Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-08-08
HOMICIDE.
A Black Assassin Attempts the Life of
Captain p. r. Starr, Mate or
the Steamer Illinois.
A Liberal Exchange of Pistol Shots Re
suits In the Death OF the As
sassfn-CaptaIn starr
Held Blameless.

On Saturday night, at Niblett's land
ing, about miles below this city,
a negro named Charley Webb was shot
and instantly killed by Captain P. r.
Starr, mate OF the Illinois, under the
following circumstances, related to US
by an eyewitness: Webb, the negro
man who was killed, got aboard the Illi-
nois at Easton's, taking cabin (texas)
passage up to Niblett's landing, on the.
Mississippi side of the river. AS soon as
the Illinois rounded out from Easton's,
Webb went down on deck and began
ABUSING THE COLORED PEOPLE
below, apparently, as negro man states
it, "bossing" over them because he
webb could pay cabin fare and his less
fortunate fellow beings could only afford
deck rates. Webb became very bolster
Gus and overbeariHg; until some OF the
colored deckers complained to the mate
Captain Stsrr) that they had paid their
fare, and thought they ought to be pro-
tected from such ruftianism. Captain
Starr walked aft, where Webb was cut
ting I'D his tAntrums, and demonstrated
with him, but Webb, apparently think
ing that Captain Starr was meddling
where he had no business, grew more
abusive to the deck passengers, and be-
came somewhat demonstrative toward
the officers OF the boat, making threats
against Ca tain Starr, and
FLoURIsHING A PISTOL
to the terror Of the people on the boat.
Captain Starr was notified of the threats
the negro was making, and Immediately
walked back, and marched Webb out
forward and up on the roof, where he
remained until the Illinois arrived at
Niblett's, where Webb got off, renewing
his threats sg 4inst the officers and some
of the deck passengers on the Loaf. 1t
was after da1k when the boat arrived at
Niblett's, and it was thought that the
matter would end with the negro's
departure from the boat, but as soon as
the torch was lit, Webb hid himself be-
hind tree and
FIRED ONE SHOT AT CAPTAIN STARR,
who was indiscreetly standing on shore
between the tOrchlight and his assassin.
AS soon as the shot was fired, Captain
Starr realized that Webb was attempting
to carry out his threat to kill somebody,
and not wishing to be that somebody,
went aboard the boat, secured q pistol
and returned to where he had been su.
perintending the discharge or receipt of
some freight, and arrived there in time
to hear another sumner from behind the
tree, this time the ball whizzing so close
by his head as to awaken q
doubt in bis mind whether
or not he could "hold the fort"
On hearing the second shot, and realiz.
ing that the slug had carried away no
part of his body, Captain Starr discov-
cred Webb peeping round apparently to
see the result of his pistol practice by
torchlighG, and, ieveling his repeater,
TURNED 'ER LOOSE,
pee ing The bark SO close to Webb's ears
as to make him leave the tree in search
of another and a more secure ambush.
AS he left the tree Starr fred q second
time, but failed to hit the negro, until
just as Webb was about to get behind 8
tree, a third shot from Starts pistol
struck Webb in the mouth, ranging up
ward into the brain, causing death
almost instantly. A number OF men
went out to where the body fell, and
discovered that Webb's right hand was
firmly graspiDg his pistol, which was
cooked, and finger on the trigger, show
ing that he was in the act himself of de,
livering another shot, which perhaps
might have done the work for Starr if
his shot had not taken effect as we have
stated. The above are the particulars as
related to US by an eyewitness, and we
are informed that all on board the boat,
white and black, passengers and crew,
ENTIRELY EXONERATED CAPTAIN
STARR
from any blame, all believing that II
Starr had not killed Webb, his own life
would have been taken. The Illinois
lay at Nibletts several hours, but moth
ing was done toward arresting Captain
Starr, and just before the boat left he
wrote q note to Sheriff Ousley that he
would ans wer for the deed at Floreyville
on the return trip OF the Illinois.