The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-20
Especial to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer.)
Henderson, N. c., August ia ter
rible tragedy occurred on the Seaboard
Air Line train yesterday afternoon about
two o'clock. Roadmaster red Stevers
was brutally shot dead by riotous ne
gro and Jim Mitchell, colored porter.
was shot so seriously that his death is
expected.
The trouble occurred between Middle
burg and Henderson, while the south
bound train was in motion. Four or five
colored workmen from Lynchburg, Va,
got on the second class car and were
very noisy. Captain W. p. Clements re-
quested them to go into the car for col,
ored people. In that car an assault was
made on Capt. Clements and Roadmas-
ter Fred Stevers, who was on the train,
came to his assistance
He was shot dead by one of the negroes
and the porter who came to Captain
Clements aid was also shot The pas
sengers aided in capturing three of the
negroes, while two escaped and Jumped
from the train. The body of the dead man
was taken off when the train reached
here. A third party is said to have been
shot. : .9,ss-s q
kilograms were received here from the
incoming train and there was great ex-
citement. Officers went to the train and
took charge of the three negroes cap
tured. The blood hounds here were sick
and could not be used to track the ne
groes who escaped. kilograms were at
once sent to Weldon for blood hounds
and those have been sent by special
train.
Mr.. Charles Turner of Henderson, was
on the train at the time of the shooting,
and it is said he aided greatly in arrest
ing the criminals.
The Seaboard Air Line officials have
sent a special train with two sets of
bloodhounds. The negroes who escaped
are said to have ridden within two miles
of Henderson on freight train, from
which they jumped and took to the
woods. There are no threats of lynching
yet.
THE STORY OF THE KILLING.
The Seaboard Air Line train on which
occurred the terrible tragedy told of
abova, reached Raleigh forty-five min
utes late 1t was in charge of Captain
w. P. Clements, around whom occurred
the exciting events which led to the Kill
ing of Roadmaster Fred Stevers ard the
serious wounding of tae negro I,orter,
Jim Mitchell
An interview was had with Captain
Clements, and his account of the terrible
event is as follows:
In going through the coaehes I found
that there were six negroes in the car
reserved for white people. They were
singing loudly all manner of songs and
We're very boisterous. / wcnt to them
and told them that they were in the
wrong coach and that they must go into
the colored coach. One of the negroes
agreed to this, but the others at first did
not seem inclined to go.
Understanding that they were going o
the colored coach left AMI went forward
on the train to start back collecting
tickets. The train at this time was he
tween Middleburg and Manson. The
negroes were coming into the colored
compartment as 1 came in aud were ,ois
ferrous again, three of them particularly
so''
'I asked what was the matter and was
told that they did not mind coming, but
didn't want to be ordered and dragged
about l asked who had dragged them,
and all seemed satisfied except one ne
gro, Joe Cole, Sr. He threy off his coat
and saying: we are all brothers end
are going to stick together anyhow He
made pas at me.
There was jumbling together of ne
groes and at this time Roadmaster Stew
ers rushed into the COACH rs did the ne
gro porter. Jim Mitchell. Joe Cole by
this time had his pistol out and Mr.
Stevers threw his arms around hin. The
negroes arms were free. however. and
twisting his right arm around Re got his
pistol up against Mr.. Steyer's head and