Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-27
THE GEORGIA RACKET.
THB ORIGIN OF THB TROUBLE AT JBSSUP,
GEORGIA.
Negro Outlaws Murdered sn Officer and Others
and Were Pursued Into a Swamp-OOn-
siderable Excitement for a While
Case Of Revenge.

SAVANNAH, GA, December 26.-The
trouble at Jessup, yesterday, began at 10
a. m, when Chief Marshal Leggett and
assistants attempted to arrest Bob Brewer,
the notorious negro outlaw and fugitive.
Brewer raised his gun to his shoulder and
deliberately shot down Assistant Marshal
Barnhill, killing him instantly. The Chief
Marshal then fired on Brewer, but missed
him. Brewer returned the fire and shot
Leggett through both legs. Brewer and
his crowd of ten or twelve men then fled
to Mcmillan swamp, a few yards away.
The report of the guns threw the town
into a whirlwind of excitement, and the
negroes were followed into the swamp by
several citizens. Among them were VIM.
Wood, a carpenter, and his son, Wm.
Wood. The negroes
DODGED INTO THE SWAMP,
and when young Wood ran in behind them,
Brewer rose up and shot him through the
head, killing him instantly, and shot
Woods father in the face. Accomplishing
this much the negroes ran further into the
swamp. The news Of the death of young
Wood spread like wildfire over the town,
confusion reigned for time and Jessup
seemed to be in the hands Of violent
mob. Mayor Hops called a meeting,
and arrangements we're made to protect
the town. SeVenty-fve armed men
we're gathered in few minutes
and followed Brewer and his par
" distance into the swamp.
Brewer is thoroughly familiar with the
ground, having been skulking around and
hiding there, and hunting for number OF
months Brewer had threatened the life of
Assistant Marshall Barnhill, since the Of
ficers killed one of Brewers pals a few
weeks ago. Yesterday was Brewers chance
and he took advantage Of the opportunity
when the assistant officer came unarmed to
the side Of Chief Marshal Leggett, who
was making the arrest
THE IEsTIGATOR
News reached the authorities that ]. W.
Ryan, a white man living there, was the
instigator Of the affray. a posse was sent
TO his house to arrest him, bat Ryan had
made his escape. The men sre on the
lookout for him. Henry Anderson, one of
the guards put over Rysn's house, was ac
cidentally shot and killed by one Of his
own party. Another negro was shot while
coming on, Of the swamp, but not fatally
hurt.
At about 3 O'Clock this morning party
of unknown men attacked the Jail at Jes-
sup, driving away the guards. In few
minutes the doors were battered in and
four men went inside and shot and killed
Peter johnson and Bill Hops, who were
concerned in the riots.
The Georgia Hussars, dismOunted, the
company ordered to the scene OF the
trouble by the Governor, returned to this
CITY this afternoon. The Brunswick COM
pany was retained on duty By the Mayor.
The returned soldiers reported the trouble
over. There is
STILL GREAT EXCITEMENT
throughout the country around Jessup,
bat sffairs will doubtless quiet down in a
few days. IL is the region of turpentine
distilleries and saw mills. The Jessup
trouble is apt to disOrganize labor for some
time 10 come.
The most reliable infOrmOtiOn is that ten
people have been killed at Jessup, namely:
Barnhill and Woods by Brewer, Anderson
accidentally white, and johnson and
Hops in Jail, and +. Street (colOred), and
two whites and two negroes whose names
are not given.
The Morning Nacs special from Jessup
tonight says everything is quiet there and
a company Of forty citizens has been or
ganized to guard the town against in
vasiOn.