Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-09-22
WHITES AND NEGROES FIGHT.
suits in killing of Seven Blacks
-Troops Ordered Out.

Carterville, ILL.,, Sept. 1s.-Carterville
was the scene of bloody riot about
noon Sunday, in which four negroes
were instantly killed and one wounded
unto death, while two Others received
slight wounds. The trouble has been
lowering ever since the militia was re-
called by Gov. Tanner last Monday.
The white miners of this place have re-
fused to allow the negro miners to come
into town, always meeting them and
ordering them back.
Sunday, however, 13 negroes, all
armed, marched into town, going to the
Illinois Central depot, where they eN-
changed few words with the white
miners there, when the negroes pulled
their pistols and opened fire on the
whites, who at once returned the fire,
when running fight was kept up. The
negroes scattered, but were closely fol-
lowed by the whites, running up the
main street, while the remainder
took down the railroad track. Here
the execution was done, all who went
through town escaping.
After the fight was over four dead
bodies were picked up and another NOR
tally wounded. They were taken to the
city hall, where the wounded man was
attended to and an inquest held over the
dead ones. Two more negroes were
found late in the evening near the
Brush mines, swelling the total killed
to six. Cummins, the wounded negro,
is reported dead, making n total of
seven killed.
Trouble has existed here off and on
for over a year, but no fatalities oc-
Cured until June 80, when passenger
train on the Illinois Central railroad
was fred into and one negro woman
killed. These negroes were on their
way to the mines, having come from
Pana. A short time afterwards a
pitched battle ensued between the
union and nonunion forces, during
which time the dwellings occupied by
the union negroes were burned. Sew
eral arrests were made, and the parties
are in Jail at Marion on the charge of
murder, awaiting trial.
Company C, Fourth regiment, ar
rived here late Sunday evening and will
endeavor to preserve order. Forty
miners from the Herrin mines left that
place for this city armed with krag-
jorgensen rifles and are determined to
assist the white miners here if their
services are required. No further
trouble is anticipated, but there is no
telling what may happen. Superin-
tendent Donely, of the Brush mines,
where the negroes reside, reports that
the negroes are worked up into fren-
zy, and that while he is doing all in his
power to hold them in check, he is
afraid that he cannot do so much longer.
Springfield, ILL.,, Sept. 1s.-Gov. Tan
ner has ordered two companies of the
Fourth regiment, under command oi
Col Bennett, to Carterville. He re-
ceived a telegram Sunday afternoon al
two o'clock from Samuel Brush, man.
ager of the St. Louis and Big Muddy
Coal company, at Carterville, that five
of crowd of his negro miners, who
had gathered at n depot, prepara ,ory
to leaving, had been killed, mob hav
ing fired upon them. Later advices re
ported seven killed and a number
wounded. The governor said:
From the information have up to thi,
time on the subject, these negro miner!
were waiting at the depot for the train
| | ooraraily or finally. While I have no in
formation as to whom, or by whom, tht
: trouble was precipitated, 1t seems to b,
l from the brief facts above reported and tn,
n further fact that no one was killed eXcep
+, the negroes, that it was prearranged, pre-
concerted, premeditated murder. II I an
= right in this conclusion, the people o
S Carterville, and especially of Williamson
I county should use every means possible
: and that vigorously. to bring these partie
- guilty of this wholesale murder to speed
I Justice and, in their efforts to do So i prom
/. Use them the cooperation of the state, tn
whole national guard If necessary to brin
about the arrest and conviction of thes
parties for the restoration of peace an
o good order in the county and so have ad
/. vised the sheriff of Williamson county b.
- | wire.
3 This is a blot on the fair name OF til
e commonwealth of Illinois and will be dis
If grace to the community of Wiliamso
g county unless quick and vigorous action
. taken by the county authorities The goo
n and law-abiding citizens of Williamso
S county should rise to the situation and SUI
- port the law officers in restoring peace an
T. order and in the arrest and conviction {
20 the guilty parties
IS Late Sunday night Gov. Tanner rt
n ceived telegram from Sheriff Gray al
nouncing the arrival of company C. II
e stated that the situation was critica
: that there were many armed men in an
about Carterville, and that the mil
IS tary company was not sufficient to di!
Is perse the mob. Gov. Tanner immed
ately telegraphed Lieut.. Lowden, i
n command of company C, not to hazar
2. the lives of his men against great odd
s. He also ordered company f, of Mour
N Vernon, TO leave by the quickest rout
y for Carterville.
,e To Select willard Statue.
Is Springfield, H., Sept. 1s.-The III
- no;e lauiS To +nra onpraOrio n oil 60 nOn Fr