The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-15
What Good Men Say of York Byers.
A clustering Bully and a Swagger-
ing Desperate.
A Peace Officer Who Moves Men to
Deeds Of Violence.
Two Military Companies Organised
in Crittenden County.
Col. J. F. Smith, OF Marion, Elected
Commander-Sheriff Werner and DR..
Bingham Elected Captains
Twelve Men on Patrol

Mr.. Richard Cheatham and Mr.. +. Buck,
both Of Charlottesville, arrived in Mem
phis last night and called at The APPEAL
office to correct certain impressions created
on the public mind by a statement pub
lished in these columns yesterday ema-
mating from the now notorious York
Byers. According to the picture drawn
by these gentlemen, who are known TO be
good citizens and reputable men, York
Byers is not the spotless angel he repre-
sented himself to be. In fact York Byers.
in the opinion OF these gentlemen. and.
they represent the best element in Crit.
tenden county, is clustering bully, an
habitual drunkard, and a chronic vioiator
OF the public peace, not only seeking quar-
rels with white and black men himself, but
melting other men TO deeds OF violence.
His great physical strength has made him
arrogant and insulting, and his natural in
clination to mischief impels him TO per-
suade Others TO quarrel. He is accused of
having made public announcement that at
the next election none but black men
should be elected to county offices. lie
is charged with having called together
and commanded the armed negroes who
swarmed round the depot at Charlottesville
the night after the difficulty between a
white bar-keeper and colored constable. 4
He is suspected Of melting his colored as
sociates TO hatred OF the white race, and ia
the recognized leader OF the most tuibu.
lent, belligerent and eyil-minded of his
race. lie always goes armed and seeks
difficulties with white men, relying ON his
muscle to carry him through in safety.
He drew around him gang OF noisy.
drunken negroes, who made the streets OF
Crawfordyille perfect pandemomum of
disorder and profanity. Everybody dis
liked HIM and all dreaded the ef-
fects OF his pernicious influence over
the colored race. lie was constant men
ace to the safety OF tho white people, and
his departure has been hailed with sigh
OF relief by white and black alike Such
is the photograph OF York Bycrs, as drawn
by Messrs. Chatham and Buck, who are
trustworthy and reliable witnesses. SO
much for BycB.
citizens OF Crittenden county are preparing
and will shortly publish, a statement TO
the world in vindcation OF their conduct in
expelling certain negroes from their coun-
~. The ArrEAL will publish the docu-
ment in few days.
A meeting was held in the courthouse
at Marion, Ark, on the 18th day Of July.
1883, for the purpose OF organizing mill
tary company. under the statutory laws n -
the state OF Arkansas, for the protection
OF the lives and property Of the citizens Of
Crittendon county, rs stated in q lengthy
address delivered at the opening OF the
meeting by 5. A. Marian, who was unan-
imously elected chairman. Richard
Cheathnm was elected secretary. II was
iirst moved and carried that persons who
are not present be enrolled rs members,
and allowed TO cast votes for officers, ETC.,
by proxy through friends present.
II was moved and carried that all per-
sons present who so desired be permitted
20 enlist
In accordance with which resolution ll3
names enlisted.
On motion, II was ordered that the COM
pany be divided for the purpose Of form.
ing two companies, one 10 be Marion aud
the other Crawfordsyille company.
The companies then withdrew from the
courtroom 10 elect officers and arrange
other matters.
Tho Charlottesville company retired 10
the shcrin-s Office, where they proceeded
10 elect the following officers W. y. Wcr-
ner. captain; &. l.. Campbell. fini lieuten.
ant; w, NJ. GIBSON, second lieutenant; X.
u. Organ, third lieutenant, and T.. Buck,
orderly sergeant. II was then agreed that
on July - they should meet a. Crawfords.
vile, ut which time they expect 10 greatly
enlarge their list OF members.
The Marion company proceeded 10 elect
the following officers w. ii. Bigham,
captain; X. n. Barton, iirst lieutenant;
X. II. Ward, second Lieutenant; III. NJ.
Brooks, third lieutenant y. A. Mosby, =.
orderly sergeant; y. e.. Barton, second
sergeant; J. J.. Smith, third sergeant.
After recess for supper the meeting
was called 10 order by Chairman Martin,
who requested that tho officers Of each
would como together and elect u
field officer.
Before this was done, Col. -
y. smith, after repeated calls from
those present, arose and mado
m address 10 the meeting, conservative III
character and urging ''thr utmost pru-
lcncc In dealing with the situation which
them" lie was listened 10
With close attention and approval, and
received the thanks II the meeting.
The name Of j. y. Smith was put in
for colonel, and as there was
no opposition he was unanimously elected.
Nv' .Hih pWhl 'NPi'o'u HH lnhnkS
or the honor conferred upon him, and de.
dared his intention 20 strive 10 prove
worthy Of Il. Capt. Bgham follows with
! short address, winding up with the 70.
quest that twelve men voluntarily picket
he town that night as they had been
LONG previous nights. The request was
promptly complied with by twelve men
sho looked as II they had been assigned
% an honor and not burlcncl with n task