The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-08-07
ALABAMA.
and Five Wounded-Three Police
men and Five Other White Men
Wounded.

Riot at Mobile-Thrce Negroes Killed
and Five Wounded-Three Police
men and Five Other White Wen
Wounded.
MOBILE, August 6.-Last night Sc
rious riot occurred in this city, begin
ming at an outdoor Republican meet
ing to celebrate the triumph of the
Republican candidates for this Con.
gressional District. The meeting was a
large one and composed exclusively of
negroes, except few white leaders.
During the whole of yesterday rumors
werein circulation that the negres were
very much excited, defiant and threat
ening, and meant to burn the Demo
cratic candidate for Congress, Colonel
Mann, in efhgy. Several citizens called
on the Mayor and some of the leaders
and advised them that it would be bet
ter to postpone the meeting, fer if the
effigy threat was carried out the white
people could not be restrained from at
tempting to resent it by force. 1t
was thought these representations had
the desired effect and that there would
be no meeting. At 3 o'clock, however,
the tar barrels were lighted and the
negroes began to flock in until they
swelled into a crowd of 1000 or 1900.
Many came with guns and most all with
concealed arms, pistols knives and
razors. Nothing occurred, except the
intlammatory talk of some of the speak
ers, until about 10 o'clock, when ajocose
dispute between two citizens on sub
ject entirely foreign to politics or the
meeting attracted some attention, and
in pressing up TO see what it was about
white man accidentally trod on the
foot of negro. just as the alteration
about this was settled a pistol shot
was heard. This was signal for gen.
eral firing. The whole crowd dispersed
Immediately. The firing was continued
few moments as the crowd scattered,
and in ten minutes a dead quiet reign
ed, broken only by the tread of white
patrols. A detachment of UHlted
States troops were stationed at the
guard house, at the request of the Mayor,
in anticipation of troubles. They took
no port in the affray, except to march
up town to look after and put a stop to
the firing. 1t is not known who fired
the first shot. There were not over one
hundred men as lookers-on at the meet
ing. The casualties are small consider
ing the number of shots fred and the
close quarters. Many shots must have
been fired in the air. Three negroes
were killed outright and five wounded;
four policemen and three other white
men were wounded.
The Register of this morning CON-
ments ON the riot as follows: Last
nights work was done after our editori-
al of this morning was in print. This
is a sharp and quick commentary on
the dangers we forecast. From the
present aspect of affairs it is a burning
shame that this community owes it to
itself to protect itself from repetition.
AS to where the blame lies there is no
room for question. These deeds are the
direct outflow of the maddened passions
of negroes, inhamed and dashed into
fury by public harangues and private
instigations of the foreign Radicals in
our midst. 1t is question for the pub
lie to decide how long these incendiaries
shall be allowed to expose the peace of
society and the safety of women and
children. We hope public meeting
will be held to answer this question.