The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-20
LEADS A NORTH CAROLINA DANES DIM NEWS AMID CIRCULATION.

arm. according to reports, though this
could not be verified. No others were
hurt, so far as known.
1t is rather remarkable that the mill
ries should have been so light in view
of the fact that the fighting took place
mt a distance of about thirty PAGES, and
that so or 60 shots were fired, accord
ing to both participants and witnesses.
The fight lasted some ten minutes. Inc
soldiers were followed few blocks by
the negroes, who kept up the stone-throW-
ing.
Reports were conflicting as to whether
the soldiers were fired on from the adj
iacent houses The soldiers themselves
were too busily engaged to notice, and
the witnesses do not agree.
While the fighting was in progress a
soldier notified the officers at camp, and
IL detachment of about so men from
companies / and c., under command of
Captain Jenkins and Lieutenant Avery,
were ordered out and came up town AT
a double quick, reaching the Capitol
Square in twelve minutes after receiving
orders They were stopped at the square
as the trouble was practically over by
that time After remaining there for
some time part of them returned to camp
and the rest were ordered to duty with
the provost guard.
Immediately on hearing of the en-
counter, Colonel Burgwyn and Mayor
Russ drove out to the place where it oc-
Cured on East Hargett street, and did
what they could to reassure the colored
people and to restore quiet. They sue
ceeded in n measure, though crowd OF
negroes. angry and threatening, remain |
ed there all of the afternoon and late
into the evening. A number of white |
people gathered up town at the head !
quarters of the provost guard on Fayette~
vile street, but there was little feeling |
and no threats among them.
The night however, was n time of
considerable unrest and apprehension i'll
Raleigh. 1t was feared that the soldiers, |
enraged by the events of the afternoon,
would attempt to retaliate on the me-
groes. There was some report of such
an attempt, but if so it was poorly or
ganized and no disturbance occurred. \
heavy provost guard, 80 men in all, was
put on and no soldiers were allowed to
pass.
The negroes were reported to be eX-
pecting trouble and to be prepared for it
but the reports were probably eXagger-
ated. Stones were thrown at the SEN
tinels several times, and citizens, who
had occasion to pass through that part of
town, were also stoned but no harm was
done.
SO far as statements could be obtained
from those who saw the fights, the sol |
tiers do not seem to have been the as-
gressors. either on Saturday night or
on Sunday afternoon. This is the more |
probable because most of the soldiers |
were entirely unarmed.
1t should be stated that the better ella |
mcnt of colored citizens did all they |
could to quiet the more turbulent mem |
beers of their race and greatly regretted |
that the disturbance should have occur
red They uniformity so expressed them |
selves yesterday The city authorities as
well as the military officials, were
prompt to adopt repressive measures.
1t was reported to the officer in charge |
Of the provost guard about eight o'clock
in the evening that one soldier had been
shut up in a house by negroes who
threatened to shoot him when he came
out - detail of police went out to the
house. but the soldier could not be
round. The report was probably only
one of the many wild rumors that
abounded all the afternoon and even
ing.
There was undoubtedly much feeling
among the soldiers when the incident be-
came generally known. They were espc-
cially angry at the report that one mem
Der of the regiment had been caught and
kicked for some distance along the street
by the enraged negroes. A pistol was
thrust in the face of another who was
returning to camp through that part Of
the city and his life threatened, but
the negroes contented themselves with
hustlng him.
1t was reported that a number of
soldiers took refuge in the home of Mrs.
Taft and created disorder, but she stated
that five Of them came in, asked for
water and after drinking, left quietly.
Warrants have been issued for some of
those engaged in the flair, but no arrests
had been made so far as could be learned
last night. and none We're given out.
There will hardly be much difficulty in
arresting and furnishing the ring-leaders
at least
1t is thought that cooler counsels will
prevail among both the soldiers and ne
gr0es. and that no further trouble will
occur. The soldiers have but II few
days, at the outside, to remain, and their
time will be- occupied largely with pre-
partitions for going home.
Thirty days at home viii give all time
enough to cool off.