The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-20
THEY SHALL NOT RETURN.
DECREE OF CITIZENS As To THE
EXILES.

NeaE
Searched Diligently hut I'm vain for
Ari Bryant Last Night-Negro Butcher
Had a Narrow Escape and by Now IL
Far Away-Detailed story.
Thursday Ari Bryant, one of the ne
groes banished from Wilmington last
November and specifically warned not
to return, saw fit to disregard the
warning and came back to the city. His
foolhardiness came near costing him
dear, as last night a party of about one
hundred armed citizens went to his
home to demand one more that he
leave the city and to see personally
that their demand was carried out at
all hazards. However, when the party
reached the house the bird had flown,
and though a thorough search was
made he could not be found. 1t was
plainly apparent that Bryant had got
wind of their coming and had quickly
vamosed, shaking the lust of VIII
mington off his shoes at a rapid rate.
BRYANT DISREGARDS WARNING.
Bryant is a butcher by trade and
previous to November 10th was looked
upon by the negroes as a high and
mighty leader. He was of vicious tenn
permanent towards the white people and
counselled his race to strife, thereby in
a great measure being responsible for
the lawlessness of the negroes that for
so long menaced the homes and fire
sides of the whites. November 10th
when the municipal government Of cor
ruption and disorder was overthrow
and 1T was decreed that the safety of
the community demanded the Danish
ment of certain white m negro Lead
ers, who had been melting the blacks
to violence, Ari Bryant came within
the scope of the decree. The peace and
honor Of Wilmington cried out that he
should go and his w safety demand
ed his iShm He was taken In
custody and the next day., although the
times were tumultuous and the just
wrath Of the people threatened to
wreak vengeance upon just such cat
tie, he was escorted in safety to the
depot, placed upon a north bound train
and told emphatically never to return.
1t was thought that his warning
was sufficient for Bryant and the 9TH
er exiles to understand that
again would h people of Wilmington
tolerate their presence and that it was
not an idle jest Of an impulsiVe and
excited people. However, it appears
that ii did not have it's desired effect
with Bryant as he returned Thursday.
Naturally his coming was a surprise
and was the signal for the people to
once more assert themselves as true
to the stand they took last November.
HE MUST GO.
Friday night a meeting of citizens
was held, and it was unanimously de-
cided that Bryant would have to leave
the city, and that the timely warning
given him once before would be re-
peated. but this time in a far more
forcible and impressive manner. 1t was
also decided that last night would be
the proper time for carrying out the
decree Of the meeting, and SO prepara-
tons were hastily but quietly made,
and with the same system and order
hat marked the triumph of the right
last November.
FEARLESS ACTION.
A grove al Hilton just north of the
bridge was selected as the point OF
rendezvous for the party delegated to
carry the decree into effect. The time
of assembling was fixed at 10 o'clock,
and at the appointed hour every man
of the party, numbering nearly a hum
dred, was on hand promtly, and fully
ready and determined for the move to
be made. Each man was armed, not
for the purpose of causing strife, but
to insure no miscarriage of their inten-
tons.
1t was stated that Bryant had been
located at a house on Fifth street, be-
tween Harnett and Swami, and the
party shortly after 10 o'clock marched
to this house. 1t was a perfectly quiet
and orderly march, as the participants
were strictly on business bent, to fulfill
a duty owed by them to their homes
and loved mes.
The house where Bryant was sup
posed to be n where he, no doubt,
was when the party approached is sit
uated on the east side of the street. AS
the party approached there was no
sign of life within the dwelling, but
it was afterwards said that a man
(supposed to be Bryant) out the
door and quickly disappeared. The par
ty upon it's arrival surrounded the
house, and several persons then dele
gated to make a search for Bryant.
This they did quietly and in an orderly
manner but the exile could not be
found. Then, to the next house the
party wen to ook for the negro, but
were again unsuccessful. They did not
take the liberty of searching the latter
house, although there would not nave
been the slightest hesitancy if they had
thought the negro was there, but they
were satisfied with the nSwer given
by the negro resident, who was badly
frightened. The idea Of finding Bryant
was then abandoned, but a message
that cannot possibly be misconstrued
in meaning was left for Bryant, and
which message will, no doubt, have
to be transmitted to the negro by let
ter or wire. as from all indications he
is far away from Wilmington by now,
and will so remain if he has one scfntil-
Ia Of belief in self preservation is the
first law of nature" The message was
to the effect that Bryant and his co-as
sociates, both white and black, be the
cost what it may, must understand that
the people intend to live up to the
principle expounded last November,
and tina he and the rest must NEVER
show their faces within the portals of
Wilmington. After delivery of the
message the party dispersed.
Had Bryant been caught last night
he would have been severely dealt
with. He was to nave been given, so it
is said, a stern warning, emphasized
by a thrashing, never to return, h
driven from the city. Their e was a
c~at'o'nine' tail with the party.
It is thought that Bryant was in the