFUL AFFAIR. sIi-y
TIE NEGROES TAKE POSSESSION or fURT
'l''> rsa'EPtCKeRlNG,os ,ogs al..
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY.

3, GREAT EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY.
One Of The most dreadful riots ths
ever occurred III The city Of Memphis
took place yesterday afternoon between
and 6 o'clock, on South street, near the in
tersection Of Causey street. in which Hen
ry Dunn. engineer Of No. 2 Ere engine
was killed two policemen were mcrtally
wounded and seven negroes killed out
right. The frighlful ARRAY in which
white persons and negroes we're engaged
indiscriminately. created the greatest ex'
element in the vicinity Of the place where
it occurred, and the news spread like wild
FIRE through every part Of the city. PEG.
pie left their stores and their houses, and
rushed in most excited manner into the
streets. Squads were formed and went
off in great numbers to the scene OF the
riot. Rumors Of the most exciting char.
acter few from mouth TO mouth. and the
widest reports were abroad regarding the
numbe. who had been killed and wound>
ed. -.
There were at least half dozen ru-
mors relative to the origin of the riot, but
the real origin appears to have been as
follows A negro was driving wagon
along South street about the time referred
to above, which came into collision with
another vehicle of which young white
man was in charge. Words passed
between the pair as to who was to blame
for the collision; and finding thatthey were
unable to settle The matter by words. an ap>
peal was made to their whips. which they
used most freely over each others should
Fers. No one appears to be able TO tell
who struck the first blow, but this was
forgotten in the fearful consequences that
ensued. While The alteration was going
on, several negroes interfered, and the
young man was In danger Of being NAL
treated, when policeman fortunately
made bis appearance at the scene of &C.
lion. He made an attempt to seize the
negro who was using the whip, when a
Z.
pistol was 'levelied at his head. He
promptly drew his revolver, and two other
members ofthe force came to his assistance.
The riot then became general, negroes
locked to the spot in great numbers, who
ommenced firing at the policemen and at
citizens Unfortunately, and one Of the
officers, James Finn, fell mortally wound
ed at the first yolley, being shot through
the groin with a bullet from a pistol in
the hands Of ia negro who fred only few
PAGES from the unfortunate policeman.
The other officers nObly stood their ground
although almost overpowered by num-
bers.
In few minutes. however, they were
reinforced by members of the fire brigade
belonging to the No. 2 FIRE engine. from
Shelby street station. By this time the
firing bad become general and a large
crowd had collected at the place. Mr..
Henry Dunn. engineer Of No. steamer.
accompanied by his brother fireman. went
CALAMITY to the support Of the officers.
and while doing all 10 his power to quell
The. riot, he fell MORALLY wounded to the
earth, being shot through the head by
negro. The wound was a fearful one.
and the brains pro.ruded from the aper-
ture made by the bullet. This fremen.
who were armed with hose,keys and re-
volyers, after carrying theft wounded
comrade into an adjacent drug store,
where be reeeiyed every attention. but il
was Of no avail returned TO the support Of
their eomrades and officers. Many citi-
zshs from the adjoining streets joined in
tbe' ARRAY, and by we'll directed voIleys
several negroes who had taken an act.
we and an lestlyl part in the riot. were
slain in The ARRAY. . cog g. l.l .a.t
At this time (six O'Clock the riot was
At its height and officers Slauery and
Msllon, The only policemen who had ar
rived on The ground, had fallen severely
wosnded.8 Ia he meantime message
bsd been dispatched to the police Office
lOfS reinforeemes.s,i s0dl fortunately Mr..
Sheriff Wiplsrs hsppeasd to be 10 dbe
sfics at Ibs time. He got into . Eebisle
ssd drove deEa a siPid ss.s Ito theI
sssy yard. to solicit from Major Gepsr.
a -seaemapg thso Gsnsraj commanding
ihis district 8 NE, sssistaBee Of Me
troops under his command to quell the
rot sheriff Winisrsslstest that tbe General
replied. pbea be made the request. that
sstbe slNeas OF Memphis bad psliiiOned
70 lmss lbs,iroOps removed from the ciiy,l
they ~cpId BE- feqaasd TO prOtsc, dhsm :
selves astxs: hey could. 80 be had no
kooPs 81 - dispOspl for tbai, purpose.
The dug bssisg dsvOl'sd On rths Sheriff
70 gBell he tis,urbanse, be toOk TIE most
prompt measures 70 DO 20. He relurned