Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1899-03-18
NINE NEGROES SHOT.
Fired On While Begging for Mercy.
Blacks Threatened Revenge.

Palmetto, Ga March IA mob
of masked men stormed the little
house doing service as Jail here, at
an early hour this morning and shot
nine negroes.
Four were killed outright and the
other five are badly wounded.
The negroes were held for the
burning of the town, three fires since
January | having nearly completely
destroyed it.
The mob rode into the town
about l o'clock. The little house
which is being used as a Jail since
the fire was near the centre of the
town.
The guard was called on to turn
over the nine negroes held there for
trial on the charge OF arson. he re-
fused and awakened his assistants.
They were quickly overpowered,
however, and with rush the white
caps made for the prisoners, who
had been awakened by the noise out
side. They began begging for mercy
but We're shot down quickly.
The greatest excitement prevails.
Nearly everybody was aroused by
the shooting and spent the remain
der of the night on the street. An
outbreak on the part of the negroes
of this vicinity is feared.
WERE BEGGING FOR MERCY.
Four dead negroes lie in John
sons warehouse. Beside them groan.
ing in agony are the five victims of
the mob.
The negroes, who were shot down
while begging for mercy, lie where
they fell on the blood soaked floor
Of the improvised Jail.
FLOOR COVERED WITH BLOOD.
The scene at johnson s warehouse,
where the nine negroes were con-
fined, and which is now filled with
the dead and dying, is revolving
and miserable one. Blood covers
the floor end blackened walls indent-
ed with rife shots. Wives ard chill
dren of negroes are kneeling by their
side in the dimly-lighted room and
piercing the air with their means of
anguish.
Mayor Arnold has summoned a
guard of Is citizens to patrol the
streets. The situation is believed to
be partially under control. owing to
the good work of Mayor Arnold.
MOB WAS MASKED.
The mob was composed of $50
men. Where they came from is a
mystery so far as the people of the
town know. That some of the peo-
pile of Palmetto, but not not the bet
ter class, were in the mob goes with
out saying. Every face was masked.
ONE CONFESSED GUILT.
Two fires of incendiary origin have
occurred here this year, one on Feb
ruary 90, and the other five days
later. Fourteen business houses in
all were destroyed.
Nine negroes were arrested on
suspicion and taken to Johnson's
warehouse to await preliminary trial
which was to have taken place this
morning. Yesterday the leader OF
the gang, Bud Cotton, is said to
have made written confession of
the guilt of himself and associates.
He was the first to die in the mob's
bloody work.
TROOPS From ATLANTA ARRIVE.
"The Capital City Guards arrived
at IL o'clock and were put on patrol
duty in differnt parts of the town.
At noon friends of the wounded
arrived at the ware house and were
given, those injured. Glen Watts
one of those who had put in the
morning grooming loudly, was care
fully carried to wagon and taken
home. Upon his arrival there it
was found that he did not bear a
scratch John Bigby is badly
wounded and cannot recover.
palmetto is little town of 600
inhabitants on the Atlanta and West
Point RAILROAD. 1t is in Champ
bell county and Is miles from At.
lanta)