Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-05
DARDANELLE, Ark.
Serious and Bloody Disturbance Between
Negroes and Whites.

From the Little Rock Gdsette of Thurs
day last, we learn that in the afternoon,
on Christmas, at Dardanelle, in Yell coun-
ty, on the river eighty miles above there, q
serious disturbance took place between
some of the white citizens and some of
the negroes of that vicinity, which has re-
suited in the death of young white man
of Dardanelle named Port Jones, from a
pistol shot in the hands OF a white man
named Holland Musteen, on Tuesday, at
the Dickens farm, three miles below Dsr-
danelle. On Saturday, being Christ
mas, many of the negroes from the
surrounding plantations, as well
as the white citizens of Dardanelle and vi
cinity, were celebrating the holiday in
the usual custom. A young man named
William Jones, but no relative of the de-
ceased, was firing powder from his pistol,
near the store of Andrew Chandler tcol-
ored) }, and remarked to Chandler, who was
passing by him, that the negroes were get
ting drunk and disorderly, and that he
chandler, had better take them home.
Chandler, the Colored man, not only
owns the store, but also owns part
of the old Dickens farm, upon which
he was employing most of the ne
groes alluded TO. Gambler, seeing the
young man with pistol In his nand, and
not knowing that he was only firing pow
der from it, and being himself in liquor,
Immediately fred two Derringer pistols
at the young man without hitting him,
and fed. After being fired upon, young
William Jones drew a revolver loaded
with ball, and pursued Chandler, and be-
ing joined by a number of other young
men, drove all armed negroes out of
town, offering no threats or violence to
those who were unarmed.
Chandler Immediately sent for Holland
Musteen, who killed Major Burt last
spring and several other citizens since
the war and against whom there are Sow
eral indictments for murder pending in
Yell and Franklin Circuit Courts.
This fellow arrived at Chandler's on Men
day night. On Tuesday he was standing
at ChandleFis door, as Port Jones and
! George Stirman, son of DR. Jno. /. Stir
man, neither of whom were participants
! in any part of the Christmas sorape, rode
along the road. They were stopped by
/ Musteen, who asked Jones If his name
was not Port Jones. Jones answered in
! the affirmative. Musteen then said: "You
! said the other night if you got me / would
meat" and shot Jones through the body,
] killing him instantly. Stirnan rode of
rapidly and escaped, the negroes in the
! ward with Musteen firing upon him
Jones body was then shot through
several times and thrown down the bluff
With Musteen and the negroes are also
Walker and White, two noted despera-
does. At the time our informant left the
scene, perfectly reliable and Christian
gentleman, they were threatening to col
iect the negroes at LeYishurg, who were
engaged in last springs disturbances, anC
those along the river TO Gala Rock, and t.
revenge themselves on all engaged il
driving Chandler out of Dardenelle. Thi
people of Dardenelle and surrounding
country, knowing the desperate characte
of Mnsteen and his white associates, ar
very much excited, and are assembling il
bedies, with view TO their defense ana
that Of their families.