Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-22
AFRAID FOR HIS LIFE.
Calling on Gov. Mcdaniel for Pro
lection Against Violence.

Atlanta tGG.l Cor. u0ttsta Chronicle.
Late yesterday evening Gov. Mcdaniel
had a call from Tom Alexander. Tom
Alexander is a tall, slender, ordinary
looking negro, and a casual observer
would not have supposed there was any
thing of special interest in the visit. But
Tom Alexander's name has appeared a
number of times in the State press quite
recently, and he called upon the
Governor upon peculiar mission.
Tom was the driver of the hack in
which Moore, who was lynched
in Macon, carried Mamie Little to the
house of Sarah Robinson. He says they
did not go in his hack from the depot, but
only from the house of Jane KendrIck to
the house of Sarah Robinson. He was
driving along when some one called out
''hack," and in answer to the summons
he drove to Jane Hendricks, where Moore
and the girl got in bis carriage and Moore
directed him to drive to Sarah Robin
sons.
The girl was crying and Moore had
pistol in his hand, cursing savagely.
Tom says when he started once to turn
into lighted street Moore seized him by
the collar and commanded him to drive in
a back street. He tells graphic story
of violence and tears, which IL Is unne-
cessary to detail. and says the impression
given him was that Moore had promised
to show the girl to board
ing house and was carrying her to house
OF shame against her will. He related
the circumstance to his wife when he got
home, but was afraid to make any report
of it to the police. He said he feared
Moore might deny it and make the girl
agree with him, and then he would be in
trouble. He was sorry for the girl but
determined it was none of his business
and he kept his peace.
Since the matter came out, however,
and the people of Macon were worked up
to such pitch that they not only took
Moore's life, but wanted to lynch Jane
kendricK, Sarah Robinson and every body
connected with the affair. Tom Alexan-
der has been in trouble. He has received
warnings, almost daily, from different
parties that he had better leave town, and
that the people meant to kill him, too,
etc., etc. He kept off the streets for few
days, but on Monday drove his hack into
town as usual, when he was stopped by
Capt. Wiley, with the inquiry:
Didn't tell you to keep off the streets,
Tom?"
Tom replied that he had done so, but
that be thought the matter had passed
over sufficiently for him to go about his
business again.
Capt Wiley told him, he says, that if
he knew what was good for him he'd bet
ter keep off the streets and not be seen
This, together with the advice of friends
''tO leave the CITY," has 30 worked on Tom
that he determined to take some steps
looking to his safety, and not knowing
what to do determined to call on Gov.
Mcdaniel and ask the States protection.
Accordingly he walked to a station ont
from Macon several miles, where he
boarded the train, and with the reverence
of the Indian for the "Great Father at
Washington" came to lay his troubles
before the Governor.
Tom says he had no connection with the
affair that should excite the indignation
OF the people against him. He was sim
ply pursuing his business in legitimate
manner. He was hailed by party who
wanted a hack, and he answered. He
carried them to their destination and got
his pay. He was not responsible for the
unhappy occurrence, and does not think
he should suffer for it. He has his nome
and hack in Macon. and wants to pursue
his business as heretofore. He knows no
reason why he should have to leave the
town and sacrifice his property and bust
ness.
Gov. Mcdaniel told him that he sup
posed his fears were exaggerated, and
had no idea that he would be molested In
tie peaceful and legitimate pursuit of
his business. That he supposed it was
during the excited state of public feeling
over the matter shat he had been advised
by Chief Wiley to keep of the streets,
and not invite trouble by being seen at
time when the populace were eager for
some vent to their indignation. While
he knew nothing OF the circumstances
except as told by him, if his was a true
statement he had no idea he would have
any trouble il he should quietly resume
his business in Macon.