Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-08-28

Memphis, and a friend of his, Scott
Smith, swore out a warrant for their ar
rest before Esquire Winters.
Next day, Wednesday, three negroes
Scott Davis, Scott Smith, Wash Eason
and others-came back to Memphis and
stopped their wagon in Chelsea. AS they
did SO Mack Williams, Frank Pugh and
Harrell, in a wagon, came along and ran
their wagon against the wheels Of the
wagon belonging to the negroes. Some
words ensued and Williams, drawing a
pistol, snapped it at one of the negroes.
They then drove on and the negroes,
Scott Smith and Scott Davis, came to
Esquire Winters Office and swore out
another warrant for the arrest of Will
lisms. That afternoon Williams, Pugh
and Harrell returned home, and the ne.
g~roes-Dsvis, Smith and Eason-started
to do likewise, but they had to pass by
Williams house in so doing.
SHOOTING OF WASH EAsoN.
When they reached Williams house
they were met by Pugh, Harrell and Will
liamS, and the latter drew up his gun and
shot Eason, the load Of buck.shot enter
ing bis left arm and shoulder. The two
other negroes jumped from the the wa.
gon and ran, but were shot at as they es-
capped TO the woods. Eason, although
wounded, managed to drive home, and
he informed Henry Davis that Mr.. Viii.
lians and others we're trying to kill bis
brother, Scott Davis, who escaped from
the wagon.
KILLING OF HENRY DAVIS.
Henry Davis with two other negroes
went to Williams house. Davis had a
locded musket. They were met by Will
liams and his crowd. Williams said.
What are you going to do with that gun,
you d-n son of b-h?' None Of
your d-n business" answered Davis.
10 an instant Williams raised his gun,
and firing, shot Davis, The two other
negroes fed to the woods. Davis died
ONE twelve hours after being shot, he
remaining unconscious all the time until
be died.
A STRANGE SURRENDER.
After this deed had been accomplished
Williams, Harrell and Pugh got on their
horses and rode over to the residence OF
Deputy Sheriff MCGOWAN, near Raleigh.
Williams was a walking or riding arsenal,
a shotgun, two repeaters and a bowie
knife, while his companions were SINH.
iarly armed. Williams admitted the
shooting of Davis, and stated to Mr..
MCGOWAN that he surrendered himself,
but he would not be disarmed by any
one; that there were not enough men
in the county to disarm him; that he
would 90 before any magistrate and have
a hearing, but that he would retain his
arms. An effort was made to secure the
services of several magistrates, but none
could be secured to sit in judgment on
so dangerous a case. 1t was like sitting
on a key Of nitro glycerine. By this
time tho negroes in the neighborhood
had become terribly excited, had congre
gated together aud were fully armed, and
intended to 60 down to Pugh's and clean
out the entire crowd. Deputy Sheriff
MCGOWAN pleaded with Williams to sur.
render his arms and become q prisoner,
but his dangerous prisoner would do
nothing Of the kind Deputy Sheriff Tom
came along, aud he also tried to
demonstrate with Wllliams, but it was nc
use. ard Williams kept both officers at a
respectful distance. Ia fact, be had both
as prisoners, or under duress.
His friends, Harrell and Pugb, left him
at Mr.. McGowap's and rode of, saying
they we're going TO Baskerville, aud it was
supposed that they intended to get rein
Forcements from the crowd who have
made Baskerville and vicinity a most IN,
enviable place to reside in. Williams
even caused Deputy Sheriff MCGOWAN to
ride with him in search of a magistrate,
but they found him not.
INQUEST ON THE BODY OF DAVIS
Esquire Coleman held the inquest on
the body of the negya henry Davis on
Saturday, when the facts as appear
above es to the shooting we're daysl
oped Esquire ColemeR fosnd a large
crowd 81 pegEoss on the ground, and
were fully armed and expressed
themselves as determined to- protect
themselves and aVenge the killing OF
friends, thgee or Tour Of whom had
been shot and killed in The neighhorbosd
tho past few weeks. They
clai@ed that the law did not protect
them, AVID they had to protect themselves
Esquire Coleman knew the leaders and
he demonstrated with them. stating that