The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-15
THE RESULT OF A REWARD.
DETECTIVES THOUGHT TO HAVE
CAPTURED FRI -BUGs.

The burning of Quitmnn's Hand
some New school building TO BE
Avcnged-A Review of the Race
Troubles That lead 10 the Negroes
setting Fire to the DuiIding-In
Their Delight at the Loss They
Talk Too Mnch-A Quack Doctor
Arrested for the Crime.
Quitman, Ca, Aug lit seems that the
mystery surrounding the burning Of The
graded school building IN this city is about
to be cleared.
The reward Of 500 dollars attracted de-
tectives who have been here at work for
some time. AS a result of their work Har-
rison, negro is now in Thomas county
Jail, charged with the crime. He was ar
rested there to-day and Sheriff Connols
OF this county was notified to come for
him. The sheriff went up on local freight
this afternoon and viii bring Harrison
here tomorrow on the 3 O'Clock train.
Ed. Harrison is a large, fat negro of
more than ordinary Intelligence for his
race He is a successful vender Of patent
medicine among his race throughout this
county and section and is better known
as DR.. Harrison. DIT Harrison has been in
here on account Of the
sale Of his medicines be
fore this, and retained to defend him near
" every lawyer in the city. paying out in
fees many times what his fine would have
been had he been convicted.
Those interested claim that the evidence
Of his guilt of burning the school house is
conclusive, and that there are entered
with him in the actual commission Of the
crime eight other negroes who Will be put
in jai a. soon as they can be captured
The burning, they claim, was for a money
consideration and that there are many ne
groes who contributed TO the fund to pay
for il. The cause Of the burning OF Al. IS
said was revenge for the burning of the
negro college here In 1888.
In the winter of 1882 Ma1 CalVll Allen
a wealthy old gentleman from Connect
cut, came 10 Quitman and spent the win
ter boarding at what was then the Nc
Neil hotel the principal hotel in the town.
The following winter Maj. Allen pun
chased the hotel and remodeled ana added
TO il until il was one of the prettlest no
tells in the state Mai. Allen was a lover
of fine stock, and one day that winter
Nv lille driving a fine horse which he owned
was thrown from his buggy and fatally
injured He died a few days aiterWard
Mrs. Allen. VINO tell sole netI 10 Allt prop
ertv had formed a dislike for the town
and shortly made deed of gift of il 10
the American Missionary Society, to be
used as a negro college. White teachers
from the north were sent here and as
ISOLATED with the negroes both male and
female, on a basis of equality The build
ing was situated in the heart of the town
and il soon became necessary for white
ladies 10 give the sidewalks to negroes
and several fights ensued as a result The
white people made every effort 20 buy the
building and move il TO the negro part of
town. but TO no avail. 1t seemed that il
was here TO stay.
Finally one night the building went up
in flames. Whether IL was of incendiary
origin or not, or who the guilty parties
We're, was never known, but the negroes
always believed that the white people did
Il. There was considerable feeling at the
time. but no outburst Of any kind.
The white school here was not a fine
building, and only about a year ago was
erected the elegant building which was
burned a short time ago. There was
great rejoicing among the negroes when
il was known that it was the white peo-
pies school that was on fire. and this fact
has helped the detectives in their work.
There is considerable feeling here, but
there is strong sentiment against lynch
ing, and no such thing will be attempted.