The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-10-29
FOURTEEN
KILLED
in FIGHT
Negroes and Whites
Preparing for Battle
A Negro Running a ReStaur-
ant Without a License the
Cause of the Trouble.
State Military May be Called
to 0uelI the Disturbance
Several We're Killed.

CoLuMBrA, Miss, Oct. 20 The town
Of Columbia and its vicinity was thrown
into great excitement yesterday by sew
eral messengers from the vicinity Of
Balltown, La, about 25 miles below
here, who brought the news that race
riot had been preciptated between the
whites and blacks of that section by the
shooting and burning of the negro Bill
Morris who criminally assaulted and al.
most murdered Mrs. John Ball, a few
days ago. Several runners brought the
news that numerous white men were
killed and that the negroes we're arming
themselves for the fray. This informa-
ton created the widest excitement and
number OF men, headed by Deputy
Sheriff Branton of this county and
Marshal T. T. Ford OF Columbia, sll
fully armed. left for the scene of the
trouble.
Telegrams we're sent to Governor
Heard Of Louisiana, by citizens of
Washington parish, who we're in Colum.
bia, informing him of the situation and
an attempt that was made by Sheriff
Ball Of Marion county, to reach Gov
ernor Longino of Mississippi. As the
wires were down between here and Jack
son. for quite while nothing could be
accomplished until last evening, after
tidiugs had been received from the scene
of the trouble. Then answers were re.
ceived, instructing the sheriffs to cal
out the nearest troops, II needed.
1t seems that negro named Crea
was really at the bottom Of the trouble.
1t was reported to the officers Of
Washington Parrish that Lott, who
lived near Booth, La, was running a
rertaurant without license at a camp
meeting at Live Oak church, whore
negro revival was in progress. The con-
stable of the district gathered a posse
posse and started to investigate. Lott
was apprised of the approach in advance
aud was ready for trouble when it
reached Live Oak church.
The posse was about 100 yards from
the house when ambushed and the
negroes opened fire from two or three
directions. The constable bade his
men pay no attention TO the firing as 1t
was from distance. He said all he
wanted to do was to capture Lott.
When the restaurant where Lott had
his goods was reached the posse was
fired on by Lott aud negroes who were
concealed behind the counters on the
inside. The fight became general be.
tween the posse and the restaurant
crowd and also between whites and
negroes oil over the ground.
At this juncture the posse deemed II
necessary to fire the Lott restaurant in
order to dislodge his gang. Lott rushed
out when the torch was applied and dis
charged double barreei shotgun into
the crowd of whites. Twenty two buck
shot took effect in the side Of Joe Seals.
one of the posse, from the effects Of which
he died. A negro who followed Lott shot
man named Elliott, one of the posse
through the stomach with 3s calibre
revolver.
The negroes then tried to escape
but others of the posse had their guns
leveled and completely riddled their
bodies with bullets. Lofts head was al.
most shot from his shoulders. He was
a shapeless mass of blood and brains be
fore his body hit the ground.
During the fight negro preacher
came out OF the church, armed with a
musket. He was shot and killed before
he could use it. After the smoke OF
battle had cleared away there were five
dead negro men, including the preacher
three women, who were burned beyond
recognition, who perished in Lofts res,
taurant and one child who was with
it's mother in the restaurant and per,
ished with her.
The fences, trees, church house and
camps we're thoroughly riddled with
| bullets. There must have been fully
2000 shots fired. 1t is rumored thai
since the fight one negro has been found
dead in the swamp aud several wounded
have applied for assistance. The negroe
took to the woods like scared rabbits
after and during the shooting aud hardly
one can be found in the neighblrhool
Sheriff Simmons, OF Washington
Parrish and posse assisted by Deputy
Sheriff Branton Of Marion County an,
posse were on the ground early thi
morning and assisted in burying tn,
dead aud taking care Of the wounded
Quiet prevails this morning accordin,
to the latest reI orts from Balltown bu
further trouble is not at all unlikely,