Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-05-08
OUTRAGE In TENNESSEE.
Particulars of the Diabolical Affair
in Henry County.
Federal Soldiers Alone in the
Gang.

From the Paris (Tenn.) Intelligencer. 4th.l
Tho most shocking outrage which it
was ever our duty as local journalist to
chronicle, was committed in this vicinity
on last Saturday night, at a negro quar-
ter on the premises of DR.. +. 4. Porter,
two miles from this place. Deeency and
common regard for public modesty for
bid us giving minute account OF the
transaction, while public morality and a
sense of justice to all parties concerned
will not permit us to pass it over in entire
silence, sickening and disgusting as all
its details may be- We therefore submit
the following outline of facts as ELECTED
by the fearful judicial Investigation which
was made into the affair.
At the time and place before mentioned
the negroes of this community met, with
proper permission, for the purpose of
recreation. The peace and enjoyment of
the occasion was not interrupted until
between eleven and twelve o'clock.
Between these hours, ten or fifteen white
rufiians intruded themselves on the fes-
tive assembly. Just before their intru-
sion, DR.. Porter, while EN- route home
from Paris, called to look after the con-
duct of the blacks, and happened there
fore to be on hand when the untimely
arrival Of the strangers occurred. On
demanding their business, he was assured
that curiosity alone prompted their visit
Their behavior subsequently being or
derly and respectful, the Doctor with.
drew to his residence, quarter Of
a mile distant, fully persuaded Of
the correct intentions of the new
comers. He had scarcely left,
however, before it became apparent that
he had been imposed upon by the fair
professions and the honest seeming of
these scoundrels. 1t soon appeared that
crime was uppermost in their hearts.
Their purpose was first manifested by the
insults and blows to which they subjected
the unoffending colored men of the
crowd, by the sly robberies which were
committed, and by the display Of pistols,
which were made with the threat Of
using them if resistance was offered TO
their rudeness. BY this course of intim-
idation the way was prepared for the
easy accomplishment of the outrsges
that were soon perpetrated on the women
that were present or this, little can be
said more than that, for lustful violence
and brutal enormity, it is without par
allel in modern annals. The life of one
girl, child Of eleven years, has been
placed in extreme jeopardy, and the per
sons of several others terribly bruised,
by the foul and barbarous usage which
they received. The perpetrators Of this
diabolical crime made good their escape
at the time of its occurrence, but next
morning the authorities, being notified
of what had transpired, took the matter
in hand and arrested seven of the fiends
j. p. Aaron, Robert Lodge, W. r. Pet.
ty, Nike Dempsey, Sam. Logan, p. II.
Dooley, Lewis Bennett-who, on the fol-
lowing day, were tried and bound over
in q bond Of $1,000 each The bonds
have net yet been made.
Several others who participated in this
affair are at large, all of whose names
We can report, but principal among
which are Barton and Mckinney They
are all railroad employees some Of whom
are Of no mean rank in their employ
nent-baggage master, engineer, express
agent and brakesmen being represented
in the affair It should be matter Of con
graduation to the whole South that not
one of her friends or late soldiers was
engaged in this horrid barbariiy; diCho
took part in the outrage being er- Federal
soldiers 1t should also be matter OF
felicitation 10 this community that but
one of its citizens is implicated-he an
ex Yankee and BrOwnlOwite-J0hn
Aaron by name, a synonym Of all that Is
mean, vile and depraved, who only need
ed this cap stone Of rape violence 10
give completeness aud full proportion 70
his damnable infamy. We understand
be was leader of the affair. !
3uce the foregoing was written, Aaron
has made his escape, but has been q sec
ond time arrested, at Paduoah, where be
is now held on an indictment for mur-
der, committed q short time ago At Bir-
ningham, Ky.