The Hickman courier., 1871-08-12
II KENTUCKY,
A Serious EIectlon Riot.

Correspondence of the Louisville Ledger.
FRANKFORT, Aug. 7-8 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, and 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 diff
Guilty was constantly expected, but the
attack did not begin until after the close
of the polls. 1t opened by scufie, and
then pistol shot by negro. A few
moments elapsed after the first. shot be-
fore the other was fred, when a general
| fusilade was commenced. Between fifty
and seventy FIVE shots were fired. The
train came in just before the shooting.
and in its passage separated the blacks
from the whites. As soon as ii 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
aud died instantly. Mr.. Bishop, 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 COM
pose the number. The State troops have
been ordered out to preserve quiet, but
no further disturbance is anticipated
About seventy five negroes passed
down the street in body few minutes
ago, yelling at the top of their voices,
and inviting the whites to pitch in.
Every ybody is armed and prepared for
another outbreak, but none is looked
for.
The streets are now quiet, and no ne
groes are to be seen. Mr.. Gilmore was
a 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 dis
turbance by bad advice from white lead
ers. There was no earthly occasion for
it. The negro was not harmed, or even
insulted at the polls, and every one en-
titled to vote was allowed to cast it. The
whites were in the minority the negroes
carrying the town.
One negro, who had served a term in
the penitentiary, and was DISTINGUISHED
by the State laws, declared at noon that
if he was not allowed to vote no white
man should vote, and their conduct gen.
orally, throughout the day, was insolent
and defiant. The forbearance of the
white men in submitting to their conduct
was commendabie and remarkable.
The federal troops stationed here have
behaved with great propriety during the
day. Gen Flint gave orders for none of
the troops to appear on the street during
the election, and none of them had been
sent outside of the camp during the day.
They have not been called out at all, and
will not be, unless there should be
further outbreak, which is not appre-
hended.
Besides the firing there was an indis-
criminate throwing of bricks and other
missiles The negroes generally we're
armed with Colts or other repeating pis-
tolls, and during the day they several
times displayed them.
The police were compelled to interpose
to protect the negroes who had voted the
Democratic ticket from their vengeance
during the day.
Two or three negroes have been ar
rested 1t is thought the man who be-
gan the 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
K. II. Taylor, Jr., has ordered the Val
ley Rifles, militia company, under
arms, to preserve the peace.
Young Gilmore was very popular with
the young men of this city, and there is
a disposition to avenge his death. He
was Mason, and will be buried with
Masonic honors. The excitement is still
intense. Col johnson, Adjutant Gen
eral, is unremitting in his efforts to pre-
serve peace. Tits hoped better eounsels
will prevail.
9:45 P. M.-The leader of the mob has
just been brought in. His name is Hen
ry Washington, and he formerly belong
ed to Adam Keenon. He is wounded
pretty severely. He received three
shots, but his wounds are not thought to
be fatal ID.