The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-09-11
MASSACRE IN MISSISSIPPI.
HORRIBLE STATE OF AFFAIRs-FIB
NEGROES SLAUGHTERED.

HORRIBLE STATE OF AFFA1Rs-F1ETY
NEGROES SLAUGHTERED.
MEMPHIS September 1.-The following
report of affairs at Clinton was received
from Jackson tonight: After the riot on
Saturday 500 white men occupied Clinton.
Sunday morning at daybreak the Vicks-
burgers, 200 of whom were there, COM
menced Strengthening the negroes. 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 country, and the work of
fifty men were killed in this way in the
country on Sunday. Those who were not
killed had to flee to the woods and swamps
| for protection. A complete reign of terror
possesses the country. Colored men for
two days have been hourly arriving and
reporting new outrages. The civil authori-
ties are utterly powerless to stop the ma
rauding bands Governor Ames has issued
an order commanding the rioters to dis
perse. The city is full of colored refugees,
who dare not return to their homes. They
ask nothing but protection. Gov. Ames is
doing all within his power to prevent
further bloodshed. No Sheriff's posse is
sufficient.
We have only space for a brief account
of the massacre in Mississippi. The dis
cussion was joint one between the Demo-
cratic and Republican candidates. This is
a fair sample of the Southern lambs we
have been hearing so much in praise of.
The following is the statement of State
Senator Caldwell concerning the origin of
the difficulty: Judge johnson had spoken
about one hour to an audience of over o.
600, all of whom listened attentively. The
Judge said he had never addressed crowd
as large as the present one that had be-
haved SO will and given him so much atten-
ton, and he hoped that they would accord
his opponent, Captain Fisher, the same
courtesy. Captain Fisher then assembled
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 the outer edge of the
crowd. l paused for a moment before 60
ing out. On hearing some very rough re-
marks l proceeded to the spot indicated
When l got there asked what was the
matter. A policeman said this man Thomp-
son has drawn pistol on one of the COL
ored men, who was marching in the pro
marked: my young friend, for God S sake
don't disturb the meeting"
l soon saw the feeling was so strong, so
determined, that l called upon some of the
other white men to assist me in preserving
the peace. No one responded. saw Neil
Wharton and Thompson (white) draw their
pistols, and l stepped up to Neil, telling
him that that would not do. l did the
same with Thompson, and they put their
weapons back in their pockets. In few
moments they had them drawn again.
Then the shooting commenced; l saw
Thompson fire the first shot, and he con-
tinued firing; by this time the firing soon
become general. The colored people soon
concentrated at this point, when the ag-
gressors ceased firing and dispersed. Then
| supposed the trouble was all over. Soon,
however, heard the reports of guns at the
east end of the speakers stand, which con-
tinued, and seemed to be spreading in every
direction east of where l was. l saw two
celored men wounded, one seriously and
the other about dead. l saw several other
colored men wounded more or less.''
Gov. Ames has called on the Federal
Government for troops to preserve order,
the State authorities being entirely power
less