Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1893-05-09

whitecaps did not attempt to escape
and did not ask for aid.
Reeves assigned cause for the ac-
ton of the mob. He says that since
the affair he has learned that the mob
came TO release the men in the Jail un-
der representation that the white
caps were not getting Justice. He en-
phasized the statement that the mob
contained number of intimate
friends of the imprisoned white caps,
who would die for them. Reeves said
that word was sent to this mob that
Judge Chrisman was not allowing any
friends of the imprisoned whitecaps
to testify before the grand jury, but
was summoning only those whom he
knew were inimical to them. However,
Reeves said he did not attempt to say
that any such was the case. He
thought this representation has
| been made to his friends in the mob
and had inclted them to
OPENLY DEFY THE LAW.
To do the imprisoned whitecapS jus
tice, they said to man that even adj
hitting that they were innocent, the
action of the mob was unparalleled and
without palliation. Reeves could ac-
count for the wild and insane under
taking in no way except that they had
been wrought up to state of frenzied
anger by the reports of injustice that
prompted them to try and rescue their
friends in the Jail. Reeves said he
and his friends in the Jail we're charged
with whitecapism, burning houses,
shooting into them, etc, and that they
only wanted fair trial to establish
their innocence.
A Memorable sabbath.
Last Sunday will long be a memora-
BILE one in the history of Brookhaven.
1t was ushered in by a heavy rain and
thunderstorm and the tension which
| had prevailed for the preceding three
days was in no wise relaxed. For the
! first time since the Federal troops were
withdrawn men we're seen passing
about the streets all day with guns
ready at any moments notice to ward
off any renewal of Thursdays attack
on the court and Jail.
In some instances. like the early
fathers of America, men started to
church with a Bible in one hand and a
/ gun in the other.
Reliable information was received
that morning by Sheriff McNair that
large body of White Caps and their
sympathizers held a meeting near
Johnson's station Saturday evening
and resolved unanimously to renew
the attack on the Jail Sunday night or
Monday morning. Another meeting
was called at Moak's- Creek Church
/ Sunday. 1t was said that White Caps
from this and adjoining counties were
| to unite into a formidable force and
when they we're ready march on the
town. Acting on this information
| Sheriff McNair, who has been untiring
in his vigilance and efforts to preserve
the peace, decided to send Gov. Stone
the following telegram:
Hon. J. NJ. Stone, jackson, Miss.
1--WE fear serious assault on the Jail
| tonight think best for you to send
aid say two companies"
r. W. McNAIR. Sheriff.
| "We concur in above"
III. CASSIDY,
| II. H. THOMPSON.
Governor Stone acted promptly and
at 4:30 the military companies of Crys-
tai Springs and Hazlehurst, in COM
mand of Adjutant- General Henry, ar
rived and reported to the sheriff for
duty. The two companies numbered
between sixty and seventy men. The
! Crystal Springs company was in com
mand of Capt Y. d. Lott, and the Haz-
lehurst company under Capt. T. B..
Birdsong.
| The two companies at once establish
ed quarters in two story school house
| ilceii CuS SOul ydII anu WCAO etooiShCd
to duty.
All night every important approach
was strongly picketed. The Brookha-
ven company, which had been vigilant
and on active duty every day and
night since the trouble began, were re-
lieved at o'clock Sunday night with
orders to report at 8 o'clock the next
morning or sooner if an attack was
made. Gen. Henry established head
quarters in the sheriff's office in the
court house.
There was large turnout of Brook
haven's population to greet the State
troops on their arrival, including
many ladies. To most of them it
was novel experience. At o'clock
Rev. A. a. Lomax, pastor of the Baptist
Church, preached to the prisoners in
the Jail yard, the men indicted as
White Caps having expressed a desire
to have religious services held. This
service had just been started when the
/ troops arrived at the courthouse
square, and the singing of hymns, the
clang of arms and the commands of
the officers to the soldiers were
strangely intermingled.