The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-27
riot RAN UNCHECKED.
Many Killed and Wounded by Turbu-
lent Workmen in New Orleans.
BLOOD STAINS THE LEvEE.

COlOred Mon From LORQ1nR Sebscio, ahu
in Armed Companies Swept Up and
Down the River Front-An Onacer OF q
A serious labor riot, complicated with the
race question, occurred on the levee or river
front Of New Orleans, La, resulting In the
killing Of five persons, the mortal wound
Ing Of two, and the serious wounding
Of ten or twelve more. The riot was far
more serious than the loss Of life
indicated. for 1t showed the mob to be In
complete control and able to defy and over
ride the police. and place the commerce OF
the city completely at its mercy. It marched
alEns the entire city front, some eight or ass ten
shotguns and pistols, completely dispensing
all colored people at labor there and shoot
ing all who opposed 1t without the slightest
check or hindrance.
Appeals were made to the police, to
the Mayor, to the Governor. to the United
States, and finally to the British Ambassa-
dor at Washington, the British ship agents
turning through him to the English Govern
ment for'protection. A British vessel, the
mob; and the purser OF the steamer mortally
wounded. The Captain barely escaped with
his life.
The trouble really started In September, the
beginning Of the commercial year In New Or
leans. It began over labor matters, and In time
changed to q bitter race war. The white screw
men who load cotton on vessels constitute one
ofthe strongest labor unions In the country.
They prohibited the colored men from load
ing cotton vessels. The latter replied by re-
ducing the rate Of pay, which had been $5
NJ Io1 for oil hon 11yc,
and were supported by the ships agents, ,and
the war has waged ever since.
The wharves OF the West Indian line, the
first to use eolored labor, we're burned by an
incendiary fire, the loss being $3.50, 900. The
wharves Of the Texas and Pacific, with Is 900
bales Of cotton and loss Of $5OO, 900, fol-
lowed next.
The bloody work was done by two mobs Of
river laborers, one operating at the head OF
Phillip street, and one at the Harrison steam
ship wharf, near Jackson Square. Shortly
before O'Clock a. m. the colored screwmen
began to load the British steamship Engi-
neer, lying between st. Ann and Dumaine
streets.
Men to the number of 200, armed with
pistols, shotguns and rifles, half hidden In
the freight and among the box cars on the
levee, closed in around the wharf and opened
fire upon the laborers.
James Bane, purser Of the British steam
ship Engineer, was walking toward the gang
plank Of his vessel when the firing began; He
received q bullet In the side and fell. The
mob then fired volley at the PROSTATE Eng
lishman, inficting buckshot wound In the
head and one In the arm.
When the attack was made the colored men
on the wharf became panic stricken and
rushed from the vessel and along the wharves,
begging tor mercy. But the firing continued:
Two unknown colored men were shot, and
died instantly. Jules G. Carrabee, q Med-
can shoemaker, was shot In the mouth, the
bullet going through the base of the brain.
When the rioters had completed their
work at the Harrison wharf they marched
toward the uptown wharves. with guns on
their shoulders, and other weapons IN plain
view. Three blocks up they met Leonard
Mallard, colored laborer, employed by one
OF the public weighers. Some member Of
the mob called to him to run. he refused.
One Of the mob took deliberate aim with his
rifle at the man and fired. The ball went
through Mallard's brain, emerging over the
right eye.
Another mob had already organized at
Phillip street. About Z o'clock crowd Of
white men moved to the attack ofthe colored
serewmen who were preparing to unload the
British steamship Niagara. A large number
of shots were fired, but only one man was
killed. He was William Crawford, q colored
screwnnan, who was shot In the head as he
attempted to escape. Shots were also fired
at the British steamships Niagara and Mer-
rimac.
After the rioting subsided the colored men
deserted the wharves In a mass. Even
colored teamsters, declaring their lives un-
safe, unhitched their mules from loaded
carts and drove away. In consequence nota
foreign vessel took on pound OF freight
during the entire day.
The wounded numbered twelve or more,
and at least two were fatally injured. OF
the killed and wounded only two, William
Campbell and Henry Brown, were Of the men
the mob was looking for, the others happen
ing to be In the way during the shooting.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British Am
bassador, at Washington, received tele-
gram from the British Consul at New
Orleans, informing him Of the riot and Of
the shooting Of Purser Bane, Of the British
steamer Engineer.
Governor Foster, Of Louisiana, received
telegram Of inquiry from Secretary Gresham.
The Governor issued a proclamation calling
out the militia to preserve order.