Waterbury Democrat., 1901-10-29
FIVE DEAD NEGROES.
As a Result of 8 Shooting Affair
 Yesterday.

Trouble Caused by Negro Who Was Running Restaurant at Camp Meeting Without a License-The Restaurant Was Set on Fire and as the Owner Rushed Out His Head
 Was Almost Shot Off.
 Columbia, Miss, Oct 29.-The town of Columbia and it's vicinity was thrown into great excitement yesterday by several messengers from the vicinity of Balltown, La, about 25 miles below here, who brought the news that a race riot had been precipitated be- tween the whites and blacks of that section by the shooting and burning of the negro Bill Morris. who criminally assaulted and almost murdered Mrs John Ball few days ago Several runners brought the news that numer- ous white men were killed and that the negroes were arming themselves for the fray. This information created the widest excitement and a number of men, headed by Deputy Sheriff Branton of this county, and Marshal T. T. Ford of Columbia. all fully arm ed left for the scene of the trouble
 Telegrams were sent to Governor Heard of Louisiana by citizens of Washington parish, who were in Co lumbia, informing him of the situation and an attempt was also made by Sheriff Bell of Marion county to reach Governor Longine of Mississippi. As the wires were down between here and Jackson for quite while nothing could be accomplished until last evening, after tidings had been received from the scene of the trouble Then an- swers were received instructing the sheriff to call out the nearest troops if needed.
 It seems that negro named Orea Lott was really at the bottom of the trouble. It was reported to the off, cers of Washington parish that Lott, who lived near Booth. La, was run ming restaurant without license at a camp meeting at Live Oak church, where negro revival was in progress. The constable of the district gathered posse and started to investigate Lott was appraised of his approach in advance and was ready for trouble when the possea9 reached Live Oak church.
 The posse was about 100 yards from the church when ambushed, and the negroes opened fire from two or three directions. The constable bade his men pay no attention to the firing, as it was from a 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 and negroes who were concealed behind the counters. The firing became general between the posse and the restaurant crowd, and also between whites and negroes all over the ground.
 At this juncture the posse deemed it necessary to fire the Lott restaurant in order to dislodge his gang. Lott rushed out when the torch was ap- piled and discharged double barrelled shot gun into the crowd of whites. Twenty-Five buckshot 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 caliber pistol The negroes then tried to es- cape, but others of the posse had their guns leveled and completely riddled their bodies with bullets Lofts head was almost shot from his shoul- ders
 During the fight negro preacher came out of the church armed with a musket. He was shot and killed be- fore he could use it.
 After the smoke of battle had cleared away there were five dead ne- groes, including the preacher. three wo men. two burned beyond recognition, who perished in Lott's restaurant. and one child who was with it's mother in the restaurant and perished with her.
 The fences, trees, church house and camps were thoroughly riddled with bullets. There must have been fully 1000 shots fired. It is rumored that since the fight one negro has been found dead in the swamps and several wounded have applied for assistance at neighboring houses. The negroes took to the woods after and during the shooting and hardly one of them can be found in the neighborhood. Sher- if Simmons of Washington parish and posse, assisted by Deputy Sheriff Bran ton of Marion county, and posse, were on the ground early this morning and assisted in burying the dead and talk ing care of the wounded.
 Quiet prevails this morning accord ing to latest reports from BalltOwn, but further trouble is not at all un- likely.
 END OF THE RIOT.