The New York herald., 1875-10-02
NEGRO DISAFFECTION.

THE ARMoRY OF THE CLAYTON VOLUNTEERS BRO
KEN INTo-TwENTY-oNE GUNS TAKEN-AFTER
SEARCH, DISCOVERED IN A SCHOOL ROOM
EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE EXECUTION OF
GEORGE sPEER ON FRIDAY.
JosEsBoRo', Ga, Oct ], 1879.
Ever since the trial Of the negroes for at
tempted insurrecton, the white people, In localities
where tho negroes outnumber them, have been in
state Of anxiety and watchful and suspicious OF their
movements The acquitta OF those who tried has
had its effect Others and led TO the forpatIon Of
many organizations They manage to keep their
movements and objects a secret and are source Of
annoyance TO peacefully disposed people
STEALING GUNS
On Monday night Last the armory Of the Clayton
Volunteers at this place broken into by means OF
log hooks with which the door forced open and
twenty OF the company's muskets were stolen
Late that night Marshal Maddox discovered the theft
and notified Captain J. NJ Smith Of it. Suspicion at
once pointed to the negroes, and large number Of
citizens and members of the company gathered together
and instituted search throughout the entire town.
The houses of leading negroes, who make it
business to harangue their fellows all occasions
searched but without The coored churches
and schoolhouses next entered and in school
house near the suburbs OF the town twenty OF the
tWenty-One guns were lOund. Inc mouse was locked,
and IN u, hidden away under large blackboard, the
guns were concealed They carried back 10 town
and replaced in the armory, which was then put under
guard The whites and blacks here at swords
points and there Is scarcely doubt that the negroes
stole the guns. number Of guns and quantity Of
ammunition were locked up in the armory but in the
hurry OF the robbery they were not seen.
Some four months ago negro named George Speer
was arrested for an outrage on white girl twelve
years Of and convicted and sentenced to be hanged
on the sth inst at Fayetteville about eight miles dis
stant About two weeks after he was arrested another
negro whose will tell, found dead,
with his body mutilated. He had committed an
outrage on a white girl also, and some one hunted
him down and killed him. Since the latter affair the
negroes assert that the man who killed was guilty
OF both crimes and that George Speer shall not suffer for
his offence Speer was convicted on the evidence of the
girl who outraged and sent TO Fayette County JAIL
eight miles from here. Owing to the threats made he
was removed to Fulton County JAIL IN Atlanta, where
he will remain till the time appointed for his execution
During last week the negroes have met every evening"
in large numbers, mystorousay and susplcousiy
''BErTER TOWN.
negro school teacher, named Bailey, attempted
some time ago to put negro woman in the ladies' car
on the Macon and Western Road and got in trouble
about it with some white men, who told him that he
had better leave This has added fuel to the fire.
and disturbance watched for, On Friday next
Speer viii be brought from Atlanta to Jonesboro, the
nearest point on the railroad to Fayetteville TO be
taken eight miles the country TO that point for
execution. II will be the duty Of the Clayton volun
toers to accompany the Sheriff and his prisoner here
There 1t is supposed the companys guns were stolen
leave the Sheriff unguarded and strengthen the
chances Of rescue No arrests have yet been made
and whatever Information the authorities have they
keep to themselves.
SMITHS GUN.
A negro named Bob Smith carrying a gun
on Wednesday at dusk. lie was brought to task, but
denied its being OF the twenty one, and brought
rusty old muskct To Captain Smith the in
his possession. The boy who hlm with gun says
thai s not the same one he saw with him 1t had
bright shining butt and Singing strap attached while
the shown by the negro has neither strap strap
fastening and Is stained and rusty
There is considerable excitement around tho town,
and Friday the day OF the execution looked for
ward To with considerable anxiety.