Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-05
The War In Conway.

The disturbance IN Conway county
Arkansas, of which we had some detsili
by telegraph, had its origin in disturb
ance between negroes The Little Rocl
Gazette gives the particulars, as follows
1t seems that some time ago, two me-
groes killed a doc belonging TO q third
Whether II was from Jealousy growing
ont of mutual admiration for lady oi
color. aud which finally resulted in the
utter defeat Of the white man, Thomp'
son. does not fully appear, since 1t wa
not deemed necessary to call Nancy 70
the stand, but certain it was that this
Thompson, when he came to represent
the peace and dignity Of the State 10 the
capacity of States Attorney, mani
tested an over zeal to bring the black boy
Toney to Justice for killing the dog. The
trial came of on the 18th. Col. Anderson
Gordon appearing in the forum for the
first time in defense Of an old servant
and a very worthy colored man. The
Jury acquitted the accused, but the willy
Thompson found means, through some
uiHing technically, 10 secure q rehear-
ing of the cause, which commenced on
the 2lst. The trial not having been con-
cluded on that day, it was adjourned over
TO the morning of the next, at which time,
by direction of this Thompson, large
number of negroes from the surrounding
country appeared in town armed with
shotguns and pistols. The determination
of the court was as before, and the &C.
cused was acquitted. But the diverse
political preferences existing among the
negroes led to high words over matters
connected with the trial, and the citizens
fearing disturbance, disarmed three of
the worst characters among the negroes,
telling them to 90 home quietly and re-
main so, and their arms should be re-
turned to them. On the night of that day
some mischievous boys or young men
went out a short distance from town
aud dsarmed, three more negroes. On
Monday Gath reports came in that the
negroes had held meeting on the pre-
vious day, aud that they had resolved to
extermnate the white people of Lewis
burg from the cradle up. This created
great alarm, and by 10 o'clock on Tues
day. armed white men had collected at
Lewisburg to the number of one hundred
or more. Before day, on the night be.
fore, nine young men we're sent out TO
ascertain the proximity and extent OF the
danger. and we're fred on BY seyenteen
negroes from the roadside. at distance of
6fieen feet This occurred some two or
three miles east from the town on the
Little Rock road. The yolIey, 20 sud
dem and unexpected threw the party
into disorder and those not placed hors
de combat made all haste back to Lewis.
burg without particular reference to
order of march. On arriving, two Of the
nnm her were found missing, and their
horse. having been seen to fall, they
were supposed to hsys been killed, while
a third-a Mr.. Burch6eld-was NoH nded.
The excitement, as may we'll be imagined,
became intense, and il was with difficulty
that a few of the more prudent citizens Of
the county restrained the indignant PEG.
pIe from going out at once and visiting a
inst punishment on those in arms. But
q few hours later the missing men came
in. and party consisting of DR. Adams,
R. B. Griffin, Col. Esgan, Capt Gill (the
last two late Of the Federal army J, and
two negroes were sent out to confer with
the belligerent parties, and induce them
IN Law down their arms. It was with
some difficulty that a bearing was
secured. but it was finally effected
without accident. and the negroes,
nm being informed that II they would
cease bostiIities and 20 home, The matter
wonld he dropped. agreed to do 90 reluc-
family, lint il was not accomplished until