Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-08-21
4 Race War Is Raging
coLoRED MEN KILLED FOR REFus-
ING TO SURRENDER.
sToRMING THE B%ARRICADE,
A Desperate pitched Battle Between White
citizens and an Armed Body of
colored Men in Iberia Par
ish, Louisiana.

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 20.-News was re-
ceived here of the killing by negroes at
Freet0wn.; or Cadis station, in Iberia
Parish, of E. Peyson Smith, CT New
Iberia. Some time ago several negroes,
who were reported to be organizing the
negroes for some purpose or other, were
ordered away from New Iberia, because
they were believed to be instigating dis
order among the co1ored people. They
retired to Freetown, eleven miles from
New Iberia, and were supposed to be
continuing their Objectionable operations.
On Monday the 18th, reports reached
New Iberia that the negroes were arming
and congregating at Freetown. Their
number was estimated at from 800 to 600
| strong, mounted. Tuesday they had re-
ceiyed achievements sufficient to fully
double their numbers, and, feeling their
strength, they assumed a threatening at
! titude, boldly declaring the refugees
should not leaves the parish and should
not be molested. On Wednesday the
numbers. were further increased and the
people of the surrounding country began
to feel some alarm lest these negroes,
I oyerstimating their strength, should at
tempt deeds Of violence.
On Thursday matters had not improved
up to noon. BY this time the residents
and property owners OF that section be-
gan to collect at q point n short distance
from Freetown. The citizens rode into
Freetown and found, as rumored, a large
number of negroes quartered there.
They asked it's meaning, and the negroes
were silent. They then demanded a sur
rendeS of the colored mems arms, with
the promise that when the negroes
learned TO behave themselves they would
~ ,otrp,,aJ and fhnf tho naorppa ShGn1I
at once dispense. The great majority of
the colored men accepted the terms of
the party and surrendered their arms,
which were found, without exception, to
be loaded with ball or buckshot.
Rev. III. Nora, a colored minister, LETT
Freetownin the morning to attend a con-
ference of ministers at New Iberia, and
during his absence his residence was
taken possession of by a number of the
armed negroes. The negroes in that
house refused to surrender. The whites
sent a second messenger to the house,
saying they would give the inmates
twenty minutes in which to lay down
their Weapons. The negroes again re-
fused.
In this house, situated a short distance
) from the main road, or street, were
auaYtered some twelve or fifteen negroes,
/, among the number their leaders. A
: squad of mounted white citizens wer,
some 100 yards from the house, waiting
the expiration of the twenty minutes
and before the given time had expired {
door of the house was thrown open n
a volley frea at them. One horse was
wounded. This was q surprise to all
and Immediately the firing became gen
eral. The door of the house was agai
: closed, but q constant fire was kept u
from the windows and doors, partly oper
for quite an interval. Later the fire wa
carried on by spurts by both sides, las
ing in all for nearly an hour and a hal
AT this time Mr.. Smith broke from hi
lines and made for the house. His con
rades implored him to return, but deaf I
their entreaties he went on. The hous
was reached, the door was forced, andf
fell. AT his side was a comrade who ha
followed him on his fatal errand, bt
when Mr.. Smith fell his comrade r
treated backwards, keeping up a constal
fire from a repeating rifle, and escape
unhurt.
AT this stage of the fight the negro
became panic-stricken and att empted
flee from the house. and the deadly wo,
was soon brought to q close. After t
fight closed the bodies Of eight negro
were found in the house and five othe
ts. outside. Others say three OF four mo
were killed. 1t is thought by some tn
q few made their escape, while othe
who were at the scene deny this. o
of the negroes who Snof Mr.. Smith W
named Smith, and wasr cpized amo
me the crowd by Mr.. SIN ride.