The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-19
PALMETTO'S FEARS AROUSED.
NEGROES THREATEN TO FIRE
FROM EXCURSION TRAIN.

Mayor Arnold Called on the Cow
ernor 10 Ask for ProtectiOn-Pres-
fdent Smith said the Excursion
Could Not he Called on Because
His Road Had Contracted with
Private Persons 10 Run It-Negrocs
VIII BE Closely Watched.
Atlanta, May 1S.-A negro excursion
train which Is to be run over the West
Point road next Saturday night has caus-
ed the people OF Palmetto to fear bloody
trouble.
Threatening letters have been received
by the citizens of the town from unknown
persons, presumably negroes, saying that
the time for revenge had come. and that
when the train passed through Palmetto
the town will be fired upon and blown up
with dynamite bombs thrown from the
passing train.
So much worked up are the people of
the town, which has lately had more than
its share of trouble with bad negroes, that
Gov. Gambler has been appealed to for
protection from the reported attack that
is to be made Saturday.
Mayor Arnold of Palmetto came TO the
city this morning to see the Governor
about the situation and had a long con-
ference with him.
Gov. Gambler communicated with
President Smith of the Atlanta and Wesr
Point road asking him to call the excur-
sion off under the circumstances. But
Mr. Smith replied that his road was nor
running the excursion. The road had
contracted with. private persons to run
the train and, therefore, without violating
this contract, the excursion could not be
called Off.
Protection TO he Furnished.
Ample protection Is to be furnished bv
the authorities, and every precaution
taken to prevent any carrying out of the
anonymous threats that have been caus-
Ing the excitement in Palmetto.
From the statement of Mayor Arnold,
many good people Of Palmetto are afraid
OF serious collision, and are preparing
to send their families out of the town be-
fore the arrival OF the negro excursion
train.
1t is quite certain that the Palmetto peo-
| pie will be prepared to defend their town
If the negroes undertake to make the
| threatened attack.
Acting under the appeal of Mayor Ar
mold TO the Governor, the authorities here
Will use every precautlon to see that the
negroes boarding the excursion train here
| have no firearms and no dynamite along
| with them. Detectives will watch the train
closely and wherever a negro is found
with gun he will be nabbed
A Statement From Palmetto.
The following statement, authorized by
| the Mayor and Council OF Palmetto, was
received In Atlanta tonight by telephone
from that city:
The article appearing In the afternoon
| paper that the city of Palmetto had ap-
| pealed 10 Gov. Gambler for protection is
| incorrect There Is to be a negro excur-
| sion run through the town Saturday, aud
we have understood that threats have
been made. We are not alarmed, for we
can defend the town The only fear is
| that some reckless negro might perhaps fire
| a single shot, which would result in the
wrecklng OF the train. Mayor Arnold went
| to Atlanta to advise the railroad officials
| to run the train In the day time instead
| of at night Peace and quiet reign here.
| and both whites and blacks have returned
4 to their vocations."