Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-09
A Negro Opens the Ball, Snap
ping a Pistol Twice in
the Mayors Face.
Mayor Hendon shoots Him Dead.
Young Burton Mortally WOUNDS
Two Brothers and Dis
ables a Third.
He Receives Thirteen Shots from
the Negro Mob and
StiIl Lives.
Quiet Restored without Further
Blood.
No Apprehensions of Renewed
Trouble.

MEMPHIS, Aug. S.-Parties who arrived
this morning from Somerville report all
quiet, and that there had been no further
| fighting than reported in these dispatches
last night. and that when the militia, which
left here last night, aFTiSed thee they
found greai excitement, but no fighting.
| Il seems The difficulty originated IN per-
sonal difficulty between tiIssen Hendon, 4
while uan. and Cash Warren, leading
negro politician, on the day of election,
which was renewed yesterday, which
led 10 the attempt 10 arrest Oscar
Burton by Sheriff Reeves and his two
brothers who are two leading kepubiicans
ana represented as determined men. Bur
ton shot and killed Paul Reeves and was
in turn shot and killed by Sheriff Reeves,
whereupon fire was opened upon Sheriff
Reeves and his brother from the windows
and doors on the streets and they were shot
down. The widest excitement ensued
and efforts were made to organize the
negroes into armed bodies but as far as
known al present, without success, and bet
ter counsels prevailed and quiet was res
toned. The militia from this city will ne
turn on the noon train.
A Full Statement of the Terrible AZ
fair.
From Capt. Harvey Mathes, editor of the
EreIling Leader, who returned from Som
erville this evening, the following account
of the riot, or rather what threatened 10
become so, at SOmerville yesterday, is OBJ
tanned The election of the day before had
been holly contested, and many negroes
had attended the polls during the day heayi-
Il armed. and some had openly threatened
to burn the town. During the day PROM
inent negro politician named Cash Warren
had cursed and abused a young brother df
Mayor Hendon, and on yesterday, encouH-
tering MayOr HendOn on the street, began
to abuse him, and finally
snapped a Pistol Twice In the Mayors
Face,
who then drew pistol and shot him dead.
Almost simultaneously, two or three shots
were fired at the negro by the friends Of
the Mayor, who had collected there, among
! whom was Oscar Burton, young mao
noted for being an excellent shot and brave,
who was charged with firing at Warrea
when he met his death, by the negroes,
who had become very much incensed at the
death of Warren and Threatened TO Kill
Burton, who about IL o'clock appeared on
the streets, armed with a dOuDle-barrelled
shotgun and pistols. Judge j. q. Reeves,
Albert Reeves, the Sheriff elect, and another
| brother named Paul, attempted to arrest
and diSarm Burton, and owing 70 report
| that a body of negroes were marching into
town, Burton refused TO be arrested, and
they opened fire on him, wOunding him
severely in four different places. lie re-
turned lie ire with shot gun, mOTtally
wounding Paul and Albert and then iell
| himself, but
Raising Himself ON HIS Elbow,
drew his pistol and shot j. G. Reeves n
the shoulder inhicting a dangerous but not
fatal wound. The party Of negroes WHO
| had cOngIegated then opened fire on BuF-
ton, shooting him in a number Of places,
and one rushing up put pistol to his back.
| In all, he received thirteen wounds, and i
any prove fatal, which the doctors doubt,
it viii be the one last mentioned.
The excitement that followed WAS in
tense. Reports spread that negro miners
| had been sent to the country 10 stir up the
various cOlored societies, and Memphis was
telegraphed 10 for aid. Many negroes let
town as was supposed TO procure reinfOroe-
| ments, among whom was Williamson. who.
in a speech during the canvass, said if the
Civil Rights bill was not passed, he
Would Ride in Blood up 20 his Birdie
Bits,
was captured last night, but escaped af-
! terWardS.
On the arrival OF the military from Mem
phis, they found the citizens in arms and
the town under strict patrol. Their arrival
was hailed with great JOY by the whites,
and at the earnest request of the citizens,
Capt. Duncsns Chicsasaw Guards agreed
to remain till Monday, while the remainder
returned home this evening.