New-York tribune., 1900-12-23
INDI4N4is ABUSE OF THE NEGRO,
MENT OF A LAW TO PREVENT
LYNCHINGS

Indianapolis. Dec p (SpeciaD.-Csovernor Noun,
and his fellow State officers are greatly exercised
over conditions in Southern Indiana. and DO not
conceal the fact that they fear the race troubles
which have existed long in certain Ohio River
counties to be followed by other outrages as
dsgraceful to the State that at Rockport
Spencer County, on Sunday night and at Boon
Vile Monday night. in which three colored men
suffered death at the hands of mobs. That the
people Of the counties in which such drastic rene
dies were invoked are in sympathy with the lynch
ers was demonstrated by their refusal assist
the Sheriff in protecting his prisoners but this is
condition that has long existed and which has
been demonstrated. not only in cases of mob vio-
lence before but in studied efforts to prevent ne
groes from settling in the southern counties
The prejudice dates back 10 the close OF the Civil
War. and had its origin in the coming OF negroes to
Indiana and competing in farm work. This compe-
ttion led strong feeling against negroes and
also against the men who gave them employment.
The former were often driven away, and the lat
ter had their barns and hayricks burned their ma
chinery broken and notices posted on their fences
warning them against further employment OF col
ored labor. The result OF these tactics soon de-
prived the negroes of farm work and many OF
them were forced into the smaller towns and cities
Robberies soon became nightly occurrence, and
every man who suffered loss by such depredations
charged it TO the negroes. In Perry Pike. Spencer
Warrick. Dubois and other counties the people rose
against the negroes and drove them from the coun-
ties Many OF them were whipped. OF them
simply ordered away but ali terrorized, and when
ever negro appeared he waited upon by a
committee of citizens and ordered to leave. So
great was the fear these methods engendered that
negroes gave the counties wide berth, and for
many years there only negro in Perry
County, and he blind and deaf from old age.
In Pike County few families permitted to
remain. but in Harrison not negro escaped the
order to go, while in Crawford only one remained
after the cleaning out. it is jocularIy referred
to- In time however, the negroes began 10 return;
in Spencer County better disposition was shown,
and number settled around Rockport Graldview
Troy and other towns and secured employment
without molestation
The people of Crawford County never reIented
and to this day the advent of negro In the county
is followed at by summary order to go.
Within recent years only one colored man has
dared to test the earnestness OF the people in this
regard This young who came to
Leavenworth and opened barber shop. He was a
muatto, intelligent and industrious. and there
nothing about MIN to excite dstrust or awaken
prejudice. Some Of the citizens or the town
appeared to favor the young negro and indicated a
kindly feeling by patronizing his shop But tbs
majority determined. and the barber was
waited upon and ordered to GO He did go. and
named the time after which his presence in the
town would not be tolerated He remained IN spite
his fixtures thrown into the river and he tied
to the mercy of the current Nothinr vas ad ever
heard of him afterward
of the third at BOOnvile the elimination or
this prejudice. and the State authorities do not
followed by other acts that may we'll raise doubt
to the safety of colored people in the Ohio River
prise and Cirandview all villages of Spencer County.
held meetings and formally determined 70 rid the
places OF their colored population The history OF
the last four or five years was reviewed and all the
petty thieving and the more pronounced stealing
was laid at the negro's door, From the town halls
the orders to Many. terrorized by the IyIch-
ings and the open threats against the race mad al
"a
of negroes constantly passing over the Kentucky
shore to escape the supposed wrath to come As
the day wore away the exodus became more pro
homes over night for fear that they would be
taken out and hanged before morning or co1I-s.
these fears were groundless but they evidence RE
terror felt by the negroes and IL is possible that II
the order TO leave the county is not complied with
many Will he severely handled.
Governor Mount has the subject under considera-
tion and will discuss IT in his annual message to
next month. He has found that the people Of tbs
counties where violence is resorted TO are either
generally IN sympathy with the mobs are afraid
20 appear against them and testify in court and
ne does not believe that any law which seeks
merely 70 ferret out the guilty will be effective.
With this understanding OF the situation. be has
been trying to devise something in the way OF lexs
lation that would reach the people OF county.
check. make It incumbent upon the conservative
TO see that the law Is not violated His plan TO
ask the Legislature 10 enact a law that viii maks
a county. a municipal organization. responsible
TO the friends of victims Of mob violence in dam
ages be assessed by a jury. This law the Cow.
ernor argues would touch men where they are
most sensitive for il would appeal 10 every tax
PAYER and when IL was mandatory assessing lam
ages for ynchns regardless of the crime OF yVhcf
the victim accused) the conservative sentiment
of the people would be against lynchinss and the
mend that the Legislature pass such law. and the
Attorney-General will draft the bill and have IL
ready when the Legislature meets.
RTRDS Avn DTyOS4TRS AKIN