The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-03-07
RACE RIOT IMMINENT
Deputy sheriffs in Memphis Shot
Down by Negroes.
TILE WHITES GREATLY EXCITED.

A Largo Force OF Volunteers Sworn
, in as Deputy shcriGs, and Troops
Ready to Respond to the ShcriT's
Gala Bloody Conflict Probable.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 7.-Trouble
has been brewing between the whites
and colored class in the lower quarter of
the city for some time, and an attack on
three deputy sheriifs by mob of no
groes threatens to bring matters to
crisis and bring on race war that will
eliminate in bloodshed. The trouble
was precipitated by an attempt to ar
rest William Stewart, negro desper-
ado, for whom Judge Dobose had issued
o bench warrant. Deputy Sheriffs
Charles Cole, Robert Harold and Avery
Young found Stewart about midnight
in Calvin McDowell's grocery store, at
the corner of Mississippi and Walker
avenues, surrounded by a crowd Of
friends. The negroes had been expect
ing the raid, and were armed with Win
chesters and shotguns.
At the appearance OF the officers the
negroes opened FIRE and the three Off
GERS fell, all badly wounded. They re-
was hurt. A posse of deputy sheriffs
who were in the immediate vicinity
came to the rescue and five of the blacks
were placed under arrest. The shooting
caused the greatest excitement, and fif-
teen minutes after the first shot was
fired every white man was armed with
a Winchester. The wounded men, all
OF whom We're at first thought to be
fatally shot, We're taken to the hospital
and are still alive. Officer Cole is in a
dangerous condition, however, and will
hardly survive. The others, it is now
believed, will recover. The police sub
sequently placed fourteen more negroes
under arrest, charged with completely
in the shooting Ii Officer Cole should
die further trouble is expected. as the
whites living in the vicinity of the
shooting are thirsting for revenge.
Whites Armed.
The excitement over the shooting of
the three officers by negroes is increas-
ing. The air is thick with rumors of a
race conflict, and groups of excited
white men gathered on the streets to
discuss the situation. A meeting of
citizens was held at the court house TO
decide upon plan of action. After a
prolonged discussion it was decided to
call upon the good citizens to tender
their services to the sheriff to aid him in
keeping the peace. That official ac-
cepted the offer, and several hundred
men were sworn in as deputy sheriffs.
Every white man is walking arsenal,
and should the negroes renew the trou-
bio the uprising would soon be put down.
The scene of the tragedy is in local
ity notorious for its toughness. 1t is u
hang out for roustabouts and thieves,
an1 the authorities have always ex-
pelienced great difficulty in maintaining
order. The negroes in that section Of
the city are all armed, and they arc
making open threats of applying the
torch. The police and deputy sheriffs
are arresting every suspicious character
to be found, and over forty have been
lodged in Jail The Chickasaw Guards,
Hibernia Rifles, Rousler Zouaves and
the Stuff City artillery, numbering l, 100
soldiers, are resting on their arms, ready
to respond TO the call of the sheriff The
negroes are filling up on whisky and an
outbreak is feared within Il few hours.