The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-20
From a STAFF Correspondent

From STAFF Correspondent
WAHALAK, Miss, Dec. l9.-The news
from the front today has been scarce, bu,
struggling items come in from time to
time, which indicate that the work Of
vengeance is begun. The scene of opera.
tons is ten miles from here and the ap.
proaches are through dense swamp. nc.
cessible only TO horsemen. The "warr
correspondent Of Cincinnati paper tried
10 cover the distance today on white
horse OF gentle aspect and mild mion.
The natives saw him depart with msgiy-
ings, and when he disappeared in the
forest thcyshook their heads significantly.
Hall an hour later the correspondent re-.
turned alone and on foot, covered with
mud but not otherwise damaged. After
deposting his burden. the war charger
amblcd to the front alone. The CORE
spondent will return home to night. The
armed force which left here last night did
not return this morning. They left the
camp fires at the foot Of the mountain
range, where the turbulent negroes are
supposed TO bo concealed and waited
until daylight 10 continue their hunt.
TnEiR PURPOSE II CLEAR
All the negroes concerned in Sunday
nights carnage must leave thd dncighbor.
hood, whether through deaths door or
otherwise will depend upon their good for.
tune or alacrily In getting away Those
who have not escaped are practically
hcmmcd in now by an armed force made
desperate by their Thirst for revenge.
There will be no mercy shown to the cap
uyes. The last heard from the pursuing
party was that they we're eighteen miles
out from here at Chillis's store. This
would seem TO indicate that they are gain.
ing upon the iugitiycA Upon no other
theory can their having pushed their line
Of operations so far be satisfactorily eI.
planned.
A word as TO the class Of negroes who
precipitaicd this uprising. The leaders
and master spirits among them arc Walter
-G2ok and Geo. Maury, both ihdily aud
intelligent negroes. They aud their inn
mediate relatives and friends live on the
eide OF gently sloping range Of hills that
extend In n continuous line for many
miles. In the valley below them live a
score or 10 Of white planters separated
from each other by distances some times
exceeding mile. Most Of the latter are
poor aud cultivate small tracks Of land
which t4t.fI gt.u. "a ,...s.s.. ....I..F.t........
On tho rising ground above, the negroes
also own small tracts Of land, covered with
log cabins aud oulhouses Of equally primi.
tive constructions The ncighborhood
within radius Of Eve miles from where
Geo, hlaury's house stood l. called a set.
tlcmcnL In that settlement thc.o has
been moro or less friction between the
whites and blacks for sometime aud the
INSULT or rnE LArE ELECTION
seems 10 have added 10 the pressure. The
leading white man Of the ncighb1rhood
was Seth Cobb, n small man, broad shoul.
dcrcd, with frame Of iron and sincws Of
steel. His clear brain, dogged determine.
ton and strong individuality made him a
positive force among bis noighbors, and
whenever a cool head, keen intellect and
n fearless soul were needed Seth Cobb had
the call Men followed blindly where he
chose 10 lead. Whom, therefore, Cobb
learned that his brothor.in.law, Nicholson,
had been beaten by a negro, he hasicncd
10 his side and readily accepted the charge
20 bring the offender 10 justice. On the
side Of the negroes there il leader who
stands TO his fellows In almost the
same relation that Cobb stood 10
tic whites. His name Il Walter
Crook. aud ho Ia described ~ q good |
looking muatio oi some education and |
intelligence above the average Of his race.
aud endowed with physical courage |
which Ia described as game 10 the back. !
bone" lie bears the reputation OF being |
a desperate aud dangerous man, and q few
OF the whites regarded him as a constant
menace 10 their safety. lie managed his ]