Middletown transcript., 1870-11-12
LOCAL AND STATE AFFAIRS.

Odessa, on the morning of the election between
the whites and blacks. We do not know that we
can give correct version of it, but the following
statement Of the affair is as near correct as our
Information will make 1t. A nonresident black
man presented himself at the polls to vote, three
times, but was as often turned away. Present.
ing himself again, his persistence occasioned
some excitement and remonstrance, on the part
OF the Democrats, when the crowd of whites and
blacks grew so dense to obstruct free access to
the polls. just then colored man, named John
Williams, who lives in n house belonging to Mr.
John P. Cochran, stepped up on the hotel porch
with club in his hand lifted in threatening
position. Mr.. Cochran observing him, said
john what are you going to do with that club?
Give it to me" taking hold of his arm and press
ing him back to keep him from going In among
the crowd of excited white men. There had
been no fighting up to this time, but black man
just then rushed upon Mr. Cochran and gave him
a blow with stick upon the side of the head
that felled him to the ground. A rush was then
made upon the negroes by the Democrats and
sticks and stones were vigorously used on both
sides. The fight did not take place at the place
of voting, but in the street nearly opposite and
lasted for four or five minutes. Two pistol shots
were heard, but by whom fred is not positively
known. colorsd man living with VIM Green,
Esq who was not in the fight received pistol
ball in the leg, and five or six persons, white and
black, emerged from the conflict with confused
heads and quite bloody. One stalwart young
white man snatched a cudge from the hands of
negro, and dashed into the thickest of the fray,
lie received two severe blows upon the head, one
iroma stick and another rfrom stone, and although
literally covered with gore, he feled the negroes
right and left and fought right through the
crowd, while five or six negroes were attacking
him at the same time From fifty to a hundred
seemed to be engaged in the fight, the negroes
being so hard pressed that they finally gave way
and retreated up the street, although they ex-
horted each other TO "stand your ground, I"
don rum" and like rallying crys. The first
blow was struck by negro, as we were informed
by persons in the midst Of the crowd. And the
fight originated from the attempt ofa negro man
to vote when he had no residence the negro be-
ing urged to do SO by n white man. There was
no interruption of the voting for ballots were de-
posted while the battle was going on. In the
progress Of the fight negro man leveled q pis-
tol at q white man, and another made a cut at
his neck from behind bnt fortunately was not
quite near enough to reach his intended victim.
The next instant the knife of the white man Glove
the flesh of the negro. Fortunately however
no one was fatally injured, although the contest
ragged with the most determined fury. The dis
turbance was soon over and order and quiet re-
stored which continued throughout the day.
The fight occurred between 10 and IL o'clock.
Disturbances also took place at Smyrna and in
two wards in Wilmington
List of letters remaining in the Postofice at
Middletown, Del. November lst ls70 Anna An
derson, Stephen Brister, jeremiah Brster, John
w. Bright, Hannah Cummins, 0. B. Crossman,
William Cooper, George Conway, William CAL
bert, James G. Falows, Paul Garforth, George
Hayward, Mr. Hill, Jonathan Harman, J. NJ.
Horning, S. N. Hatch Elizabeth Murry, Elias
Miller, James Pennington Alfred Price, Joseph
Singer, John H. Thomas, Philip Viniard, GEORGE
W. Wood. Persons calling for the above letters
will please say they arc advertised.
The Smyrna Times says 1t is reported that
James Fisk, the New York railroad iobber, is in
terested in the construction of the Vineland rail-
road, and consequently the Bombahook road,
with which it is to connect. 1t is also reported
that Fisk and the P. W. B. B. R. r. Company are
looking to the purchase of the Md. & Del road,
the former to connect it with his scheme, the lat
ter TO prevent it from being connected with his
scheme, while the Nd. h Del. Company declare
that their road is not for sale.
FISH FOR THE DELAwARB.-Two large tanks
containing some 500 black bass, arrived via the
Belvidere and Delaware Railroad at Philipsburg,
Bucks county, one day last week, and the fish
were at once transferred to the waters of the Del
aware. The railroad company very generously
transported them free of charge as their dona-
ton towards stocking the Delaware with these
luscious specimens of the fnny tribe.
FIRE IN ELKToN The bridge that spanned the
Elk River at the foot of Bridge street. in Elkton,
was entirely destroyed by fire on Tuesday morn
ing last. schooner that was lying near wa.
also badly damaged, having all the rigging buru
off, and the mast SO injured that it will have tC
be replaced by new one. Some suppose it wa,
the work of an incendary, while others think il
was set on fire by Ssme one Lighting pipe or ci
| gar.
LOOK OUT FOR THE METEoRs.- annual me
teoric display occurs on or about the 9th of No
vember. They have made their appearance pune
tually on the 18th, for several years past anC
may be witnessed tonight, or tomorrow night
| by those anxious to see them. The best time 70
observation is between midnight and day, if tn
light of the moon should not interfere.
-WALKs.-Bricks were hauled to severa
places in town, some months ago, for the purpos
of laying pavements, but they still remain plet
up. We would remind the parties that winte
will be upon US, freezing and thawing will com
mence and it will be too late. Pavements ar
more needed in winter than summer and W
hope they will be land ere long,
Several gold fish have recently been caught il
Appoquinimink Creek. Mr.. Merritt N. Willtt
caught one, in a seine on Saturday last whic
weighed pound and half. These fish are rar
in our waters. Indeed, we have never heard c
u
said to be plenty in the Schuylkill.
ODESSA TABLEAUx.-Ths Tableaux, announce
in our last issue, to come off in Odessa, on Thurs
day and Friday evenings next the l1th and lStt
will be held in the Presbyterian Church, instea
of the Hotel parlors. The Odessa Orchestra wi
be present and assist in the entertainment. TIL
proceeds will be applied for the benefit of tn
sunday school library.
INcENpIARlsM M-Thc stables and carriace-hous
of Hon. George Vickers at Chestertown, Md. wa
set on fire on Tuesday night last, and entrel
consumed, together with a horse wagon an
dearborn. This was the work of some malicou
person or persons who should be ferretted OIL
and brought to justice.
Elkton is to have course of five lectures t
be delivered at intervals of two weeks, ccmmen'
ing about the middle of December. Mrs. Lii
| pincott Grace Greenwood, George Yandenhot
Dr. A. A. Willis, and "Josh Billings" hay
been named as lecturers.
Mr.. VIM l.. Bucke has put up handsom
iron fence in front of his residence in Middetowi
One improvement begets another, it is said, an