Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-03
MaIAuen,s Abatement.

LEXINGTON, KY, November 2.-Upon the
| return of the troops to Lexington A. K. Por-
| ter, of the Press, interviewed the comma ding
officer, Maj Allen, and obtained the fol-
lowing statement:
The motion for a change of venue having been
| granted by Judge Brown and the case removed to
Carter county, order was issued directing the
| sheriff, in connection VITA the state Guards TO
convey the prisoners back to Lexington for safe
confinement. During that afternoon there were a
good many rumoTs to the effect that large crowds
were congTegating at Ashland, preparatory to com
ing to CatettSburg that night and take the pris-
| oners. Craft and Neal. A telegram was received
aud Ohio railroad, stating that mob had taken
possession OF the tools Of the railroad section
states. evidently meaning mischief. An
other telegram was received by the major,
stating that the mob had torn up the railroad
track at Ashland. believing that the train would
return that night with the prisoners. Maj Allen
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad and intended to go
back that way, but believing it unsafe made ar
captain of the Granite State, which went up TO
Huntington that evening, to take them on his re-
expectation of an attack from mob from Ashland,
were under the strictest guard. Eighteen men,
street approaching the courthouse and mounted
pickets were posted at different points of the
town under the command of Capt. Murphy to APP
prise the troops OF the approach of any moo.
Nothing occurred that night except the
firing by some party of anvils and guns in the
neighborhood of the quarters of the troops, which
caused them TO turn out four or five times during
the night, believing an Attack imminent. AT II
O'Clock on Wednesday noon the order was given
for the troops to move down to the river front
Maj. Allen having learned in the meantime that
mob from Ashland was their way to Catletts
burg the troopswere marched down TO the river
front; The prisoners were marched with a guard
detail and with two companies to assist in guard
ing them to the wharfboat The remainder of the
troops were posted on the hill which commands
Artillery Commanded by Lieut.. Bigh was placed
facing The depot at which the mob was
squares of the street leading to the river
front. The McCrarY Guards were posted
each side of the cannon to support the artillery
The Lexington Guards were posted at the corner
of another street. at right angles with the river
front, to prevent a flank movement by the mob.
The remainder OF the troops were placed behind
the Alger House, which faces the river, ready 10
wheel into line around the corner to take the place
OF the McCrary Guards in supporting the artillery,
III the latter GUARDS should be disabled. This
arrived from Ashland, consisting of one locomo-
tive, one or two passenger cars and five or 81 fiat
This train stopped in full view Of the artillery and
the McCrary Guards. A delegation OF some TWEEN
eaiIed for Msj Allen He advanced to them about
100 yards in front of the troops. The com
they came rom Ashland for the purpose of taking
Neal and Craft; that they came peaceably. and 10
take possession OF the prisoners Peaseaely pos
strong the train and could oyerpower the troops
easily; Their demand was peremptorily refused,
for the purpose of UNFOLDING the law and in ODE
dience TO orders, Lot to bulldoze or impose
4
desired difficulty with anybody, and especially 1
ana would not participate in any |
any difficulty occurred responsibility for the
results must rest upon the mob and not with the /
that II the troops escaped from Catlettsburg with
the prisoners they would be met at Ashland by at
boat Containing four Cannon The interview then L
ended. The troops were then WIthdraWn TO the
steamer Granite State which had arrived under Il
cover Of the cannon, which was faced toward the |
mob until every soldier had embarked, which was
muzzle turned toward the mob. The boat then
left for Ashland with the troops and prisoners. At
started toward Ashland When the boat arrived
within one mile of Ashland the train came in
light and ran along the trace Which ed SKIRTS me me
boat. great number of shots were fired
rom the train "a. at the soldiers tS sb bIs
ell too short to cause any damage. The shots
we're not responded to by the troops, the com
fred until it became necessary as means of self
1efense just as the Granite state approached
bout 100 men armed with muskets, rifles and
steamed from the landing and sp-
,roached the Granite State. The ferryboat
xhistled signal to stop, which the Granite Stale
lid not heed, but passed On; When nearly oppo-
Instant. great many shots were fred from the
erryboat at the troops, wounding several Of the
oldiers. The command was then given for
he troops to returs or,d the fire. Which Which
moEestack and hurricane deck of the Granite
state were well perforated by bullets from the
mob. Four or five soldiers were wounded, though
lone seriously. The fire OF the troops was di-
ected entirely at the ferryboat containing the
mob and not al the crowd collected on the bank. |
ghich was very large and apparently enthusi- |
site in supporting the mob on the ferryboat-
( persons standing on the bank were in |
ured it was through carelessness in being so
rear to lawless m OBJ attacking State troops, and
lot because the troops fired at them, for their fire
vas directed entirely to the ferryboat. In the en-
agement the feTryboat was soon s.lenced, and
ingle shot was fired by the state |
roops- The commanding officer while regretting |
eadly measures. feels that they were forced upon |
i'm, and that the responsibility for the unfortu-
ate results resIg upon the men who attempted to
axe the law into their own hands The officers |
4 the Granite state. and all the passengers on
oard of the boat at the time of the difficulty will
the statement that not single shot |
oat had fred several shots at them, and that tie
roops simply acted in self-defense. The troops |
Tere on guard until the boat passed Portsmouth |
he captain OF the boat was not allowed BY |
he commanding officer to stop either at |
ronton or Portsmouth for fear of a
ontinuance of the difficulty MANY shots were |
he other side OF the river at short range, but IL
Tas by individuals and not by org .nized bodies,
nd their shots We're not returned by the soldiers.
he command reached MaysTllle about 1:j0 |
CLOCK at night with the prisoners. and were |
uartered IN the courthouse until O'Clock This |
lorning, when they started for Lexington. ar
wing here at 10 O'Clock, when they turned over
be prisoners, in accordance with the order OF the
ldge OF the Boyd Circuit Court, 10 the i2iIer Of
ayette county.
In conclusion, Maj. Allen said the oaly
ghtiDg done by his men was done as the
oats passed each other. He did not round
D or stop TO fight. All he wanted was 10
ct away with the prisoners, especially az
ls command had escaped without serious