Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-11
OsCEOLA UNDER ARMS.
The Town Threatened with ID,
structfon and the Cftixens Flee
ing their Homes.

structf0m ana the CitfEens FIee'
ing their Homes.
The town Of Osceola, Ark, eighty
miles above this city, has been besieged
by regroes for several days, and destruc-
ton to life and property threatened.
The blacks marshaled their forces and
prepared for attack, but were driven
away by the whites, and reports received
from that quarter this morning say the
excitement has somewhat subsidized,
though the citizens are still under arms
in anticipation Of fresh attack from
the blacks. The cause which led to these
troubles is said TO be the murder Of
Sheriff Murray by the County Register
Fitzpatrick, as detailed in the LEDGER
about six weeks ago. Fitzpatrick trial
for the murder was set for hearing this
week, and in order that his trial should
not be had he determined that no court
should be held. On Sunday
BODY OF ARMED NEGROES
appeared in the town with drums beating
and flags flying, aud broke up Liberal
convention which had met for the pur-
pose of nominating county officers, and
Immediately word was sent to the coun-
try for the whites to arm and assist in
protecting the town from the black des-
peradoes. A party of men coming into
town were stopped on the road by Skin
mishers of the black army, and disarmed
before being allowed to proceed. The
whites were Immediately requested to
arm and
PREPARE FOR AN ATTACK.
About one hundred citizens responded
and under the leadership of Captain
Bowen, started TO meet the enemy.
When about mile from town they were
fred upon by their adversaries A
sharp engagement ensued, in which sew.
eral negroes we're wounded and one
killed before the mob was dispersed.
After his defeat Fitzpatrick went over
into Crittenden county for reinforce
ments, promising to return with suffi-
cient force to destroy the town and its
inhabitants.
THE STEAMER CELESTE WAS FIRED INTO
on Tuesday while going up the river
from Edrington's mill, below Osceola,
by a party of whites, under the impress
sion that she was the boat chartered by
Fitzpatrick to bring up his recruits.
One ball passed through the pilot-house
and another struck spar before the
mistake was discovered. She passed
Osceola without landing and went to
Bowens Landing, about eight miles
above, where she found number of
families collected around fire on the
river bank, having
FLED THEIR HOMES
to escape the negro mob who were
threatening murder, arson and outrage.
The men were armed and anticipated
an attack. The Celeste crossed the
river to the Tennessee side in search Of
aid, and when she returned to Osceola
found the town in possession of The
whites, and somewhat quiet after the
battle Of the day before. The latest re-
port states
TWO NEGROES WERE KILLED
and several wounded, and that two
white men were seriously wounded. One
of the latter was passenger on the
Celeste, and states that the fight was a
hot one, some thirty or forty rounds be-
ing fred on each side, but that Fitzpat.
rick was repulsed, and fled ignomini'
ously, taking to the river and crossing
to the Tennessee side in skiff. He was
closely pursued. Information from a
reliable source gives
THE ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLES
in the attempted arrest Of dozen armed
negroes by constable. The negroes
were making riotous demonstrations and
behaving disorderly when the constable
attempted to arrest them, and when he
called for assistance the blacks and their
reinforcements fred upon him and his
posse, and thus commenced the battle
the whites being reinforced by their
friends and the blacks by theirs, until
thirty or forty rounds were fired.
ALL QUIET.
The town is now reported all quiet, the
negroes having been routed and dis
persed, but fresh outbreak is feared
and the whites are holding themselves in
readiness. The two wounded white men
whose names we could not learn, were
cared for by Mr.. Y. P. Sexton, and are
reported doing well.
Henry Farmer, teacher of the Piano
Flute and Guitar. Leave orders at II. G.
Hollenberg's music store. 50
The Discovery of America.
Tomorrow the various societies of the
city, under the auspices of the Societa
Italiana, will celebrate the three hundred