The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-11
WAS 1T PERSECUTION?
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CRITTEN.
DEN COUNTY, ARK, REBELLION.
Statements Which Demand an Explana-
ton From Sheriff Werner and Those
Who Took Part in the Proceedings
Enormous Penalties Exacted.

ihL hifhAL lVStSIudN COHlllucl uu uC-
count OF a miniature rebellion in Critten-
den county, Ark.
1t was obtained from a gentleman resi-
dent Of that county, and in position to
know, except as to the feature OF binding
the colored prisoners over TO the circuit
court, which was obtained from another
source.
Like every other story, it has another
side, but this it was impossible to obtain
in time for Yesterdays paper
Hampton Mcneil, one of the colored
men tried at Marion Tuesday, as particops
criminis in the rebellion, was in the city
yesterday. He came to consult with Mr..
Charles Levy, the gentleman who has
known him and Joe Gibson for years,
and beiriendcd themin financial and other
ways, in a business way. To him Me.
Neil related his side OF the difficulty, and
that, together with what the gentleman
saw and learned while in attendance upon
the trial Monday afternoon and Tuesday,
enables TW ArPEAI to give the other YER
sion, which throws an altogether different
light upon the affair.
Joe Gibson lives at Jones Landing,
some twelve miles south OF Memphis on
the Mississippi river. With Hampton
Mcneil he runs n line of skills, and also a
productive but small farm. Mcneil has
his own farm short distance from Gibson.
Near both is a plantation owned by Mr..
James McrriWothcr but until Friday last
managed by white agent whose name
Mr.. Levy did not remember. This agent
nj 81. s,U. tho t.lnntntfan 4
short time since Gibson concluded tn dis
continue his patronage OF the plantation
store, transferring his account TO this city
and to Mr. Levy. This angcrcd the agent,
and nc evidently resolved upon mean re-
venge. lie thereupon drove two.horso
wagon through Gibson's cotton field, not
withslandng it caused wholesale aud ruth.
less destruction to the ripening crop.
Gibson very properly demonstrated,
and thereby gave the agent the
opportunity he was seeking opening
up the iluod-gatCs for the escape Of his
pcnt-up abuse, threats and profanity
Gibson's situation for the time being was
10y no means desirable one. In order to
agumyate the oncnse the agent remarked
that, to show his disregard for Gibson's
rights, he would repeat the drive when
ever Il suited his pleasure. Next morn
ing he again started across the field In his
wagon ar "a with shotgun. Untcrri-
fled by the warike appearance OF the in
truding agent, Gibson brought out his
shotgun and dcliod him 10 proceed. And
lac carried his point
Tho next morning the agent went 10
Marion, sworc out warrant against Glib
son, charging him with assault with intent
TO kill, and had il placed IN the hands Of
Deputy Sheriff A. W. Trowhrdge. Bright
and early last Friday morning, before
Gibson had gotten out OF bed, the officer
was ON hand, wrapping violently at
Gibson's door, and demanded that lac
bc fcrricd across the river. Gibson
could not comply for private reasons, but
arose and came TO the door, which lac par
italy opened and poked his head out To
his establishment, gun was thrown in his
face aud pcrcmptorv order TO surrender
was made by the officer. There was no
warrant produced, Gibson had no knOwl.
edge Of the mans identity In connection
with the sherill's staff and Inc refused,
closing aud fastening tho door Without
further parley the officer, with his COM
panion, Deputy Stuart, proceeded 10 de-
molish the door with an AK lie was in
! formed by Gibson that hc would defend
! his property, aud the warning WAS sin-
ccre one. The rest Of the trouble, down
10 the appearance OF Mcneil and his re-
| leasing, was not far from the facts, but tho
statement that Mcneil fired upon the Of
| fccrs with shotgun when freed from his
etters, IL strcnuously denied. lie never
once had his hands upon a gun Of any
kind during the affair. That he jumped
over fence and tried 10 escape lac admits.
Now for the arrest and trial Of five men
| implicated, the new version Of which
looks very much like skin game. The
parties were Gibson, Mcneil, John Shccly
aud two others, names unknown Ia Mr.
Levy. Those named were bCiricnded by
| Mr.. Levy, who employed Maj. X L.
| Criitcnlcn 10 defend them. Gibson and
Mcneil were discharged from custody by
Squire 4. q. Moshy, who sat In judgment
because OF the prosecutors failure 10 ap'
pear lie had, Il Is reported, skipped be-
! cause information had reached him that 3
detective was ON his track M the murderer
OF two men some time ago. In order 3,
make some sort Of ease against them
however, the sheriff had sworn out war
rants, charging them with resisting ~
officer. These warrants were sworn out
on the sth inst, the day 81 the trial, whcr
the alleged ohcnsD was committed ON III,
9Th. In this case, one Of the unknown PAR
ties was discharged, the other and John
Shcsly wcrr lined S26 and costs each
while Gibson and Mcneil were fined 80
aud cusis each. Mr.. Levy paid Gibson's
McNcils and shccly'S fines. amounting {,
Sos, when he was informed that lac va
not through paying yet Ihcrcupon biI
for So, 10 cover Gusts, was thrust at him
This, added 10 the lawyers bill, ran th
amount paid out for the thrrc men ~ Il
s2lp.lO. Mr. Levy says there could no
have lccn more than nine witnesses, ia
Guiding the prisoners, aud u Is hard a. H''
where the enormous sum demanded irDr
them properly came IN. A few white vii
ncs.cs we're introduced 10 testify as 10 ~
character Of the prisoners, and not on
failed 10 place them on the plane VI ia
best Of negroes.
The other party fined had q white iricn
ready 10 settle his account, which libcratc
I Al. ..L.f. .ss..ssI