The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-25
POLITICS CAUSED It.
Trouble Between ScarbOr0
and the Negro Lane.
A Negro Boasts That He Has His Gun Ready
For August End. inadequate Police
Protection.

Though his physician hopes for his re-
covery, John Scarboro, the white man
who was attacked by the negro Meekins
Lane on West Cabarrus street Monday
night is very seriously hurt and disfigur-
ed for life. Lane has not yet been cap
tured.
AS stated in yesterdays paper, both
Scarboro and Lane worked in the beer
bottling establishment of T. R. Jones, and
it was learned from Mr.. Jones yesterday
that the trouble originated over poll
tics.
The negro Lane, who is naturally a
very impudent sort Of negro, had been
drinking and insisted on cursing out
white supremacy and white men in gen.
eral, and John Scarboro in particular. At
first Scarboro sought to avoid trouble,
but the negro became so offensive in his
language and so threatening in -his man.
ner that Scarboro finally went to Jones'
house for weapon to protect him.
self. Failing to obtain it, he telephoned
for policeman, but the police force
wanted to know all the particulars be-
fore they did anything, and so did moth
ing.
When ScarborO went out again he found
the negro standing guard with bottles in
his hands at the wagon Scarboro usual
ly drove, daring him to come about it,
Scarboro did not go to the wagon,
but after waiting sometime he went out
upon the street to see If policeman
had come. He found no sign Of one, and
went on to Philips store to inquire If
one had been seen there. AS he reached
the corner the negro, who was in hiding
there, let drive at him with a paving
stone.
The missile struck Scarboro full in the
face, breaking the cheek bone, crushing
the nose and knocking out one eye. The
negro then ran off toward the Southern
depot, thence into the woods. Scarboro
was taken to the hospital.
After it was all over and things were
quiet again the police arrived, and found
that the township constable had already
been there.
Just here it should be stated that this
section in which this trouble occurred is
one of the most disOrderly in the city.
There is bar room there, frequented
almost exclusively by negroes Of the
worst class, beer bottling establish
ment, number Of low negro dives, and
a railroad depot around which negroes
and tramps congregate day and night.
Disturbances are of almost daily occur
ance. Notwithstanding these facts the
police seem to avoid this part of the
city, and the residents complain that they
are without adequate protection. "a
1T has become so bad" said one man
yesterday, that when we have trouble
we send for the township constable. We
can get him much quicker than we can a
policeman. That part of the city is so
degraded and so disorderly that even the
police avoid it. -
1.-The negroes OF that section are @Sust
at this particular time very obstreper-
Gus. The political agitation incident TO
the campaign has made them much
worse than usual and their leader, Mer-
rimon Workman, Nose Woodlands clerk,
is organizing and melting them against
white people.
Last night after the trouble between
Scarboro and Lane was over, Mr.. T. r.
Jones remarked that if this was the turn
affairs were to take he'd have to- get
down his old gun and rub it up for use. J"
Yes, pertly replied negro in the
crowd and I've already cot mine rubbed
up for use on second of August. &"
If there is anything in these complaints.
and no doubt there is, the mayor ought
to see to it that the good people of this
section have protection.