The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-05-07
TIE MEMPHIS RIOTS.

...
THE MEMPHIS RIOTS.
We give the full particulars of the riots in
Memphis that our readers may see the oninluS
which actuates the uncontrolled negroes in all
parts Of the country. Not alone in Norfolk
have the fruits of the Civil Rights bill been
reaped We look for similar scenes daily in
all the southern country. We submit these
particulars. Extended comments must he re-
served for other occasions, which will surely
come: r-A LIZ. 'Il. to31t| Lto
Memphis May ., 1866 The riot was re-
sumed this morning and contiucd with much
fury until noon, With consequences equally as
disastrous as those OF yesterday. l.lI 4s.a
Before daylight crowd Of some five huns
bred negroes attempted to gain admission to
the fort and secure the arms in the arsenal,
but were defianty met by the commanding
officer, who threatened them with grape shot
if they did not instantly disperse when they
Immediately retired. General rioting COM
menced about nine o'clock, beginning by the
declaration of a negro in a low GROCERY that
every damned white man in the city would be
killed befole the cessation Of lostilities, which
declaration reaching the ears of several white
men, resulted in the violent death of the ne
gro Then the war began in earnest. Start
ling rumors reached the business portion of
the city, aud citizens, arrning themselves with
all sorts Of weapons, rushed .frantieally in,
crowds to the scene of the riot, breaking into
gun and pistol stores as they wept, and ap-
propriating. all the arms they could find.
They were followed by the sheriffs force, the
police force, 6tenent and "a posse, organized
and armed by the Mayor, South street was
again the battle ground. Here the negroes
had collected to the number Of at least fifteen
hundred, bearing aloft a black flag as their
standard and hooting,, yelling and firing in
every direction, - 5, 10. ~. 81. Isl .s.a
Most of them were discharged soldiers,
still wearing their uniforms, and were armed
with muskets. The, citizens charged GU
them, pouring in volley of shot at the same
time, which caused the negroes to run, leav-
ing some fifteen or twenty Of their brethren
dead and wounded on the ground. The re-
turn fire killed one citizen and mortally
| wounded two others. The advantage was
pressed, and the negroes were driven heller
SHELTER beyond the city limits, scattering in
every direction. Various rurnors are ahoa
as to the plumber killed; but it cannot be
less than fifteen have positive knowledge
Of eight l could not learn the names of the
white men Outside the city limits the torch
was applied to several negroes dwellings,
which are now mass of smoking ruins
The white troops finally succeeded in stop
ping the riot, and all is now quiet, with the
exception Of occasional firing in the suburbs.
Violence to peaceable negroes has ceased
But very few make their appearance on the
streets. ~ = :. - 60. ~sf vvf ra
Most OF the black rioters are skulking be-
You'd the city limits, and the white troops, of
whom there are only two companies, are dis
arming them as rapidly as possible
| Some fear an,outbreak Tonight; but think
| that the riot is at an end, as the negroes nave
| been badly i@arstod ard ti1rru is not much
disposition to MODEST them while they conduct
themselves properly, although the fremen
an police are much incensed over the death
Of their comrades killed yesterday, and are
prevented wish difficulty from wreaking turtl.-
er vengeance on the blacks, m t.r 9a.-
| An old citizen, named Ben Dennis, while
conversipg with asnegro barber-in front OF the
Bank Saloen, on Centre alley, to-day patted
| him on the back and remarked, within the
| hearing Of some White men, that there was
negro as well disposed as a white man." or
words to that effect AMMAN stepped up, and
asking Mr.. Dennis if he meant what he said,
shot him through the heart, killing him in
stantly. In the confusion the murderer es-
capped. A man named Keepan was subse-
qnently arrested on suspicion, but no proof
appearing against him he was released, and
the murderer is still at large.
The following paragraph appears in an
evening paper. 1t is regarded as containing
more of teverish Imagination than truth.
As we are going to press we have learned,
on good authority, the following startling
facts: gentleman who resides in the coun-
try some twenty-five miles from the city,
discovered, on night before last, that several
Of his negro employees had deserted him
Tracing them to this city he found one OF
them this morning in dying condition from
a wound he received in the fight last night.
The dying negro stated that the trouble last
night was planned, that he and his compan-
ions came down to assist in it. but it came on
prematurely tonight He said the plan was
to attack the city and rob all the ewelry
stores and banks. The negro has siuce died
The story is rather sensational and finds
little credenee among dispassionate men /
am satisfied that the riot was accidental, and
not at all preconcerted. 1t originated, as
stated IN my despatch Of yesterday, in fight
between negro express driver and white
hickman, whose vehicles collided on South
street. The city has been greatly excited all
/ dey, and little or no business was transacted,
many OF the stores being closed -' E@
hemphis, May 4.-Ones negro was killed
last night, aud one house burned this morn
ing, The city is now quiet
REFRiGERA pORS.
T ARRABEES Ventilated and I'm