The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-12-27
BOB BREWER CHASED TO THE SWAMP.
A Southern Vendetta That Is aad
for Jesup.
Negroes Driven from Their Homes
BY Armed Rangers,
And leading Citizens Killed BY q
colored RuffIan.

SAVANNAH, Ga, December 26.-News has
been received from Jessup, Ga, that posse
OF 20 men under command OF S. White. left
on the train for Lumber City to intercept
Brewer. who started the riot yesterday and
his gang. who. 1t Is rumored, have gone there
for reinforcements. Brewers mother lives
at Lumber City, and 1t is suspected that II
he gets out Of Mcmillan swamp he will 90 TO
his mothers. Firing along the picket l.cs
is kept mp, principally by boys. A crowd Of
armed men have Just returned from a trip TO
the swamp and report four eolored men
found dead. The jail was broken into early
this morning and two negro prisoners rid
died with bullets. AHother negro was found
at home shot through the heart and another
with flesh wound In his shoulder. II Is re-
ported that others were killed, but the offlc-
ers have not found them. The search for
bodies has been kept up all day. The ne
groes are quitting their homes and moving to
other rowus on the line Of the railroad. A
crowd Oh white men went to several houses
this morning and compelled the negroes to
leave. They punished some Of them. The
hussars have started for Savannah. The IN
fantry company Of Brunswick will remain
until tomorrow. The swamp where Bfsw-
er's gang are hiding will be searched. IL the
follow.
The trouble at Jessup yesterday begun at
10 a. m, when Chief Marshal Leggett and
assistants attempted TO arrest Bob Brewer.
the notorious negro outlaw. aud fugitive.
Brewer deliberately shot down Assistant
Marshal Barnhill, killing him instantly. The
chief marshal fred on Brewer, but missed
him. Brewer shot Leggett through both
legs. Brewer and his crowd, 10 or IL men.
fled to Mcmillan swamp few yards away.
rhe report Of guns threw the town into
whirlwind Of excitement and the negroes
were followed into the swamp by several
citizens. Among them were VIM. Wood and
MS son. Brewer shot young Wood. killing
face. The negroes escaped The news Of
the shooting OF the Woods spread like wild
fre over the town and confusion reigned for
time. Jessup seemed to be In the hands Of
a violent mob. Mayor Hobbs called a meet
Ing, and hasty arrangements were made to
protect the town. Seventy-hve armed men
gathered In few minutes and followed
the Brewer party In the swamp. Mcmillan
Bay covers over 400 acres. Brewer Is so
familiar with its hiding places that tie
efforts Of the posse to locate him In the
swamp are regarded as vain. The posse was
increased by at least 25 armed men before
the hour elapsed. A picket line was formed
20 prohibit anybody from coming out Oh the
Brewer had threatened the life Of Assistan.
Marshal Barnhill, since that officer killed
Brewers pals few weeks ago while at
tempting to arrest colored man for gamb-
ling.
The news has reached the authorities that
j. w. Ryan, a white man living at Jessup
was the instigator Of the affray. A posse
was sent to his home TO arrest him but
Regan made his escape.
The Town In a Panic.
SAVANNAH, Ca, December GA special
from Jessup to the Morning News, dated at
6 p. M. says that Mayor Hobbs has called a
public meeting TO take steps to defend the
town tonight. IL Is believed that Brewer Is
near with large force Of negroes. Tneciti-
Zens are organizing and arming 10 aid the
Brunswick Rifles In case Of an outbreak. A
special train has been run out TO the brick
yards, where Brewer Is reported 70 have
been seen. A detachment OF armed men has
been sent cut as scouts. Mayor Hobbs has
received a telegram from Brunswick saying
that Ryan, the white man supposed to have
instigated the trouble, Is in that city. The
mayor viii not take steps to have Ryan
brought back. There Is still great excite.
mout throughout the country around Jessup.
Affairs will doubtless quiet down In few
days. 1t Is the region Of the turpentine dis
tllleries and saw mills. Here thousands OF
negroes are employed: The Jessup trouble
Is apt to disorganize labor for some time TO
come.
The most reliable information is that 10
people have be killed, namely: Barnhill
and Woods BY Brewer; Anderson, lwhite),
accidentally; johnson, Hobbs and Flucett,
(colored); two whites and two negroes whose
names are not given
lJesup, or Jessup, is a post village Of
WAYNE county, Georgia, on the Atlantic Il
Gulf railroad. where 1t crosses the Macon &
Brunswick railroad, 81 miles southwest OF
Savannah, and 10 miles north-northwest Of
Brunswick. 1t has four churches, an acade-
my and a newspaper office.-EDl