The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-03-10
A MEMPHIS LYNCHING
A Mob Adds to the Hatred Be-
tween Whites and, Blacks.
THREE PRISONERS SHOT DOWN.

Bloody Sequel to the Shooting Down
of Deputy Sheriffs In "the Curve"
The Greatest Excitement Prevails,
and There Are Fears That the Ne
groes viii Organize for Vengeance.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 10.-At 8
o'clocl; in the morning mob which, it
seems, was quietly organized, broke into
the Shelby county Jail for the purpose of
lynching the negroes that were concerned
in Saturday nights trouble at "The
Curve" There were twenty-seven in
the Jail charged with assault with in
tent to kill for the am bushing and shoot
ing down of four deputies.
There were but seventy-fve in the
mob, all being masked men. They broke
in the big doors and secured Calvin Nc
Dowell, Tom Moss and Will Stuart,
leaders of the negro gang.
Gained an Entrance by Subter fuge.
The mob knocked on the big iron gate
in the high stone wall surrounding the
Jail, and in response TO Keeper O'Don-
nell's query said they had a prisoner.
The keeper opened the gate, and il an
tremendously aside, and while two of
tho mob held him tightly against the
wall their followers filed into the Jail.
The two members of the mob then forced
O'Donnell to give up the keys to the
cells in which were the negroes, and in
moment had the three men in their
power. A search was also made for
negro named Shanks, supposed to be a
ringleader, but he was concealed in the
womens department, and the mob did
not find him.
The Bodies Fearfuily Mutilated.
Tho mob placed ropes around the
necks of Moss, Stuart and Mcdowell
and hurried them across the railroad
track to lonely place in the outskirts.
The negroes were then placed together
and in less than three seconds over
twenty-five rifle shots rang out and the
The mob then quickly dispersed.
The bodies of the three negroes were
found early in the morning in an open
lot about quarter of mile north of
the jail, partially covered with brush.
Mcdowell was shot through the neck
with buckshot. His mouth and under
jaw were shot away and one eyeball 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 a load of buckshot
lodged in his leg. Stuart's throat was
shot through and his neck broken, and
bullet had entered the brain. The
bodies were taken to an undertaking es-
! taDlishment, and subsequently taken to
| their homes.
! Reports of Negroes Arming.
Subsequently it was reported that the
negroes at "the Curve" were talking of
arming themselves with the guns of the
! Tennessee Rifles, a colored military or
| ganization, and score of deputies took
charge of the guns and conveyed them
to the sheriff's office Frank Schunan,
gunsmith, was reported to be selling
arms to the negroes. He was sent for
by Judge Dubose, and told the judge he
would sell guns to whom he pleased,
whereupon the judge had the obstinate
gunsmith placed under arrest.
Colored leaders are urging their fol-
lowers to reform from acts of violence,
but it is feared their efforts will be of no
ay,sl. 1t is rumored that another at
tempt will be made to lynch the man
Shants, but it is hardly probable that
the lynchers will make another attempt
in view Of the excited condition of pub
lie feeling now existing The negroes,
however are muttering threats of ven
geance, and it is said they are quietly
organizing for that purpose. Further
| trouble is 6XDectel,