The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-10-05
From the Aiken Herald, Sept. Il.

For several days past our town has
been IN considerable ferment over the
reported collisions near Silverton, and
startling rumors have been creating ap-
prehensions in the families of those of
our citizens who repaired on last
Sunday night to the scene of action on
call for aid. The immediate cause of the
negro outbreak may be briefly stated as
follows:
Early as Friday morning last, two me-
groes entered the dwelling of Alonzo
Harley, near Jackson Station, while he
he was at work in the field, their purpose
being robbery. Mrs Harley, her nine.
year old son, and very young infant
were the only inmates of the house, and
the negroes, after knocking Mrs Harley
down. turned to strike the son, but The
mother seized double-harreled onn
with which, though unloadened, she she
frightened them of. She then blew a
horn and in little while numbor of
neiphbors gathered, and with Mr. Hor'
lev pursued the negroes. They soon can.
tured one but he attempted to escane
and was fred upon and seriously wound.
ed. He then confessed the Crime and
gave the name of his accompIice On
Saturday he died, and warrant was oh.
tanned from Colored trial justice for the
arrest of the other.
The constable, with posse Of forty or
fifty men, went to where the negro was
believed to be, and found q turbulent
crowd of 150 negroes assembl ed refusing
to surrender the criminal, and threaten.
the whites in the most violent manner.
Several gentlemen were requested to ride
forward unarmed and urge the negroes
to disbandj but when they reached the
negroes, the whites found themselves
surrounded by infuriated demons who
were making the woods ring with their
yells. With bristling bayonets and cock
ed guns Pointing at them from every side,
the lives of these gentlemen were saved
only by their coolness and the timely ar
rival of the negro CAPTAIN John Hanker-
son. A conference was then had and the
Captain expressed his willingness to give
up the criminal if he might he allowed
to place him III Aiken Jail But mean
time the negroes, seeing the whites move
VII anu IulllhlIR tloy W0Io IeuohIllRi
fred volley into them, but without ef-
feet, and the whites returned it. Later
other men were sent to try to persuade
the negroes to disband, and these too
were surrounded, and had a narrow es-
cape.
No further effort was made to effect
the arrest until Monday; but by that
time the whole neighborhood had been
aroused to the highest pitch of excite
ment, the negroes continuing their riot
GUS course. On Monday morning they
tore up the track of the Port Royal Rail.
road, near Jackson Station, throwing a
freight train into ditch, and turning the
locomotive and four cars completely over.
They then shot into the cars but no one
was hurt. The wire was cut near Ellen
ton, and all communication was stopped.
This added very much to the excitement,
and rumors of Ellenton being burned
and white men being shot in ambush
reached Augusta, and this place. There
was, however no trouble, and in the
morning the Sheriff, who hid gone down
returned, saying that everything was
quiet again. The United States troops at
this post received orders to 60 down, and
marched down on Monday night.