Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-08-14
The Disgraceful Disturbance xes-
terday.

The most disgracfu1 disturbance
that has ever excited our city occur
red here Thursday afternoon. It was
all the result of the devil that seems
to take possession of James Heaton,
the candidate on the Regular Radical
ticket, whenever he gets drunk. Du-
ring the earlier portion of the day,
this individual behaved himself with
every pTopriety, although he was ac-
tive in his labors at the various ward
polls, but during the afternoon he ap
peared in the FIRST Ward and acted in
very disorderly manner. He was
taken ofT in hack by his friends,
just as a serious disturbance was i'm
mlment, and was driven to the Third
Ward polls.
Here he began, without the slight
est pTovocation, to curse and abuse
the ''rebel ku-kiux DemocracT." A
gentleman who was standing Rear,
made for him, when policeman Martin
attempted to arrest Heaton. A crowd
Of negroes then gathered around him
and the whites began to close in. The
Mayor then appeared on tho scene and
finally Heaton's friends were allowed
to take him eff in his hack, a,nid the
cheers Of the assembled negroes. In
this we censure the Mayor, as he
should have sent Eeaten off to
the Guard Honse at once and
kept him there. There were
enough white men on the ground who
were ready and prepared TO carry out
this arrangement, in despite Of the
large body OF negroes assembled, but
the Mayor accepted the assurances OF
HeatoE's friends that he would be
taken Off and kept quiet, and so let
him go. 1t was then said that Heat
Oh had driven down to the Fourth
Ward and rush Of both whites and
negroes was made in that direction.
Instead, however, he shortly after
wards appeared at the corner of Mar
ket and Second streets, where he was
surrounded by an excited crowd of
negroes, all brandishing clubs, and
swearing death and destruction to all
who opposed them. The Mayor and
the Marshal were soon on the spot with
astrongs squad irregular and special po-
lice, and a struggle soon began between
them and the crowd for the possession
Of Ecaton's person. The police for
bore to use their arms and. SC far as
we could learn, but one blow with a
although there WAS a continual war Of
fi6tlcUits going on. The conflict
surgcd down Market, then down Front
to Dock street, and on Dock street Hea-
ton took refuge in Neff's saloon, where
Ne ~srs. Geo. Il. French and i. Is.
Sanders, the latter having been one of
those who appeared with him In the
First Ward, succeeded in getting him
off. The police then yielded him into
their hands, and they marched up
street with him to Mr. Frcnch's room,
where he was taken in doors and kept
there,
OF course there was a terrible excite
ment felt all through the city, and
groups Of whites and blacks were gath.
cred together on Market and Front
streets. At one time movement was
organized by number of young men
to take Heaton from his refuge and carry
him to the guard house, but the counseis
Of older and wiser heads prevailed.
About 8 O'Clock there was imminent
danger of another outbreak, which
was only prevented by earnest and
active efforts and by a judicious dis
position OF the police force. Several
rocks were thrown, one of which struck
Mr.. John II. Cazaux in the face, in
juring him quite painfully. Mr. L.
". kerchner, we understand, was also
slightly injured. At 10 o'clock the
crowds had all dispersed and the May
Or and Marshal patrolled the streets
with large bodies of police TO ensure
continued quiet.
We think that every man, woman
and child in this city has good reason
to be glad that the consequences of
this disturbance were not more serious
than they were. There were but few
white men on the streets who were not !
prepared to meet any emergency and
lad an actual conflict occurred the re
,ult would not have long been in doubt.
This last escaprde will doubtless cost
Heaton dearly. The peace and safety
If a whole community cannot be
placed at the disposal Of one man
md the strong arm of the law will be
made to fall upon the offender. The |
public sentiment will rest satisfied
with nothing less than its mot rigor-
2ns enforcement.