Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-04
The Riot at BrOoksYiIIe, Florida
Three Negro Brothers Killed.

The following particulars of the fatal row
at Bfookevilie. Florida, brief mention Of
which was made in the MORNING NRws OF
the 1st Instant, we find ia the Jacksonville
Union of Sunday LAST
"Last Sunday night a young man by the
name of Strlngfellow walked into Hancock's
barroom, where quite number OF negroes
had collected, and in making his way to the
counter, pushed negro named Tom john
son out of his way. As he turned to go out
the negro followed and asked II String
fellow intended to insult him. Being
assured that no insult was intended. he
walked off, but as Stringfellow
stepped from the door Jim Turner,
a mulstto negro, grabbed him BY the
throat, and asked what he meant by shov-
ing people around, at the same time knock
ing him down aud cutting his head with
pistol. a general row was imminent, when
the Marshal interfered, aud made several
arrests. In the melee Jim Turner escaped.
but was arrested Sunday afternoon. Nom
day morning the Turner'S were here 10
force, all armed, and making great many
threats. Owing to want OF evidence, the
case was dismissed. During the after
Quinn; Marshal Hancock disarmed and
arrested both parties. Tuesday Henry and
Rube Turner renewed the difficulty with
Mr.. Quinn, Henry presenting double bar
relied gun at that gentleman. Again the
Marshal interfered, arresting both parties.
Wednesday Jim, Henry and Rube Turner
all came In town armed, and It became EVIL
dent that mischief was brewing, and the
white peoDle began to make preparations to
meet It. By two o'clock 10 the afternoon
there were at least fifty negroes in town.
All went on quietly until about five O'Clock,
when there was q little ripple OF excite
ment.
"On the adjournment of the court Of in
vestigatIoD, about sundown, the crowd dis
persed, and everything was suiet until this
morning. On the calling OF court this morn
ing, the Turner gang, with their Followers,
were here In force, and all well srme0. The
whites were apparently unsuspicious, but
one accustomed to watch men could sec
that they were prepared for any emergency.
In view of the large number OF armed and
turbulent negroes in town (between fifty
and seventY-fve), the Mayor appointed five
or six special police to aid the Marshal aud
his deputy In keeping down any disturb
ance. Everything moved along quietly
uatii court was called for the afternoon sea-
sioD.
"While the Marshal was calling court Jim
and Henry Turner entered the court house,
Henry with an open knife In his hand.
What he said or did am unable to find l0ut.
but row was the immediate result. NOr
can learn who fred the first shot. It waG,
however, fired in the court house. In the
row Jim Turner came across Mr.. Quinn and
shot at him twice with a pistol,
doing no damage further than to powder
burn young man near by. Henry Turner
was killed In the ball Of the court houses
Jim Turner jumped from the window and
was killed on the square southeast OF the
court house about thirty yards; Rube was
killed In front of Mcclure & Co.'s store.
When the firing commenced and the
negroes discovered a perfect understand
ing and discipline among the whites,
they scattered in all directions, making
but a slight attempt to sustain
their leaders. A few Of them oDened
fire as the row commenced, but the well d.
rected shots of the whites soon convinced
them that safety lay In flight, and rapid
one at that. To sum up, the three Turner's
(negroes) were killed outright; several other
negroes were wounded; two white men were
very slightly wounded, and one powder
burned IN the eye. This difficulty has been
pending for the past two years, and nothing
but the utmost forbearauce on the part OF
the whites has kept 1t off this long,