Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-24
BY iNFURlATED NEGROES
Men and Poys He 81 Armed and Reinforce
ments at H. from Other Points.
THE sITuAlsa LOOKS SERIOUS
Armed BodiS # Negroes Moving on the
Town VA Murderous Threats
Again - he Entire Community
Grimes and Casualties.

st. Louis, Mo-, Dec. 23.-A special from
Mayfeld, KY, says that at s o'clock this
morning every man of that town and
every boy who can carry a weapon Is on
guard there, for an attack by an army OF
negroes is expected at any moment. The
whites are being reinforced hourly by
citizens from surrounding towns. 1t is
thought that before daybreak there will
be commenced the fiercest race war ever
known in the south. For forty-eight
hours news had been received at May
field from different points that the ne
groes were organizing in large bodies for
the purpose of visiting the town and
wreaking vengeance upon those who
lynched Jim Stone, the rapist, Monday
| morning, and followed this by whtecap-
| ping some of the colored families who
| lived on the outskirts.
At 8 O'Clock last night kilograms
from Water Valley said that the negroes
had massed 800 in number, and that
every one had some sort of weapon.
A half hour later news of a similar
nature came from Wingo, These re-
ports received from surrounding towns
during the evening caused the greatest
CONSERVATION, and preparations were at
once made for a battle. Men first saw
to 1t that their homes were barrlcaded,
as well as that could be done, and then
proceeded to the hardware stores, where
every one who could use weapon was
handed one until the entire stock was
distributed.
A dispatch was sent from Mayfield to
Fulton as soon as the alarming reports
began to come in, asking the aid of the
white citizens at that point. reply
came at once that special train would
be chartered and body of armed men
would reach Mayfield as soon as possi-
BILE. At 10 O'Clock last night the reports
were so alarming that q large crowd as
sembled at the city hall and were ex-
pecting battle at any time.
At 1890 o'clock this morning body
of citizens of Fulton reached town. They
report meeting a mob of 200 negroes,
every one armed with rifle, on the out
skirts of the town. No attempt was made
by the negroes to interfere with the Full
ton people, and 1t is evident that the
former were waiting for reinforcements.
Guns have been ordered from Padu-
cab, and are expected at any moment
on a special train.
At 2:3O O'Clock this morning several
shots were fired at three negroes who
were seen on the outskirts of Mayfeld.
There was no response, and the negroes
retreated, evidently toward the larger
body
Will Suet. a negro, aged IS, was shot
and killed early this morning near the
railway depot. A number of guards
were watching the incoming train for ne
gro refugees. Three negroes alighted,
and when ordered to halt they refused.
One of the deputies opened fire, and Suet
fell rddeled with bullets. The killing OF
Suet has aroused the negroes to madness
and they swear to wipe out the town to-
night. This morning the town council
held an emergency meeting. All women
and children were ordered to remain off
the streets after o'clock tonight. Hun
dreds of farmers came to Mayfield this
forenoon, and are being armed to assist
saving the town, IL hostilities commence.
At o'clock this afternoon the citizens
held a mass meeting and organized into
companies for mutual defense against
the negroes.