The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-30
THE NEGRO OUTBREAK N TEXAS.
Restoration of Order-Particuiars Of the Riot.

From the Galveston Civilian, July 21.I
we reset 10 see that exaggerated statements still
clear statement OF the fcts~that written by @. A.
Wheat, Mayor OF Miican. He goes back to the
origin OF the trouble. some months sine Parson
BROOKS, colored who Is the registrar Of BraZOs
military company Thew met everv e saxr%a ' ru
one hundred to two hundred strong, armed, and
were regularly drilled. This not only gave uneasi-
ness TO the citizens, bat led to disorders. Mayor
Wheat called upon Captain Randlett, agent OF the
Freedmen's Bureau, VINO condemned the organization
not well calculated to produce amicable rela-
tions between the two races, and issued an order
that no further military demonstrations should be
allowed. NO regard was paid to the order, but the
absence OF Captain X. from the place prevented his
knowledge OF the fact and the military organization
was kept up. Previous to the riot rumor, which
man had been hanged without law in the Brazos bot
tom. The negroes were greatly excited and threat
ened to hang the parties charged with having hanged
the negro, VINO was not hanged. On the morning OF
the 18TH Captain "Harvy' was despatched by Parson
Brooks with an armed force that 'as regularly
marched through the town la nliitare en- route for
the river bottom in search OF the body OF their friend
and when they arrived at the suspected premises
they numbered seventy-three, altarmed and mount
ed They met with some white persons in the bot
tom, and were quite insoent and imperative as to
what they would do in the event they found the
body. About three r. NJ. news came to the town that
the negroes contemplated violence; some OF the
white ladies and children deemed it prudent TO come
into the town for protection; the citizens, to the
number OF about forty, were soon armed, mounted
and on the road to the bottom. Deputy Sheriff Pa
tlo and Mayor Wheat thought it advisable that they
should go with the citizens and use all the power
vested in them by the law, as well as their personal
influence with both parties to prevent any collision.
They suggested to the white men that they should
freedmen and try TO influence them to lay down
their arms and return to their homes which propO-
sition met with the approval OF all. The deputy
sheriff and Mayor were In 'front.' and passing through
q thick wood q sudden turn in the road brought
them within thirty steps OF the head OF the column
OF me freedmen, Captain Harry In front. me
officers asked him, What does all this armed
demonstration meanW and before he could reply
small negro who was some sixty steps In his rear,
at an angle ON the left in an open space in the road
discharged his gun; the firing then commenced.
The sherin and Mayor ordered both parties to desst,
but the freedmen led IN such haste that the thing
was over and all were out Of sight in less than two
minutes. The captain of the negroes was Killed on
the spot two others left dead and some three or
four wounded. The citizens returned to town and,
learning that many OF the freedmen who were in the
fight were then in Freedmantown and that Others
were congregating, and thinking that there might
be further trouble requested the Mayor to take one
citizen and hold conference with Parson Brooks
and learn his intentions, and If possible come to
some understanding by which the thing should be
settled. They did 50; the parsOn was surrounded by
a rabble who were clamorous for war; one man
drew his Enfield on the Mayor and would have shot
II not prevented. The Mayor used all endeavOrS to
induce the parson to meet delegation OF white men
The Mayor then returned to the citizens and told
them 'that fight it was" 1t was now about seven
p. NJ; plckets were placed out and arrangements
made to hold the matter in check until Sheriff Nell
should arrive from Bryan q despatch having been
sent him to come down and arrest the parties.
About eight O'Clock in the evening ParsOn Brooks
sent III IA delegation accoding to the proposals OF
compromise. some Of the citizens met Brooks and
agreed upon terms by which the freedmen, indi-
viduay and collectively were to lay down their
arms, and that there should be further demOnstra
tons the part OF the whites. Here matters stood
until the train arrived from Bryan having Sheriff
NELL, with posse Of about one hundred men, on
board. They were met on the platform at the depot
and assured that all things were amicably arranged
and that their presence not required, and urged
to, and did, return that night. The sheriff,
however, deemed 1t advisable to remain that night
TO Investigate the matter. lie did So and early the
next morning despatched his deputy to see Parson
Brooks The deputy found him at his headquarters
with armed sentinel at the door, twenty thirty
men and arms In abundance. The parson then and
there declined to comply with the terms agreed
upon. soon the Mayor sent negro to ask him to
meet Captain l,andlett, Sheriff Nell and the Mayor.
He did not comply. News came in that the freed
men were collecting; a large number Of horses aud
mules were stolen from the premises. and some
negroes asserted that the blacks had sufficient force
to- and would, attack the town. The Sheriff sent
the locomotive back to Bryan for volunteers, and
about one hundred and fifty came. The negroes
saw the utter mpractcabty OF success ana de-
sisted. Many have returned to the farms and say
that from this time out they have desire to do
military duty.