The age-herald., 1899-06-28
WHITES FIRED ON
 EEGRO QUARTERS Monday Night, and Yesterday Negroes Refused to Work ED ELLIS HELD UP WHITE MAN And Volley Fired by Whites from Bushes Riddled Him-Three of
 His Comrades Met the
 Same Fate.
ED ELLIS HELD UP WHITE MAN

Cardiff Village, June 27.-Special.)-Lik a muttering volcano suppressed until its earthen bonds would no longer hold, that smouldering undercurrent of race bitter ness existing here for year. and which has grown more intense during the past few days, had it's eruption this afternoon. Without single watcher by it's side the dead body of Ed. Ellis lies in a house near the village awaiting the inquest to be held tomorrow. Near by lie the remains of an- other negro cold in death. Gaping wounds made by Winchester bullets tell the tale. Two other negroes are wounded and not expected to live. This is the days result of a race riot.
 The dead are:
 ED. ELLIS
 ADAMS SAMUELS.
 The wounded are:
 JIM DILL.
 RANDOLPH WILLIAMS
 The clash came on the road near Gin Town. Negroes had gathered and the re- port had spread that they were armed and were vowing vengeance on the whites. It needed but the flicker of a candle to ignite the flame, and it came. white man passing along the road was held up by Ed. Ellis and roundly abused. The word could not have been passed quicker by wireless telegraphy than the rapidity with which the provoking incident spread In a short while volley was fired from the bushes alongside the road. Ellis dropped at the first shot. His comrades ran to his assist There almost click of triggers, three shots rang out and as many negroes fell with bullet holes In their black skins. It Is supposed that the whites went around the mountains by eircuitous route and came upon the ne- groes unexpectedly.
 Wanted to Rid Community
 An influential citizen in telling of the trouble tonight said openly that the white men had spotted the ring-leaders of the unruly negro element and that they had simply dispatched them to insure peace in the future.
 After the arrival of Sheriff O'Brien and posse from Birmingham the negroes dis appeared. and at midnight not sign of trouble Is visible. The scene :. is weird enough with a tiny light geaming from every miners hut that dots the mountain side. Few men are asleep tonight, and every ones head is upon a revolver and a trusty Winchester is within easy grasp. 1H0 WOHeH dIlu cIlluT6H or many families are speeding away to places of safety. Ex- citable negroes of the better class are ask ing the officers for protection, and others are packing their belongings to leave.
 Shepherd Forgotten
 In the excitement today the negro rapist, John Shepherd has almost been forgotten. The officers from Walker county searched every nook and corner in the neighborhood last night but no trace of him could be found
 The trouble which ended in bloodshed really began last night when a large body of white men fired on houses in the negro quarters. Fully 150 shots were fired and pandemonium prevailed for a while. Some of the white men were alarmed on account of their wives and ran to their homes, while others thought battle with the negroes had started and rushed to the place to join in the fight. During the whole scrimmage only one man was hit. A negro was shot in the heel; the wound is not severe. This morning another negro was shot in the arm near Adamsville. He was seen hur- riedly walking in that direction and ordered to halt. He refused to obey the order and was fired on.
 About 4 o'clock this afternoon Ed Ellis the leader of the negroes, was shot and instantly killed while attempting to hold up white man. Several of the negroes went to pick him up, but fell under with ering fire from the guns of white men who were standing in the bushes at a dis tance. Four shots were fired and four ne- groes fell At present two of them are dead, and the physicians say there is no hope for the others.
 Left in the Rain
 The dead body of Ellis was left in the road and remained there during drench- ing rain. No one would touch 1t until Cap tain O'Brien arrived and ordered his dep- uties to remove 1t to a house near by, where an inquest will be held tomorrow morning. A meeting was held in Knights of Africa hall and soon after 1t adjourned the trouble occurred. Everyone expresses utter ignorance as to who did the shoot ing, but the killing of these men has had a decidedly quieting effect on the negroes, and they have all repaired to their, homes not one can be seen. Ed Ellis. the first man shot, Is the negro who acted so sul-