Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-09-06
"a eEOgrfellAs- Egfls aUd
A Bloody Collision in Twiggs
County. ...r
Negroes Oppose the sheriTsl
ROssee.

Prom the MasOn Journal ana Messenger, Sep
Gentlemen in town yesterday, from
TvirRs county, report renewal of the
late troubles, and q desperate aud fatal
repcnnteF between Sheriff's posse aud
three negroes. The particulars ane as
follows Sheriff Stokes received infOr-
matisn that Berry Hill, negro Of des
perate character, who worked on the
pIantation of John II. Dsnnison, was IN
the habit Of drilling fifty or sixty ne
grOes. The Sheriff, upon this ground is
sued warrant for Berry, and placed II
IN the. hands OF one Of his deputies
George W. Lee, and ordered him 10
make the arrest.
On saturday last Deputy Lee sum-
and went to the house of Berry for the
purpose of carrying out the order. When
they rode up, they saw Berry standing
Ia the yard in front Of his house. Mr..
Lee at once called to him to eeme to
him. But he Fetreated into his house,
and In an instant the posse received q
voIIey of buckshot from the door of
Berryis house. -.-z--- .-...
Thomas Melton, who had alighted
from bis horse, was wounded by this fire
IN both Thighs. Several buckshOt went
through the flesh, but no bones were
struck.
The whole party then opened upon the
house with guns and pistols. The fire
was returned vigorously. In few mo-
ments the SherItf's posse, seeing they
were fighting 81 disadvantage, were
ordered TO charge. They did 80, Broke
down the door, entered the house and
then followed desperate hght at close
- 1,af raN hraN
sin refused to surrender. He kept up
the fight, and eventually got out OF the
house into the yard. BE soon felL NOR
tally wounded. He fingered until sun
day night and died. --
Two other negroes were IN there with
him. In the melee one leaped frem the
house and tried to escape. He was shot
through the hip and captured. The third
was captured and found to be not
wounded.
Seven or eight shots were fred from
the house at the deputy snd his men,
but no one Was hit except Mr.. Melton.
Upon searching the house il was found
10 be q miniature arsenal, guns, pistols,
powder and shot, were there in prOfU- 7
sion. The two men with Berry ssy they
did not fire q gun, and their story seems /
to be believed. They we're taken TO JEFF /
fersonvllle and lodged in jail. The one I
shot through the thigh was not danger
Ously hurt. The wounds Of Mr.. Mellon /
are not dangerous,
Berry did not wait until the object OF /
the Deputy and his men were made .
known to him, bat as soon ss he saw 4
them ride up he ran into his house, /
seized a double -barreled shot gun and +
turned Ii loose upon them from his door. 4
He then closed and barred the door, and .
when the fire was returned Gy the party,
be fred six or eight times through the {
cracks in the house. He fred at random .
and did not hit any one else.
He was of notOriousIy bad and deg I
perate character. He formerly belonged .
TO Mrs. F. A Finch.
We learn that Peter Essom, a colored /
man engaged in the Hardin Smith riot,
was arrested on Saturday and lodged in
The Jacksonville jail.
We also learn that Alfred Fleming,
Chairman, or President, Of the Loyal
League Of Twiggs county, has disbanded
that organization.