The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-09-08
The clinton Riot.

grams have been received by the AttoF-
ney General from the United States Dis
trict Attorney and the United State Mar
shall from Jackson, Miss, with reference
to the recent disturbances these between
white and colored citizens. The inform
alton il substantially to the effect that at
political meeting held at Clinton on Sat-
urday last row occurred, during which
three whites and four colored persons
were killed and many wounded. The off.
GERS sending the kilograms were OF the
opinion that the State authorities were
powerless to prevent q continuation OF
the disorders, The Attorney General has
telegraphed to the District Attorney and
U. S. Marshal at Jackson to do all in their
power TO preserve order, but as there has
been no call for United States authorities
for assistance no further directions have
been given. Should application be made
from the officers Of the general govern
ment stationed in disturbed places for aid
in supporting their official authority it is
probable that the Attorney General would
ask for the assistance Of the military, but
to this time there has been no such de-
mand or suggestions.
FULL PARTICULARS oFTRE CLINTON RIOT,
MEMPHIS, September7.-Th following
report OF the riot at Clinton, Mississippi,
last Saturday, were received from jack
son, tonight;
According to Il wide extended notice
throughout Kinds county, Republican
meeting was assembled at Clinton last
The members Of nearly all
the Republican clubs in the county were
in attendance, with many women and
children. A barbecue was announced, and
arrangements made to feed three thou.
sand persons. Nearly this number were
in attendance. Every preCautiOn was
taken TO have m orderly and success.
iul meeting. The Clinton authorities had
appointed many special police, and the
regulations prohibited the sale Of intoxi.
eating liquors. At half-past one o'clock
the procession filed upon the grounds and
speaking wus commenced. Democratic
speakers being on the ground and asking
for division OF the time in the interest
OF peace and good feeling, their request
was granted, and a joint discussion was
fixed between Judge Johnston, Demo.
cratic candidate for State Senator, and
Captain II. Fishee, editor Of the jackson
Daily Times. Johnston was to speak ono
hour, Fisher to follow In an hour and q
quarter, and Johnston to close In quar-.
ter Of an hour.
Johnston made liberal and courteous
speech, and Captain Fisher tOUk the
stand and congratulated the audience on
the auspicious opening Of the campaign
In The county, and expressed hope that
the same good feeling would characterize
all their meetings. He Compllmented
Judge Johnston on the conservative tone
OF lis remarks, and said he would be
glad to sec such meetings generally held.
The Republican party wanted peace aud
harmany- "a preyail and he shnnld sny
nothing that would not contribute to this
end, Captain Fisher spoke in this strain
about eight minutes, when ho saw the
outskirts Of the crowd leaving to go TO
the scene Of the difficulty, about fifty
yards distant, Tho speaker paused and
urged The audience to remain, butthe ex'
cited words drew the most Of them away,
and he stopped speaking to await their
return, In about three minutes pistol
shot was fired in the crowd, and In mo-
ment lliiy shots seemed to be disCharg-
ed. The widest frenzy existed among
The men, women aud children. Horses
broke loose from their hitchings and
Joined In the stampede. In the course Of
fifteen minutes exceeding five hundred
shots we're fired. Three whites and four
colorcd men were wounded. A large ma.
ioriIy Of the blacks were unarmed, hav.
Ing been cautioned against carrying weap-
ons to the meeting. The difficulty was
wholly unsought by them, and they
fought only In self defense. By 6O'clock
not colored man was OH tho grounds.
Armed whites came out from Clinton and
took possession OF the grounds, at the
same time the Vicksbnrgh train brought
armed men from Edwards and Bolton.
Saturday night five hundred armed men
occupied Clinton, and all were quiet. On
Sunday morning at daybreak the Vicks-
burgers two hundred Of whom were there
commenced slaughtering the negroes. And
all the Colored men they could find were
shot down. A dozen or more were killed In
cold blood. Armed bands organized and
secured the county, and the work Of
went on. II is estimated that
fifty men were killed in the county on
Sunday, and those who were not killed
had to flee to the woods and
swamps for protection. A complete reign
Of terror possesses the county. ColOred
men for two days have been hourly ar.
riving and reporting new outrngeS. The
civil authorities are utterly powcrless to
stop tho marauding bands. Governor
Anes has issued an order commanding
the rioters to disperse. The city is full
Of colored refugees who dare not return
to their homes. Governor Amcs Is doing
all within his power to prevent further
bloodshed. no sheriiI7s posse IL snill.
Cient.
The following Is the statement Of State
Senator Caldwell concerning the origin
of the difficulty: Judge johnson had
spoken about nm hour to an audience OF
over 1000, all Of whom listened attentive.
". The Judge said he had never address.
ed crowd as large rs the present one
that had behaved 40 we'll and given him
so much attention, and he hoped they
would accord his opponent, Capt Fisher,
the same courtesy.
Capt. Fisher then asCended the stand
and commenced speaking. In about five
minutes some one called The speaker
liar. Hendricks said to me: "There Is
going to be row out there" meaning on
the outer edge Of the crowd. | paused
for minute before going out. On hear.
Ing some very rough remarks ! pro-
ceeded to the spot indicated. When
|, got there | asked what was the
matter. A policeman said this man
Thompson had drawn pistol on one Of
The eOlUfed men marching In the process.
sion, using certain opprObions epithets.
I remarked, "my friend, for Gods sake
don't disturb the meeting soon saw
that the feeling was so strong and so de.
terminei that | called upon some Of the
other white men 10 assist me in preserv.
ing peace. No one responded. saw
Neil, Wharton and Thompson, white,
Iraw ibntr nistnls and stenned nm IA