The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-08-20
CAUSE OF THE DISTURBANCE


Edward Carter, the colored superin
tendent of education of Tunica county
arrived yesterday on the St Francis
tie says the trouble grew out of the re
lease OF DIR. Smith from Jail Some foul
weeks ago, DIR. Smith, who lives near 8
colored man, went to the latter t.
demonstrate against the noise he was
making. A quarrel ensued and the
doctor fired at the negro, the ball striking
him in the shoulder and CHANGING off,
struck negro boy, killing him. DIR,
Smith left town, but afterward returned
and was released on bail. When this
became known In the country a number
of negroes came to town and made some
noise about DR.. Smith being out of Jail
but were told by Carter and Others that
the bailing was regular and lawful. that
DIR. Smith would be tried, and that no
lawlessness ought to be resorted to. 1t
Is said that Deputy Sheriff Neblett
showed no tlrmness and very little iudg-
ment IN his conduct towards the negroes.
The tirst party were satisfied with the ex
PLANTATION given by Garter and others.
Later IN the day another party, number
Ing about twenty-five, came in from the
country, Went to DIR. Smiths house, ar
rested him and placed him in iail. saving
that he should be kept there. Last FRI
day night DIR. Smith wac released from his
illegal Imprisonment, whether by the in
tervenuon OF armed friends our inform
ant dld not know. Saturday morning
small party of negroes from the county
came to town, drank sufficient whisky to
make them noisy, and then commenced
taking threats about what should be done
If DIR. Smith was not placed in Jail by Mon
day morning. The mayor became fearful
OF trouble, and he and the deputy sheriff
sent to the country for white men To de-
fend the place. A squad of white citi.
zens arrived Sunday evening, at which
time Deputy Sheriff Neblett and the
clerk OF the courts had gone to Helena to
telegraph for government troops. They
claim TO have telegraphed also to Gov |
ernor Ames. These officers never re- |
turned to Austin at all, but remained |
away sending dispatches for help, while |
the town was in charge Of the white men |
who had come in from the hills at the re-
quest OF the mayor. In the meantime a /
squad had been sent from the town, who
captured seven or eight negroes. While
'HSS0 WIZ DoihS paced In the court
house, one OF them attempted to escape
md was shot and instantly killed. An
Id colored man, not OF the captured par-
y, was slightly wounded during the ex-
ltement. Garter, in company with two
'thers, than went to Helena to dispatch
o Governor Ames. but had not received
reply up to the time the boat left. Att
Helena, Carter met Neblett and Duna-
'ay, who stated that they had tried to s.
eturn to Austin, but had been turned
ack by the negroes. Carter SAYS he
oes not believe they attempted to re. ,
Urn, and adds that if the sheriff had
cen at home, no trouble would have oc-t !
lrred. Carter claims that his influence :
II good with the colored people had been-l =
estroyed by the reports that Neblett and J
hers bad circulated about him. The :
opposition is that after the trouble conn., \
enced, the negroes sent conriers to the
nerent plantations to inform the negroes
what had occurred, and that thew y
med those in the vicinity Of the town. | b
some Of the plantations the hands re- Y
sed 70 leave their work, SAYING that Ii
ey had nothing to do with the quarrel. h