Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-04-30
More Indiana YazOOism.

SHELBYvILLE, Ind, April Is,
Yazoo has again stepped to the front
in Shelby County. This Southern chiv-
airy or Kukluxism first made demon
stration here in December, overriding
all forms of law, by mobbing an emf
grant train, swearing that "no more
niggers" should come to "Old Shell
by" Then in more aggravated and
bold manner, this same gang of ma
rauders attacked and drove inoflcnsive
and law-abiding colored citizens from
the polls at the recent election. Yes
terday, under mere pretext, came
very near branding the county with
one of the blackest and most dalnnable
murders ever perpetrated in any State
or county. The readers of the Tribune
will remember the account telegraphed,
giving the detailed report of the out
RACES committed here on election day
by Amsden and his gang of bullies.
One of the negroes who was so badly
whipped, and the one who was obliged
to defend himself with knife in order
to preserve his life, was farm hand
for q Mr.. lie Masters, q Republican in
the south part of the township. Ad-
joining lie Masters farm is that of
Mr. Wilson, who is a Democrat of the
moss-back variety. Yesterday morn
ing, so says the negro, one of Mr.. lie
Masters cows jumped into the field of
Wilson, and the negro climbed over the
fence to drive her out. AS he was
doing this one of Wilson's sons spied
him, ordered him off the premises,
saluting him with vile epithets. At
this the negro started toward Wilson,
who ran across the field. This was a
pretext, however, and an outrage com
mitted on Democrat that must be
avenged.
Wilson came TO this place as fast as a
horse could bring him. and swore out
two warrants for his arrest-one for
! surety of the peace and the other for
carrying deadly weapons, Wilson charg-
ing the negro with carrying a shotgun.
! These warrants were placed in the
/ hands of Democratic Constable, who
| summoned posse of Democratic
| hoodlums to 90 and make the arrest.
| Leaving this place, swearing that they
would - bring in the cursed nigger dead
or alive" this crowd of roughs started in
/ high glee. Soon after they had gone
! the negro arrived in this city, unaware
| that the hounds of the law were after
him. Sauntering around the principa
streets, going into tLe post Office, mail
ing letter, and walking around thC
public square unconcerncd, and moi
conscious of having done any act tina
he should be arrested for, he started tC
leave the city on foot, carrying his car
pet-sack and double-barreled shotgun
going in the direction of Indianapolis
When about two miles out he was dis
covered by two Democrats who were
returning from the country. These
men hurried in as fast as possible
sounding the alarm that ''the nigge
was out on the Michigan road armeC
with a shotgun" Another warran
was then placed in the hands of But
johnson, Democratic saloon-keeper
who is not an officer, and given tn,
authority by Andrew j. Higgins,
Democratic Justice of the Peace, t.
summon to help him catch the negro a
many men as he wanted. johnson
commenced to make up his posse, Sc
lecting Lee Amsden and six of hi
gang, the very men who so badl
maltreated the fellow on election-day
AS SOOn uS VIC ClOMu W tio llittdt vi
they commenced to clamor for shot
guns and rifles, but, before starting, sat
isfied themselves by taking revolvers
AS they started Amsden swOre that the
would bring in the nigger if they ha
to kill him. About three miles fror
town they came in sight of the negrc
who dropped his coat and sachel an
started to run, the hoodlums after hin
When in range of their revolvers the
opened fire and shot several times
whether with effect is not knowr
Amsden soon returned with Dick Flaitz
q candidate for Sheriff, and one othe
man, bringing the coat and sachel q
their trophies. Amsden was asked
"Where is the nigger, to which he IT
piled, "We went out to kill him, an
we have done it." Then turning to
crowd of his followers he said: "Whe
: we fired, the cussed nigger jumped
the air as high as q house, crying ou
% my Godp but continued running.
While he was telling this, the first crow
that went out came back. James Capt.
; County Attorney and Deputy-Sherit
| with another man, then jumped into
spring-wagon, drove to the saloon {
John Vannoy, secured double-barrelet
) breech-loading shotgun, and started
join the gang that was still out. The
pursued the negro, shooting mt hi
every time he was within range, ii
after dark, when they returned
Whether they killed him is not know
but if they did not 1t is no fault
: theirs. Last night the excitement WI
I at high pitch in the city, the Law
abiding citizens being thoroughly il
$ dignant at the infamous proceeding
, The negro had not committed an
crime, the gravest case possible to brin
z against him being for assault on a ma
| who had abused him. Special TO Chtc'
i 90 Tribune.