Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-08-27

PISTOLS AND SHoTGUNs USED THREE
MEN SHOT.
CRIsFIELD, August FL, 1881.

Goodselrs Alley, Cris6eld, which re-
suited in the dangerous, though not
necessarily fatal, shooting of George
Holland. 1t seems that crowd oil
white men, among them George Hol-
land and his brother John, were stand
ing in front of Blizzard restaurant dis
coursing fight between a white man
and negro which had occurred on the
previous Saturday, when their atten-
ton was attracted TO one Tucker Ca
bright mulatto, we'll known in this
town. who was passing near to the
crowd of whites and apparently listen
ing to what they were saying. Now it
seems that Tucker on the previous Sat
urday had intelf ered in a disturbance
that didn't concern him, and had en-
tertained quite a crowd with the reci-
tai of the number of white men he
could "chew up and spit out" in a CIV
en- time, much to the disgust of the
whites then present, several of whom
then and there promised him a severe
thrashing at the first opportunity and
it is little to be wondered at, that on
approaching that crowd on Friday night
he was greeted with language decided
ly uncomplimentary and unfit for pub
and Tucker was next seen making for
his home in Goodsell's Alley, bearing
about his head unmistakable marks of
the free use of a blackjack, and call
ing in plaintive tones on the name of
his Maker. On reaching the door of
his house Tucker cried out in loud
voice Come on boys, they have near
ly murdered me-" The scene which
then ellsued reminds one of tie fable
of Cadmus when he showed the teeth
OF the dragon. For no sooner had the
command been given than the earth or
the houses thereabout probably the
latter seemed to give birth to at least
a score of the "sons of Africa" armed
! with So pistols, not to speak Of razors
and other things, and this warlike
birth from behind sign-posts and the
corners of houses and from doors and
second story windows began reckless,
indiscrEninste firing down the alley
Several of the bullets struck Mr.. Biz
yards house, and one of them, which
broke out pane of glass in an upper
window, was evidently shot from a
second story window of the lawson
oyster house and aimed at Billiards.
wife. During the row Geo. Holland
was wounded. Holland is reported to
have been standing at the corner OF
fuckers house with a cooked pistol
and in the act of firing up the alley
! when he was struck by the unlucky bal
let. He was taken TO the house OF
Mrs. Tawes and was attended by Doc
tors Gunby. Atkinson and Bowen. =
The bullet entered the right side of the
abdomen just below the ribs and was
thence DETECTED downward, how far il
is unknown as the physicians have prob
cd for it in vain. Holland is about 90
years Of age and is married He lives
about one mile above Cris6eld No
/ arrests have been made.
All day Saturday the riot of the
night before was the topic of converse
ton in Crisfeld. The authorities were
severely criticised by some for making
no arrests while others threatened re-
venge for the shooting Of Holland. =
The leaders of the whites INDUCED in
| frequent threats that they would "gut
the alley" and "burn the negroes out. "
The darkies meanwhile were leaving
town. AS night approached it became
apparent from the crowds that fingered
around public places, the whites
''meant mischief" As soon as it was
quite dark a crowd of about so white
men took absolute control of the lower
end of Goodsell's Alley and began fir
Ing pistols whenever and at whatever
they pleased. Several of the best citi-
zens ofthe town who were in that part
of the town on business, experienced
the unpleasant sensation of having a
bullet buzz by within a few inches OF
their heads when they were not con,
scious of being in danger. An old col
ored man was shot in the back and but
for truss that he wore would no doubt
have been dangerously hurt. The ball
struck the truss and glanced downwards
producing a slight flesh wound. A
crowd of Ocean City passengers who
were here awaiting the arrival of the
steamer Helen were very much fright