Middletown transcript., 1903-06-27
THREE MEN WOUNDED

| THREE MEN WOUNDED
| WILMINGTON, JUNE 23th.-While quel-
ling an outbreak of turbulent negroes to-
night two policemen were slightly wound
ed and negro was shot.
For awhile the row threatened to as
sume the proportions of a race riot, as
white men in the vicinity went to the ai,l
of the policemen, but was finally re-
stored after many shots had been fired
and two negroes were arrested. The
trouble was fomented by dispute over
the recent lynching.
Sergeant Eugena McDermott and Pa
| trolman Francis Green were the police
men injured, but their injuries are very
slight wounds about the face, while
James A. Marcer, colored, OF 400 East
Twelfth street, who was in the throng,
received scalp wound, evidently from a
revolver bullet.
| negroes Garr1eQ CluDS
Two hundred negroes carrying clubs
congregated in the vicinity of Ninth and
Walnut Streets about o'clock and
marched along Ninth Street, knocking
down a white man at King Street and a
white boy in front of the post Office, pok-
ing a revolver in his face.
Later the disorderly crowd returned to
Ninth and Walnut Streets, and squad Of
twenty policemen, commanded by Cap
tain Evans, was sent to disperse them.
They talked Of getting revenge for the
rough treatment of negroes by tie mob
last night, but no trouble occurred there.
Attracted by the unusual gathering OF
negroes, many white men congregated in
the vicinity out of curiosity, and one of
them, named Chamberlain, at Ninth and
King streets, was slapped in the face by q
negro, after which the negroes began to
shoot revolvers, crying, Lets clean the
corner"
Wn1tos heLal1ate0
Some OF the white men retaliated with
revolvers until Sergeant McDermott and
a few policemen arrived. McDermott
saw Leader Moore, colored, with re-
volver in his hand and started for him.
Moore fred point blank at McDermott,
but the bullet passed over his shoulder
and struck Pstrolman Green on the
cheek. McDermott grappled with Moore,
who pounded the officer with the butt Of
a revolver until he was clubbed into SUBJ |
mission.
Street Blocked OFF
A spent bullet struck MrQermott on |
the forehead. Patrolman Green, although |
wounded, seized Joseph S. Shockley, an
other negro fourishing revolver, and |
Moore and Shockley were taken to the
police station charged with melting to
riot.
Alter the arrests the policemen blocked
off the street and refused to allow any |
persons to traverse it and also dispersed |
the main body of negroes congregated
two blocks away. No further disorder is
anticipated. The entire police force is
patrolling the streets, giving the order
"Keep moving" to loiterers.
Adjutant I. Pusey Wickersbam was at
the Armory, but no militiamen were
present.
May Call Out Militia
It was reported shortly before midnight
that Adjutant General Wickersham
would call out the State militia in the
morning, but this was not done.
An autopsy was held on the body OF
Peter Smith, the Italian bey, tonight,
and 44-calibre bullet was found in his
abdomen. This strengthens the theory
that he was shot by guard at the work
house.
Thought Incident Was Closed
Up to the hour of this sudden outbreak
matters had begun to resume their normal
condition, and it was generally believed
that the State had seen the end of the
era af excitement and mob rule that has
been in evidence in New Castle County
since Helen Bishop met her death and
her murderer, the negro, George White,
paid the penalty by being burned at the
stake at the hands of thousands of
citizens.
Governor Conferes With Law Officers
Governor HUM arrived in this city
this morning, and there was no secret
that his purpose here was to confer with
others regarding the riotous conditions
that have prevailed in the county during
the week. In the conference, together
with the Governor, were Chief Justice
Lore, Associate Judges Grubb, Spruance
and Penniwell, Attorney General Ward,
Deputy Attorney General Richards, City
Solicitor Reinhardt, Mayor Fisher and
Police Commissioners Stayton, Clarkson
and Jones'
The conference was in session for more
than two hours, and at its conclusion
none Of those present would discuss what
took place. If was declared that it was
purely of private nature.
Notwithstanding this, it was learned
on good authority that the whole pur-
port of the conference was to decide upon
a line of action that would prevent rep
etition of the scenes OF last night.
After weighing matters, It was sale, /
the Governor and the others in the con-
ference came to the conclusion that the
only course to pursue in the face Of the
public feeling was to make no more ar
rests until such time as public feeling had
subsided.