The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-14
ITALIAN KILLED BY A NEGRO.
4 ColOred Gambler Murders John Mecca,
Of Charlotte, Without PrOYOCa1On.
GREAT INDIGNATION OYER THE CRIME.
Strong Guard Surrounds the Jail to Prevent
Lynching-The Negroes Ask for Protec-
tion-North state News.

CHARLOTTE, n. c., April 13.-lSpeciai. =
This city has been in great state OF excite
ment to-day over brutal and daring murder
committed here last night
John Mecca. an Italian. was deliberately
murdered by Henry Bradham, a negro gambler
Mailing from Charleston, s. c. Tho deed was
committed in Moccas store. on the corner OF
Trade and Poplar streets. one Of the principal
streets Of the city. at 1l45 ?. NJ
Bradham had been hanging around the
store ali the evening. and was the last person
seen with the murdered man. few minutes
after Has o'clock two policemen IN passing
heard an unusual sound coming from Aloccas
house, and entered % find the man lying on
the floor OF ms wfe's room, adjoining inc
store. with hi skull crushed in Just behind
the ear The man was still living, and 1t was
his groans which attracted the polcemen's at
tention Evidently the decd had just been
committed few minutes before the police
men entered.
KILLED WITH Az lion.
coupling pin was lying on the floor, and
with this the murderer dealt the death blow.
Mecca was in the act OF drawing a glass ~
cider. which, his wife says, she heard Brad
ham ask for, when he was struck.
II seems that the negro committed the
atrocious deed for the purpose Of robbery,
and the NONCOMPLIANCE in the store was found
20 be robbed Of is contents OF 80, and the
money was found on the negro when AZ
rested.
The handkerchief which was taken from his
coat after his arrest showed iron rust from
the coupling-pin and the impression Of the
coupling pin. VIII ;ch had been wrapped up in
the handkerchief.
The negro was arrested early this morning,
and WAS taken TO jail in great excitement. as
l. Il f,a....l
negro has been doubly guarded all day IN the
rock pile Of the Jail.
TO PEorgcr TEE MURDERER.
delegation of negroes waited on the
sheriff today and asked that the protection Of
the law BE- insured for tho murderer. The
negroes We're notified IN their churches to-day
10 hold themselves in readiness st the tap Of
their church bells 20 repair b the jail % pre-
vent lynching The murdered man lived I'M
til early morning. but he never spoke. Blood
poured from bis ears and nose all night. He
was peaceful, law-abIding man. who came
here three months ago from Gataey City,
5. G.
The whole town is indignant over his cruel
murder The Italians n the city are especially
determined that the negro shall speedily be
brought 10 justice and 1t Is thought more
than probable that he will be lynched before
morning The sheriff has ordered an extra
guard for tonight.
The house where the murder was committed
was III the carpet-bag rule Of North Carolina,
1867. the scene q a similar murder. Mr..
GhersOn, a prominent white citizen Of the city
was shot down in the house while witness
in a case by the prisoner at the bar. lie was
then, after being shot. dubbed bv negro
policeman, which, IN itself. would have killed
him.
WAR BETWEEN THE RACES.
Sunday evening at dusk. during the coro-
ner's inquest. large crowd. numbering about
700 people. stood around hocca's store. "A
little later parts Of the crowd began moving 10
the jail and 1t was evident that an attempt at
lynching would. be made. The Hornet-Nest
Rifemen were ordered out BY 8 O'Clock
there was movement toward the
Jail; streams Of people kept surging
in that direction, when it was evident
that lynchng might be resorted TO- The
Hornet-Nest Rihemen marched TO the jail
and the negroes. numbering 600 or more
surged around the jail. but were confronted
by the military. hundred or more negroes
went in the colorod church, and opened fire
upon the police. citizens and military from
tho cupola. Then began the war between the
races. The negroes. by arranged signal rang
their church bells. which notified them 10 go
to the jail armed. The excitement was
intense Dense masses Of people were seen
hurrying along all during the night 10 and
from the jail. The fire alarm was sounded 10
bring out more citizens.
4 BOMB THROWN.
bomb was thrown into the midst Of the
policemen and exploded. Some Of the men
were injured slightly. Not until daylight
were the crowds dispersed. At present every
white man in the city IL armed. The Mayor
ordered tho saloons closed at $50 this eyen-
ing. The negroes threaten tonight 10 burn
all the white churches in the city. and 10 kill
white men, women and children under the
least provocatlon. Two hundred extra police
were detailed this evening for night duty.
At the least sign OF rCting on the part OF the
negroes the citizens will rise in arms to a
man: and 1t IS not known up to this hour
what the night Will bring forth.
NEGROES NOTED TO BLooDsHEp.
As this Is being written crowds of men are
marching by in direction Of the jail. and the
principal streets are filed with armed men
waiting for the least sign of demonstration
from the negroes. Monroe Gafiney City and
other neighboring towns have telegraphcd
offering services Of their military It Is
feared that there will be a deadly combat be-
fore morning All young boys Of the city are
armed. The negro preachers and women are
melting men 70 incendarSm and blOOdshed