Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-05-22
Spirit OF the Rebels.

OplEIt vi INC hcUCISs
The rebel spirit of the South is now as violent as
il was in 1861, and promises to grow still more vo-
lent Posters have been put up in Polk county,
here in East Tennessee, notifying Judge Adams,
loyal Judge, that he can't hold court there See
the following documents
RIOT AT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES DEsPERA-
DOES AT WORK.
The following letter comes frori an unquestion-
able source. 1t portends bloodshed:
BROWNSVILLE, May l3 1867.
Coz. Fm. g. BrOtgnEO0
DEAR SHIT becomes our duty to write you
the present note. To-day there was convention
held at this place for the purpose of nominating Re-
publican candidates for the Legislature, for this
county and this Senatorial district The meeting
was o large harmonious and enthusiastic one Du-
ring the proceedings two coored gentlemen were
introduced, who made telling speeches in behalf of
the great cause which we advocate in common.-
Some eight or ten desperadoes interfered and broke
up the meeting before it had finally closed its labors
They fred upon the unarmed crowd fifty to one
hundred times, but fortunately no serious damage
was done, though several were slightly wounded
The civil authorities powerless to stop this
called for and wicked attempt to break up peace
able and unarmed assemblage of the people or to
arrest the perpetrators of it, backed they were
by large portion of the citizens of the town.
Something must be done for protection, or we
are at the mercy of the enemies of the country.
We do not believe can organize In this section
bring out our candidates, and make the CANVASS
without military aid. 1t is useless to attempt it.
We therefore call upon you, the Governor of the
State in obedience to the military bib passed at the
last session of the Legislature, TO give needed
aid. Act Immediately in the matter as the neces-
sity is urgent.
We omit names for obvious reasonsl
ATTEMPT To PREVENT JUDGE KELLEY FROM
SPEAKING.
Nelc York, May l5.-The Herald's Mobile special
gives the particulars of the riot. He says that
Judge Kelley had been speaking about quarter Of
an bour, In frank and temperate manner, when
there appeared to be disposition to create dstur-
banee on the outskirts of the meeting Cries of put
him down were heard, 70 which Mr.. Kelley replied
Z" tell you that you cannot put me down the Fiji
tenth Infantry at my back, and if they cannot
keep the peace the United States army can" The
tumult suddenly broke out at this point by sudden
rush to the platform. About one hundred people
were on the platform, including many eminent cit
izens reporters of the press, ETC. The rush seemed
to be the signal for the melee to commence The
chief of police attempted TO arrest ring leader
the border Of the crowd when he drew pistol on
him. The cry Of kill him was then raised at the
corner of Byrd street.
MOBILE.
Further Particulars Of the Riot--Four Per-
sons Killed and Ttcenty Wounded The
Leader Arrested and He'd TO Bald Pub
Tic Meeting to Express Disapprobation Of
the Outrage.
MOBILE, May ID have learned further partic-
uars of tie fatal ARRAY of last Hight. AS far SIS
known three or four persons were killed and from
fifteen TO twenty wounded. The leader, David
Files, who fred the first shot at Chief Police
Carpenter is the only arrested. It is said that
he simed directly at Judge Kelley. He was held
to bail this morning in $4,000 by Mayor Wlthers,
but has not yet obtained bonds. 1t is certain that
the attack on the negroes was continued for con-
siderable distance from the scene of action many
were shot FIVE or six squares of. Shots were hred
from the roof of q store kept by Mr. Wolf, directly
opposite the stand and from the windows OF mouse
kept by man named Brooks, at the corner OF Roy
al street. 1t is believed here that shos were also
fred from the size windows of John Forsyths house
editor of the ReoisteT-whch overooks the stand
cannot vouch for the truth of this as sat in front
of the window and the balls must have struck be-
hind me-
Upon visiting the scene this morning discover
cd how We who occupied the stand, escaped so we'll
The firing was evidently too low, as the largest
number of bullet-marks are on the brlek-work OF
espanada Five or six balls struck the front OF the
building to the right and left of Judge Kelley Po-
sition, but few feet wide of the mark. The nre
continued in quick succession for upward OF zen
minutes in the direction of the stand and 1t then
was unfortunately distributed among the crowd.
To add to the confusion, the fire alarm was rung,
which brought an additional crowd to the spot
The rush made toward the stand was resisted by
such of the gentlemen as we're around.
The excitement to-day is SO great that the lnVes
tigation is postponed The Mayor and Col. Shep-
herd will make rigid inquiry into the matter
The United States troops still posted throug
the city squad occupying the front OF the Battle
House. Col Shepherd has acted nobly. do was AZ
the scene Of the riot during the massacre ana mast
ened to the camp to call out the troops de Is now
in Judge Kelleys room in the Battle House me
L.s ~ The 18Th Infantry had all their instruments
.-bos ond their music scattered in the melee.
TI-a KsIlev leaves today on the Govern ment
~, vbick has been placed at his disposal by Col.
eG-Sh-5 IA goes 10 Montgomery II is not
..-h, ;,s;c;ons 10 attempt TO speak aere again.
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