The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-08
MAIL HELD UP.
Negro Carrier on Rural Route
in Tennessee
Forbidden by Masked Men to
Continue His Work.

Washington. May S.-The postohice
department has been notified officially
that John o. AllgOod, a cOlOred rural
free delivery letter carrier, While max
ing his regular trip near Gallatin, Tenn.
was stopped by men armed and masked,
and he and his cOlOred sub-carrier were
warned not to continue in the service
on penalty of DEATH Postmaster Cen
eral Payne has suspended service on the
route pending Investigation and if the
report of the affair be confirmed sum
mary action will follow. The incident
may become second Indianola case.
The news Of the affair reached the post
master general in the following telegram
from Postmaster Swaney of Gallatin
Carr Ter rural route No. /. while max
ing trip today, held up by masked men.
Ordered not to make another trip Ad-
wise quick.
The next dispatch came from Special
Agent Conger in charge of the rural
free delivery service with headquarters
at Nashville, Tenn, as follows:
Rural carrier No 1, cOlored Gala
TIN. Tenn, in an interview with me adj
vises that he was stopped on route to-
Gay ny armed masked men and his life
threatened If he continued in service.
Threat also applied to coiored sub-car-
rier. Warned not to divulge cause of
MS removal but to assign other reasons,
no time allowed to await upon apDOint-
ment of successor. Believing it hazard
GUS he will not serve route tomorrow
unless assurances are given him that
no violence viii be committed. Please
ADVISE me what instructions will be is
sued in the premises. An immediate
answer will be greatly appreciated"
rms rural route was put In effect
March last. There We're five applica-
tons under the civil service rules for
appointment as 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 department exceDf To
appoint the persons who stand highest
on the list. Therefore. Allen F. billiard
colored, was appointed. He resigned
ABOUT three weeks ago. and on the 26th
OF last month the civil service board
certified the second man on the list
John c.. Algood. colored.
postmaster General Payne telegraph
ed Mr.. Conger as follows:
Investigate fully case of John c. ALL
good, rural free delivery carrier who
was stopped by armed masked men and
MS life threatened if he continued in
the service and report. In the mean
time service on route will be suspended
case is received"
Postmaster General Payne later said
If the facts We're as represented only
two courses of action would be omen.
namely to abolish the route and leave
the people thereon without service or to
send soldiers to the scene to protect the
carrier in the performance of his dutv
MI Payne said the former course was
the more probable. He called attention
to the civil service status of the car
riers. and said that the appointees were
secured through the civil service com
mission, their selection thereof not be-
ing optional with him
1t is said at the department that the
penalties provided by law for such Of
lenses is covered in section 1869 and
Ss95 of the revised statues. The former
reads as follows.
Every person who wilfully and ma
llciously 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 viii
fully aids or assists therein shall for
every offense be punished by a fine Of