Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-04-25

committee OF the whole W O. Fitzpatrick
argued against an aff1liation with the Northern
Baptists, by accepting an invitation to join in
the mtcentennial celebration OF the mission
aries"
Athens Banner: Several days since the
authorities Of Athens received infOr alton
that an attempt would be made by gentlemen
from adj lacent counties to lynch the murderers
OF young ROuntree. and that Thursday night
was set for the purpose. But the matter was
Kept quiet, not exceeding dozen persons Ia
the city being acquainted with the facts
Prompt steps were taken to avert the trouble.
Extra police were selected to guard the city.
while the original force, comprising seven men
under Chief Davis, we're armed TO the teeth,
each having a Winchester sixteen shooter and
three pistols, and sta toned on top OF the Jail,
where entrenched behind a wall OF brick they
could resist army. About midnight. when
these officers invaded the Jail, the prisoners
took them for a mob and expressed great fear;
but upon learning their names quiet was re
stored. 1t was fearfully. cold upon the tiu roof
and the guard suffered from its effects, but
they nObly kept their post. But in the mean
time a delegation Of our best citizens had gone
out to meet he parties who came to lynch the
prisoners and do all in their power to dissuade
them from the task. They knew the direction
TO take, and near the paper mill came upon the
advance guard, comprising about one hundred
and fifty men, ar ed 70 the teeth and each
man carrying a breech-loading shotgun. They
stated that six hundred more recruits were
coming on behind, many of them having ridden
alton in Athens and the wishes Of
our people were explained to these gen
tlemen by the committee of citizens. They
were told that while our citizens were
as much incensed as they at the brutal MUIR
der. il was the unanimous wish that the law be
allowed to take its course. There was no ne
| cessity for mob violence. as we had a fair and
! Just court. which would mete to the criminals
their Just deserts. The party stated that they
did rot come TO override the will OF our peo-
pie, but rather to lend their aid 10 avenge this
inhuman butchery that had aroused the white
men Of Georgia from the mountains TO the sea-
board. They knew the gallantry OF the men of
Athens, and at the same time recognized the
| fact that il would not do for them to 6ke the
| law in their own hands after the prisoners
were placed in the charge Of legal officers
| They respected the law abiding sentiments s,
and would quietly disperse at their re-
quest as they had come not as enc
mics t0 the whites but as their friends
aud helpers And they further stated
| that should their services be required to quell
any further disturban thev would march
several thousand strong into the city at short
notice. as they were thoroughly prepared
This large body was compose1 Of the best
men in the various sections from which they
| hailed. They were not desperate, hot-headed
mob, but quiet. determined citizens. who had
come boldly and undisguised to the redress of
| a great wrong. Upon learning the wish of OUT
people they quietly returned home. No men
| ton was made to them about the Jail being
| guarded. as they were men not to be frightened
| from any undertaking, it mattered not what be
the danger"