Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-08-13
IN THE INTEREST OF PEAcE.

IN THE INTEREST OF PEACE.
A number Of leading gentlemen Of
both political parties met in the interest
Of peace and with a view of settling the
Austin difficulty smicably, but after or
ganizing, they received a dispatch
informing them that the war was over,
and that their mission was Therefore
forestalled, when they adjourned sine
die.
on THE STEAMER ST. FRANCIS.
The steamer, a little while before start
ing on her trip, was boarded by detail
of the Chickasaw Guards with fixed
bayonets, to prevent their guns or mem
beIs OF the organization embarking on
the vessel. a number Of young men,
not members Of the organization, left on
the vessel. The excitement among the
large crowd Oh the Ievee has been quite
as intense as the heat of the sun. At
one time over four hundred men had
assembled on the levee, with the hope
of going on the expedition, under COM
mand of General King White, Of Ar
kansas.
MEETING AT THE COTTON EXCHANGE.
At half-past eleven o'clock yesterday
morning, large number Of citizens as
ssmbled at the cotton exchange, to take
some action relative to the Austin exPe-
dition, dispatch having been received
to the effect that five days rations were
needed by the volunteers who left here
Tuesday on the steamer A. J. White.
The men having left hastily, had no
/ provisions on board, and were unable to
obtain anything in that section.
The meeting was called to order by
General ]. c. Fizer, who said that the
object Of the meeting was to take into
consideration the contents Of dispatch
received from General Chalmers, saying
be wanted five days ratiOns for five
hundred men, who had gone down to
Austin with limited supply of provi-
sions. AS an act Of humanity, he
thought the citizens of Memphis should
contribute provisions to the cause. He
moved that Mr.. L. Hanauer be made
chairman, and G. P. Hunt secretary Of
the meeting. The motion prevailed,
and the chairman said its objects having
been made known, he hoped the meet
ing would at once proceed to business.
On motion, the following committee
was appointed: Messrs. Fisher, COch-
ran, Harvey, FOntaine, Lewis, A. Green,
w. Gates, and General W. c. Fizer.
The committee were then instructed
to proceed at once to procure provisions
to be sent away at five O'Clock in The
afternoon on the steamer st. Francis.
1t being announced that General
King, OF Arkansas, was present, this
gentleman was loudly called for, and
complied with the urgent demand. He
said he had nothing special to say to the
meeting. He had been solicited by men
to go TO Austin. During the prevalence
Of the malaria in the swamps Of Arkan-
sas and the bottoms of the Mississippi
river he knew of no place where he
could spend a day OF two more pleas
antly than at Austin. Cheers. The
merchants Of Memphis knew how far
and in what respect their interests were
affected by the riot at Austin, and the
suffering Of its citizens. 1t was
b duty for the Memphis citi-
zens to assist their friends at
Austin in every possible way so as to
prevent them from starvation and save
them from butchery. "I expect 70 start
for Austin this afternoon, and some
body will be whipped shortly after l get
there, bu; L hope it won't be me.
[Cneers From my recent experience
in Arkansas 1 do not believe that the
complexion OF those who are now Great
ing the riot at Austin can stanb the
white man. The pale face, in fact, has
an advantage over the negro, and we
should endeavor to quell the riot and
restore peace" ICheers
The meeting then adjourned.
The following placard was seen posted
in conspicuous places throughout the
city:
"RELIABLE MEN WANTED
to quell the Austin riot Three hundred
men wanted, to report on board the 4
steamer st. Francis, at four O'Clock this f.
day-Arms and ammunition will be /.
furnished to them Alec, three hundred I
men, well armed and equipped, to report /
at same time and place. About twenty
good artilerists wanted. General King
White of Arkansas will assume COM
mand Of the above men"
THE CAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY.
The Helena Independent, Of Tuesday,
gives the following as the origin Of the
difficulty: "Some ten days since drug
clerk by the name of q r. smith, IN
the employ of Askew & Co, Austin,
Mississippi, had an unfortunate diff
cuity with some cOlored people, in
which he came near involving the
who county. Smith Is a man Of fami-
Iy, and lived in house on an adjoining
LOT where resided a colOred family
named Whitiker. II seems that Whit
ker was religiOusly inclined, and had
small revivals and pTayer-meelngs
nightly at his house, at which il is said
he was very noisy. Smith got tired OF
This sort of thing, and came out Of bis
honse me night and hallowed over 10
yhitiker 10 dalt making so much noise.
Wbitiker answered by telling him that
he was in his Own yard, and would
make lust as much noise as he pleased
After this some reugh words passed, and
finally smith drew q pistol and fired.
/ The shot missed Whittier, but struck
his son, a youth, and killed him. The