The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-12-26
A RACE WAR.
A Desperate Fight Between Negroes and
Whites in mississippi.

New ORLEANS. December 17;A spec
ial dispatch from Columbus, Miss, to the
Picayune, says several gentlemen reached
this city this morning from Artesla, bring
ing the news of the wholesale slaughter
of constable's posse near Wahalak,
. SMALL Station on the Mobile & Ohio rail
road, near Macon, Miss. On Friday last
negro and a white boy got into a fight.
The white boys father attempted to sep
arate them, he was set upon by the negro
bov and his father and terribly beaten.
Yesterday the white man swore out a
warrant for the negros arrest, and Con
stable Seth Cobb went to the negro's
house to execute it, when he was attacked
by number of the negroes and beaten.
He then summoned posse Of twelve men
and went yesterday evening to arrest the
negro. The posse we're fred upon from
ambush and five were killed outright and
SIX wounded, more or less seriously. The
news spread rapidly and the negroes were
strongly reinforced. Wahalak telegraph
ed along the line for help, and Meridian
responded with about seventy-fve we'll
armed men, They we're joined at every
station, and reaching Wahalak marched
Immediately to the scene of bloodshed.
The negroes were barricaded and refused
to surrender or give up to the whites.
The forces we're supposed to be about
equal, and what the result IS no one here
knows This afternoon news was received
that the belligerent negroes have retreat
ed to the swamps and are stubborn, while
the non-combatant negroes are fleeing to
the woods in terror. There is considera-
bic excitement here and news of develop
ments is awaited with the utmost anxiety.
Following is list of the killed and
wounded,
Killed-Henry Maury, Seth Cobb, Tom
Nicholson.
o. Wounded-Frank Maury, Tom Giles,
Bod and FL. Harper, John Dew.
A special from Macon, Miss, says: 1t
is reported this evening that seven of the
negroes implicated we're shot this morn
ing. Two armed squads left here this
morning for the scene Of trouble, and
more bloodshed may be expected.
The negroes have not been idle. Re
ports from the country where they are
congregating state their number is con-
tinually increased by reinforcements, and
that they are fully armed and determined
to fight to the end.
Midnight.-Advices just received from
the scene of the trouble state that the ne
groes have become frightened at the
number Of reinforcements which the,
whites have received from all quarters,
and have retreated to the sWamps, where
theyoare fortifying themselves and max
ing every preparation to resist all attacks.
They are armed with shotguns, muskets
and pistols and are abundantly supplied
With ammunition :. The whites are mostly
armed with Winchesters, shotguns and
some side arms, and are determined to
put a stop to all such outbreaks. The
present scene of the trouble is about five
miles from Wahalak and reports are hard
to get. Late reports are to the effect that
the whites and blacks are now about
equal in numbers, and the whites were
about to advance to the sWamps. This,
Of course, increases the excitement here,
and reports Of an encounter are hourly
expected. That it will be fearful in It's
results no cone for a moment doubts
Judging from the past, the situation is
anything but reassuring. Those who re-
member the riots Of 1875 shudder as they
contemplate all the horrors OF a race war.
The affair is greatly regretted by all good
citizens, who foresee that much blood
she'd Will be the result, and while. there is |
no doubt as to who will be tho victors
when the crisis comes, still it is q most
deplorable affair, and one that will have
baneful influence on the south.
A SOFT SNAP.