The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-01-02
A BLOODY CHRISTMAS.

A BLOODY CHRISTMAS.
Blacks nnd whites ut Jesup, Ga. Observe
the Day In . sanguinary Manner-A
Riot In which Ten Of the Former and
Two Of the Latter Are Killed and MANY
Of both Races wounded Trouble
. Not Yet Over.
SAVANNAH, Ga, Dec. 27.-Ten negroes
and two whites were killed and many Of
both races wounded in the fight in and
around Jesup Wednesday, and the
trodble is not over. The fight be-
gan about 10 o'clock q. m, when
Chief Marshal Leggett and assist
ants attempted to arrest Bob
Brewer, the notorious negro out
law and fugitive. Brewer raised his
gun to his shoulder and deliberately
shot down Assistant Marshal Barnhill,
killing him instantly. The chief mar
shall 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 fed to Mcmillan swamp, few
yards away.
The report OF the guns threw the town
into whirlwind OF excitement and the
negroes were followed into the swamp
by several citizens. Among them were
William Wood, carpenter, and his son,
william Wood, who was on visit from
Ridgeland, s. c., to his father. The ne
groes lodged 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 farther
into the swamp and escaped.
The news of the death Of young
Wood and the serious shooting of
his father spread like wild6re over
the town. Confusion reigned for time
. violent mob. Mayor Hobbs called .
meeting and hasty arrangements were
made to protect the town. Seventy-five
armed men were gathered in few min
utes and followed Brewer and his
party distance into the swamp. Nc
! MILAN Bay covers over 400 acres, and
Brewer is SO familiar with its hiding
places that the efforts Of the posse to To-
cate him in the swamp were regarded as
in vain.
The strength Of the posse was in
creased by posse Of twenty-five armed
men before an hour had elapsed, and q
picket line was formed on the east side,
20 as to prohibit anybody coming out Of
the swamp to the town. Brewer is
thoroughly familiar with the bay, hay-
ing been skulking around and hiding
there, fishing and hunting, for number
Of months.
party Of unknown men attacked the jail
ct Jesur, driving away the guards. In
. few minutes the door was battered in,
and four men went inside and shot and
killed Peter johnson and Bill Hoppe.
The former was a man who had been
wounded and captured in the fight. The
military were stationed about half
.. mile from the Jail, but by the time de-
tachment arrived every thing was quiet.
At o'clock fifty men from Baxtry
and other points on the railroads led
by fifty men in and around Jesup divid.
cd into three parties and started out to
visit the houses of the blacks. In all
thirty houses wcre visited. Six houses
were merely searched for weapons and
members Of Brewers gang, and their
occupants were not molested OF
abused. The first house visited was
large two-story frame tenement occu.
pied by Sally Hops and other low char
acters just previously all the buggy
whips in one store had been bought and
distributed. The Hops woman was
terribly whipped and told to leave
the town and never return. Two
other black women in the house were
let of with lighter whipping. Three
men caught there were whipped. II
the next house Bill Fleutt lived. Fleutt
and his wife and one Schuyler and hi,
wife, frightened half to death
came out The men were ordered
to hold up their hands. Schuyler said
he had not lived in Jesup long and
swore earnestly that he had nothing K
| do with the Brewer gang. put dowr
| your hands," some one ordered. Hi
| hands fell, and the next moment . CUR
went of and Fleutt fell down. Schuyler
| who stood within two feet Of him
started to run, when volley of shot,
was fired. Fleutt was dead with one
bullet hole in his breast
One room in Hannah Walthour's house
was riddled with bullets before she
would open her door. Luckily for the
inmates, they escaped from that room
quickly. One bullet went through thu
footboard of bed and buried itsel,
in . pillow. Another bullet wen,
through the headboard OF the bed
Albert Harper, Dan Jacobs and mar
known rs Calvin were run out Harper
asked time to get his shoes. "Nevel
mind, you won't need them where yo,
are going" was the reply. The womer
were left and the men were taken away
They have not been seen since.
The Georgia Hussars. dismounted, thu
company ordeDed to the scene of ths
trouble by the Governor, returned Il
this city Thursday afternoon. The
Brunswick company was retained OF
duty by the mayor. The returned sol
| diers reported the trouble over. Theil
j, presence was only required to quiet thu
excitement of the citizens of Jesup
who remained in their homes to protec
their families.
A special from Jesup to the Morning
News, dated p m. says that Mayor
Hobbs has called . public meeting t.
take steps to defend the town. 1t i.
believed that Brewer il near here with
large force OF negroes. The citizens ar,
organizing and arming to aid the Bruins
wick Rifles In case OF An outbreak.
LOST HER JEWELS.
| Burglars Make . Rich Haul In o Bufhl.
LAdy's BOud0ir.
/ RvrrrAIn NJ " noC 97-Snaak