The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-31
FOUGHT TWO HOURS.
Negroes Don't Stop Till Ammu-
milton Gives Out.
Three NJ Killed and Many
v. US Wounded.
Whites We're Going to Hang
Every Black Caught.

BIRMINGHAM Ala. July 31-The min
ing town of Brooksi de, fifteen miles west
of here, is in a state of panic tonight over
a race riot which occurred there yester-
day, resulting in the death of two depu-
ty sherlffs and a number of negroes. The
fight which lasted over an hour, was be-
tween an orEanizsd band of white miners
headed by Deputy Sheriffs A. T. Wood
and Joel Baxter, who were trying TO arrest
Jim Biggers, negro, and a crowd of the
latters friends. Over $50 shots were
fred.
Mine Boss Culverhouse, of the Sloss
company, discharged Biggers for vio-
latiou of mine rules. He remained about
the place making threats and refused to
leave, and a warrant was sworn out for
trespass. Deputy Sheriff Wood and Joel
Baxter went to arrest Biggers. As they
approached Biggers fired upon them
with Winchester.
A bullet passed through Woods hat
and another through his heart, killing
him instantly. Baxter Was mOrtally
wounded, but was able to get back TO the
camp and give the alarm. The white
miners at once organized aud went to ar
rest Biggers The latter, in the mean
time, had called on number of his ne
met a pitched battle resulted, the negroes
fleeing to the woods.
Two negroes were shot dead. The
battle waged fercely for nearly two
hours Biggers and his men were shelter
ed by dense foliage and the white miners
were forced to retreat They gathered
reinforcements and again renewed the
attack. Two more negroes fell dead un-
der the heavy fire. The ranks of the
hvy hPi
wounded.
While the miners were caring for their
injured the negroes struck out for the
deeper woods. Another posse was form
ed and the pursuit was resumed Word
was wired to this city for help and Sheriff
Morrow with % of his men left for the
scene.
At midnight Sheriff Morrow and party
came up with the rioters The
whites had captured several of the
negroes but Biggers was not among
them. A rope had been carried along
for one purpose. That purpose was just
being carried into effect when the sheriff
arrived The captured negroes were
bound hand and foot and the dangling
mouse from the limb of a tree overhead
told the impending fate.
Sheriff Morrow demaaded the surren-
der of the prisoners. His request was re-
ce.ved in silence. Another demand for
surrender was met with fat refusal
from the leader of the white miners
Morrow then threatened to open fire on
both parties unless the prisoners were
given up at once.
Not until his men presented their
arms and the ominous click of the weap-
ons were heard DID the spokesman of the
white miners deliver up his captives.
They were brought back to the camp,
where another demOnstr alton was made
by those miners who had not Joined the
pursuit.
They made desperate attempt to take
the prisoners from Sheriff Morrow, but
the determined stand of his men deferred
them.
The bodies of the four negroes were
brought to the camp and laid on rough
boards. The bodies of the two deputies
were taken to their homes.
Over a dozen men received wounds
during the battle and wete brought to
camp for surgical treatment It is not
thought that any are fatally injured.
The shsr ifs posse returned from
BroOkside this morning, bringing with
them ten negro Rioters VINO had been ar
rested, two having been rescued from the
enraged white men after rope had been
placed s~their necks preparatory to
hangingC kery. Half dozen officers
were lefe at Brookside to arrest other
rioters and prevent further trouble.
lnvestig gation shows that the negroes
whom the deputies, Wood and Baxter
went to arrest, were entrenched in a
ditch, strongly reinforced, and pouring a
murdsrous fire from their cover, shoot
ing down TWO officers at the first vollev.
Relnforcements came to the whites,
but the negroes never ceased
firing until their ammunition was ex-
hausted Then they fed to the woods.
the whites in pursuit.
Three negroes are reported dead and
one wounded. One woman is among the
rioters arrested. Half q dozen women
took part in the riot. All is quiet now.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, July 3l.-A special
to the Banner from Birmingham says:
This morning Jim Bridges, one of The
alleged leaders of the negroes in the
BroOksde riot, was seen in the woods
near Brookside and Deputies Cole and
Jones pursued him and covered him
him with Winchester. He offered little
resistance and was finally taken Lynch
ing was talked of but was not attempted.
There is but little work in Brookside
today. and the seven or eight hundred
whites and blacks are discussing the
last nights affair in groups. A single
pistol shot would precipitate more seri.
Gus trouble. All ammunition has been
centerod at Brookside in case of another
attack.