The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-03-17
A MERCILESS MEMPHIS MOB,
Three Men Taken From JAIL and Shot
to Death.

Three Men Taken From JAIL and Shot
to Death.
MEMPHIS, March 1O.--Before day
break yesterday morning a mob broke
into the Shelby county Jail for the pur-
pose of lynching the negroes concerned
in Saturdays nights trouble at 1.-The
Curve" Calvin Mcdowell, Tom Moss
and Will Stewart, leaders of the negro
gang, were taken out by the mob. a
search was also made for negro named
Shanks, thought to be a ringleader, but
he was concealed in the woman'S de-
partment and the mob did not find
him.
The bodies Of the negroes were found
early this morning in an open lot about
a quarter Of a mile north of the jail
partially covered with brush.
Mcdowell WAS shot through the neck
with buckshot. Ills mouth and under
Jaw was shot away, and one cyeball lay
on his cheek, while the other was shot
entirely out Of his head.
A bullet in the brain killed Moss. His
shoulder was also broken and load of
buckshot lodged in his leg.
Stewarts throat was shot through,
his neck broken AMI a bullet had enter
ed his brain.
The bodies were taken to the Office of
Jack Walsh.
AT Z o'clock a crowd Of negroes began
to gather, and before long 5000 people
baurrouIded the place where the bodies
lay.
About this time it WAS reported that
!ne negroes at The Curve" were arm.
ing themselves. Sheriff NIcLendon
hastily summoned Il posse of lirty men
and, on arrival at "The Curve found
a large crowd Of white people aud ne
grots. lie galloped back ard forth and
ordered the people to diSpeIse, which
they did after some delay.
1T was reported that 200 negroes were
arming with the guns OF the Tennessee
Rlfles, colored military organization
Judge DuBOse at once despatched a
score of deputies to the armory, who
took charge Of the guns and conveyed
them to the Sheri1f's Office.
| 1t was also reported that Frank Schu.
man, a gunsmith, was selling arms to
the negroes, and the Judge at once sent
for him. Schuman told the Judge he
whereupOn the judge had the obstinate
gunsmiUh placed under arrest.
~ posse Of 100 men armed with Win.
| chester and Martin rifles were gathered
in the shcrilf's Office during the morn-
ing and remained there all day, subject
to a call from the sheriff.
The leading negroes are appealing to
their black friends to go peaceabjy to
their homes and there remain quiet.
There may be further trouble tonight,
as 1T is reported that another effort will
be made to lynch Hugh Shields, alias
Shanks.
The Evening Scimitar strongly con-
demns the action Of the mob, and de-
mands Of the criminal court to bring
the guilty parties to justice.
The passing stranger in Memphis
would not know from observation that
twelve hours ago this city was in the
throes Of awfnl excitement, and armed
men were galloping to and fro through
the streets, following bands Of negroes,
many Of them armed, also, to the teeth,
ready to begin blood-letting at the
| slightest prOVOCation.
Last nights bloody business was done
III Il manner that was Il credit to the
deXterity and skill OF the lawlcsS mob
that invaded the jail. Col. II. Clay
King, the celebrated criminal lawyer
and author, condemned to death for
killing David ID. Proton, lawyer and at
torney for Mrs. Gen. Gideon Pillow,
SAID 1t was magnificent, orderly mob;
Chat It's work was so quiet that his
slumDerS were not disturbed, though he
was IN ten feet Of the crowd as it rush
eG through the Jail corridors. Alice
Mitchell, the murderess of Freda Ward
however, was slightly disturbed.
Men are discussing the lynchinp i'm
all CT it's phases. Business men recop.
nZe the fact that such acts are deadly
blows to the commercial prosperity of
the New South" that Suutherners are
so loudly clamOrOuS for.
The causes of this mornings lynch.
ing are the same that have brought
about nearly every riot in the South.
a white man named III. Barrett owns
grocery and crap dive. Across the
street from him is another crap den and
grocery run by negroes. business riy-
AIRY grew strong between the two firms.
me negroes got the best OF the business
ana Barrett grew jealous, and from
lhelr DickerlDRs 1t came to blows. Bar
rett rallied his forces and the negroes
got together. Both were a lawless set.
Barrett found the negroes in the mai
ity and sought the aid of the law. II
was reported TO the deputy Shcriffs that
the negroes were arming, and they
raided the negro store. The report was
true. The negroes had guns and they
used them with terrible effect. Three
deputies were shot down and then
twenty seven negroes were captured
and jailed.
The negroes then held mass meet
ing and were harangutd by their igno-
rant preachers, whose words are regard.
Ell as inspired. Hearing of this, the
whites became enraged, and the lawless
ones got themselves together and ac-
complished the death of three ringlead.
erS.
There is fear of further trouble to.
night. About $50 non, under A. j.
McLemden, are armed with Winches.
ters and watching negroes in the su
Dur6s, while the entire police force is
on duty.