The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-11-03
A CAMPAIGN BATTLE.
BLOODY FIGHT BETWEEN DEMOCRATS
AND REPUBLICANS.
Republican Desperadoes Attempt to Break
Up Democratic Meeting in North
Carolina and Several Are Killed
and Many Wounded.

RALEIGH, n. c., Oct. S1.-Rev. DR..
George w. Sanderlin, state auditor,
returned from canvassing tour west
of the Blue Ridge mountains in this
state. His trip was through Mitchell
and Yancey counties, on the Tennes'
see border. He had an appointment
to speak at huntsville, the county
seat of Yancey. A gang of despera-
does of that county had sworn that no
Democratic speaker should be head,
and when they found that DIR. San
derlin was determined to speak they
determined to assassinate him.
huntsville is small typical noun
tain town and on the day of the
speaking a large crowd gathered,
coming from all parts of the county
on horseback. IL is said that
number of East Tennessee despera-
does were also present, as well as
some from Mitchell county. The
speaking was conducted in the court
house and the room was well filled.
There was a large crowd outside COM
posed of Republicans who renewed
their old threats and seemed de-
termined to have arrow. Their leader
was Bud Parrott, noted desperate,
who was for a time an outlaw. To
him was assigned the duty of killing
Sanderlin. The latter was q soldier
in the late war on the Confederate
side. He was informed of the threats
of the mob and it's desperate attitude,
but the Democrats who filled the
court house assured him that he
should be heard and receive full sup
port and protection.
Soon after the speaking began there
was a commotion at the door, caused
by the entrance of Bud Parrot, who
was armed with bowie knife. He at
once began to curse Sanderlin, and
swore he would kill him. While
speaking he attempted to elbow his
way towards Sanderlin along the aisle
through the crowd. A number IF
Democrats seized Parrot and rushed
him towards the outer door of the
court hoIse. AS soon as the door was
opened Porrot's gang rushed to his
aid and many pistols were fired.
knives were drawn, stones were
thrown and desperate fight ensued
on the steps of the court house and in
front of the building. A numbet on
both sides were shot or cut with
knives. The Democrats, however,
got the best of the encounter, and
drove the desperadoes away from the
building.
DR.. Sanderlin then resumed his
speech. Suddenly the attacking par
tyassembled in force and two others
of the gang elbowed their way into
the court house but were thrown out.
Then the fight was renewed more des-
perately than before. Parrot was shot
twice through the body and killed.
A Democrat named Phillips was so
terribly cut with bowie knife that
he died shortly afterward. Three
other men whose names DR.. Sanderlin
did not ascertain were killed More
than a dozen were seriously injured
with bullets or knives. DR.. Sanderlin
says that on leaving the court house
scenes reminded him of his war ex-
periences. Dead and wounded men
were lying everywhere. There was
great excitement in town. Some OF
the despeoadoes left the place and 1t
was expected that they would lie in
wait along the road and endeavor to
ambush and shoot Ssnderlin, An es-
cort or several men was made up to
take Sanderlin safely to the railroad
some distance away. 1t was discov-
cred later that a number of enemies
were in ambush waiting to kill him,
but their object was thwarted by the
guard of Democrats.