Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-29

Hester, with a large posse. wouI
soon arrive and give them relic
from their dreadful apprehension
} This news having reached the ear
of the mob, they cursed the Sheriff
and loudly proclaimed their inten
ton to fight. Presently the Deputy
Sheriff appeared with seven. men
He rode up to the crowd and, as
few Of them started down the street
ordered them to halt. Most of the
crowd, however, stood and raised
their guns to fire. The Deputy
Sheriff told them not to run or fire,
that he had something to say, but
they fred in among the people.
The fire was returned. Presently
q fierce battle ragged between the
Sheriff s forces and the negro mob.
Among these latter wild confusion
reigned; shouting, cursing and
yelling, mingled with admonitions
from the more reckless among them
to stand firm and fight it out, rent
the air. Five of the Sheriff s men
were wounded, one Mr.. Rus
sell, severely. But the fight
still continued, and seeing that
the black fiends would be likely to
get the best of it if the contest was
prolonged at long shots, the Sheriff
ordered a charge; it was made in
gallant style; their solid formation
was broken up and there was
stampede, helter-skelter, in all d.
rections. No one was killed, as far
as is known. Soon after this the
Sheriff himself arrived on the scene
with thirty more men, which num-
Der, in few hours, was increased
by additions from all parts of the
county. Pursuit was given and
about forty negroes were captured, |
the most of whom were sent to |
Somerville jail. A few are under
guard here still. Among the ar
rested are several ''ring leaders" of
the mob. Several are yet at large,
and two or three of the most dan
ger0us leaders-those who cor
rupted and Influenced the minds of
the masses-Gus Morris, Simeon
Howell, Bill Walker and Ike Neil, /
and others of like evil repute-haye
up to this to evade the
viglant search of the Sheriff
men. 1t is understood that these
are on their way to Memphis,
and it thought for purpose
useful to themselves, which in
spires the negroes here with
a pleasing hope. One of the
prisoners said the affair could not
end here. They look forward 20
some means of obtaining vengeance
for what they consider a dscom-
future. They boast that they will
yet be in a condition to overthrow
the civil government of the coun-
try, and have things their own way.
The Sheriff has ordered all the eiti-
zens under arms and on duty to
maintain peace, under the direction
Of Constable Matthews. Citizens
are now on guard night and day to
save their lives and property, and
to prevent violations of law.
Sheriff Hester sent request to the |
United States Commissioner at
Memphis for twenty-five or thirty
soldiers to aid the civil officers
there. A correspondent says:
"Is it not obviously the duty of
your city to aid Us in bringing
these outlaws to justice We refer
particularly to the FIVE named
above, who are probably in your
city. 1t would be salutary if the
would aid in putting |
down all mobs that rise up in arms
against the law. But whether it is
done or not, our county officers
are determined to execte the laws
to the bitter end against all armed
hostility"
Since writing the above, Simeon
Howell, one of the leaders, has
given himself up to the authorities.
We would further state that on the
same day of the disturbance st
Macon, there was gathering Of
negroes at McDOweli's quarters,
armed and ready for the conflict,
evidently showing that the upris-
ng was generally preconcerted
among themselves.
Everything is now quiet, and the
,itizens begin to realize feeling of |
peace and security under the excel
ent arrangem ents of Sheriff Hester.