The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-08-22
BLACKS FIRE ON WHITES
Latter Form Posse to Arrest
DeSperadOeS.
Secret Order Among the Negroes
Responsible for the Trouble
Which Has Been on for
Some Time.

Meridian, Miss, Aug "A special to
The Meridian Press from Tupelo, Miss,
says: Six persons seriously shot and a
number injured is the reported result of
race riot low in progress in the south
end of Lee County. near Shannon.
Three negroes and three white men are
badly injured, and others probably more
or less so.
] his is the result of a race riot preci-
plated by a secret organization of ne
grocs firing upon and woundng the Eu-
bank brothers while en- their own prem
Uses. The shooting occurred Tuesday
soon after dark. Posses in pursuit had
lively encounter with the negroes six
miles south of Shannon yesterday even
ing, when more or less shooting was
done. One white man and three negroes
were badly wounded and several more
negroes were slightly hurt.
Other posses are in pursuit and the af-
fair Is not over by any means. Deputy
Sheriff Temple has just reached the city
with eight desperadoes bound with chains
and under heavy guard.
500 Men Under Arms.
He reports five hundred men under
arms. and says great excitement prevails.
The officers took the train at Nettleton
and had great difficulty in getting away
with the prisoners.
For some months negroes at Shannon
and Nettleton have been giving consid-
cradle trouble. secret societies being
form ed under the guidance of an ex-school
teacher and preacher. These organiza-
tons are said to be for the purpose of
resisting the whites and protecting ne
groes in deeds Of lawlessness.
The alleged instigator of the serious
outbreaks of the last few hours Is a ne
gro preacher named jeff Rogers. He has
been held under suspicion by the whites
for some time as a bad character. In
days gone by. he has been made to leave
more than one peaceful community. He
is a negro of some education and has
considerable influence in his church
The first serious trouble broke out some
time ago when a negro named Giles
Jackson assaulted the Lauderdales In
confield. seriously wounding them
About a month ago this negro died in the
county Jail from wounds inflicted while
resisting arrest. A few days ago ne
gro was seen taking corn from field
belonging to Mr.. Eubank, who lives close
to Shannon, and when spoken to about
It, he became insolent and defiant and a
warrant was sworn out for his arrest.
rlred on the Eubanks.
Tuesday evening a son of Eubanks
living Just across the road, noticed a
number of negroes congregated around
his home. He supposed they meant to
attack his home. and he crossed the road
and Joined his father and young brother.
Shortly after Eubanks went to his IA
theirs house a command to fire was CIV
en-, and a volley rang out from the guns
carried by the negroes. Both of the
younger Eubanks were hit and badly
wounded.
After the shooting of the Eubanks
brothers, the whites Immediately organ
lied themselves into an armed posse to
bring to justice the guilty negroes. Yes
terday evening. headed by Marshal Ran
dolph of Nettleton and Marshal Irby of
shannon this posse went after two mem
hers of the negro mob who were supposed
to be in hiding in a cabin about six miles
from Shannon. The posse. reaching the
cabin. ordered the door opened. but the
command was apparently unheard. At
ter waiting a moment. Marshal Randolph
struck match and pushed the door
omen. He was met with a volloy of bird
shot and fell across the threshold with
blood gushing from his face and shout
ders. The negroes ran out OF the house
over the PROSTATE officer. Ihey were
met by volley from the posse and three
ne9roes we're injured so badly that they
we're left dying on the ground. The 9TH
ere escaped in the darkness, some leaV-
ing behind evidence of their wounds.