Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-25
GEORGIANS EXCITED
Leading Citizens Advocate the Carrying of
Firearms by White Women.

Firearms ny Whlte women.
Atlanta, Ga, April 24.-The series of
crimes which began in the burning OF
Palmetto by incendiaries, the lynching
a month later of four negroes by whites
of that little town in retaliation, to be
followed ten days ago by the murder of
Alfred Crawford and the ravishing of
his wife in the same locality, for which
the negro, Sam Hose, was burned at
the stake yesterday, have stirred the
people of Georgia and the South into a
frenzied interest in the social problem
which the crimes reveal. The discus
sion of the crimes and the remedy for
the lawlessness has reached all circles,
and the question of protection for white
, women in the sparsely settled farming
districts is the topic of the day. The
Atlanta Constitution devotes a page to
collection of opinions of how proper
protection can be afforded to the women
of the South.
OF the matter, Governor Gambler has
this to say: 81 think the wisest plan
for protection will be for the Legisla-
ture to take up the matter and provide
sufficient State militia and funds to
be expended for a patrol in the country
districts.
Former Governor William J. North
expressed himself as follows: my
first suggestion is that all homes should
be made miniature arsenals, at least to
the extent of one good Winchester and
one good pistol; that women be allowed
to carry weapons upon their persons.
concealed, if so desired, and that they
be taught the use and handling of fire.
arms, so that they may become their
own protectors in the absence of the
husband or master of the house An
occasional negro lying dead in the back
yard, shot dead by brave woman in
defense of her honor, will do more to
stop this awful crime than all the
lynching that may occur in a year.
would have every county supplied with
at least half dozen well-trained blood
hounds. l would have an organization
of at least men in each county who
should have supervision of all lawless-
ness and disorders in the county,
Mrs. Louie NJ. Gordon, a prominent
figure in society, not only in Atlanta,
but throughout the Southern cities, IA
vors the equipment of a company of
militia by each county. She says:
'sThe Mexican Government has a kind
Of rural soldiery, having the power to
hold a drumhead court martial and to
shoot the criminal caught if he is
found guilty The per cent of crime is
lower in Mexico than in this country,
and train robbers are scarce and trains
are loaded with silver and bullion. 1t
seems it would be wise investment
for our farmers to add fund to what
should be contributed by the legisla-
ture to provide an up-to-date, well
| equipped, sufficient military force for
the counties, as well as cities and
towns which the gooS moral effect it
would surely bring would produce a
sense of safety which would drive fear
away from shrinking hearts"
Mrs. H. Eleton, who produced SEN
sation by her assertion at an agricul-
turl convention two years ago that q
| thousand negroes should be lyncned
every week until the outrages stopped,
says she has no reason to change her
| opinion.
Inspector General Obear said:
Women may assist in their own pro-
lection by becoming familiar with the
continued On second Pags.