The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-18
Two White Men Said to Have melted
the Negroes to Riot and Slaughter
OF the Whites-Excitement
Rum ng at High
Pitch.
snooInl pIsnateh o The Arpeal.

train. A number OF wild rumor5 were
soon in circulation, one TO the effect that
the posse from this city had fight with
the negroes and that several OF
them had been wounded. These
rumors were set aside by the arrival
Of the two posses on the regular mail train
tonight who reported that everything was
quiet, and that their presence was not
needed. They told the following story OF
the riot: Last Thursday the son of Mr.,
q. L. Nicholson, a prominent farmer OF
Kemper County, was driving a wagon
along the road leading to Suqualak, when
no met negro desperate driving
team in the opposite direction. Young
Nicholson accidentally brought his vehicle
in collision with that OF the negro, who
kept in the middle OF the road, as ii deter
mined 10 drive the boy out. The negro be-
gan cursing the youth, when Nicholson APP
peared and interiered in the boys behalf
The negro thereupon drew a revolver,
but instead OF firing, closed with
Nicholson and brought the weapon down
with his full strength on the formers face.
Nicholson fell sensoless 10 the ground, and
when he recovered the negro had left.
The following day Mr.. Nicholson told his
friends of the negros assault, and on
Saturday it was determined TO or
ginize posse and arrest Maury.
Information OF this determination OF
the whites reached the negroes in some
way. 1t is said that two white men gath
creda partyoi negroes together at a church
sunday night, aud after harangning them,
organized force Of ten negroes TO resist
any attempt TO arrest Maury or attack on
his house. The whites arc known to the
people OF Wahalak, but their names can
notbe learned. II is their settled determine.
ton TO lynch them when found and
the people argue that when thoy are
hung II will be the proper time 10 make
their names known. The negro force
raised by the two white men went to
Maury's house when the church meeting
adjourned and concealed themselves in
the smokchouse and cotton-houses. Very
soon thereafter the posse OF whites came
up the road and halted in front of
Maury's place. A few OF them walked
up to his residence, but found it deserted.
| From the residence they went TO the
smokehouse, where they found three ne.
grocs. These negroes were asked the
whereabouts OF Maury, but Inexperienced
they could not tell where he could be
found. While they were trying TO exact
some information from the negroes, n man
on the outside shouted, "Herc is Muary;
suppose you come and arrest him.
The whites rushed In body from the
building, anda as they emerged were received
by vollcy from eight or ten muskois and
shot guns.
VIM. Vaughan was seriously wounded
by buckshot in the left arm, neck and
shoulders, and another man, whose name
the whites will not reveal, received a
slightly wounded in the hand. This Vol.
ley came from the cotton house aud was
promptly returned by the whites, but the
negroes being behind a stout plank wall
received no injury. Tho whites soon
discovered that they were fight
ing at great disadvantage and
moved around 10 the north side
Of the structure. Here they received an.
other yollcy, resulting In the instan, death
Of Henry Maury, and the wounding OF his
brother, J. I. Maury, IN the arm near the
elbow. Tho whites now drew OIL and
the firing ceased temporarily. Not
outstanding their losses, however, the
posse determined 10 make another
attack on the coiton.house, approaching Il
this time from the south side. As they
came up to the building they received q
third volloy, the negroes apparently await
ing the order 90 fire, as they had done In
the two previous instances. At this third
yolloy Seth Cobb received twenty-five
buckshot In the breast and stomach,
tearing the entire front Of his body FROM
the neck 10 the navel away. John
Dew, another OF the whites, was alsc
wounded, pcrhapa fatally, bya pistol ball
In the groin.
Tho whites again drew oil Tor consulta
ton, when Il was determined that another
attack ON tho building with their reduced
force would be useless, and they dclcrm'
incd 10 wait for daylight and reinforce
mcnts.
While they were consulting the negrocI
rushed from tho coiton.housc TO Maury'I
residence In body, and proceeded 4
fortiiy tina. building. The white
went back TO wahalak yesterday morn
lug. Another force Of iiit,
mon or moN was raised and proccede'
to Maury's residence. Tho place wa
found entirely deserted, even the bedding
and furniture having been removed. The
whites burned the three buildings on th'
place. together with those on a near farm
securing the woods for the negroes In vain
No trace OF them could be iounl Il VA
impossible 20 como across negro In iiy'
smiles Of the scene OF trouble
while people from the adjoining town
began to pour into wahalak al
day anil Joined In the search, bat a. nom
Of the negroes were known except GeoE
Maury, they accomplished nothing. On
negro was seen lurkingin the woods and wa
Cred upon by white man, but he not onl.
disappeared when tho poses from Meri
! dian under command Of Thomas Jamisoi
. reached wrsalak. They wero told iha
; their services were not needed. They "a,
Al. Al.