The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-03
NEGRO RIOT At
JAMES CITY
They Beat Deputy Sheriff
Stocks InsensibIe.
EXCITEMENT is HIGH
Stocks Injuries are Serious. The
Negroes of James City are Again
Up to Their Old Tricks and
Trouble is Feared in
the Negro City.
Especial to News and Observer

New Bern. N. c., April 1.-The negroes
OF James City, or least portion OF
them, are again attempting their old
game OF bluffing off the sheriff."
This morning Sheriff Biddle had a war
rant for larceny against one Joshua
Moore. one of the citizens of that IA
nous negro town, and it was handed to
Deputies Blackledge and Stocks to exc
cute. Upon their arrival across the river
at this settlement their man was found
and arrested and Deputy Blackledge hav-
ing some business in the office of the
Baldes Lumber Company went inside the
company's office, leaving the prisoner in
charge OF Deputy Stocks.
When Blacklodge's back was turned,
the negro thinking ne was a better man
physically than Deputy Stocks, he jumped
on him and for protection to himself the
deputy drew his gun; the negro at this
instance grabbing the weapon at the
sight OF it, and in the scuffle the gun was
exploded, the BAH taking effect in the
| leg OF the negro. Deputy Blackedge,
hearing the report of the pistol, ran out
of the office to see what the trouble was,
and after seeing what had happened the
prisoner was taken in the lumber com
pany's office.
While the prisoner and the deputies
were in the office, some fifty or seventy
five negroes gathered around the office,
! and after hearing the threats Deputy
Stocks was advised to go out the back
window to a house that was near by
until the matter was Gained over, but
one of the negroes in the crowd saw him
leaving and gave the alarm to the riotous
crowd, who all at once took out for the
departing deputy. After the deputy was
inside the house the Infatuated mob broke
down the doors of the ouse in which the
deputy had sought for safety and he was
dragged out and by his looks it seemed
as though every one in the crowd had a
lick at him for he was cut into an almost
unreasonable appearance and was left
for dead.
After the deputy regained consciousness.
and physician arriving in the meantime
the crowd seeing that he was still living
again tried to attack him, but by the
commanding power of the white men,
who had gathered, they were prevented
from making the second, attack, Moore,
the negro who arrested was brought
over to the city and placed in jail.
Deputy Stocks Is a much bruised and
cut man tonight, and the outcome OF his
injuries are watched with eager eyes by
every white resident of this city tonight.
James City is a small place just across
the Trent River from this city, ad its
population is composed of about $500 ne
groes, there being a ew white people who
live there as orelnen Of the saw mills.
It was thought that when it was neces-
sary for tie Governor to send troops here
to assist the sheriff of Craven county in
executing the laws OF North Carolina,
that they woI,. close their bullish ways,
but they are again getting back to their
old days, and it is only question of
time when their will be Something do
ing in the city of James. if they keep
up their riotous ways.