Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-09-02
The Tennessee Ku Klux.

Oloousneu is anticipated. w oman and
children have been coming in their
during the day and the widest excite
ment exist throu- hout the country,
through rumors Of negroes marching
in strong force on Picketsville, and
rumom of their having murdered two
women. On the other hand, the ne
groes are terribly alarmed, and many
fed to the woods, fearing the fate of
those taken from Trenton Jail last
night.
The origin of the troubles there oc-
Cured at a barbecue near Picketsville
five weeks since, in difficulty between
a white man named J. Hale, and Josh
Webb, colored, about the payment of
half a dollar since when the negroes
had made numerous threats of violence.
On Saturday night last, while two
young men, named Morgan and James
were riding along the road three miles
from Picketsville they were fred upon
by 80 or 40 negroes hid in the woods.
The young men abandoned their hor-
ses and took to the woods and escaped
to town. The citizens had become
warned at the firing, in view of reports
that the negroes were organizing arm
ed companies. They suspected ne.
gro named Ben Walker of completely
in the shooting. A constable with
posse proceeded to his house, where
they captured negroe named Ballard
who confessed they had met Saturday
night and organized to protect Cal.
Webb, colored, from the Ku Klux,
and after that to kill b. Butler tor d.
vulging their plans to the whites, but
after meeting and firing on Morgan
and Warren they separated. He also
gave the names of large number en-
gagged in the plot for assassination and
murder. When Ballard's confession
was made public, the greatest excite
ment spread throughout the country,
and citizens gathered at PicketsvilIe
and a meeting was called, at which
Squire Burnett presided. It was de-
clded to summon a posse and arrest a
few negroes who, according to Ballard,
were ring-leaders, Geo. Green, S. Bry-
ant, Dan Williams, B. Chase. Dick
Shaw, d. Jamison, IT. PEBBLES, J.
Burrows. Alfred Williams and N. Joey,
which was done, and they were brought
to Picketsvile.
Sunday night band Of masked men
rode into town and demanded the
prisoners but Marshal Dugan refused
to give them up and the maskers left.
On Monday they were arraigned be-
fore three Justices on charge of shoot
ing with intent to kill, and riot. One
of them, j. Burrows turned states
evidence and related the story Of the
cause, origin, purposes and expectation
of an extensive organization among the
negroes in Gibson county, which was
corroborated by Nelson MEG osh, color
ed who also said it was rumored for
some time past that President Grant
would back the negroes in whatever
course they took against the whites
and acting on this belief the colored
people had determined to extirpate the
whitet so as to obtain lands, etc., but
had not agreed On time for the oui-
/ break. This measure, as to the murder
Of whites, was agreed on by all except
Burrell Butler, of Pickettsville, and
because eff his opposition they intend
ed to kill him Saturday night, for tear
be would tell the whites. Burrows
also gave the names Of several other
persons who were to be killed Saturday
night, and told where the negroes met
in railroad cut and organized by
e!ecting Wesley Shields captain till
they reached the house of COL Webb,
who was then to take command. They
expected to meet a company from Hum
bolt under the charge of John Regan,
which tailed to come. Their object in
organizing thoroughly was to shoot the
Ku Klux who, they understood, were
raiding the country to prosecute ne
groes.
After examination the negroes were
committed to jail at Trenton, and the
result has been already announced in
the killing Of sixteen Of the men. The
lynching of the prisoners causes much
Indignation here.
The sheriff of Tunica county, Miss,
has arrested 81 ringleaders of the late
rict at Austin.
A special from Trenton to the Avo-
zancha gives the following additional
particulars regarding the slaughter of
colored prisoners: After the maskers,
numbering about 200, had obtained
possession Of the prisoners, they tied
them together and marched off on tie
Huntington road. Half mile from
town six of the number were cut loose
and ordered to escape, and as soon as
the command was given full volley
was fred upon them, killing four and
| moundlnO two ono M ortnl1u Thu ra.