New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-08-24
A RIOT AT BRASHEAR
STRIKE OF THE C0L0RED COAL GANG
THE TOWN UNDER ARMS
SEVERAL MEN WOUNDED
MAYOR ST. CLAIR RESTORES ORDER
MORE TROUBLE APPREHENDED
THE MAYOR TELEGRAPHS FOB ARMS
.ATHREATENED A CONFEDERATION
SEVERAL MEN WOUNDED
MAYOR ST. CLAIR RESTORES ORDER
6ORE TROUBLE APPREHENDED
THE MAYOR TELEaRAPHs FOR ARMS
ATHREATENED CONFEDERATION
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT READY FOR DUTY

Some time during Sunday young man.
an employe of the Morgan railroad, seemed
to think that colOred man wished to inter-
fere with him in the dis soharge of his duty,
and immediate ly resorted to the use of a
revolver, firing at the alleged interferer and
wounding another colored man. Several
colored mer, who were at the time in and
around the depot, discussed the matter,
probably in an excited manner, and few
fiery fellows wished to take revenge, aud a
consider able crowd congregated. This ere
ated something like = panic among the
residents, but report says that everything
quieted down, and all danger of . coiiision
passed.
A telegram received by Colonel Loan, at
twenty minutes after six o'clock last even
ing, from the mayor Of Brashear, Mr.. c. H.
St. Clair. indicates that he thinks differ
emily. Mr.. St. Clair telegtaphed for
twenty five Winchester rifles, but did not
give any reason for such an uncommon re-
quest. As Colonel Loan could not send
arms, having no control of them. he tele-
ersphed the mayor for particulars, but
received no answer. Mr.. St. Clair's dis
patch was sent to G"vArn0r Antoine, who,
of course, could nt, in such q matter
without first learning particulars.
From q gentleman at Brashear the follow
ing particulars were received at late hour
last night:
BRAsHEAR, La, August 23 1875.
Under guidance of the Union Labor As
sociation Morgsn's coal gang yesterday
demanded higher wages, treble the amount
received heretofore. The agent refused.
and all unwilling to work at regular stated
wages were informed that they could leave.
At II A. NJ. about fifty negroes, headed
by one James Harrison, ass aulted, in the
railroad depot, one of the officers of the
road; thereupon the police of the town
were called upon to arrest the principal
offenders. The negroes gathered in great
numbers, and refused to allow their men to
be sent to Jail. There were few shots
and few knock-downs between the whites
and blacks. A short time ensued without
any fight, but harsh language came from the
negroes who are opposed both to the whites
and to those of their own class who had
consented to go to work on the coal boats.
The mayor of the town passed through
and around all the knots of collected ne
groes, begging them to disperse and let the
law have its course, as justice would be
done to all by the courts. This had no
effect except to prevent bloodshed. The
negroes in arms surrounded the house of
the railroad officer against whom their spite
was leveled, when again the mayor and two
or three friends went to the rioters and
commanded them to lay down their arms.
which they refused to do. The proclama-
ton of the mayor then issued ordering all
bar rooms, etc., to be closed, which was
obeyed promptly by all the citizens; and
this wise measure to prevent further ex-
citement had its good effect for the time.
About two hours afterward the storm
seemed to gather and grow darker, when
the mayor and town attorney, with the
assistance of tho railroad agent, commanded
the rioters again to disperse, and informed
them that unless such was done immedi-
ately they would not be responsible for the
consequences.
The mob then dispersed, and the mayor
appointed ten white men and ten colored
men as special policemen, with instructions
to arrest any one violating his instructions
or trampling upon the laws.
Upon the appearance of the railroad Off
cial going to his home, the rioters, to the
number of 800, assembled along the railroad
track to prevent him. When the agent ap-
peared in his car he called the official to
take seat with him; said few brief but
telling words, and withou. further molesta-
ton, but between armed negroes, passed
on and accompanied the official to his home.
After this quiet appeared to reign.
Upon the arrest of the negro chief, Hon.
c. B. Darrall, Congressman from this dis
trict, sent slip of paper to the mayor, say.
ing he would 60 his bond. The railroad
official was also arrested, when one Of our
prominent citizens stepped forward and
went on his bond.
Monday morning, long before the court
met to have preliminary examination of
the previous days horrors, the colored
element sent . communication to the town
authority, asking parley before going
into court.
To this the mayor answered, THE law
must have it's course and justice must be
done," and the parley was refused. The
mayor at the request of citizens again
issued proclamation ordering all bar
rooms and places where liquor was to be
had to be closed, and the citizens Obeyed and
even closed all establishments.
At the preliminary examin alton which
took place before Judge Train, the parties
arrested the day before waived examination
and gave bond to appear before the next
session of the parish court. There was also
another affidavit made against q number of
the colored rioters, when counsel ap-
peared for them, waived examination,
and the Judge fixed their bond at $50
each. That of the railroad official was
fixed at 500. The action of the court
did not please the rioters and they
freely express their opinion that nothing
but blood will satisfy them. The property