The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-08
NEGRO CARRIER TOLD TO QUIT.
MS LIFE THREATENED If HE
CONTINUED ~ SERVICE.
Armed Masked Men Stop the Carrier Near
GalIat.n. Tenn. and Order Him Not
TO Make Another Triple Was Ap.
polntcd Because He Stood HIGHEST.

(alIat;n, Tenn. and Order Him Not
TO Make Another Triple Was Ap.
pointed Because He Stood Highest.
WASHINGTON, May THE Post Office
Department has another case before IL
verv similar TO the Indianola affair. Post
master-Ceneral Payne to-day received the
following telegram from the postmaster
AT Gallatin, Tenn:
Carrier. rural route No. /. while making
uip to-day. was held up by masked men
and ordered not to make another trip. Advise
II. SwASEY.
BEFORE the above telegram had been
answered, Mr.. Payne received the follow
Ing despatch from the rural free delivery
Inspector for the State Of Tennessee:
NASHVILLE Tenn, May 8.-Rural carrier
no /. coored. Gallatin, Tenn, interview
with me tonight; advises that he was stopped
en- route to-day by armed masked men and
his life threatened II he continued in service.
Threat also applied to all colored subcar-
riers Warned not to divuge cause Of his
removal but to assign other reasons No
time allowed him to wait upon appointment
Of successor. Believing it hazardous. he
will not serve route tomorrow unless assur-
ancee are given him that no violence will
he committed. Please advise me what in
strrctons will be issued in the premises.
An answer will be greatly appreciated.
CoSdER,
Mr. Payne this afternoon sent the follow
ing telegram to Mr.. Conger
investigate fully case OF John C. Agood.
rural free delivery carrier who was stopped
by armed men yesterday and his life threat
ened II he con tinued in the service. and report.
In the meantime service on Route l will be
suspended until your report on the facts
IN the case is received.
II. c. PAYNE, Postmaster General
The rural carrier route in question was
put in effect on the LIST of March last.
There were five applicants under civil
service rules for appointment as rural
carrier. The three men who stood highest
on the list were colored. Under the
civil service rules there was no option
with the Post Office Department except
to appoint the person who stood highest
on the list; therefore, Allan F. Billiard,
colored, was appointed. He resigned about
three weeks ago, and on the Goth OF last
month the Civil Service Board certified
the second man on the list, John c. AL
good, colored, and he Is the carrier who,
according to the above kilograms. was
held up by masked men and ordered to
resign.
II Inspector Conger's report to the Post
master-General shows that the hold-up
occurred substantially as stated, Rural
Route No L will be abolished and the patrons
who have been enjoying its privileges
since the LIST Of March last will be COM
PEELED to resume their practice OF going
to the post Office at Gallatin for their mail.
This case is considered by the Post Once
Department o. OF more serious character
than the fndtanora affair, There Is an
evident disposition on the part OF those in
authority to teach those who resort to ku-
kuS methods sharp and sautary lesson,
and this will be done, 1t is said, even II it
proves necessary to go to the extremes Of
discontinuing post offices and rural free
delivery routes by the wholesale. Post
master-General Payne said to-day:
In the event OF the hold up by masked
and armed men being proven. as it I'M
doubleday will be. the Department has two
alternatives, either to abolish the route
entirely, or to send company Of Federal
troops to Callatin to accompany the negro
carrier on his trips and to protect his life
and property when he Is of duty This
latter alternative need not be discussed.
the route will be discontinued. This
case differs from the Indianola affair in
that Mrs. Cox. the postmaster at the latter
place, is Presidential appointee. In the
case Of Rural Route No l. neither the Presi-
dent nor the Postmaster General has discre-
ton in the matter, it being necessary to
certify for appointment the highest can
ddate on the examination list"
1t was pointed out at the Department
to-day that the holding up Of a carrier en-
gagged in the collection or delivery Of United
States mails is by far more serious offence
than the making OF threats against post
master. and is specifically provided for by |
law. II the masked and armed men who |
held up the negro carrier can be identified |
The Department will prosecute them as
vigorously as possible. In any event Mr.. ,
Payne will bring the matter to the attention
Of Attorney General Knox and request that
he take action