The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-29
Negroes at Darien Defy
Civil Authorities.
STATE TROOPS In CONTROL
One Ofieer Killed and AnotherW ound-
ed oy a Negro-The Negroes, Armed,
Assemble I'm Great Numbers-Soidfers
ana Ammunition sent to the scene.
R~ingieaders Among the Negroes Ar.
rested and Sem, to 20 Pre-.
vent Rescae

rested and Sent to savannah 10 Pre-.
vent Reseae
Darien, Ga, August 25.-While all
is quiet here tonight the day was one
OF great anxiety and intense excitement
among the White people. An outbreak
by the negroes has been morentarily
expected since the killing by John Del
agel, a negro, Of Joseph Townsend, a
prominent citizen and deputy sheriff
OF this county, last night.
Today Sheriff Blount sent ne follow
ing TO Governor Gambler:
please order Liberty Independent
troops to report to me, mounted, at
once. Situation critical. One deputy
killed, another wounded.
IT. B. BLOUNT, Sheriff"
Colonel A r. Lawton, late command
er OF the Second Georgia regiment.
United States volunteers, also wired
the governor to send a quantity of car
bines and supply of ammunition for
the soldiers.
Colonel Lawton was here this morn
ing to investigate the situation. After
a conference with the officials he re-
turned to Savannah. When the gov
ernor received the message from Sher-
IN Blount he ordered Colonel Lawton
to return if necessary and take command
OF the military. He is now here in that
capacity and has enough men, it is be-
lieved, to easily handle the situation.
The sheriff and his deputies continue
to make arrests of the rioting negroes
and the Jail has a large number in it,
Notwithstanding the fact that the town
boat Iris left here this morning for
Savannah with twenty-five rioters who
had been arrested. This was a pre-
cautlonary measure to prevent an at
tack on the Jail by the negro friends
of those imprisoned and to make room
for those who lave been arrested since
the removal. The situation here is re-
garded as critical, although with de-
termined military control it is thought
further trouble can be prevented. The
negroes apparently have no leader up
ON whom they can rely. 1t is estimated
that the enegroes out number the white
people in this part of Georgia five to
one and the whites are consequently
apprehensive. John Delagel, the negro
who killed Deputy Sheriff Joseph
Townsend and wounded Deputy Hop
kins last night, cannot be found. He
is the son of Henry Delagel, whose ar
rest for assault started the race war.
The two deputies went last night to
the house of Henry Delagel to arrest
his two sons. John was found at the
house and Townsend entered. The ne
gro made no remOnstrance, but showed
his willingness to accompany the Off
GERS. Hopkins who was in the moon
light outside was Joined by Townsend
and the two waited for the negro to
come out. He came to the door and,
a negro woman handing him a gun,
he fired on the officers. Townsend died
in a few minutes and was brought to
this place by Hopkins who is badly
wounded. The white people thought
this would be a signal for attack and
many slept on their arms all night,
as they will do tonight. The negroes
have remained sullenly silent up to
this time, gathering in crowds and
! looking doggedly at the military and
. the officers of the law.
! The county officials have offered 500
reward for John Delagel and Governor
Gambler will be asked to increase this
: amount.
: Atlanta, Ga, August 25.-Upon re-
ceipt of the alarming kilograms from
| Sheriff Blount Of Mcintosh county, this
| state, and Colonel Lawton, at Darien.
/ Governor Gambler took immediate steps
to render every assistance in Quelline
the negro outbreak. The governor
sent the following telegram to Colonel
Lawton:
JOHN R. LAYTON, Savannah, Ga.
"Blount, sheriff, writes for Liberty
troops. 1 doubt propriety OF sending
them and leave it to you" discretion
Have wired Hughes, captain OF Liber.
! ~ troops, to hold company in readiness
70 respond if you call for them, but Z
do nothing until you order him. The
; situation demands a cool head. You
have it and I must rely on you tt
exercise that wise discretion which ]
so far away, cannot exercise. II neceS
! sary return to Darien.
"a. D. GAMBLER,
!. Governor
: The governor was in conference witt
Acting Adjutant General Byrd during
the day. A large number Of carbines
have been sent to Darien, and a supply
Of ammunition is en- route by specia
messenger, a the express company re
fused to carry it owing to its explosive
character. The governor is in telegra.
| phic communication with the seat OF
trouble.
The se~venty-five members OF tht
First Georgia regiment who were lei
here two days ago when old man Del
agel was taken to Savannah are patrol
ling the town tonight. All saloons are
! closed and the strictest order is main
tanned.
Nearly every negro left town thi:
evening and tonight word comes tha
they are massed in DelagePs swamp
twelve miles from town They ar
known to be armed and a posse Of citi
zens left ON a special train for th'
place at 8 O'Clock. They will maintain
a guard over the negroes and keep then
from doing any damage during thu
night. A telegram was sent to Bruins
wick, urging all white citizens to com
to Darien. A boat was dispatched II
| bring them to this city, and a specia