The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-12-28
Murder and Lynching in Tennessee.
From the Memphis Avalanche, Dec, 20,

From the Memphis Avalanche, Dec 90
In the Avalanche yesterday appeared a
short paragraph stating that mob of
negroes had hung three white men in
Chicot county, Arkansas. From a gen.
tleman direct from the scene our repre-
sentative last evening learned the follow
ing particulars OF the horrible affair:
Last Monday week negro lawyer
named Wynn, who came from Washing
ton to Chicot county recently, and settled
in Lake City, had a quarrel in a grocery
store, in the latter place, owned by Mr..
Curtis Garrett, with Mr.. John H. Saun-
ders, an old citizen of the county. At the
time Mr.. Garrett and another gentleman,
named Jasper Duggan, were in the store.
The negro (Wynn) and Mr.. Saunders got
into dispute on the subject of taxation,
and words ran high until they clinched,
when Saunders stabbed the negro killing
him almost instantly. The three gentle
men-Saunders, Garrett and Duggan-
were promptly arrested by Sheriff Walk
er, who locked them up in Jail. Neither
of the gentlemen offered any resistance.
The only charges against Garrett and
Duggan were that the former handed Mr.
Saunders the knife with which the cut
ting was done, while the latter stood at
the door in such manner as to prevent
Wynn's escape. Both gentlemen denied
willing to 60 INTO trial at once. That
evening an armed mob of negroes en-
tered the town with the avowed purpose
Of hanging the three prisoners. For
some reason they did not carry their pur-
pose into execution, but remained in town
all night. The next day the Sheriff COM
promised matters by allowing about fifty
negroes to act as guards over the Jail.
The guard was kept up until one o'clock
last Friday afternoon, when another arm
ed mob of negroes, numbering over one
hundred, entered the town. all hallooing,
yelling, firing off their pistols and breath
ing dire threats of vengeance against the
whites, Going to Mr.. CARROTS store, the
place where Wynn was killed, they sack
ed it completely, breaking up and destroy
ing whatever they could not carry off. A
few of the negroes were disguised, but
the large majority were unmasked.
After they had oeen in town an hour
they sent fifteen men to the Sheriff with a
peremptory demand for the keys of the
jail. Sheriff Walker very properly re-
fused to deliver them up. In about ten
minutes another detachment went and
forced the Sheriff to give them the keys
at the peril of his lite. Getting the keys
the black demons went howling through
the streets until they got to the jail. which
they opened and took the prisoners out
DIV trT
to bid their friends farewell this mob of
bowling, screaming, numbering devils
took the three men to spot at the edge
OF the town, and Just back of the house of
Mason, one OF the big negro leaders Of
the county. where, without being al
lowed time to ask mercy of their God,
they were shot dead At least fifty balls
were poured into the body Of each of the
unfortunate men. 70 finish their hellish
deed with proper eclat the murderers
then took the bodies back to the Jail and
refused any Of their friends admittance to
them until the next day.
Several gentlemen residing in the town
took refuge in flight, as the negro mob
did not disband, but declared their inten-
ton of getting even" with all white peo-
pie. Saturday and Sunday the mob still
kept possession of the town, forcing citi-
zens to furnish food
In some instances where white people
had the temerity to refuse the demands of
these devils they were brought to proper
appreciation fthe situation by the presen-
tation of guns and pistols. Mason, the
negro leader referred to, was at home at
the time. and just before the mob started
to the Jail he went out and conversed
with the leaders. The moment the con-
versation ceased the negroes started for
the Jail. When our informant left, the mob
still held possession Of the town, and an
nounced their intention of retaining it.
Dispatches apprising the Governor Of the
State of the situation have been forwarded
to Little Rock, but no answer up to 4 late
hour last night had boon received
The three victims of the mob were well
known and respected citizens. They all
leave families, who, with others, have
been compelled to fee for their lives.