The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-09-29
THE CLINTON RIOT.
a TruIe statement.
SHOWING WHO ORIGINATED
HI.
l pranaaitate3 Massacre of the Whites.
r.<,Imony of VvhsEe and Coiored
witnesses, Under OaEn.

witnesses, 4 nIeT OsAEn.
GIN. J. z. GEORGE:
C5airaan Democratic and Consergatir
Executive Committee:
AT your request we have received tn,
statements OF many persons who wit
rsssed the disturbance at Clinton on thu
AZ inst, which we now hand to YOU
s We think the following general history o
the matter, IS fairly sustained by these
statements
An invitation was extended TO all per
cons 10 attend the Republican meeting
and Barbecue at Clinton. There was tC
Iao Joint discussion Accordingly per
bons sixty or seventy-tive white men went
10 the grounds There were from one
tbon,and to twelve hundred negro men
present. As many perhaps as two OF
H three hundred went there armed with
pistols. There were probably twenty OF
Il thirty white men with pistols on their
ners0ns-not more than fifteen of whom
participated in the fighting Many of the
negroes went to Clinton anticipating a
fight and armed for it, and seized as a
pretext for the attray quarrel between a
white man and i negro.
There is nothing in the evidence to
show that there was a drunken man,
white or colored, on the grounds.
The inception of the quarrel is envel-
oped in obscuritv But in the light of
the subsequent action of the whites we
do not regard the merits Of this alterca-
tion as importaht-at all events there
was an alteration between n white man
and colored man. The former left the
negro, Joined a small party Of white men
distance of about one hundred yards
from the speakers stand, followed by the
colored man. This party of whites con-
sisted at first Of four or five, soon in
creased to about eleven; was slightly
scattered in small groups. Some cOlored
man cried "a fight" and called to the
colored men "tO come on" Immediate
" orders were given to orally" the
drums were beaten; the cry of 'tkill the
white men" was raised, and large mass
of negroes. armed with pistols and knives
and brandishing clubs pressed down on
theparty of whites. The crowd Of negroes
numbered probably as many rs three hun
bred. The whites, about eleven in num-
ber gave way and retreated about forty
yards, along a little branch, asking the
negroes to stand back, and TO keep the
peace and saying they desired no diff
Guilty. The negroes in their front pressed
on, crying ''kill them" After retreating
this distance, another crowd OF negroes
came down on them, coming from an
opposite direction. After the alteration
commenced and before the firing began,
the whites made every effort to avoid ii
fight. About this time, a pistol in the
hands Of Mr.. Thompson, Ga white mani,
was discharged accidentally, the ball
going IN the ground at his feet. A shot
was next fired by Il cOlored man, which
struck young Mr.. Wharton. The firing
instantly became general. The whites
stopped and fired vigorously. Two ne
groes were killed on the spot, and four or
five wounded, and the crowd in front of
the whites retreated. The white men
then commenced leaving the ground in
small parties. The negroes We're rallied,
by one OF their number, who told them
not to let the white men escape, and the
pursuit began; separate crowds OF ne
groes pursuing in different directions the
retreating groups of whites. Slvely
and Thompson (white), were Overtaken,
killed and their bodies mutilated. Chas.
Chiffon was killed in his own yard. Capt.
White was captured, shot, stabbed, and
beaten, and left for dead. Rice, Wells,
Wharton, Robinson, Gall white), and
perhaps several others were wounded.
Ii was subsequently reported that the
negroes threatened to attack the town,
and consequently, during Saturday night,
between four and five hundred armed
white men were concentrated in Clinton,
from Nicksblrg, Jackson, and the coun-
ty for the protection Of the town.
During Saturday night and Sunday
morning, perhaps seven or eight negroes,
who We're supposed to be leaders i'll the
afray, were killed by the whites, who
were indignant at the murder and mutt
lation Of their white friends.
Early Sunday morning most of the
white men returned to their homes. y
few remaining at the request of the
Mayor during Sunday night, as a police
force.
BY Monday morning, as the Mayor of
Clinton states, the town and neighhor-
hood were quiet, and peace was restored.
In justice to the memory of Martin
Slyely We deem it our duty to state that
he had no connection with the COM
mencement Of the disturbance. His
conduct was beyond reproach. He was
an eStImable gentleman, and sober and
exemplary citizen We make this state
ment to correct an unjust rumor that he
was the originator of the difficulty.
+. w. CABINS,
s. NJ. SHELTON,
FRANK JOHNSTON.