San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-03-19
BUTCHERED,
A Statement of the Killing of Twelve
Negroes aICarrollton, Miss.

NEW ORLEANS, March lS.-A Winona,
Miss, special to the Times Democrat
gives the following particulars OF the
circumstances leading to the tragedy
enacted at Carrollton, Mics, yesterday ::
Some months ago Robert Moore, a
young man from Leflore County, went to
Carrollton. There he met Ed Brown.
oolored, with whom he had an alterca-
tion, and the negro smeared and poured
on him molasses which he carried ina
jug. J. NJ. Liddell. Jr.. of Greenwood,
friend OF Moore's, happened TO meet
with Brown, and made some illusions 10
his treatment of Moore. Brown gave
him some impudence, and Liddell started
at him, but was prevented by bystanders
from attacking him. rhe negro then
went and armed himself. and induced
others to do likewise. They stationed
themselves on the streets, some conceal
ing behind trees.
When Liddell came after supper from
the hotel, he observed them and asked
what they meant, wheTeupOn Ed Brown
responded that it was none of
struck at Ed Brown with his fist
and Edward and Charles Brown, his
brother, both simultaneously fired upon
Liddell, one ball striking the elbow of
his right arm. About this time some IL
or 20 shots were fired from different
quarters. Liddell pulled his pistol and
hit Edward Brown in the abdomen and
received one shot in the fleshy part of
his leg. Charles Brown was shot in the
shoulder. The parties who had taken
part in the aflray were brought before
the Mayor forthwith, but waived exam
ination and were bailed to appear before
the next Circuit Court.
Threats were continually made by the
Brown brothers that they would have
Jim Liddell's blood further, that they
had five dOuble-barrel shot guns loaded
seven fingers deep, and would "kill
the first man who put his foot on their
ground"
On the 18th instant they made
affidavits against James Iiddell and
others, including some OF the best
citizens of the place, and men
who knew nothing of the difficulty,
charging them with assault with intent
to murder in the previous difficulty.
Previous to the opening of the trial yes
terday, Brown boosted on the street that
he had his body guard, and would shoot
the first man that made motion in his
direction. The case was called at noon,
when the courthouse was nearly filled
with negroes, who stationed thems elves
around and about the Brown brothers.
The attorneys were proceeding with
the case when suddenly appeared about
100 white men, all well armed. Per-
ceiving their entrance, Ed Brown drew
his pistol and fired in the direction Of
Liddell, who was between his attorneys,
and thereupOn the firing became gen.
eral. Ten were instantly killed, and
two others have since died. Some es-
capped by jumping through windows, a
distance of at least 20 feet from the
ground. On most of the dead bodies
arms were found. The room was com
pletely filled with smoke. The
side of the room and the benches
1t is very large room with windows all
around. In the south wall were counted
1876 shot holes; in the wall of the passage
leading down stairs 10 shot holes, and in
the benches 30 shot holes. One shot
struck the northeast window sash and
glanced into the wall. Five other shots
show on the north wall from the direc-
tion of the benches. Large pools of blood
were on the floor of the courtroom. The
mob then left as quickly and as quietly
as they came in. The general impress
sion is that this will end further trouble,
as heretofore few Of the negroes killed
were constantly creating bad feeling and
led other negroes peaceably inclined to
produce strife between the whites and
blacks. The good people of Carrollton
deprecate all this and regret that inno
cent colored people were drawn into the
affair.