The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-07
4 Manchester Officer Kills One Negro
and Wounds AnOthlr.
An ANGRY MOB THREATENS HIS LIFE.
Governor O'rerraIl Called Upon Tor MIL"
tary--A Scene OF Wild Excitement in
swansboro--So Further
Trouble Expected.

and Governor O'Forrall was called upon
10 send military to the scene to restrain
the excited negroes, who were searching
for the officer with the avowcd intention
of strirging him up 10 the nearest lamp
post.
The two negroes were intoxicated ana
went into the store OF Mr.. T; J.. Cersley'
where they became boisterous. cursins
and swearing and threatening 10 XIII MT.
Cersley. Charles Murray, the older OF
the two. was the moro abusive, and when
Mr.. Cersley ordered him out OF the store
he refused to 80 and told his brother,
Anthony, who was armed with pistol
to shoot Mr. Cersley.
The proprietor. feeling that his NE was
in danger. sent a messenger TOT On'0e'
Avis. who quickly arrived at the store
and placed the men under arrest
ASSAULTED THE OFFICER.
Mr.. Alvis had Just gotten his prisoners
outside the door Of the store wheh lhey
turned upon him and declared that they
would not go. Both of the negroes STRUCK
tho officer At the same time Anthohy
Murray drew a pistol from MS poohse
and thrust IL in Mr.. Avis face wnlle ms
brother claspod his arms around the
officer.
Quick as lightning the officer drew his
pistol from his pocket; there was douole
report. and the two negroes lay on the
rround-CharIes Murray with a bullet
through his heart dying. and Anthony
Murray suffering from a fearful wound IN
the abdomen. which will result fatally
Mr.. Alvis calmly put his pistol IN MS
nocket and surrendered himself to Squire
q r. Jones. who took him TO the Man
chester police station, where he was
locked up.
Meanwhile DR.. T. p. Mathews had been
summoned. but upon his arrival at Mr'
Cersleys store found that Charles Mui-
ray had died a few moments after ne
was shot. while his brothers condition
was hopeless.
THREATENED TO HANG HIM.
The news Of the killing Of Charles Muir
raw and the fatal wounding Of his broth
er soon spread among the colored popu-
latiOn of Swansboro. and a large num-
Der Of them soon made their appearance,
making loud threats of vengeance against
the SLAYER. The negroes instituted a Wig
orous search for Mr. Avis declaring their
intention 10 hang him 10 a lamp-post II
he could be found.
IL was then that Squire Jones, becom-
ing alarmed at the threatening aspect or
the negroes appealed 10 Governor OFer-
rail- for assistance. The Governor imme-
diately sent an order 10 the armory, d.
recting that all the men who could be
gotten together he held under arms,
awaiting orders from him.
In the meantime, IN order to ascertain
whether troops were really needed. the
Governor sent his private secretary Mr..
Evan r. Chestsrman, accompanied by
Mr. Carter d. Johnson. 10 Manchester 20
investigate the case. BY the time Mr..
Chesterman reached the scene OF the
trouble. however. the negroes, being un-
able 10 find Mr.. Avis. had queted down.
and the necessity for military aid had
disappeared.
The two negroes who were disposed Of
I'm such a summary manner by officer
Avis. did not bear good regulations. and
when under the influence Of liquor were
considered dangerous men. They We're
each between thirty and thirty-hye years
Of age.
A CURIOUS COINCIDENCE.
officer Avis bears a splc1dld reputation
as q good officer and IS man Of we'll
known bravery a curious coincidence in
connection with last nights occurrence is
that about twenty-five years ago Mr.. Al
Wis father. who then kept a grocery store
at the corner Of Thirteenth and Hull
streets. shot and instantly killed two ne
groes who attempted to break into his
house.
As soon as possible after the shooting
Squire Jones, acting coroner summoned
a Jury TO hold an inquest, and investigate
the matter lie wished to go into the in
quest at once but was prevailed upon by
Sir. Chesterman TO defer IL.
Late last night Squire Jones. being ap-
prehensive OF further hostile demonstra-
tions on the part Of the negroes swore in
ABOUT fifteen extra policemen. who went
on duty at once.
Nearly all night numbers Of negroes con-
tinued TO wander around the place where
the shooting occurred. and 10 discuss the
matter in groups. hut no violence was
offered to any one. and IL is believed that
no further trouble will occur
At last accounts the condition Of An
thony Murray. the wounded negro, was
Deived to be hopeless.
AT THE ARMORY.
Great excitment was created at tho Sew
enth-Street Armory about 9:i5 o'clock last
night, when Lieutenant Jeter. who was
the ranking officer present, received an
order from Governor O'Ferrall. directinl
| him to hold all the men al the armory ir
readiness to move at a moments notice.
Some twenty-five or thirty men were
present. and the number was shortly I'm
| creased to fifty This force after being
| under arms for two hours were dismissed
| greatly TO their disappointment
IffE COY nKNOK ; STATEMENT
| Governor O'Ferrall. when seen at his
residence late last night gave the details
of the call made upon him for aid as fol-
lows:
about half past O'Clock l received a
'nbone message from Squire Charles
Jones. OF swansboro. stating that po-
liceman of SwansbOro had shot two negro
men. killing one and badly. perhaps IA
tally wounding the other. that there was
great excitement and he feared serious
trouble and thought perhaps il might be
necessary 10 have military aid that the
sheriff could not he reached
| II Immediately dispatched Mr.. Chester
man. my private secretary. and Mr. Car
| ter ID. Johnston TO the scene with instruc-
lions 10 report the conditions as soon as
nossihle. also ordered about twenty
Ave members OF the First Regiment who
u,ere at the armory for drill purposes and
| the lieutenant In charge 10 remain at
| the armcry until further orders
"About 1880 o'clock Mr.. Johnston re-
,urned 10 me with a communication from
'Scuira Tones giving detailed account
~ the shooting as FAR as he had been