Wichita eagle., 1888-12-18
A RACE WAR, INDEED.
An ARRAY of determination at Wahalak,
Miss

NEW ORLEANS. Dec. 1.-THE States Wa
halak, Miss, special says: There was a ter
rible riot last night at this place and today
twelve white men and one hundred and
fifty negroes lie dead as result. For a
long time there has been much i'll feeling
between the whites and blacks at this
place, aggravated by the impertinence of
The latter, and yesterday the two elements
became involved in quarrel which ended
in great loss of life. The facts, as far as
they can be ascertained. are as follows:
y negro and a white man became en-
gagged in a quarrel and the negro was kill
ed. This was an excuse for an assault and
Immediately a black horde swept down up
on the whites who were greatly outnum-
hered. Knowing that it was a fight to the
death, the whites prepared to receive their
black assailants and when the battle was
ended il was found that twelve white men
and over one hundred and fifty negroes
had been killed.
CAUSES OF THE ENCOUNTER.
MEMPHIS, Dec. 17.-Only meager details
of the riot near Wahalak, Miss, have been
received here. The causes which led to
She disturbance are said to be as follows:
About two months ago a farmer living
near that town had his gin house and
eight bales of cotton burned. The act
was thought to be incendiary and the
matter was placed IN charge of an officer
to ferret out the criminal. Suspicion
pointed to some negroes and yesterday the
believed TO be the ringleader of
the gang who fired the gin.
The negro resisted arrest and gave the
officer a severe beating. He returned to
Wahlala for assistance and posse of white
men went with him TO arrest thesuspected
gin burner. As they approached his cabin
they were fired upon from an ambush bv
party of about fifty well-armed negroes
The result WAS that four of the posse were
Instantly killed and eight wounded, three
mortally. The greatest excitement pre-
walls and an armed force of seventy-fye
men left Meridian, Miss, this forenoon for
the scene of the trouble and doubtless
more bloodshed Will follow.
NO NEGROES KILLED.
NEW ORLEANS, Dec IA special to the
Picayune from West Point, Miss, saws
News reached here this morning of a ter
rible tragedy enacted at the quiet little
village of Wahafak, Miss, forty miles
south of this city, on the Mobile & Ohio
railway, where four white men were
killed outright and eight wounded, three
mortally, by volley of lead from the
hands of a desperate mob of negroes.
The only particulars to be had are as fol-
lows: Some two or three months ago n
white farmer living few miles from the
almos: desolate village lost his gin house.
together with eight or ten bales of cotton
by a fire which was evidently the work of
an incendiary. Suspicion was Mt once
directed TO one or two negroes living in
the vicinity, with whom the farmer had
had some trouble. The officers in the
meantime had been searching for eyi-
dence against the negroes. At a
late hour last night, sufficient evidence
had been secured and one of the negroes
was approached by an officer who demand
ed that he surrender. The negro became
furious and terribly assaulted the officer.
after which he made his escape. This at
tack on an officer of the law aroused the
Indignation of the few white citizens in
neighborhood. who organized themselves
TO capture, not TO mob. the fugitive. The
woods In the vicinity Were secured but
without result. Not trace OF him could
be found and ii was decided by the posse
10 act In body and surround his premises
Iheyh had proceeded only few miles in
the objection of the negro's house when |
from an ambush came deadly volley. |
Fifty well armed negroes composed the |
mob. After every white man had fallen |
10 the ground the negroes dispersed. The |
horror stricken people have telegraphed /
for aid. Seventy-fye well armed men
have left Meridian for the scene of the
tragedy, West Point will furnish more !
help as sosn as the necessary advice can be |
had
MERIDIAN, Miss, Dec. 17-Reports from |
the scene of the riot are conflicting. II Is |
now stated that no negroes were killed but /
that twelve white men lost their lives |
special train left here at l p. m bearing |
troops for the scene of the trouble.
FURTHER TROUBLE FEARED.
NEW ORLEANS. Dec. 1.-THE Picayune's |
Macon, Miss, special says: The people !
here are excited over the killing of Henry |
Maurey, Cobb and Vaughn. three promi- |
nent white men in kemper county. by |
negroes and the wounding of other whites (
among the number Tom Nicholson, who /
was shot IN the body and had an arm
broken. No negroes were killed or
wounded. Twenty young men have left |
this city for the scene of the trouble. two
of them being recently from the north.
The negroes are said to be we'll |
armed and are assembled EN- masse,
and seem determined to fight il
out. Various rumors exist. 1t is said
that six white men were killed and as
many more wounded and that the trouble
originated in two negro men whipping a
white boy. w. B. Hare, resident Of /
NoNubee county, near the kemper line
was also killed. 1t is feared there will be |
bloody work tonight, as the negroes are
concentrating. Nearly every town in east /
mississippi are sending aid 10 the whites. /
ANOTHER VERSION.
MEMPHIS, Dec. IA special to the 1
Avalanche from West Point, Miss. gives /
the following details OF the killing near
Wahalak: