The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-12

w. Lewis, county judge; David Ferguson,
county clerk, o. w. Mitchem, one
armed LAWYER, and York Byers. Lewis,
Ferguson and Byers are considered the
most dangerous negroes in Crittenden
county and in the event OF u conflict are
sure to come TO grief.
The judge of the circuit court ordered
the petition filed and the grand jury will
doubtless investigate the matter without
delay.
Suspicion as to the authorship Of the let
ter rests upon two negroes. There ought
to be no trouble about fixing the identity
Of the writer OF the letters. The negroes in
Crittenden county who can write are few
and far between, and an expert in matters
OF handwriting would not be long in un.
ravcling the mystery Of authorship Of the
letters. II the author is found may the
Lord help hint His fate will DO an awful
warning to others.
As is.natural under the circumstances,
Col. Smith and the other citizens of
Marion who have received warning will.
decline to leave the country, and ART
preparing to stand the consequences" in a
manner that will paralyze the author Il
the anonymous letters II he or his abettors
attempt to execute the implied threat con-
veyed therein. They arc alert, vigilanl
and determined, and backed by the man.
hood and chivalry OF Crittenden county.
which numbers among its citizens as
brave, US gallant and fearless class
Of men as can DO found anywhere in
the world. They are slow to take the
aggressive and have borne many indigni
ties at the hands Of leading colorcd men,
aud submitted to almost unbearable inso.
lence, but IL the instinct Of self-prcserva-
ton ever compels them TO strike, the blow
will DO terrible and II will fall where pun
ishment is most deserved. The temper OF
the white citizens OF Crittenden county il
best illustrated by remark made by Col
Smith TO certain dangerous negroes OF Crit
tendcn county. He said to them:
"Ii the humblest white man in Crittcn-
den county is slain because OF trouble be.
tween tho races, you will DO held rcspon-
sible and must pay the penalty. You may
get me, but II you do there are those who
will aycngc my death. In any event, you
will be called upon TO foot the BILL" The
warning will doubtless have a good effect,
and will teach the inccndiary negro TO put
a curb upon his tongue.
II is undeniably true that there is feel.
ting OF irritation between the whites and
blacks OF Crittendcn county, and the cause
is easily traceable to negro domination in
county government. The great tidal wav,
Of white supremacy that rolled over the
southern States in 1875 and washed from
the surface OF the local governments
the faint Of rottenness impressed upon
them BY negro rule, seems 10 hav,
left Crittendon county untouched.
Every Office in tho county cxcep,
those Of sheriff and treasurer Is held by 2
negro. Tho county judge. Dan Lewis,
who has jurisdiction over probate matters,
is black brute, noted for habitual drunk
cnncSs, gross neglect OF official duty, and
offensive dcmcanor 10 citizens having bus.
mess before his court. lie Is under indict-
mcnt for drunkenness, rs Is also Dave Fer.
guson, the county clerk, an intelligent
mulatto, thoroughly competent. but de
scribcd by those who know him best
rs inclined 10 be offensive and insolent a.
white people when in his cups, and given
TO the encouragement among his people OF
4 feeling Of hatred TO the whites. Tn
ArrEAL's representative was unable q
gather any specific facts that substantiated
the charge that Ferguson promotes race
antagonism, but such is his reputation
amongsuch citizens who were consulted
upon the matter.
Complaint is made by the citizens Of Crit.
tenden county that the arrogance and in
solent dcmcanor Of Lewis and Ferguson Is
reflected in the department Of other ne.
grocs; that they run over white people
and crowd them OF the sidewalks. and
that on sundays their profanity and oh.
sccnity keeps ladies of the streets. Thesc
things may seem trivial 10 non-rcsijcnts.
but they are nevertheless CALLING 10 the
victims and produce q feeling OF resent.
mcni that must sooner or later culminai,
in open revolt
Prominent citizens OF Crittcnden county
have made no secret Of the tact that thcy
will cndcayor nj the next election 10 put
an cnd 10 negro domination. This, o
oounc, has only intensified what feeling o
aniagonism already existed between the
races. Stmws show which way the wind
blows. About ten days ago a whit,
barkcepcr in Cmwiorlsyillc hit 9
negro with club. Tho negro went
home, armed himself with a shot
gun, and accompanied by his brother,
in.law, similarly equipped, returned 10 the
scene Of conflict A scuiIlc cnsucd will
the white man. In the course Of which the
gun was discharged without injury to any,
one. Bys,andcrs intcrfercd and peace wa,
restored. Next day the bysiandcs VIII,
inlcrcdcd In behalf Of peace aud harmon,
wcm arrested and carried before a negr,
magistrate for trial. They waived csami
nation and gave boudfsr their appearance,
before the circuit court. Ever since thcr
the citizens Of Charlottesville and vicinii,
have been sleeping upon their arms.
Reports are also current that shots On,
frri into the houses Of white citizens il
the dead Of tho nigh, and brick.bais hurlcl
at their doors, but thus iarno one has beer
injured by these proceedings. These s,orici
arc magni6ed rs they pas from mouth I,
mouth and assume all sorts Of cxtrayagnn
shapes, until they appear in the column,
OF the newspapers as impending race wars