The New York herald., 1876-08-18
THREATENED RACE CONFLICT.
Murder Of Two Negro Cattle Thieves Near
Eagle Lake, Texas.
GATHERING OF BLACKS FOR VENGEANCE.
Both Races Waiting Under Arms-A
Conflict Imminent

Houston, Texas, August II, 1870
On the Goth Of July last two negroes stopped the
store OF two brothers named Frazer in the country,
short dstanc from Eago Lake. railroad station in
Colorado county. After making some purchase they
start ed for their homes, great distance Off
night their horses camo home without them. After
lapse OF three days the bodies of the negroes
found the PRAIRIE about six miles from Frazors
store There doubt but that they killed by
stockmen-kiled because they were notorious cattle
thieves They were the rngleaders of band of cattle
thieves, white and black who slaughtered cattle for
their hides and drove others off and sold them Their
depredatons had become so frequent, ana the stock
overs were suffering such loss that their exaspera
tion some OF them killed these two negroes.
PREPARATIONS FOR DArrLE.
There are a great many negroes in that immediate
section, II being fine agricultural country well as
stock country ana they became very much inccnsed
and Immediately congregated in large numbers threat
ening XIII the Frazers and destroy their property.
Affairs became so alarming that tho whites in tho
nelghborhood assembled at Frazer's store for their
proecon and they felt 1t necessary to their
goods to Eagle Lake. BY the prudence and wise coun-
sells Of tho whites the negroes prevailed upon to
dsporse and go their homes and the murder Of the
two colored men was denounced. All would have been
we'll had not e9il counsellors gotten tho ears of the
negroes. Who it was is not positively known, but
suspicion strongly points to ono Baughman, formerly
Sheriff of Wharton county, bird of passage, who ol
lowed the Union army into Texas after the war; and
went for the spos of office, being elected by the negro
vote He furnished the negroes with ammunition, and
1t is believed has them nsurrecton for they
again, after several days had passed since their first
obultion assembled together in largo numbers armed
and swearing to burn tho town OF Eagle Lake and
murder all the whites.
The whites again turned out, under arms, coming
from the neighboring railroad towns to protect the
citizens Of Eagle Lake. There was no excitement on
the part OF The whites, and they had but desire,
that of peace and to prevent the negroes from dong
harm. They had it IN their power to have annhlated
tho negroes, had they desired bloodshcd. Forbear-
prevailed This was about the 9th inst, and
whilo there no direct conflict between whitos and
blacks any numbers. yet two negroes were killed.
on the evening OF Monday, the 7th inst We'll, after
pareyiug with the blacks and assuring them in every
way their power that they had no desire to hurt
them, in any wise modest them in any OF their rights,
either OF liie property or citizenship the whites in-
duced the blacks again 10 disperse the moro readily
their supposed adviser, Baughman, had vamoosed the
rancho" This on Thursday the llth inst, when
blacks were the second time, persuaded to disband
and go peaceaby to their homes the whites returning
TO thcrs. The day the negroes assembled for ms
chief the second time quite quantity OF powder
received Tor the man Baughman at Eagle Lake, an
the Impression prevails there that IL was intended for
the negroes
THE NEGROES STILL THREATEN VIOLENCE.
Again, on the night OF the llta inst, Eagle Lake
was thrown into confusion by the appearance OF
number OF armed negroes on the Streets and during
the night the store Of j. A. Harbert Co. was
travelling about in little gangs, threatening to burn
Eagle Lake aud massacre the people, and tho whites
collected again tor protection. Tho negroes boldly
announced tnat they wore getting ready to burn Eagle
Lake the night OF tho 18th, and II their plans
all matured they would do so; otherwise they would
| wait until they had everything ready
BLOODY CONTEST ANTICIPATED
At this date matters stand in that condition. The
negroes have forsaken their work. muttering ven
gcancc and broodng their supposed wrongs, with
in ther hands and with bad men TO advise them
and urge them on The flame may burst forth at any
instant and race-conct, short It true, but bloody
one bring sadness TO the hearts OF all good For
nearly three weeks the whites have reasoned aud
aud prudence prevented any collision; and they are
still continuing to reason and persuade and II thcro be
| fight the negroes will DO The attacking party
| PERSIcIous POLITICAL BUMMERs
This state Of things Is the result OF tho perni-
cious teaching the negroes havc received since the
war from the bummcrs and stragglers of the
| Union army, who came into the South for
| plunder and have used tho negroes stepping
stones 10 place and power that they night Ill their
pockets from the public CRIBS There is doubt that
tho republican leaders in this Stato sending ems-
sarcs to different sections up strife and incto
tho negroes acts of hostility in order that OF
them may be killed. ana thus afford grst for the out-
rage mills" There Is no authentic Information Of the
killing but four negroes during the Eagle Lake i'm
| brogo--the two first named murdered on the prairie
and the two killed about the 7th inst Every effort IS
being 10 Icrret out sayers Oh tncse negroes
and there is little doubt that they will be brought
| justice at the next term OF the court IN Colorado
| county Tho negroes killed because they
cattle thieves and not because they negroes for
white cattle thieves Killed otcner than black
| Texas at this timo has Governor SO lnfnted with
the idea been elected the United States
Senate that he has not the time to do his duty 10
emergency like this at Eagle Lake, else he would,
| days ago if not sooner have made II impossible for
race conflict to a: that point Whom he does the
State the great service OF vacatnR the gubernatorn
! chair and The eminent gentleman who will succeed
| h,r< tnlo fhnnn nl0ro doR vvtfI
dawn for the State and the laws will be executed
nave gwen you lacts best they bo CLEANED
MAJ