Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-12-18
RACE WAR.
Armed Bands Fighta Bat
tie to the Death
IN A MISSISSIPPI VILLAGE.
The Terrible Results of a San
culinary Contest.
WHITES, GREATLY OUTNUMBERED,
WHITES, GREATLY OUTHUMBERED,
Fight Bravely for Their Lives and
Homes.
AWFUL SLAUGHTER ON BOTH SIDES.
Report Makes Twelve White and One Hun
dred and Fifty Colored Men Killed-COn-
ficdng RumOrs The Origin Of
the Battle Involved in Doubt
-TrOupS at the Scene.

NEW ORLEANS, December IA special
to the States from Wshalak, Miss, says:
There was a terrible riot at this place
last night, and to-day twelve white men
and $50 negroes lie dead as result. For
q long time there has been much i'll feel
ing between the whites and blacks here,
which has been aggravated by the imperti-
uence of the latter, and Yesterday the two
elements became involved in quarrel,
which ended in grea. loss of life. The
facts, as far as they can be ascertained,
are as follows:
A negro and white man quarrelltd,
and the negro was killed. This was an
excuse for an sAult, and the negroes i'm
mediately swept down upon the whites,
who were greatly outnumbered. Know
ing that it would be fight to the death,
the whites prepared to receive their black
sssailant4, and when the battle was ended
il was found that twelve white men and
over $50 blacks had been killed.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Another account says: Some two months
sgo white farmer, living few miles
from the almost desOlate village, lost his
pin house, together with eight or ten bales
of cotton by . fire which was evidently
the work of an inceudisry. Suspicion was
at once directed to one or two negroes
living in the vicinity, with whom the
farmer bad had some trouble. The Cffi-
rers in the meantime had b;en searching
for evidence against the negroes. At q
late hour last night sufficient evidence had
been secured. One OF the negroes WAS ap
poached by an officer, who demanded
that he surrender.
The negro became furious and terribly
assaulted the officer, after which ne made
his escape. This attack on an officer OF
the law aroused the indignation Of the few
white citizens in the ntigEbOrhoOd, who
Organized themselves to capture, not to
mob the fugitive. The woods in the vicin-
ity were secured but without result. Not
a trace OF him could be fOund, and it was
decided by the posse to act in body and
surround his premises. They had pro-
ceeded only few miles in the direction OF
the ntgco's house, when from an ambush
clme deadly volley. Fifty we'll
armed negroes composed the mob.
After every white man had fallen to
the ground the negroes dispersed, the
horror stricken people have telegraphed for
aid. Seyenty-five well armed men left
Meridap, MISS, at 10 o'clock this morning
for the scere of the tragedy. West Point
will furnish more help as soon as the receS-
sary aiyices can he had.
A later Dispatch says: The negroes are
said to be we'll armed and assemtlee en-
masse. and seem determinedtO fight it 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 white boy.
IL is feared there will be more bloody
work tonight, as the negroes are concsn-
trating, Nearly every town in East Mis-
sippi is sending aid 70 the whites.