The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-08-14
Riot I'm West Tennessee.

MFNrms Aug S.-From Capt. lIar-
vey Ma,hes. editor of the Eyeng Led
ger, who returned from Somerviile this
evening, the following account OF the
riot. or rather what threatened TO be-
come so at Someryille yesterday, 10 Oh
tanned: The election OF the day before
had been holly contested. aud many ne
groes had attended the polls during the
dav heavily armed. and some had open.
Iy threatened 90 burn the town. Dur
ing the day aprominen, negro politician
named Cash Warren had cursed and
abused n brother OF Mayor liendon,
aud on Yesterday, encountering Msyor
Ilemlon on the street began TO abuse
him. ard fiually snapped n pistol twice
Ia the Mayors face. who then drew n
pistol and shot him dead. Almost sim
uhaneously, two or three shots were
fred AZ the negro by the friends OF tho
Mayor. who had collected there. among
whom was Oscar Burton, Young mam
noted for being an excellent shot aud
brave. who was charged with firing at
Warren when he met his death, by the
negroes. who had become very much
incensed at the death OF Warren and
threatened to kin Burton. who sbou. III
O'Clock appeared on the streets. armed
with a double -barrelled shot,gunn and
pistols. Judge j. G, Reeves, Albert
Reeves, the Sheriff elect. and another
brother named Paul, attempted TO ar
rest and disarm Burton, and owing to
report that body of armed negroes
were marching into town, Burton re.
fused to be arrested. and they opened
fro on him. wounaiog him Severely iT
four different places. He returned tho
| fire with q shotgun, MORALLY wount-
ing Paul aud Albert and then fell him
self but raising on his elbow, drew his
pistol and shot j. G Reeves In tho
shoulder intlcting dangerous but not
fatal wound. The party of negroes who
had congregated then opened fire on
Burton, shooting him in u number OF
places, aud one rushing up put pistol
TO his back. In all, he received thirteen
wounds, and |: any prove fatal, which
the doctors doubt, il will DO the ono
last mentioned.
The excitement that followed was IN.
tense. Reports spread that negro mi
ners had been sent 10 the country TO
stir up the various colored societies,
aud Memphis was telegraphcd 10 for
aid. Many negroes left town as was
supposed TO procure reinlorccmenls,
among whom waa Williamson, who IN
a speech during the canvass, said II tho
Civil Rights bill was not passed, he
would ride in blood up TO his bride
bits was captured last night, but etcap-
cd afterwards.
On the arrival Of the military from
Memphis, they found tho citizens IN
arms and the 10 vn under strict patrol, -
Their arrival was hailed with great
ioy by the whites, aud at the earnest re-
quest or the citizens Captain Duncan y
Chickasaw Guards agreed 10 remain
till Monday, while the remainder re-
turned home this evening.
MEMPHIS, Aug. l0.--Paries who ar
rived from Somcrville this morning
state that Albert Reeves, Republican
candidate for sheriff, who was shot by
Burton. on Friday, died last night. His
brother Paul was dying this morning.
Judge j. G.. Reeves, another brother,
who was shot al the same time, aud Os-
car Burton will both recover. Every.
thing was quiet there aud the Ch!cka-
saw Guards from this city have return