The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-22
THE FORREST CITY RIOT.
A. L. NEELY RIDDLED WITH BULLETS.
The Man Who Started the Whole Trouble
Shot Down by a Sheriff's Posse-A
Raid on the Town Feared-Gov.
Eagle the Scene.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark, May 19.-The particu-
lars Of the killing of the fourth man in the For
rest City riot are given in a special to the Ar
kansas Gazette. The last victim is A. L. Neely,
the negro who started the whole trouble.
Neely, his father and brother took refuge in
the AdUocGte building, when the killing OF B.
VI. Wilson, Thomas Parham and Frank FOlbre
occurred yesterday evening. Every effort was
made to get at Neely, but they proved unsuc-
cessful, as the negroes were well barricaded.
Between l and o'clock this morning several
shots were fired into the building, without
avail, in the hopes OF soaring the negroes TO q
surrender. At o'clock this morning Acting
Sheriff Van Bizard persuaded old man Nicely
and his other son to come out, promising them
safe conduct to the Jail and a fair trial. a. NJ.
Neely did not appear. The sheriffs posse was
not more than hundred yards distant with
the two prisoners, when a number OF other
members of the posse raided the AdUOcdte
building. A. NJ Neely was discovered Sc
ereted under the floor and was riddled
with bullets, at least ten shots being fired into
him. 1t was thought that others of the Neely
gang were concealed under the floor, and the
posse made an extended search, but found no
more.
This last killing created great deal more
excitement, and the people were afraid OF a
raid on the town by the negroes. The acting
sheriff wired Gov. James P. Eagle the fact and
asked that company of militia be ordered
there. The governor replied that he thought
the civil authorities could preserve the peace,
and he did not want to order out the militia
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 Forrest City, and Is
now there and will remain until quiet IS
restored. He is in constant communication
with Adit.-Gen. John c. England, and, if they
are needed, the Mccarthy light guards are
ready TO move, by special train, at a moment 5
notice. The company is well equipped and
will be abe to handle most any kind OF mob.
1t is thought now that there will be no tur-
ther trouble. The feeling was so high against
Neely 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 feel
ing will subside unless there is a negro uprls-
ing and of course, in that event, the mill
tary viii be called out. Gov. Eagles presence
on the ground will have reassuring effect and
will restore order, as he is wonderfully cool
headed and courageous man.
The cause OF all this trouble, in which the
lives of three good men have been sacrificed, is
l
Neely was the head of the negro element of the
fusionists in st. Francis county. Capt John
I Parham father of Thomas Parham, and Sheriff
d. NJ. Wilson headed the white element. These
men were opposed to the democrats or white
people of the county In all matters. 1ester-
day was the day for the election of school di-
rectors. In the Forrest City district the
white people pay e9 per cent. of the
taxes, but the negroes are given
representation on the school board and have
49, - IL. Il -
people. Two OF the six directors were to have
been elected yesterday. The candidates for re-
election were two white men, members of the
board, but Neely and his side desired to re-
| place these men with their candidates. Neely
| said: eve propose to secure the control of the
! board and manage the school to suit ourselves.
! \. NJ. Neely and G. w. Ingram made incendiary
| speeches on the subject and stirred up very
bitter feeling, which resulted in difficulty
Saturday between James Fussell and Neely in
which Neely was knocked down. and this was
| the beginning of the tragedy which ended in
Neely's death this morning.
Neely was prominent republican. He is q
member of the state central committee and of
| the executive committee, and had secured the
recommendation OF that body for register of the
land Office AT this place, and would, doubtless,
have been appointed, for President Harrison
has observed the recommendation of this com.
mittee in making appointments for this state.
Thomas Parham's funeral occurred this
morning and was largely attended. He was q
splendid young man, formerly deputy L.
S. internal revenue collector for this district
under the present collector. He did not in
dorse his fathers views, but naturally defended
him when he was in trouble. And it was, as he
thought in the performance of this duty he
died.
Capt. John Parham was also shot in the fight
yesterday, but not dangerously. He attempted
to shoot Thomas Prewett, who snatched the
pistol from him, saying: Haven't you done
enough? Don't you see that Tom is dead.
| Don't force me to kill you" 1t is now known
that Marshal Frank FOlbre killed both Wilson
and Parham after he had been shot down by