The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-04
Reliable Reports State that No Less than Fif-
teen Colored Men We're Shot and Hanged
at Shell Mound, in Mississippi.
A Republican Deputy Sheriff Shot at the
Polls in Louisiana, Yesterday.
By the Usual Methods the Democrats Carried
the Third Observation-Disclosures Expected
Near Birmingham, Alabama.
THE MISSISSIPPI TROUBLE.
A Number Of Negroes Reported Eilled-6ov.
Lowryss Statement


A Number of Negroes Reported Killed-6ov.
Lowry's Statement.
JACKSON, Miss, Sept. SIN an interview,
to-day, Governor Lowry made. in snb-
stance, this answer to the general ques-
tions as to the status of affairs in lie Flore
county:
On arriving at Greenwood found some ex-
citement among the people, not. as believe,
from any fear OF bloodshed between the races in
conflict OF arms, but rather the menace OF the
negroes and their defiant attitude OF two Gays
before, and this probably intensified by the
TACT that the negroes, or at least quite a number
of then' were armed with Winchester rifles. The
inaccessibility OF Minter City. the vicinity OF
the disturbance, rendered information from
there very difficult, it being seventy miles by
water ana s twenty six oy land. Tae boat whose
Minter City, was some hours behind. and
this delay could not well be explained.
In the meanwhile the three military companies
had arrived and quito O number of volunteers
from the surrounding counties OF Carrollton and
Grenada. The citizen volunteers, or a number
or them, at Least, seemed determined to have
matters their own way, and IL was thought best
that should address them. They assembled in
front Of the hotel and spoke to them frankly,
plainly saying, In substance. that the sheriff had
invoked the aid of the military, and, in response
TO the Telegram that there were 500 armed
negroes that refused to be dispersed, had come
in person with the troops TO see that peace and
order was restored; that the excitement mani
tested by citizen volunteers was ominous OF
served in a well-regulated community; that there
was yet no blood shed, and admonished them
as being wicked, disreputable and unworthy OF
Missssippians.
subsequently feared that If the citizen volun-
teers went to the scene of the disturbance in the
excited state in which they were, they would do
harm instead of good After consultation it
was finally decided that the military instead OF
the citizen volunteers should be sent TO Minter
City to aid the sheriff in enforcing the law. Gen.
Henry. Adtutantrgeneral of the State, accompa-
nieo the military and carried with him eomnu-
strict observance Of the law and restoration or
peace and order.
In conclusion. the Governor said he had
no fears of further trouble. The Capital
Light Guards of this city, arrived here
from LIE Flore county at P. NJ. to-day,
having left Minter City yesterday at p NJ.
They report that there were 275 armed
negroes congregated near Minter City, but
they had been dispered before. the arrival
of the military. There was large body of
white men, mounted and armed, who had
hocked there from various points before
the arrival of the troops. These men had
dispersed the negroes and captured some of
negroes had been killed, or the number
captured, were very conflicting. One ne
gro was certainly killed by another negro
for refusing to join them. One man told
six miles from the river. Other reports
place the number higher, while some denied
that there had been any killing, except
the negro killed by another negro. The
troops captured and turned over to the
sheriff forty negroes. 1t wasreported after
the troops left that one of the negro lead
ers was hung. The sheriff under whose
orders the troops were placed, notified them
that they were needed no longer, and they
took his receipt for the negroes whom they
of the company told your correspondent
that 1T was impossible to get any reliable
information as to what really had occurred:
that it was a certainty that from 800 TO 400
were armed and congregated, vowiDg
vengeance against the whites on Saturday
night, and it was certain that large body
of white men had dispersed them and capt
ured some of them, but no true account
could be obtained of the loss of human life,
as the violence occurred back from the
river several miles. The white people of
Shell Mound deserted the place on Satur-
day and sought refuge in safer quarters.
Further information shows that Dalphor-
ton, leader, was killed by detachment of
citizens. He had been ordered to surren-
der, but boldly defied them to touch him.
Over thirty shots were fired into him. 1t is
reliably stated that the State troops were
withdrawn for the reason that the posse
did not want them there because they
would restrain and restrict them from car
ryIng out their determination TO kill every
negro who had anything to do with the
mob.
Already fifteen of the colored men have
been shot or hanged. and the soldiers de-
clare that the bloody work was in progress
bee the troops had got out of sight from
M City. Nothing has happened in
Gi rood yet. Guards are out on every
TO, ltering the town. and the residents
are lgilant. One leading negro, Oliver
Cromwell, cannot be found. and 1T is pre-
sumed that he has met his death at the
hands of the infuriated white men. The
militia will return to their homes to-mor-
row, unless further trouble presents itself.