American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-08-28
RIOT At coFFEEvILLE, MISS.
d GFeenback Candidate Kills Dem
ocrstic Negro, and is Himself
Badly Wounded.

OOrF6EVILL6, aug az cSteT-
day. Saturday, 21st, was the day
set apart at Cofeeville for the
grand ratification meeting and flag
raising by the Democratic party Of
Yalobasha county. Early in the
morning crowds poured into the
town from all parts of the county.
The Democratic club had expec-
fed to have their speaking in the
court house, and the first bad feel
ing was caused by the Greenback.
rrs taking charge of the court house
and holding speaking there.
To prevent any trouble the Dem.
OOrats retired to q wood near town,
although it had been announced
and was understood that their
speaking would be held at the
eourt house. Col. w. Fl. Fitzger-
I'D, Of Grenada, and Capt. Walter
d. jackson, of Water Valley, ad-
dressed the Democratic clubs in the
woods, and s. L. Harmon held forth
to the Greenhackers at the court
house. The speaking Of both par
tics terminated about 3 o'clock.
the Democratic clubs then march.
ed through the town headed by the
Grenada brass band, and were met
Oi Depot street by the Greenback
clubs, when for some unknown rea-
con Il. V. Pearson, Greenback can.
slidate for Sheriff, struck and shot
Thos. Speorman, q coloFed man,
who was marching with the Demo-
Gratis. This caused the men march
ing in the front rank to take part in
the affray, and for awhile the Wild
est excitement ensued.
The negroes fed like scared sheep
In all directions, and in less time.
than it takes to tell it every store
in town was closed and the streets
vwarming with. armed men. Pear
son was shot three times, one ball
in the shoulder and two in the legs.
After falling he was carried into
an adjacent store and given medi
cal attention. His wounds are
necessarily fatal. Thos. Spearman,
yhe negro, was shot in the neck by
Pearson. His whereabouts are not
known. d. b. hiddi0k was pain
fully wounded in the thigh Il. g.
Kelly slightly wounded.
Gov. Stone and Secretary Of
State Henry @. Myers were in town
10 day. Gov. Stone complimented
Capt. n. II. Wyatt, commanding
the COffeeville Guards, aud Mayor
1soss ON their action in the matter.
Democrats will hold another meet,
Ing here to morrow, and the elec>
,ion for Sheriff will take place Tues
day.
The following additional particu.
lars are furnished by a telegram
from Memphis, Published in the
New Orleans Times of Tuesday,
The Democrats and Greenhackers
have tickets in the field. Saturday
both parties held ratification meet
Jugs in Ooffeeville; each raised a |
pole. The Democrats had a brass
band from Grenada, and after the
tole raising, marched through the
streets. While passing a corner a |
difficulty occurred between negro |
,saned Spearman, who was in the
Democratic procession, and r. V.
Pearson, Greenback candidate for
Sheriff, which resulted In Pearson
Spearman and killing him
This was the signal for
= general melee.
A vOlley of shots was fred upon
PEARSON, who was shot three times,
soIl the effects of which he died
'..st night. Two white men, Kelly
,I,d lid lick, friends of Pearson,
xere wounded. For a time a per-
Iect pandemonium reigned, and ex-
sitfme,t ran SO high that the Wal~
hall Grays, a military company
;rnm Grenada, Miss, was telegraph
- fJr. but afterwards the order