Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-29
HomrcreE AT HAaDRRvfLLE.
Trouble Among the Bridge Hands
A Negro KILLED Intense Excite
menT and Threats of Lynehing.

We learn from Mr.. D. s. Leslie, OF
Charleston, who arrived here on the Satur-
day night train from Charleston, the follow
ing particulars of 8 homicide which oc-
Cured at Vaudeville, and which at one
time promised to be followed by
a double murder: The train, which
was due in Savannah at $40, was belated,
and did not reach Vaudeville until after
nine O'Clock. AS the train stops at that
point some minutes Mr.. Leslie, who had
been in the smoking car, went out upon the
station platform to look around. His atten-
ton was directed to 3 crowd OF people at
the lower end of the platform, where there
seemed to be some disturbance, as the par
ties were talking and cursing In loud
manner Presently he heard two pistol
shots fired In rapid succession, and imme-
diately the crowd scattered, and two men
came rushing along the platform, pursued
by a number Of negroes, yelling hes killed
"a: shoot the ---" etc. The men,
who were endeavoring to escape, rushed by
Mr.. Leslie, ran across the platform OF the
smoking car, evidently with the intention
of jumping down on the other side, but
changed their minds and ran into the smoking
car, one seeking refuge in the water-closet,
the other passing through the car and con-
cealing himself in the rear. The negroes
thus lost trail of their intended victims,
being informed bv some one that they had
Jumped down on the other side OF the train.
Mr.. Leslie estimated the number at ABOUT
two hundred, most OF them armed with
bludgeons, some with pistols, and one with q
gun. They we're very violent, and swore they
would have the lives OF the white men.
One negro was hourishing pistol around
yery close to Mr.. Leslie, and when remon-
strated with, deliberately fired 1t over that
gentlemanis head, with some abusive threat
as to what would be done with the men II
they could catch them. When the train
was ready to start, 1t was found that the pas
senger cars had been uncoupled. This,
Il IS presumed, was done by the negroes,
who evidently suspected their intended vic
tins would attempt to get away on the
train. They ran upon the platform and
made demonstration to enter the cars, but
were prevented by the hrmness OF few
passengers who CHANGED to be near. Other
than this, they did not interfere with the
train. The excitement was intense, and the
conduct OF the negroes exceedingly
violent and boisterous. There were
only a dozen passengers on the train,
but several Of these were ladies,
who were greatly alarmed. The uncoupling
| Of the cars occasioned further delay, and
over fifteen minutes, which seemed much
| longer, had elapsed ere 1t moved off, the
negroes firing their pistols and. shouting as
they continued their search.
After the train had gotten short distance
| from Vaudeville the two white men were
| found on board. as stated, and came on to
| Savannah. These men belong to a gang
| Of skilled mechanics from Baltimore,
who were sent out to put in position the
new iron bridge for the railroad over the
| Savannah river. There is also a large
gang Of negroes employed on the work, and
latterly some of these have been very in
| subordinate and turbulent. number OF
them wanted to come up to Vaudeville on
/ Saturday, and bad made a request for the
use Of the hand car, which the Superintend-
/ ent was compelled to decline, as 1t
was the only one they had, and 1t
/ was needed constantly. Notwithstanding
this, they stole the hand car and went up TO
| Vaudeville, which is about seven or eight
miles distant. In the afternoon the two
white men went up to Vaudeville to get
their mail, and intended 10 return on the
train. The negroes had been carousing
about the place during the day, and many
OF them were under the influence of liquor.
| They encountered the white men in
the evening, aud were reprimsnded
for their conduct in taking the hand car.
There was no difficulty that time, but later
the negroes attempted violently to assault
the white men, against whom, it seems, they
have been hsrboring i'll feeling for some
time. The disturbance reached its height
| when the train arrived, and the white men,
/ anxious to get away, attempted TO
| pass through the crowd to reach the
| cars, when thew were violently
prevented, and one of them drew his pistol
in self defense and fred, with the result
] stated.
| We were unable to learn the name Of the
negro killed, or of the two " bite men. The
/ fees will probably be developed at the in
| quest to be held In Vaudeville TO day.