The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-12

Washington, May 1.-THE postoffice
department was notified officially to-
day that John c. AllgOOd, a colored
rural delivery letter carrier, while
making his regular trip near Galletin,
Tenn, was stopped by men armed and
masked and that he and his cOlOred
substitute carrier were warned not to
continue in the service under penalty
Of death.
Postmaster General Payne today
telegraphed MI. Conger as follows:
Investigate fully the case of John
c. AllgOOd, the rural free delivery car
rier, who was stopped by armed men
yesterday and his life threatened if he
continued in the service, n report.
In the meantime service on route l
would be suspended until your report
upon the facts in the case is received"
Postmaster General Payne later said
if the facts were as reported only two
courses of action would be open, name
ly, to abolish the route and leave the
people thereon without that service or
to send soldiers to the scene to protect
the carrier in the performance of his
duty. Mr.. Payne said the former
course was the more probable. He
called attention to the civil service
status of the carriers and said that the
appointeeS were secured through the
civil service commission. their SeleC-
ton, therefore. not being optional with
him.
1t is said at the department that the
penalties approved by law for such Of
fenses are covered in Sections 1869 and
oQQ5 nf the rnUiSa6 Stainless. The for
mer reads as follows:
Every person who Wilfully n ma
IiciOusly assaults any letter carrier
who is in uniform while engaged on
his route in the discharge of his duty
as a letter carrier. and every person
who Wilfully aids or assists therein
shall for every such OenSe be punish
able by a fine of not less than 800, and
not more than $1,000, or by imprlson-
ment for not less than one year and not
more than three years"
The other section provides that ANY
person who shall knowingly and Will
fully Obstruct or retard the passage of
q mail carrier shall for every such Of
Tense be punishable by a fine of not
more than 500"
Postmaster General Payne has sus-
pended service on the route pending
investigation and If the reports of the
affairs are confirmed summary action
will follow The incident may become
a second IndianOla case. The news of
the affair reached the postmaster gen
eral today in the following telegram
from Postmaster H. Swaney. of Gal
latin:
THE carrier of Rural Route. No. 1,
while making his trip today was held
up by masked men. He has been or
dered not to make another trip. Ad-
wise"
The next dispatch came from w. F.
the rural free delivery service with
headquarters at Nashville. Tenn. as
follows:
Rural carrier No. I. colored. Gal
latin. Tenn. in an interview with me
tonight advises that he was stopped
on the route today by armed masked
men and his life threatened if he con-
tInued in the service The threat also
applies to Il cOIOred sub-carrier. He
was warned not to divulge the cause
of his removal. but to assign other rea-
sons. No time was allowed him to
wait Upon the appointment of his sue
ceSSOr. Believing it hazardous. he Will
not serve the route tomorrow unless
assurances are given him that no vio-
Ience will be committed. Please advise
me what instructions will be issued IN
the premises An immediate answer
will be greatly Appreciated"
The rural carrier route was put in
effect March LIST last. There were five
applicants under the civil service rules
for appointment as rural carrier. The
three men passing the highest on the
list were all cOlored. Under the civil
service rules the postmaster general
says. there is no option with the de-
partment except to appoint the person
who stands highest on the list. there
fore Allen billiard. Colored. was ap-
pointed. He resigned about three
weeks ago. and on the 26th of last
-~--L ~ It'll 800 - II
tn" second man on the list. John c.
AllgOOd. cOlOred.
1t Is pointed out that the difference
between these penalties hinges on the
wearing of the uniform. and also that
the word assault within the meaning
of the law. COntemplates just such an
OffenSe aS that reported.