Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-08-14


was going on when our informants left, and
they were fired upon as they crossed over
TO ShipIsland. -
ASSISTANCE FOR THE WHITES.
A despatch from Helena says Major
Hern Chalmers, of fernando, has just ar
rived here, for the purpose of chartering a
boat to take men to the assistance of the
whites in Austin. He says a courier from
Mayor Woodson, Of Austin. reached Her
nandoa at daylight, stating thatthe town was
surrounded by about one thousand negroes,
and asking for help.
About two hundred men from fernando
and vicinity will be here at two O'Clock,
and in company with the volunteers from
this city, will start at four O'Clock for Aus
tin.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
Dr. Smith, who is the unfortunate cause
of the trouble there, reached here last night.
Some three weeks since he was attacked in
the streets of Austin by a negro, and, draw
ing pistol, fired at the negro, but missed
him and killed little negro girl standing
by, which exasperated the negroes to such
an extent that they collected mob and
took Smith to the woods to hang him, which
they would have done but for the entreaties
of Mayor Woodson and the DOCTORS wife.
Since that time DR.. Smith has been vol
untary inmate Of the Jail to prevent being
mobbed, until Friday, when some friends
came and carried him to fernando. On
his leaving the jai! the negroes collected in
large numbers, and notified the mayor that
unless he was brought back and put in Jail
they would burn the town.
ANOTHER CALL FOR HELP.
4 third despatch to the appeal from
Helena says kilograms are being re-
ceiyed from the vicinity of Austin asking
for men, arms and ammunition, and stating
unless the whites, who are surrounded in
the court house, are speedily relieved, they
will be forced to surrender or be captured.
The steamer 4. j. White has been charter.
lied to leave at five O'Clock, and carry a
! large number of men well armed.
DESPERATE FIGHTING.
Another despatch to the same paper says
| that the negroes surrounding Austin were
charged ON the south this morning by a
body mounted whites, who killed four OF
five, and captured twenty negroes. The
! blacks number about 700 and the whites
have about 200. Both parties were expect.
ing reinforcements. At present the whites
have the best of the fight. The negro hands
on the plantations opposite on the Arkan
sas side are arming and marching on Aus
tin in large numbers.
NEGROES MARCHING ON AUSTIN.
The excitement here in regard to the riot
in Austin is increasing. The telegraph
operator at Helena reports the negros have
been leaving there, on the Mississippi side
all day, marching On Austin. The steam
er White left this afternoon with three hun
dred armed men and supplies, under com
mand of Colonel Morgan, Of fernando
Miss, about half of whom are from Missis
sippi. Among them are some twenty ne
groes, who say, "they want this foolishnes'
stopped"
The remainder Of the force is from thi
city. Large numbers of men have alsc
started for Austin by land, and if the whites
can hold the court house until midnight re
Inducements in sufficient numbers will have
arrived to relieve them.
TEN MEN REPORTED KILLED.
MEMPHIS, August 11.-A special to th'
Aralanche from Helena, dated at noon
says that in the fight at Austin last nigh
eight or ten negroes were killed. Reinforce
ments are coming in to the whites from th'
hills, and the negroes are being reinforced
from the surrounding country.
i The whites have Austin barricaded, ant
will probably be able to keep the negroe
of, but they need assistance in provision
and ammunition. Several officials from
Tunica county have been here since yester
day. They telegraphed to Governor Anne
at Jackson for assistance, but up to thi
time they have not heard a word.
This special also says the whites hav
taken o. X. Landing, three miles below
Austin, and the only landing in that vicini
ty at the present stage of water, and this i
corrobarated by the officers of the III. {
Yeager, which arrived here last night, AM
who saw body of armed colored men ther