Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-08
THE COUNTY ELECTIONS.
Returns from Several
Counties i'm Middle and
West Tennessee.
Shelby Democratic by Over -Four
Thousand Majority.
A Serious Election ARRAY in
Rutherford.
rutherford Comfy.

Special 70 the I mon and American.
MURFREEsBoRo, Aug. THE result of
the election in this county yesterday is a
complete victory for the straight Demo-
cratic ticket. The real contest was for
County Court Clerk, between James O..
Oslin, Democrat, and John ID. Wilson,
the only ayowed Radical running. In 1871
there were in this county {, 343 votes, {, 421
whites,a and ,922 blacks-a difference of only
400 in favor of the whites. Two years
ago, in the election for Governor, Brown
received 2,717 votes and Freeman 2,314-a
Democratic majority of only 403. Wilson
hoped 10 receive the entire negro vote, and
enough white votes to secure his cleo
ton; but the result has shown that, not
withstanding he was a strong candidate
and has considerable personal popularity,
hecould not mass the colored vote.
Official returns have been received from
all the districts which foot up as follows:
For Sherif-Richard Ransom, Democrat,
4,O1S; J. F. Fletcher, j., Independent,
l,442. County Court CIerk-James O..
oslin, Democrat, S,l36; John d. Wilson,
Republican, 2,O96. For Trustee. NJ.
Adams, Democrat, 3,6s5; S. II. Singleton,
Independent, 1,7S1. For Tax Collector,
". NJ. Spain, Democrat, 3,53S; j. NJ
Thompson, Independent, 1852; A. Arnold,
Independent, 2,0l9.
S. b. Fowler, Democrat, Circuit Court
Clerk, and Hardy Murfree, Democrat, Reg
lister, were both reelected without opposi-
tion. Their vote was 4,136 and 4,0S7,
respectively.
This is an earnest and emphatic con-
demnation of the actionN>of Congress in at
tempting to pass the Civil Rights bill and
force-upon our people mixed schools and
negro equality.
A SERIOUS ARRAY.
In the Twenty-First District a serious af-
fray took place between the whites and
blacks. 1t appears 10 have originated about
as follows: Capt. Ed Arnold went up to a
negro, with whom he was well acquainted,
and asked him if he was not going to vote
his way at this electio {? The negro re-
piled that he was. Thereupon the Captain
handed him a ticket, when another negro
standing by stepped up and demanded to
see the ticket. Capt. A. objected, telling
him he had no right to see The ticket. At
this juncture a third negro, anding of
short distance, threw rock, which struck
the Captain in the forehead, knocking him
down. Theinegroes gathered around their
fallen foe, pelting him with rocks. Mr..
Arnold's son, Joseph, rushed TO the assis-
lance Of his father, and was also
Knocked down with a rock and
several pistols snapped at him.
The whites promptly ,interfered, and
the contest became general. For 4 few
minutes rocks flew thick aud fast, and
knives and pistols were brandished in a
threatening manner. But the negroes
were finally driven off and the troubles
ended in q few knock downs. Capt. Ar
mold is pretty badly bruised, but not dan
gerously injured. His son received but
slight injuries. The negroes were permit
ted to return and vote. The polls were not
interfered with. With this exception, the
election in this cOuuty passed of quietly
and orderly. Rutherford is vet 4 white
mans county, and the result Of this cleo
tiOn will doubtless greatly demoralize the
Radical Black-and-Tan element. United
and harmonious the Democracy of this
county are invincihle.
BOnfres are blazing tonight, and there
is great rejoicing over the victory.
RUTHERFORD.