The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-18
HE WAS HUNG IN EFFIGY
NEGRO POSTMASTER LENNON OF
FAIR BLUFF.
HUNG A Jury ALL NIGHT FOR REVENGE
Here's an Object Lesson of The Desire For
Social Equality by Leading Negro
Politician.

Wh'teville, n. c., March 17.-(Spe-
cal.) I'll have my revenge yet" NUT
tered Oliver Lennon (colored), between
his clinched teeth-and he did. But in
what IA puny manner he gave vent to
this baser impulse of human nature, and
what it profited him we shall see.
The readers of the News and Obser-
yer will recall an account in former
issue of this paper of how the Mckin-
ley administration, which dares not APP
point Il negro TO Il position of profit OF
trust north of Mason and DiXon's line 4,
hut lis extremely jealous in forcing upon
the proud people of the South objection
able negroes and in every way possible
heaping indignities upon the advocates
of Bryan and free silver-appointed
postmaster at Fair Bluff, \. c., one
Oliver Lennon, Il negro living Thirty
miles away, and how the outraged anu
enraged citizens of Fair Bluff, learning
that he would accept, held an indigna-
ton meeting and burnt the would-be
postmaster in effigy. Then it was Oliver
Lennon thirsted for revenge. Thus
closed the first chapter of this episode.
1t may not be olrt of place here to
remark that Lennon, for reasons pei
maps best known to himself, has never
gone to take charge OF his office MOI
dared show himself near Fair Bluff.
Chapter second opened yesterday with
a scene i'll court at Whiteville. On the
bench sat Judge Allen; in the box sat
ten white men and two negroes. One
i0f these negroes is postmaster elect
Lannon.
The case before the court was State
VS.. Thomas Bowling for the larceny of
forty dollars. Thomas Bowling is re-
spected merchant and cotton buyer of
Fair Bluff Plaintiff CLAIMED that while
trading i'm Dowling's store Bowling stole
his money.
The defence proved by many reliable
witnesses that the plaintiff was seen and
that he told them he had lost it on the
street. A woman Of an adjoining county
testified that she was in Fair Bluff that
day and found forty dollars in bills OF
the denominations described. Other
Witnessed were introduced to whom she
showed the money and who correlated
her story.
Dowling's vindicatiOn was complete
and nothing remained but for the jury
to return a prompt verdict of moi
guilty" Time dragged ON and the jury
did not return. Finding that the jury
was hung the court proceeded with other
business. 1t soon leaked out that ali
were in favor of an acquittal but Len
non, and then it was the people realized
the puny way in which he proposed to
have his revenge.
Supper time came and the sheriff had
supper prepared at the Maxwell hotel.
In the dining room were two tables
, one a revolving table at which ten, and
only ten could sit. Mr.. Maxwell ar
ranged to have the ten white men sit
ut this table and the two negroes at the
other. Both. tables were served alike.
When Lennon saw the arrangement
he few into a great passion and told
Mr. Maxwell that he wouldn't eat a
Tnouthful at his table to save his life.
That he was just az good as he was or
any other white man and wouldn't sit
at any side table. Very well,'' said
the proprietor, sI'll not ask any Of these
white men to vacate for You, and, if you
cannot eat at the other table, you may
have seat in the hall until they are
through This me did, swelling like a
frog.
Supper over, back to the jury room
they went-I.ennon without any supper
land all night long did ten white men
and one negro await the pleasure of this
offending and greatly offended postmas-
der-elect of Fair Bluff.
Morning came. Back to the dining
room came the eleven clear-conscienced
jurymen. and with them came. still sal
len and obstinate, Lennon, and took his
seat in the hall.
Back again to the jury room they went
Lennon without any breakfast-be-
cause, forsOoth, he could not eat with
white men,
Not until near dinner time, when ''the
power of nature could no further go"
did Oliver Lennon, after holding a jury
over eighteen hours through spite agree
to the verdict of mot guilty.