Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-21

phOned TO the OaTracks. 6en. AndersOuS
Chief Of Police, with detail OF fifteen
men, armed with muskets, proceeded rap
idly to the scene, and before any trouble
occurred were upon the ground. The ap-
pearance Of the police thus armed had
modifying effect upon the crowd, which
divided into groups and stood around
talking among themselves in a sullen man
ner.
ARREST OF A RISGLEADER.
General Anderson's attention was attract
ed to a muscular looking mulattO OF repul-
sive mien who was making himself rath-
/ er conspicuous by passing from one group
to another and talking in whispers to them,
apparently encouraging them to maintain
their ground and counseling resistance. be
was evidently ringleader In the troubles,
and Gen. Anderson sent q policeman to him
with a message that he wished to see him.
The fellow, with an independent swagger
and impudent air, walked over to where
| General Anderson WAS sitting on his horse,
when the General inquired his name. The
| negro replied defantlY that he had no busi-
ness to ask his name, and declined to give
it. The Chief informed him who
| he was, when the negro responded
most insolently, and said If any one wanted
70 know his name they could find 1t out,
that he wouldn't tell. The Chief there
upon ordered Policeman Smith, with an
| OLuGE 10 AIEbct MN hnu nun "
/ the barracks. This action seemed to take
the crowd by surprise, and there was some
/ cOmmOtion among them. Thinking posi-
| bly, that the crowd might attempt the rescue
/ Of the prisoner. Gen. Anderson, In tone
/ sufficiently loud for all to hear bin, ordered
/ the policemen to proceed at once to the bar
| racks with their prisoner, Snd II they were
DISTRACTED and interfered with, or an at
/ tempt was made to rescue the prisoner, to kill
/ him at once. This emphatic and summary
| order had the effect Of restraining the ne
/ grOes from any overt act, and the incendf-
| ary negro was carried to the barracks, where
| he finally gave his name as George Lucas.
/ No further disturbances occurred, although
| the condition of affairs was such that it was
/ deemed advisable as a matter of prudence
to maintain a police guard at the bridge
| throughout the day.
THE MILITARY ORDERED TO BIB IN READINESS.
In consequence OF the excited feeling ex-
| listing in the community and the ugly as
pect Of affairs, the Mayor, who had deter
/ mined to preserve the peace Of the city and
1 put down, in the most summary manner,
| any general disturbance, about nine O'Clock
requested the commanders Of the Savannah
| Volunteer Guards to have the members Of
| their battalion assemble at the arsenal and
be in readiness for any call that might be
made upon them 70 assist the police. The
| Chatham ARTILLERY were also summoned to
/ their armOry and 70 have two guns in readi
ness to be brought into action without de-
| lay. They were provided with canister, and
/ it was distinctly understood and made known
that in the event their services were called
into requisition there would be work, as no
1 blank cartridges were issued.
One thousand rounds Of ball cartridges
| were also procured and deposited at one OF
| the armOries, where they could be easily pro-
cured and issued.
| The Chathsms were at their armorT from
one O'Clock until nightfall, and the Guards,
/ to the number of over eighty men, assem-
1 bled at their arsenal at five O'Clock in the
afternoon and remained on duty until eight
| O'Clock, when a detail was left in charge
| and a signal agreed upon which would call
them together in a short time. The Georgia
| Husssrs we're also notified TO be in rasdi1ess
and would have mined ~ Ea-eeS. cut cut Hfty men.
%S2s decided only to use the military in
case Of grave emergency, and To assist the
police force should they be found unable to
uuell any riot that might occur. These pre-
cautions were well taken, and the moral
effect was good. The negroes who were
thus threatening the peace Of the city were
by this movement put Oh notice that should
they carry their riOtous demonstrations too
far that there would be no tampering with
them, and that any riot would be speedily
and summary nipped in the bud. We are
1
into use the military, and the day passed OF
without serious disturbance. The arrange
ments that were made would have enabled
the authorities to have suppressed any rio
tous proceedings.
ON THE wHARvEs.
Whilst the centre Of the excitement was
in the vicinity OF the Central Railroad
bridge, there was a disquieting feeling all
along the riverfront, and some timid dray-
men for certain business houses were afraid
to go to the steamers to get freight We
heard of one case where merchant was
| exceedingly anxious to obtain some goods
without delay, but was unable to do so, as
his cOlored dTayman said he was sfsid Of
being hurt .by the Disconnected laborers.
| This was an exceptional case, though there
were other firms that were Inconvenience
by the delay 10 obtaining their goods. At
| the Baltimore wharf the bands under
Messrs. Dixon Bros, who had been engaged
unloading the steamship saragossa, which
was appointed to sail at four
O'Clock, resOlutelY refused to resume
work unless their demand for an increase OF
wages was acceded to. As it was necessary,
on account Of some through freight to
Europe, that the steamer should leave at
the time appointed, thO agents, Messrs.
James B. West & Co., consented to pay the
| increase, but this concession is no index OF
their future action.
The Philadelphia and Boston steamers
were subjected to like Inconvenience, but
the emergency not being so great with
them the demands Of the strikers were not
| granted. The steamship Gate City, which
! was takisC on her freight when the strike
commenced, was also appointed to sail in the
| afternoon. Her crew we're brought into re-
1 ouIsitfon and she finished loading and sailed
/ on schedule time. The City of Macon came
| in yesterday, but In consequence OF the In
| terruption Of work her cargo was not touch
ed. She will be unloaded to-day, as ar
engagements have been perfected for secur-
ing sufficient force.
There was no Interference with work at
any of the presses or on any OF the ships in
| the port, and with the exception OF the
| wharvas noted there was no visible excite
ment.
THE SITUATION SERENE.
Towards dark the crowds Of negroes
who had gathered in various parts OF the
city, and particularly the large crowd at the
railroad bridge, among which were
hundreds OF negro women, who
| as usual were blatant and
violent, began to slowly disperse. Many OF
these negroes, we understand, live five and
| six miles out on the road, and have been in
the habit of coming into the CITY every day
to work. They are more inclined to Tioting
than those who live IN the city, but after =
disturbance commences sTe the first to
levant. After dark there were no persons
in the neighbOrhOod, though Fahm and In
dian streets were filed, dotted with groups
Of men and women discussing the situation.
TO-DAY.
There was some apprehension expressed
last night that the troubles would be in
creased to-day, but this belief is not
| general, as the preparations that have been
made for the preservation Of order will IN
dOubtediy have q sslutary effect upon the
riOtously inclined. We trust such may be
the case, and the community relieved OF
the excitement and turmoil which have dis
turbed all classes for the past two days.