Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-10
THE TROUBLE At GRIFFIN.
Version of II Given by the Negroes
Commander.


RALEIGH, y. c., March 9.-The Tenth
Immunes (coloIeO passed here to-day
over the Seaboard AIRLINE on their way
north from Macon. Ga. Colonel Charles
l.. Jones. commanding officer of the regi-
ment, was seen by a representative Of
the Associated Press Immediately upon
the arrival Of his train here as he had
| telegraphed ahead I'm the morning that
| he desired TO make a statement in re-
gard to the shooting affair at Griiiin,
Ga. He said:
1--WE struck Griffin, Ga. about O'Clock
yesterday evening. ! don't think there
were more than dozen revovers in
the hands Of the men. When We pulled
out OF Vineyille there was some shooting
in the air from the train. The men were
full Of good spirits. and had no inten-
tion to harm any one. No shots were
fired when we went into the town Of
Griffin | was surprised TO find men lined
up on either side Of the depot. About
fifty Of them wore uniforms. | inquired
what the trouble was, and was told that
the first section had been disOrderly, and
that the citizens wanted TO protect them
selves. ! told my men 10 be quiet and
they were obedient, and there was no
disorder. The train stopped about five
minutes.
FIRING on THE TRAIN.
"'The train had pulled out about 200
yards. when some of the men in the for
ward part OF the train fired some shots.
The militia then fired into the rear car.
George L. Agep. a brakeman. who was
3 lot f..fs,a rsrsfl IL. a.
ball passed through his leg. another
through his thigh and still another bull
let passed through his body. As the Off
GERS car passed a body Of the militia a
vOlley was fred into IT, notwithstand-
ing the fact that four ladies were at the
windows. | was standing on the platform
Of my car The wife of one of the cap
tains who was seated by a window. had
a narrow escape. An iron brace pre-
vented another bullet from crashing into
the car
'T-p TO $3.50 o'clock. when l left Macon.
Yesterday afternoon not one Of the depre-
dations of white or negro troops at that
town had been committed by the Tenth
lmmunes.
"The action Of the militia in Griffin was
the most cOwardly that | have ever seen
human beings guilty Of Had they fred
into the ear from which the one shot
tu, !
but To- fire VOlley into a car, when the
officer who had charge OF the men who
fired the voley knew there were ladies i'm
the car. who were unable 20 protect
themselves. and who had not been Guilty
of any breach Of law. was beneath men.
STATEMENT OF GRIFFIN MAYOR.
GRIFFIN. GA, March 9.-Mayor Davis
and Lieutenant Daniel. Of the Griitin
Rifles made statements to-day IN reply
10 the letter Of Colonel Withrow Of the
Tenth Imnunes To Governor Gambler, as
serting that his men had been fired upon
BY the State militia at GTlllin, ana de-
manding safe conduct 10 the State line.
Mayor Davis says: when the repre-
hensibie conduct Of the soldiers on the
first section Of the train. was reported TO
me. and the citizens appealed Tor prot"c-
ton from the next section, which was
due here i'm about an hour at once tele-
Dhoned Governor Gambler ana asked him
Ia order out the Griffin Rifles He pro-
missed 10 advise me in twenty minutes
whether he would do 50 or not, but the
second section was approaching the city
and immediate action was necessary, ana
hy the power vested in me as Mayor |
ordered the Rifles out. Ny authority for
doing this is found in Article H. section
NJ. OF the Civil Code of this state
CITIZENS BEHAVIOR ABOVE RE
PROACH
"'The Rifles and all those whom depu-
,ized 10 meet the train were on hand, ana
acted I'm a manner that was above re-
proach. As long as I am Mayor of Grim |
shall use all the means in my power ID |
protect the life and property OF her cli-
zens"
In his statement, Lieutenant Dahlei
says: II received the following oiueI
from the Mavor: Commander Erliiih
Rifles: Owing TO imminent danger ol IIo'
at the train of colored troops just iilustei
ed out i'm Macon. while passing throubh
Griffin. which will be I'm few minutes,
brirg vour command TO the paSsehss
denot at once. and receive orders rom III
chief Of Police for preserving oIuei,
(SigneD w - 10 -,
MILITIA DID NOT FIRE.
..1.he above order was Issued 10 M
,,,dsr authorify Of section III. Code 'I
r,'|r,,ta responded to the order. a.
49,, ~ dutv and reported as instructor
w. ,ha cbief of Police at the depot
,,ned my command up and down the ran
n1,,l. ,raclf about twenty feet from tne
,r",a 80 negroes. arms at order The
ch,ns ~ police ordered half my company
- : tn',. n'e go ,,ards west Of the depot upoh
tanoru,re of the train the negro
ICONS fred several yoleys Directly at 'he
ci,Iz,ns and military. The nre was nor
by my men. but the citizens diu