Abilene weekly reflector., 1897-01-21
AN ELECTION RIOT.
Two Factions Clash at Byron, Ga,
Over q Tie Vote.
An EMICRAyT TRAIN IS HELD Up.
George Taylor Thought to BE the Leader Of
. Gang Of Desperadoes Negro High
wayman Lynched-Tramps Take
Possession Of o Town.

AMERIcUs, Ga, Jan. 1S.--For over "a
hours the village of Bryon, in Houston
county, has been in state Of riot.
Four men have been shot and others
held in terror. The trouble grew out
of an election for municipal offices, held
two weeks ago, which resulted in tie.
The town divided into two bitter fac
tions, and charges of fraud were freely
interchangcd between the leaders. A
second election was called for Saturday
TO decide the contest, and every voter
was brought up to the polls. Not a
change took place in the alignment,
causing a second tie. The leaders
Of the factions were Charles l..
Bateman and G. G.. Richardson.
Unfortunately, they approached
The polls at the same mo-
ment, when q personal collision took
place, in which shotguns were pro-
duced. Their followers made rush
for arms, and in few moments the
village street presented warlike
scene. The telegraph operator, who
was lady, abandoned her keys in ter
ror, and for no urs the outside world
was cut off from communication. The
arrival of the sheriff about dark re-
stored comparative peace, but at nine
p. IN. the trouble was renewed, and at
the ringing of the school bell the en-
tire population was once more in the
street. The sheriff succeeded in estab-
fishing his authority but the feud,
now started, especially since the elec-
tion has to be held overagain, is looked
upon as one TO result in further blood
shed.
AN EMIGRANT TRAIN HELD UP.
GUTHRIE, Ok, Jan. 1S.-llighway-
men, whose leader Is said to be George
Taylor, murderer Of the Meeks family,
who cheated the gallows by escaping
from the Carrollton, Mo-, Jail, held up
On emigrant train near here yesterday
and robbed the people Of all they had.
A dozen men were in the gang, and
their plunder Is estimated at $1,000.
The emigrant party was on its way
south from Missouri and was travelling
In wagons. The party was met by a
crowd Of desperadoes IN the rough
country on the west 'pe Of the
Creek nation, surrounded, captured
and robbed Of everything they
had. There were number of shots
fred, but no one was hurt, us far as
could be learned. Among the emf
grants were several who We're very fa-
miliar with tho appearance of George
Taylor, and they have positively iden-
titled him as tie leader Of the bandits.
They describe him most accurately,
and there is little doubt that the man
Is the noted murderer. Posses have
been organized here to go out and look
for the bandits, and they are acting
with the officers of the law in making
every effort to locate the gang.
NEGRO HIGHwAYMAN LYNCnED.
WHIrEcAsTLE, La, Jan. ls.--Satur-
dry night George p. Beauvais was way
laid, robbed and beaten over the head
by negro in the Texas Pacific yards;
the weapon used was coupling-pin.
Beauvais reached the hotel and gave u
description of the would-be murderer.
Before midnight the highwayman had
been arrested, was brought before his
victim and fully identified. The negro
was then placed in Jail, but at day
break yesterday morning his body was
found dangling from convenient tree,
where 1t remained for several hours,
The coroner's jury investigated the
case and returned q verdict Of death
by hanging, at the hands of some UNI
known parties"
TRAMPs TAKE POSSESSION OF A TOWN.
PERRY. Ok. Jan. lS.-Late Saturday
night robbers took possession OF the
town of Newkirk, north of here. Sa-
looms were robbed of all money and
quantities of whisky and beer. Resi-
dences were entered and many things
were taken out. Officers think the rob
bers came into town under the guise Of
tramps. Five tramps were arrested
here for highway robbery.
salvation Army Captain Killed.
SEDALIA, NO., Jan. 10. Edward Ber-