The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-10-24

MEMPHIS. Tenn. Oct a-A special
to the Commercial Appeal from Forest,
Mise, says:
AZ the result Of an attempt arrest q
negro near Harpersville. Scott county,
in the eastern part OF the state, one
white deputy was killed, three wounded,
and, according to the latest reports,
nine negroes have been killed by the cit-
izens OF HarperwilIe and neighboEhood
ana the sherlhts posse combined. The
pursuit Of about fifty negroes who had
Joined the original offender with the
avowed determination to prevent his az
rest and capture, and which ambushed
the party attempting the arrest, contIn-
ues, and by morning the number Of fA-
talftles Will undoubtedly have asgumed
larger proportions. The whole country
is terribly aroused, and the Shefina
posse has been reinforced with men rom
all the nelghboring towns. Governor
McLaurin has gone to the scene, Which
iS about ten miles north OF Forest the
nearest railroad point.
The trouble originated last Friday
when a negro named Bill Burke had an
alteration with his employer, Charles
Freeman, a white man, In which the ne
gro got the best Of the difficulty. The
next night n crowd Of white men, headed
by Wallace slbley, who was deputlEed
to arrest the man, went 20 Burkeh
house, which Is about a mile from Har-
persVllle. When they arrived upon inc
scene and called for Burke they were
greeted by q fusllade from the negroes,
concealed In the bushes surrounding the
d. HUntN0Rn
sibley, the leader, fell dead ct the drSt
voiley and three more white members
Of the crowd, James Johnson, James
Hamilton and James Wells. were
wounded. The whites returned the
fire, but were unable to do any eHnou-
tion as their assaiiants were all cons
ceRled, There were not more than
eight men IN the white crowd, and hnd-
Ing II impossible to resist effectlvelVi
they dispersed towards Harpersvllle,
1t was not known at that time that
Slbley was Injured, but upon return
10 the scene this morning he wac found
dead in the yard. The wounded depu-
ties were able to get back 20 town with
the assistance OF their comrades. This
occurrence took place early In the night,
When the crowd returned to aarpers-
Vile the news spread like Wlldhre.
During the night large crowd gHttls
cred in the neIghborhood. They tnlmes
dately went to Burke's house ana got
from his mother the names OF all par
ties in the crowd which had aubuShod
the men the night before. In all there
were about forty negroes who hao
gathered TO prevent the arrest OF Burke
and a list was made up at their dicta-
tion. All Of them had fed. The pur-
suit and search for each OF the pre-
scrIbed blacks began. According TO ehe
statement Of reliable citizens, six me-
groes were found and killed by the
crowd Of armed and determined cite
zens. before the sheriff arrived.
This morning Sheriff ]. n. stevenson
was wired from Harpersville OF the
threatening condition Of affairs and ne
was asked to get together posse 9tlq
come at once TO HarpersVille. me
sheriff lives at Morton, ten miles nom
the scene. Gathering together 4 pose
of twenty or thirty men. the sheEln
started at once for the place. When ne
arrived IN the afternoon he was Joined
nv crowds OF citizens. until q conseryar
tive estimate placed the uumber In the
posse over three hundred men. 1mmeS
dIately after leaving the house Where
IN frst tragedy was committed, enc
negroes scattered through the sur
rounding country. The sherln's pursuit
has resolved itself into a chase or the
neuroes implicated and not OF moo
which is keeping together as was nrat
reported. ...,,,.a
at a late hour tonight states Snas
three more negroes have been found
and killed, making a total Of nine g
date with about forty more to be heard
from. Sheriff Stevenson, reRhzing She
danger apprehended, Immediately wired
Governor McLaurln at Brandon for alo
IN uueiilng probable widespread as
turbance. Upon receipt OF this tele-
gram the governor wired Adjutant Gem
eral Henry at Jackson to get togethee
a company OF national guard ana pros
ceed 10 the scene upon the first train.