The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-29
a Famous Riot.

Several months ago Judge w. d. Kelley
the well-known republican congressman
from Pennsylvania, told a Washington re-
porter that when he spoke in Mobile in
1867 he was attacked by band of cut
throats, led by man whose name is nov
well known in connection with n patent
car. The Judge said that the platform was
swept by the bullets of the assassns, and
several men were slain by his side. Al
though he mentioned no name II was well
understood that he pointed to Colonel w.
d. Mann aa the leader of the rioters.
After the lapse of more than twenty
years, the Mobile Register has investigated
the affair, and the testimony IL brings for
ward is conclusive. Colonel Mann had no
connection with the riot. He neither led
nor participated in it. The Register says
There were three judicial investigations of the
riot-one by the mayor, one by the coroner and one
by federal court martial-ofwhich General Ruger
was president In none of those Investigations
does Colonel Mann's name appear ms witness or par.
tcipant There was no allegation that he instgN-
ted or led the riot, and not reference to him in
any part of the charges, specifications or testimony
The finding of the co lrt martial must be on file in
the war department Mt Washington.
The several Investigations found that no riot was
planned intended. The staff and reporters of the
Mobile Times upon the stand Immediately nj
fhe side of Mr., Kelley. At the outset OF his remarks
he made ludicrous verbal blunder at which the
crowd laughed The negroes laug he'd and cheered
immoderatcly as they always do at nothing The
noise of the cheering caused the horses of carriage
60 run away and dash through the crowd. SShis
produced confusion. just then the police attempt.
cd 10 arrest drunken man on the outskirts of the
crowd He resisted arrest and fred his pistol into
the mir The crowd. already confused became panic
stricken at the shot aud lied in every direction
Several shots were fired in different directions and
without apparent object by the flying crowd Judge
Kelley IN panic knelt down behind II table, the
first time he had probably ever knet down since he
apostnu2ed from his religion, The only man killed
was white man who was shot by negroes nearly a
block away from the meeting, The assertion of
Kelley that he was fred at, and that several men
were slain by his side and that the platform was
swept by bullets is utterly false. The evidence of
The three examinations dsmoyesit.
There is good deal more on the same line,
but this summarizes the affair very clearly.
The name of General Rucer should carry
weight with it. II there had been anything
in Judge Kelley's story, General Kruger
would not have dismissed the matter SO
readily. The fact that the story refers "a
occurrences of more than twenty years acc
Is no reason for allowing it to pass withou,
showing up the other side. In the interest.
of history, fairness and truth, 1t is right
that the facts should come out, and tn,
Register has done right in bringing Judge
Kelley 10 book. II is to be hoped that thi.
investigation and exposure will lead tn,
Pennsylvania congressman to revise his
"reminiscences