The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-09-09
The Clinton Riot.
ANOTHER REPORT OF THE Az.
FAIR.
Unprovoied Assault of White Runiaus
Upon Coiored People - Wholesale
slaughter of CoIored People. etc.

The following associated press despatch was
received at too late an hour yesterday for pub
lication:
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Sept. THE following re-
port of the riot at Clinton, Miss, last Satur-
| day. was received from jackson tonight: Ac-
cordiDg to wide extended notice throughout
Hlnds county, mass Republican meeting was
assembled at Clinton last Saturday.
Members of nearly all the Republican clubs
in the county were in attendance, with many
women and children A barbecue was an
nounced and arrangements were made to feed
5000 persons. Nearly this n1mber we're in at
tendance. Every preeautiOn was taken to have
an orderly aud successful meeting. The Clin-
ton authorities had appointed many special DO
Ice aud the regulations prohibited the sale of
intoxicating liquors. At half past p. m the
procession filed upon the ground and the speak,
ing commenced.
Ten minutes thereafter, the Democratic
speakers being on the ground and asking for
division of time in the interest of peace and
good feeling, their request was granted aud a
joint discussion was fixed between Judge John
SOD, Democratic candidate, and Capt. Fl. Fish
er, editor of the jackson Daily Times-John-
son to speak an hour first, Fisher to follow in
an hour and quarter, and johnson to close in
quarter of an hour.
johnson made liberal and courteous speech
aud Capt. Fisher taking the stand, cougratu-
lated the audience on the auspicious opening of
the campaign in the county, and expressed
the hope that the same good feeling would
characterize all their meetings. He congratu-
lated johnson on the conservative tone of bis
remarks, aud said he would be glad to see such
meetings generally held
The Republican party wanted peace and bar
moDy TO prevail, aud be should say nothing
that would not contribute TO this end.
Capt. Fisher spoke IL this strain about eight
minutes, when he saw the outskirts of the
crowd leaving TO go to the scene of difficulty
about fifty yards distant
The speaker paused and urged the audience
to remain, but excited words drew most of
them away, and he stopped speaking to await
their return. In about three minutes a pistol
shot was fired in the crowd, and quickly an
other aud in moment so shots seemed to be
discharged. The widest confusion ensued
Men, women and children broke loose from
their hitchiugs and joined in the stampede. Ip
the course of fifteen minutes exceeding 500
shots were fired. Three whites and four COL
Ored were wounded.
A large majority of the blacks were unarm-
ed, having been cautioned against carrying
weapons to the meeting. The difficulty was
wholly unsought by them, and they fought on
y in self defence. By O'clock not coloree
man was seen on the grounds. Armed whites
came out from Clinton and took possession of
the ground. At the same time the Vicksburg
train brought armed men from Edwards aud
Bolton. On Saturday night 500 armed white
men occupied Clinton, and there was quiet.
THE WORK OF SLAUGHTER
Sunday morning at daybreak the Vicksbnrg-
ers, 200 of whom were there, commenced
slaughteriug the negroes. All the colored men
they could ind were shot down. A dozen or
more were killed in cold blood
Armed bands formed and secured the coun.
try and the work of slaughter went on. 1t is
estimated that so men were killed in this way
in the country on Sunday. Those who were
not killed were compelled to flee to the woods
and swamps for protection. A complete reign
of terror possessed the country.
Colored people for two days have been hour
ly arriving and reporting ne outrages
The civil authorities are utterly powerless to
stop the marauding bands
Gov. Ames has issued an order commanding
the rioters to disperse. The city is full of col
ored refugees who dare not return to their
homes. They ask nothing but protection. Gov.
Ames is doing all in his power to prevent fur
ther boodshed. No sherff's posse is sufficient.