Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1867-07-27
The Franklin Riot.

The Nashville Union gives the
particulars of u riot nj Franklin,
eighteen miles south of Nashville,
on the 9th. A Radical! meeting had
passed off quietly, whdh, about half
past five o'clock, Joe Williams, the
colored Conservative orator, who
had been addressing large meet
ing at Spring Hill, thirteen miles
distant, rode into town, accompa
MED by Alfred Newsom, n colored
man. Williams was pressed to speak
but refused, and hurried on for
Nashville. Newsom demonstrated,
on account Of the jaded condition Of
their horses, and they turned back
Williams was then forced to speak,
The Union says
CAS- he commenced his speech the
deepest interest was manifested by
the large assembly, and their atton-
ton was riveted upon the speaker
as he proceeded. Everything was
orderly and quiet, and there ap-
peared no probable prospect ofany
trouble, though number of the
League were armed with revolvers,
and swords dangled at the sides of
their leaders,"
A number of mean whitcs-in-
ccnsed that the colorcd people should
hear tho truth from ono of them
selvos-got out the "Union League"
which appeared in column, just as
Williams cased speaking. Its ban
ners bore tho inscriptions 2:
Treason must be made Odious,
and traitors punished"
"My policy played out"
"Remomber Fort Pillow when you
cast your vote"
candy cant control Congress"
"Vote the Radical Ticket"
In addition to these, n plain flag
bearing tho names of Brownlow,
Trimble, Elliott, Bean and McFall,
was raised.
The word was given and the dark
column, numbering about two hun
bred Leaguers, all black men, NOV
ed off. On arriving at tho hotel,
they were stopped and addressed by
Mr.. Elliott, who implored them to
do nothing that would lead to dis
turbance.
At the store of John Campbell,
the League were supplied with
twenty or thirty muskets, and then
moved on. A& 70 1T
An old colored man informed a
crowd of citizens that the League
was out for mischief, and there were
instances of negro women in :
forming white persons that their
lives were specially threatened.
At about half past eight o'clock
the League opened fire. A ball
struck Mr.. Michael III. Cody, who
was standing in the door of Houses
store. He staggered little, but
reached in and got a double barreled
shot gun and discharged both bar
rels into the midst of the Leaguers
In a moment afterwards he was dead
and his body removed inside of the
building. 1t seems that particular
spite was felt against Col. House,
and that some citizens had collected
to protect him and his property
Here the fight took place. Both
sides poured in vigorous fire, the
wounded Of Col. Houses party be-
ing carried into the store as fast as
they fell. A large number of the
citizens, hearing the firing rushed
to the rescue of Houses party. Thus
reinforced the little garrison at the
store charged the League, which at
once gave way and retired, taking
their wounded with them, and the
conflict ended. All the wounded
Leaguers were struck with buckshot
or squirrel shot. On Sunday night
six Of the colored League were
stretched, grooming, on the floor of
a hospital, only one of them being
seriously hurt. Williams left for
Nashville as the riot began. Seve-
raj shots were fred at him as he de-
parted. Whites killed, /; whites
wounded, 5; colored wounded, 80,
all Of whom it is thought, will re-
cover Gal. Ne,rs.