Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-09
FRAY AT DANvILLE, VA.
Race EnmIty freaks out with Deadly
Eject, on slight PrOvocatiOn.

DAYvlLLE Va, Nov. A deadly con.
flict took place between a crowd of whites
and negroes, last night. The fight began BY
citizen beating negro who abused another
negro for apologizing for an apparent rude
ness. Men OF both colors interfcrcd. A pis-
tol was knocked out of the hand OF one white
man and exploded The report reached
number of white citizens who were attending
q meeting that conflict was going on in the
street and they came out in a body and both
classes formed separate crowds. A number
Of negroes approaching the whites shouted
''Shoot damn you. We had as soon settle
now as another time" One of the whites
called out, Fire" and the firing began. The
negroes returned the fire and ran of. All the
stores here closed Immediately and an alarm
bell sounded. People came out with arms
The town sergeant soon appeared with mill
tary company and commanded the
people to go home. The streets were
soon cleared and the city was put under
supervision of the military and mounted
police.
Walter Holland was shot in the head. He
is the son of the chairman OF the democratic
congressional committee. Hopes are enter.
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shot through the body but will recover.
Five negroes were reported killed and besides
these some citizens report that two others
have died. The names of only four can be
obtained and probably only these are dead
Junius Hall and Ned Davis, servants Of the
Arlington hotel, and Jerc Smith and Peter
Walters. The colored people on the street
seem to know nothing. The bodies OF those
found dead on the streets were turned over
to friends and taken away. About 20 negroes
are reported wounded.
Last night ut about II o'clock three citizens
on duty as mounted police passing house
occupied by colored people on the outskirts
of the city were fired upon. About 20 shots
were given and returned. One of the police
was wounded with shot gun in several
places and his horse was shot. The party
entered the building and captured negro,
VIM. Coleman. He had six shooter with
three barrels empty, some powder and use.
He was lodged In Jail. BY agreem no
services were had at church to-day The
city is under the supervision of the serG jant Of
the Grays Chc white company, and volunteers
have been enrolled, by advice Of Hon. G.
G. Cabell, member of Congress, and other
leading citizens. Town Sergeant James
Wood did not call out the colored military
company. After the delivery Of the mails
this morning, which was largely attended
by whites and colored, the town sergeant
proclaimed that no assemblits on the street
would be allowed and requested the people
to go home and remain quiet. Cabell and
Judge Aiken joined in the request and
all is now quiet, but people are
not without apprehension of further trouble.
The town sergeant replying to q message
from the governor offering assistance has
telegraphed that no further trouble is appre-
hcnded. No arrests have yet been made.
The political excitement here has been in
tense. A circular was issused this evening
signed by Mayor johnson, Judge Blackwell,
Judge Aiken, George G. Cabel and number
of the best citizens saying they desire to have
peace preserved and fair election held the
9th inst. The law requiring the closing of
all liquor stores at sunset preceding the day
of election, an order has been issued closing
them during to morrow aud till morning Of
the It'll.
The city at 0 r. m. was under care of the
military aud extra policemen and all was
quiet The coroner summoned a jury, but
the bodies of two of the killed men had been
moved away. In the case of third the YER
dict was that he was killed by some unknown
person.