Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-04-27
SHOT AT BY A SMYRNA MOB
Bullets Intended for John Seeney, COL
Ored, Fired at Henry Wilmer.
ONE WENT CLOSE TO HIS HEAD
Seeney Was Instrumental In
DR.. Moore'S Arrest.
NEGROES ARE TRYING TO RETALlATE

Smyrna, April Ella colored mob,
composed of both men and women, sur
rounded the dwelling of John Seeney,
colored, late last night, and tried to
murder him. Five shots were fired
into the building, and the occupants
OF the house had a narrow escape.
Seeney lives on Commerce street.
Henry Wilmer, also colored, is the
other occupant Of tho house. The
former sleeps on the second floor, while
the latter occupies q cot on the first
floor.
Wilmer was standing in front Of a
lookingglass, undressing, when the first
shot was fired. 1t narrowly missed his
head. He lay down in the corner OF
the room, but still the bullets came in
close proximity to his body. The crowd
did not tarry long, as the shooting soon
brought officers to the scene; but when
they arrived, the mob had dispersed.
The shots were intended for Seeney,
and those who did the shooting mis-
took Wilmer for him.
Seeney is one of the men who gave
to the attorney general the information
which led to the arrest Of DIR. L. G.
Moore, Peter w. Downs, John Cald-
we'll and Edward II. Robbins. On
charges of violating the registration
and election laws last fall. The colored
people are denouncing Seeney for
giving information, and say he will
have to leave town.
Smyrna, April 22.-The attempt tc
murder John Seeney, one of the wit
nesses in the election cases, was the
talk of the town yesterday, and, on al
sides, the people who took part in the
dastardly assault on the inoffensivt
colored man and his family were de
nounced Seeney and his family are
badly scared.
The attack was made about IL o 'clocl
on Thursday night, the bullets going
entirely through the walls of the house
Seeney did not sleep a wink during
the night, and about 3 O'Clock yester
day morning he saw two men approach
his residence again, evidently with TIN
intention of making another attack
He Immediately raised the window, ant
fred his gun. The would-be assassin
beat a hasty retreat. and Seeney ant
his family were not bothered any more
but they spent the night in dread tina
they would be killed.
Yesterday morning, the authorize
made an investigation, but, as yet
they have been unable to find out VIII
did the shooting. Information wa
received that Peter W. Downs and job
Caldwell, who are under bal for bein
principals in the bribery cases, ha
made threats against Seeney, as ais
had Hennie Darnell. The three wer
arrested, and taken before Magistrat
Cooper. He held Downs in 5000 ba
for his appearance at court. Congress:
man John H. Hotfecker became HI
bondsmsn. The other two were bel
in $50 bail each to keep the peace.
The feeling among the colored peop
is still very bitter against Seeney, an
they are denouncing him more tha
ever, since the arrests yesterday.
anticipation that there might be troub
last night, the town authorities pl
several extra policemen on duty.
Smyrna, April "a. The family
John Seeney, the colored witness
the election bribery cases, who W
murderously assaulted Thursday nigh
have left for Wilmington, as they o
afraid to live in this neighborho,
longer. Seeney is living with friei
in another part of the town. The CT
ored people, while apparently as bitt
as ever over the arrests, are beginni
to cool down and some of them ha
gone TO Seeney and advised him
''stand his ground and give all t
information he knows to the attorne
general"