Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1897-07-02
RACE TROUBLE
At KEY WEST.
Negro Mob at Key West Shoots
Down A White Man In
Cold Blood.
RACE WAR Is FEARED.
Militia Has Been Ordered Out,
But They Cannot Get at
Their Guns in the Jail.

But They Cannot Get at
Their Guns in the Jail.
The city of Key West. Fla. is
in the throes of an impending
race war. The assaulting of a
white woman, Mrs. Atwell, by
Sylvanus johnson, a negro on
the outskirts Of the city, is the
cause. One white man, William
Gardner, has been killed, and
several others on both sides
wounded
The trouble has been brewing
since Colonel G. B. Pendleton
arose in court and ask ed for vols
unteers to help lynch Johnson.
Several attempts were made to
enter the Jail, which was guards
ed by mob of infuriated me-
groes. All day whites and
blacks were arming themselves,
until now nearly every man in
the city is walking arsenal.
The negroes fired On Colonel
Pendleton house while he and
fifty of his friends were on the
inside. The latter returned the
fire, and from the appearance of
the earth around the house there
were several wounded. 1t is be-
lieved that two negroes have
been killed, but owing to the
fact that the negroes are taking
their wounded away this re>
port cannot be verified.
TROOPS CANNOT GET ARMS
Serious trouble is looked for.
The whites have sworn to av-
enge the death of William Gard
ner, who was killed in cold
blood. He was seated On the
steps of the Court House about
twelve O'Clock when several ne>
groes approached and told him
to move OH.
He started to 60 when the
crack of three OF four rifles rang
out and he fell mortally wound
ed. He lived only a few hours.
The Sheriff asked the Govern>
or to order out the militia, which
was done, but owing to the fact
that the armory is IN the same
building as the Jail, the soldiers
were unable to get their guns,
as the negroes would not let
them in the building.
RETURNED THE RIFLES.
The negroes went into the ar
mory and secured many rifles
and ammunition, but they were
returned. Seeing that the mills
itia was almost powerless against
the mob the Mayor, the county
Judge and several others wired
the Governor as follows:
"Governor w. D. Bloxham, Tall
lahassee, Fla:
ga negro accused of assault
ing a white woman been arrest>
ed. Mob tried TO break into
Jail with purpose lynching ne
gro. Negroes have organized
and now are virtually in charge
of the city. Will you request
the President to have the United
States troops now stationed here
report to the Sheriff for duty to
protect lives and property The
State troops are inadequate"
NO WORD FROM WASHINGTON.
Governor Bloxham wired the
President to have the troops
placed at the Sherif1's command,
but'as yet no reply has been re-
ceived.
The negroes, after being
coaxed by the Sheriff, left the
Jail, and the local military com>
pany put On guard.
The streets are thronged with
excited people and grave fears
are entertained that trouble will
occur, as it seems certain that
there will be another attempt
made to lynch johnson.
1t was owing to the fact that
Key West is so isolated and that
none of the State troops can be
gotten to the city under three
days, tie request was made for
United States troops.