The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-26

Christmas was marrcd by q huihu-l "l
shooting ARRAYS i'm tho state which are
reported in the Geographic dispatches pub
lshcd below.
At Columbia, the ancient little town ,"
Fnivanna county. situated on PIC
tlresque bluff overlooking the James ana
anordins "a splendid view of historic ca-
tatcs. including the Elk Hin farm
tragedy was enacted. I'm which one negro
was killed and two others wounded. The
special policeman who did the shooting
escaped with bruises 20 remind him OF
how close he had approached the peclpice
of death Twice weapon was an"ppo'
i'm bis facc. but Providence shielded hm'
tbe pistol I'm the hands of his would-be
murderer failed TO explode the cartridges.
TROUBLE WAS ApIREHkNDED.
Trouble had been apprchended in Colum-
hia. number of negroes employed on
tb. railroad were expected there Chrlsl-
mas to spend the holidays with their pto-
pic. who lived i'm the neighboring counties.
Stone -quarrios. too. not far away were
expected 10 furnish a quota OF polsl'ioua
darkeys. The quarries were opened oniy
about two months acO. one OF 'he man
ayers. Walter Jordan. who lives in Column
NIfI. ilNN N-t'il rNNili llA fi' ft t.t''ttttt
man. How well be performed his duty az
tho critical moment Is told i'm recountmg
tic events OF the early hours after dark
on Saturday night
The expectation of trouble was realized.
\ gang Of obstreperOus blacks paradcd the
streets after dark There are mo- lights iu
Columbia ON the street corners. Many of
the residents going about carry lanterns
About O'Clock Claude g.. Amos, telegraph
operator for the Chesapeake and Ohio rau-
road al that point. was cn route 10 ine
depot lie carried lantern. He was ac-
CoSted by Special Policeman Jordan when
tcw hundred yards from Smither
store.
NEGROES OPEN FIRE.
DE was excited as we'll De- might be- tor
two shots bad just missed him. fired by
drunken desperate negroes Jordan re-
turned the fire three times. Whilc the lam
term was passed from the oprator 20 the
special policeman the negroes drew near.
They cursed and abused the officer and
threatened 60 shoot the light out Jordan
taking the lantern summoned aid. lie
called Goo his assistance John and Richard
BoWles. ard returned towards Smither's
store where the boisterous Garkcys Were
cong rcgatcd. ln the crowd were three
brothers, William orange and Humphrey
seay.
JORDAN'S COURAGE.
officer Jordan whose undaunted cour-
age was admirable approached the crowd
alone his deputies standing some thirty
steps away. lie caught hold of one of the
men who was cursing at a terrific rate
and ordered him % desist. Another negro
took sides with his partner Jordan was
freed back against the dim-llt window of
IL. store The negroes pressed him TO ms
knees. one of them placed pistol at ms
D. ad 9ndrpullcd down ON lac trigger twice
The cartridges We're defective. or the
weapon was useless. The cartridges iail-
cd to explode. Jordan was I'm desperate
situation. In the hands Of that crowd of
infurated blacks his life was not worth
candle
OFFICER OPENED FIRE.
Managing to draw his pistol he Tired it
three times at close range Three men
were winged William Seay fell with
bullet iu h.s lcft side mortally wounded.
The other brothers, Humphrey and
Orange seal. were not seriously hurt
The crowd dispersed. and the brave Off
Ger wiped tha blood from wounds which
the mob had inflicted with their hands
and the butts of their weapons.
Columbia was iu state Of excitement
after the clash between The negroes and
me officers of the law. u was feared
that The blacks would return with rein
forcements and attempt 10 aYcnce those
~ their number Who had been shot The
fear proved sroundless. however. The de-
tcrmined attitude OF Jordan and the dis
astrously accurate aim Of his weapon had
the effect of subduing The turbulent ele-
ment.
THE INQUEST
coroners inquest was held on sun
DAY The jury returned a verdict Of JUS
taablo homicide. Public sent ment up-
holds Oncer Jordan, and 90 IS believed
that the tragic encounter win have
salutary effect in The neishborhood
RIOT IN HALIFAX.
SOIfTH BOSTON. VA. Dec 2J-Spcc-
ial.-Information reached here this even-
ing OF a serious riot az Vrglna to-day.
Part culars are very meagre No commu-
AdcatiOn can be had as the telegraph
operator there is wounded. The sheriff
has been sent for 10 restore order.
II seems that a white man. named
Bob IOfts. under the influence OF liquor,
went % the Atlantic and Dsnville rail-
way station and hred several times az
Turner, the telegraph operator This
man was killed by Turner The friends
OF the dead man then attacked Turner.
ard IN the general mix-up, several men
we're severely wounded and Turner re-
ceived cash in his throat from car 70
ear. which & considered fatal. IL Is