Des Arc citizen., 1866-05-12
TIIE MEMPIIIS RIOT.

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 THE MEMPHIS RIOT.
 Late Memphis papers arc filled with such aggravated statements of the riot which occurred in that city 2nd and Sd insts.. that it is almost impossible to arrive at reasonable conclusions concerning it, We give the following article from the Bulletin of thei7th, without comment, as it is sufficiently explicit to need no dc- tailed explanations: ''''s
 The riots of Tuesday and Wednesday, now that they have passed away, can De referred to and convcrscd about by all classes in tue c.community. The origin of the riots seems destined to be buried in oblivion, for it seems impossible even four days after the occurrences to trace the real cause of the disturbances. That the riots were unpremeditatcd there is hardly one person insthe community will dare to deny. The cause was simply this: A negro and q white man got into an altercation on South strcet on the afternoon of Tuesday, and from words caiiie to blows. A couple of policemen intcrferrod to stop the dis turbance, several negroes came to the as sistance of their comradc and the riot be. came general While the row was in progress, and the police were about to be ovorpowered, Henry Dunn, the engineer of engine 2, made his appearance on the ground IIc went to the assistance of the police, as it was his duty as n fireman to do, and easily feel victim. He was shot down few minutes after he entered the struggle, and after lingering in tho great est agony for several hours he expired. While the TOW was ill progress, officers Slattcry and Stephens were also wounded, the. latter mortally. Faint hopes were entertained that Stephens would recover, but although everything was done which medical hid could suggest, he gradually sank until death put and end to his suffer ings on Friday evening. The medical gentlemen in attendance on officer Shtter ly and citizen named Finn, who was also wounded, are sanguine they will recover.
 Four negroes in all were shot down du- ring the riot on Tuesday night, all of whom died from their wounds. On the morning of "Wednesday the disturbances were resumed near the Memphis and Charleston depot. By this time the mili- tary had been called out, and acting in conjunction with the police and a posse coplitdtusI under the command of Sheriff, Winters, the negroes were quickly dis persed, after four of thcir number had been shot down.
 All the citizens were of opinion thattlfe disturbances were not ut an end, as the negroes had retreated to Fort Pickering, but their hopes were not realizcd.i Short ly after eight o'clock ill the evening, q bright lurid glare was to be observed creeping gradually over the southern ho- rizon, and the news soon reached the city that the mob, acting under tho bad coun- sels of their leaders, had fired q school house and several negro cabins in South Memphis. The fremen turned promptly out, but owing to the great scarcity of war ter, they were unable to stay the deyouring element In the disturbance which took place, four negroes were shot down, and pistols and knives freely used on both sides. .ay M. M ;,
 Fires took place during the night in va rieas parts of the city, and the greatest excitement prevailed among the citizens, Before the moraing' ssun rose no less than three colored chrrchcs, four colorcd schools, and about thirty cabins had fallen prey to tho devouring element.
 The number killed during these unfor- tunate disturbances, which all good law abiding citizens regret in the most heart felt manner, were as, fellows: Henry Dunn, engineer'of No 26 fire engine, and officer Stephens, of the police force. Twelve negroes, in all, were killed during the riots. Four were killed the first even ing, Tuesday, four on the following morn ing, and four, including woman named l,achel, while the fires were in progress during "Wednesday evening
 There has been great amount of de bate relative to the origin of the riot aud the parties who were engaged in it. The testimony in regard to all these partieu
 ars is most conflicting, but all agree or
 lie thing, that those who engaged in the
 lot were persons of irresponsible character
 nd it will be unfair to charge these unto
 iard disturbances to the good law abiding
 itizens of the city of Memphis.
 Inc Test Oath of Missouri Unc0nStitu