Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-31

1x;uo, in "a Political Feud-The Military
NAV re Called Out to Suppress Further
Trouble.
Forest CITY lArk.) dispatch.J
A desnerate shooting affray which cost
tho ,;ves Of four men occurred here. The
slaughter Grew out of an election for
school directors. A. Nj. Neely, colored
editor became involved in q quarrel with
q white man. and When he found he was
oettino worsted ran toward eX-SherlH
Parham for protection. dozen OR more
reyolyers flashed in the air and perfect
yolley was poured after the fleeing negro.
Neely escaped for the time being but
Thomas H. Parham, son of the ex-sheritf,
Sheriff D. NJ. Wilson, and Marshal Frank
Folbre were killed.
Neely, his father, and brother took
refuge in the Advocate Building. They
barricaded the doors, and every effort to
d1slodge them proved unavailing. After
several hours, Acting Sheriff Van B.
lizard persuaded old man Nicely and his
son to come out, promising them safe
conduct to the Jail and fair trial.
A. Nj. Nicely did not appear. The Sher-
IFS posse was not more than hundred
yards distant with the two prisoners when
Il number of other members of the posse
reached the Advocate Building. A. NJ.
Nicely was discovered secreted under the
floor and was riddled with bullets, at least
ten shots being fired into him. 1t was
thought that others of the Neeley gang
were concealed under the floor, and the
posse made an extended search, but found
no more.
This last killing caused great deal
more excitement, and the people were
afraid of raid on the town by the ne
groes. The acting Sheriff wired Gov.
James p Eagle the facts and asked that
a company Of militia he ordered here.
The Governor replied that he thought the
civil authorities could preserve the peace,
ana he did not want to order out the mi
litia unless all other means failed. Gov.
Eagle thought he could be better able to
Judge of what was needed by being on the
ground, so he took the first train for For
est City, and is now here and will remain
until quiet is restored. He is in constant
communication with Adjutant General
John c. England, and if they are needed
the Mccarthy Light Guards are ready to
move by special train at moments no.
tice. The company is we'll equipped and
will be able to handle most any kind of q
mob.
1t is now thought that there will be no
1uIGucI Trouble. Lie WAS 30 IllSu
against Nicely that his death was looked
for every moment after the beginning of
the riot, and now that he is out of the way
it is thought the feeling will subside, I'M
less these is negro uprising, and in that
instance the military will be called out.
Gov. Eagles presence OH the ground will,
it is thought, have reassuring effect, and
will restore order.
The cause of the trouble was the old
question of white or black rule. Neely
was the head of the negro element Of
fusionists in st. Francis County. Capt
John Parham and Sheriff d. NJ. Wilson
headed the white Republican element. In
the school election the candidates for re-
election we're two white members of the
board, but Nelly and his side desired to
replace these men with their candidates.
Nicely said: I'VE propose to secure the
control of the board and manage the
school to suit ourselves" A. M. Nelly
and G. w. Ingram made incendiary
speeches on the subject and stirred up a
very bitter feeling, which resulted in the
two tragedies.
Nicely was member of the State Cen
trail Committee and Of the Executive Com
mittee, and had secured the recommended
ton of that body for Register of the
Land Office at this place, and would
doubtless have been appointed, as SO far
President Harrison has observed the
recommendations of this committee in
making appointments for this State.