The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-24
MEN UP IN AR~S AT MAYFEILD.
uTNDREDs WAITING AN ATTACK
By THE NEGROES.

surrounding Towns sending Armed
hands to Take a Hand in the Ex-
pected Race CIash-NegrOes Re-
Dorted Arming and MObilizing in
the COuntry--A Negro Shot Dead
While Fleeing After Being Or
dered to Surrender.
St Louis, Mo-, Dec. ga special from
Mavfeld, KY, says that at 8 O'Clock this
norning. every man of that town and ev-
a erv boy who could carry a weapon was on
puard, for an attack by an army of ne
eroes was expected at any moment. The
4 whites were being reinforced hourly by
citizens from surrounding towns. 1t was
thought that before daybreak there would
he commenced the fercest race war ever
known in the south. For forty-eight hours
news had been received at Mayfield from
different points that the negroes were or
Il ganizing in large bodies for the purpose
4 of visiting the town, and wreaking ven-
s geance upon those who lynched Jim
stone, the rapist, Monday morning, and
followed this by whitecapping some of the
q co.ored families who lived on the out
skirts.
At o'clock last night, telegrams from
s. Water Valley said that the negroes had
q massed there 25O in number and that every
s. one had some sort of weapon. A half hour
& later news of a similar nature came from
a Wingo.
These reports, in addition to many Of
a similar nature received from surround
q ing towns during the evening, caused the
greatest CONSERVATION, and preparations
we're at once made for a battle. Men
s. first saw to it that their homes were bar
ricaded, as well as that could be done,
and then they 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 aid of the white
81 citizens at that point. reply came at
once, stating that special train would
be chartered and a body Of armed men
would reach Mayfeld as soon as possible.
# At 10 o'clock last night the reports had
become so alarming that the fire bell was
sounded, and all of the citizens assembled
In the public square, where they remained
expecting the attack at any hour. A mes
sage from Paducah, received at II O'Clock,
stated that a body Of negroes was being
organized there, but that they would prob
ably not march upon Mayfield before day.
break.
At 1870 o'clock this morning, a body
Of citizens of Fulton reached town. They
reported meeting a mob of 200 negroes,
every one armed with rifle, on the out
8 skirts of the town. No attempt was made
by the negroes to interfere with the Full
ton people, and it was evident that the
former are waiting for re-inforcements.
Guns have been ordered from Paducah
and are expected at any moment on a spe-
eial train.
At 2:8O O'Clock this morning several shots
we're 1red at three negroes who We're seen
on the outskirts of Mayfield There was
no response, and the negroes retreated,
evidently toward the larger body.
shot and killed early this morning, near
the railway depot. A number of guards
were watching the incoming trains for
negro refugees. Three negroes alighted.
and when ordered to halt they refused
| One of the deputies opened fire and Suet
tell, riddled 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 chill
dren were ordered to remain off the streets
after o'clock tonight. Hundreds Of far
mers came to Mayfield this forenoon and
are being armed to assist in saving the
town if hostilities commence.
n At o'clock this afternoon the citizens
held mass meeting and organized into
companies for mutual defense against
the negroes.
Frankfort KY, Dec. 23.-Gov. Bradley
tonight gave out a statement about the
four cases of mob violence at Russellville
and Mayield. The governor says lawless
acts call for the most condign punishment
and he urges the county officers to see
nat prompt punishment is meted out to
ne Offenders. Gov. Bradley says that
mere IS no law covering such cases, but
intlmates that he will offer a reward If re-
quested by the circuit judge.
Louisville, KY. Dec. %, IL p. m.-Ihe al
legged race war at Mayfield has been
greatly exaggerated. There has been no
trouble since the killing of Will Suett,
Colored, early this morning. Suett was
only IS years old. No further outbreak is
apprehended, as the better class of people
Lave determined to suppress vio.ence.
ms afternoon, mass meeting was held
the court house and resolutions were
F1opted denouncing the lynching of
Sseo9Trge Finley and Jim Stone, the killing
~ win Suett and the burning Of property.
AZ o'clock tonight the town was quiet,
Nlsh few guards patrolling the streets
hd not a negro in sight. Only about fifty
nen came here from neighboring towns
hl these have returned home.