Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-09
KEhTUCKY.
A Serious Election Riot.


White Men Kept from the Polls
Democratic Negroes Requirin;
Protection Two r.. specially.
White Men Ktlled-A Negro of PEN
itentiary Antecedents ProIni % emit
Correspondence Of the Louisville Ledger.
FRANKFORT, Aug. IS P. MA Negro
riot at the polls here this evening resulted
in the instant death of two white men
the wounding of two or three others, anG
the wounding of three or four negroes.
All day long the blacks had been drunk
and boisterous, threatening openly to
drive the white men from the polls.
Since ten o'clock this morning Difficult
ty was constantly expected, but the at.
tack did not begin until after the close of
the polls. 1t opened by scuffle, end ther
q pistol-shot by negro. A few moments
elapsed after the first shot before the 9th.
er was fired, when general fusil.
ade was commenced. Between
fifty and seventy-flve shots were fred.
The train came in just be fore the shoot.
ing, and in its passage separated the
blacks from the whites. As soon as it
had passed the shooting began. One of
the killed was Mr.. William d. Gilmore. a
very peaceable and quiet gentleman, who
was using every endeavor to maintain
quiet. He was shot through the breast,
and died instantly. Mr.. Bishop, a poor
man, advanced in years, who took no
part in the trouble, was also shot through
the breast and killed. The names of the
wounded have not been ascertained, but
some five or six black and white compose
the number. The State troops have been
ordered out to preserve quiet, but no
further disturbance is anticipated.
About sevenfy-five negroes passed down
the street in body few minutes ago,
yelling at the top of their voices, and in
wiling the whites to pitch in. Everybody
is armed and prepared for another out
break, but none is looked for.
The streets arc now quiet, and no ne
groes are to be seen. Mr.. Gilmore was
citizen of Lexington, and clerk in the
Auditors Office at this place. He was
known and respected by everybody. The
negroes were wrought up to this disturb.
ance by bad advice from white leaders.
There was no earthly occasion for it.
The negro was not harmed, or even in
suited at the polls, and every one entitled
TO vote was allowed ocsst it. The whites
were in the minority, the negroes carry
ing the town.
One negro, who had served term in
the penitendary, and was disfranchised
by tee State laws, declared at noon that
1t he was not allowed to vote no white
man should vote, and their conduct gen.
orally, throughout the day, was insOlent
ard defiant. The forbearance of the
White men in submitting to their conduct
was commendable and remarkable.
The federal troops stationed here have
with great propriety during the
day. Gen. Flint gave orders for none of
the troops TO appear on the street during
t1e election, and none of them had been
sen. outside of the camp during the day.
They have not been called out at all, and
will not be, unless there should be a
further outbreak, which is not appre-
hended.
Besides the firing there was an indis-
criminate throwing of bricks and other
missiles. The negroes generally were
armed with Colts or other repeating pis-
-ol0, and during the day they several
lines displayed them.
The police were compelled to interpose
10 protect the negroes who had voted the
Democratic ticket from their vengeance
Turing the day.
Two or three negroes have been ar
,ested. 1t is thought the man who began
he firing is in jail.
Jerry Lee, one of the policemen, was
slightly wounded in the leg.
$50 P M-There is still considerable
excitement on the streets, and fears of
further violence are entertained. Mayor
g. II, Taylor, Jr., has ordered the Valley !
Rifles, militia company, under arms, to
preserve the peace.
Young Gilmore was very popular with /
he young men of this city, and there is
| disposition to avenge his death. He |
vas Mason, and will be buried with |
Masonic honors. The excitement is still |
intense. Col. johnson, Adjutant General,
g unremitting in his efforts to preserve
'eace. l. is hoped better counsels will
,revail.
9:45 P. M,-The leader of the mob has
ust been brought in. His name is Henry
Washington, and he formerly belonged to
AGam KeenOn. He is wounded pretty
everely. He received three shots, but
is wounds are not thought to be fatal.
ID.