The Lincoln County herald., 1871-11-09
RiOi at ArteSia, Mississippi.

we copy as follows from the Mobile
Register Of the 25th
We have just learned of disgraceful
riot which occurred on Saturday last in
the quiet little village of Artesia, on the
Mobile and Ohio railroad, which resulted
in the murder efa young man, MIR. Hugh
Tee, formerly = resident of this city.
The facts elected before the jury Of in-
quest are substantially as follows:
The leading spri,s Of tho handful Of
white Radicals to be POUNDS in Lowndos
county, are II. L.. Lewis, II. b. Whit
field, X. r. Bliss ard one Fecmstsr. A
political meeting was ordered to be
held at Prairie Hill, somo FIVE miles
southeast Of Artesia, on last Saturday
Negroes to the number Of one thousand,
came from all directions armed with
shot guns, rifles, carbiues, pistols and
other instruments of war. Some Of the
negro officers who commanded this motley
gathering seemingly organized into a
regiment, wore feathers in their hats and
other insignia of authority, and carried
sabres, swords or cudgels. They were all
mounted, either on horses or mules.
Liquor was furnished free, and speeches
we're made during the day by " hi,6eld,
Feemster aud others, and although some
insulting remarks were made by the
negroes to number of gentlemen who
we're lockers on, the day promised to pass
of without any positive disturbance Of
the peace. Iu the afternoon, however. it
was proposed by one Levi Jones, alias
Bean, turbulent negro and grand mogul
Of the Loyal League in the vicinity, that
iusteaI Of quietly going home they should
march to Artesia, "where we will show
the Native Sons Of the South Ga colorcd
Democratic club) that they are no
wherc."
The hoad of the riotous crew cswe into
Artesia shortly after o'clock Jones at
the bead Of the column as com anding
officer, followed by his staff, and wagon
with drums; then came wagon in which
were Lewis, Bliss and a Mr.. Rose. In
this wagon was displayed United States
flag, and behind it came a squad Of thir-
teen negroes, armed with musksts, who
seemed to be the body guard Of Lewis
and his friends.
Following these came the crowd in
double file, mounted and dsmounted,
armed and unarued, whirling their hats
in the air, and yelling like savases. The
captains rode at full speed up and down
the line, which was perhaps a quarter Of
a mile in length, shouting to their com
mands and brandishing their sabres
After passing through the village ard
describing half circle, Mr.. Lewis hal ed
his wagon with the flag in the midst Of
the common. Bliss arose to speak. He
had been speaking but few moments
when rifle was discharged into the air
near the speakers stand, either accident
ally or by way Of exultation at something
the speaker said. MIR. Lee, who had
Just come.to the depot from the country,
was standing near whore this rife shot
was fired, and, fearing row, started to
30 away. Some negro shouted white
man ! and several voices cried "kill him
kill him y whom u half DOZEN u.sras.
we're seen pursuing Mr.. Lee blow on
the head with a sabre knocked him down,
when another negro put the muzzls Of n
Cdlpiuc ucaI ulo puch uuu uIeu, hllllHp
him instantly. No weapon was in his
hand, on his person, or about tho ground.
In the excitement which followed, some
negro cried out: "To the wagon for
your guns !" aud from the way in which
a number Of mounted negroes dashed
back up the road by which they came, it
was presumed they had wagons in the
rear with larger supply of arms. Bu
they did not return aud the entire moi
rapidly dispersed. Bliss having no au
dience, walked with Lewis to where i
physician and few gentlemon were sx
amiuing the dead body of poor Lee, and
remarked that those men" (meaning thu
murderers) "Ou.ht to be arrested" aut
rode away.
A magistrate being present, jury o
inquest, composed Of six white men an.
six negroes, was summoned, and after
careful examination of several eye wit
ue.ses, verdict was promptly and unan
imously given that the deceased was mur
dered by riotous mob.
Upon warrants issued some forty ne
grOes have been arrested aud carried t.
Columbus, and we learn that furthe
disturbance Of the peace occurred upol
their arrival there. Armed resistauc
} being made by some Of the gang in Ok
tibpeha county.
Here is a case for the Ku.klux smell
ing committee to look into.
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