Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-12
ALABAMA PLEASANTRIES.
what Negroes Get for Voting the
Democratic Ticket-RadicaI Raid
ON COIored Church-PrOmiscu
Gus Murder.


Democratic Tickef-RadicaI Raid
ON % COlOred Church-PrOmiscu-
Ous Murder.
A bad state of affairs exists in the
vicinity of Tuskegee, Alabama. At a
Radical Convention there on Monday
last, the negroes created much confusion
and great bitterness of feelings by their
disgraceful conduct. The meeting broke
up, however, before blood was she'd but
later in the night the community was
startled by rapid and continuous dis
charges of firearms in the direction Of
Zion Church, situated in the suburbs of
the town. The firing was continued for
some time, and, at one time, seemed to
indicate the progress of regular battle.
Citizens of the town and officers Of the
law repaired Immediately to the church
and were Mortified by the spectacle there
exhibited One negro was found dead,
another mortally wounded, and two or
three others painfully but not danger
ously wounded. The floor and the seats
in the church were in many places be-
spattered with blood, and everything in
dicated most deadly attack. A cor
oner' inquest was held upon the body of
the dead freedman, and the following
facts elected: There was at the time of
the shooting a meeting in progress, which
had been called for the purpose Of dis
posing Of some questions connected with
the government of the church The
doors and windows we're closed, and the
meeting was quietly proceeding with its
business, when suddenly q loud noise was
heard on the outside, accompanied by
cursing and swearing. The door of the
church was opened, and Immediately
body Of ten or dozen men com
menced to fire into the church. The
members Of the meeting sought to make
their escape by the windows and doors,
and in doing so were fred upon by the
attacking party. As soon as the church
was closed the persons from whom the
firing had proceeded mounted horses and
mules and rapidly left the town, taking
the Montgomery road. Facts which
have come to light seem to point to the
conclusion that the firing at the church
was done by friends OF the defeated can
didates fot the Radical nomination.
Many Of them came TO town on horse
back and left late in ihe evening in
NlA0Nnf All VI AuNAA NAAAN 1A,1ANAcANl AAAA
giving expression 10 feelings Of anger
and hatred. The Radicals have been
accustomed to hold their meetings at
Zion church. and it was supposed there
would be a meeting there last night as a
sequel 10 maj held at the courthouse du-
ring the day
On Sunday last. as Kit McGehee, a
young white man, was returning TO his
home, four OF FIVE miles southeast Of this
place, he was fired upon aud dangerous
u wounded by party Of three or four
negroes. who had stationed themselves
on the road. Mr.. MEG. succeeded in
firing his repeater two or three times at
ths pqriies after he was shot, and thinks
he must have wounded one OF more of
them. Mr. McGehee has been living
with Mr.. Weathers, who was attacked
some time ago and forced to Zee from
his house hY party Of three negroes.
I headed hy the notorious Wash Howard.
The negroes succeeded in making their
escape from the county jail, and have
for several weeks been prowling in this
vicinity, committing at intervals larce-
nies and acts Of violence. II is believed