The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-12
NO RACE WAR.
All Is Quiet Across the River.
Investigation OF the Trouble in Grit
tenden County, Ark.
What an Appeal Reporter Saw and
Heard at Marion.
A Great Many Sensational Rumors
in Circulation.
NEGROES Earnestly Disclaiming Any
Intention to Rise.
The Whites Naturally Prepared for
Apu Epnaruancv
A Great Many Sensational Rumors
in Circulation.
NEGROES Earnestly Disclaiming Any
Intention to Rise.
The Whites Naturally Prepared for
Any Emergency.
The Grand Jury Asked by the Blacks
to Make Investigation as to the
Warning Letters-Report
OF a Late Arrival

Rumors OF an alarming character were
received in the city Tuesday night to the
effect that Crittenden county, Arkansas,
was on the eve OF n race war. TIE Ar
ZEAL declined TO publish the information
without first having thoroughly satisfied
itself as to the nature and extent Of the
alleged difficulty, and with view TO that
end yesterday sent representative to
Marion, Ark, 10 investigate tho facts Tor
publication. The APPEAL is pleased TO
state that the first reports received were
grossly exaggerated; that there are no in
dications Of an impending outbreak on
the part OF the negroes against the whites,
and that there is not tho slightest danger
Of "a wholesale massacre OF numbers OF
both races" us has been alleged.
TIR APPEAL's commissioner arrived at
Marion about IL o'clock and found the VII
lage in comparative quiet lilo saw no
evidence anywhere that anything unusual
was going on except in the neighborhood
Of the courthouse, where circuit court was
in session. and even there the attendance
was unusually slim. Ordinarily court
week is great event in country towns,
and citizens flock TO the county scat from
every corner OF the county, either in re-
Spouse TO judicial summonscs or on legal
business, or moved by idle curiosity; but
yesterday II Is doubtful II more than
twenty men, non-rcsidents Of Marion, were
anywhere within two miles Of that village,
and Of the strangers present three were
Memphis lawyers, Judge Brown, Judge
Mcdowell and Fred Adams Here and
there an idle negro or two might have
been seen on the front gallery OF store
but their conduct wis by no means mys.
tcrious or suspicious. The approach Of a
a stranger did not interrupt conversation
or gossip as would be the case il mischief
were being plotted, nor was there the least
evidence Of constraint in their manner ~
would be inevitable II a murJlcrous con.
spiracy was Matching. In short, TnE Ar
PEAL's commissioner was forced 10 the
conviction that the accounts received In
Memphis Of the condition OF affairs In Ar.
kansas were colorcd with a very thick
brush.
Inquiry among prominent citizens IS
tablished the fact that there was some
cause for uneasincss, but none for alarm.
TnE ArrEAL commissioner interviewed q
number Of leading citizens ON the subject,
and among others, Col. ]. 4. Smith, n rep
rcsentaiive man in every sense, and one OF
the guiding spirits OF tho county. Col.
smith isa tall, middle-agcd gentleman,
with q face that bc,okons courage and de-
termination in every line Of IL. lie rose
from the ranks To the colonclcy OF a Ten.
ncSsco regiment. and looks like a born
leader. lie owns q plantation in Critten-
len county, has a wife and family OF
two daughters and three sons, the latter q
mere child. and cant very well afford 10
leave Crittcnden county, as he has been
requested to 10 by unknown parties, and
II he could afford to 60. he wouldn't 20,
because he doesn't scare worth n cent.
4 few days ago lac received In.
formation that plot was forming
TO assnSinatc him and i've OF
six other prominent citizens The report
was traced back 20 a certain merchant IN
town, AMI there lis authenticity ended. II
may have been tho echo OF a drunken
negroa threat or the betrayal Of q con
spirator's sccrc,, but whatever Il was, nc
grca, significance was attached TO II unit
Monday, when letters Of thrcatcnln.
character, all written by the same hand
ON slips Of dirty letter paper, were received
by the following named citizens Of Marion
Col. J. Y. Smith; W. y. Werner, sheriff
Of tho county; L. r. Berry, a lawyer
squire Mosby: Frank Forrest, a planter
anil Jim Stevens, blacksmith. III,
writer saw the letter received by Col
smith. and copied Il. II Rad NJ follows
"Smith, we give you and white friend
FIVE days to leave this country In. II yot
don't DO 10 you will have TO stand the con
sequences Yours In earnest,
ENEMIES"
Tho rcceip, Of these letters occNsioncd
as might have been expected, considerable
excitement, and as the letters were freely
exhibited and discussed the occurrence
grew In proportions until Il assumed th'
rumor that war Of races was impending
Tho negroes arr a much exercised owe
the matter as the whites, and yesterday
morning petition. Of which the following
is copy. was filed in the circuit court o
Criticndcn county, now in session at Mar
ion;
st,rE 90 AnEASs,s County ~ Criiienden.
| To the Hon. J. y Rlddicrk ludrc of the Circuit
Court now In session ~ Marion, ARA;
We, the undersigned citizens oi Critten
den county, having received information
that certain citizcns Of the town OF Marion
via: Col. J. y. Smith. Mcs,iS I. q. Mosby
W. 7. Werner, 7. Forrest and L. T. berry
have received anonymous letters which
are calculated To arouse excitement and q
engcnder had feeling between the races
therefore, We ~ such citizens, pray an,
demand that your honor instruct the X, ala,
jury now In session 10 investigate aud ue'
every available means known 10 the law 4
discover the authors OF such letters, tina
thcy may bo prosecuted TO tho full oxton
OF the law.
This We respectfully submit In justice
TO innocent ciiiHcns Who are opposed e
riots OF excitement Of any kind. Danio