The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-08-23

StatesboTo, Ga, August 1S.-Beyond
the whipping of a number Of negroes
lin this county and one at Claxton
labout 5 miles from here, nothing has
developed today in the situation in this
part of Georgia. The exodus of ne
lgroes continues and already has threat
Iened a shortage in the labor supply IN
1.-THE cotton fields where the picking is
soon to commence.
Exaggerated reports have been sent
lfrom here since the burning Of the ne
groes Reed and Cato on Tuesday.
THESE reports have created the impress
lsion abroad tina life is unsafe and
property threatened The contrary IL
true, for the lesson of Tuesday had
imade a profound impression on the
negroes. 1t is to preserve this ono
ition that the efforts OF all classes of
whites are directed. No violence has
been directed against the better class
lof negroes. There is evidence that ir-
responsible marauders have committed
lsome acts Of violence against the ne
Igroes. such as the shooting of IN aged
negro, Roberts, and his son in their
lcabin Tuesday night. This has been
deprecated by all. He has lived even
lty years in this community and COM
lmanded the respect of every good cit
lizen.
Offers of assistance if needed, have
leone from Brunswick, Valdosta and
Iother Georgia points. The question
most discussed today is the alleged mis-
management of the troops during the
trial of the negroes, Reed and Cato. A
inon-commissioned officer of the local
military company declared to the Asso-
lciated Press correspondent that two
I~officers of his company have prepared
to send their designations to the gov
lernor, and thai a majority Of the COM
ipany has asked for dismissal from the
l~service. Leading citizens are endeav-
lcring to dissuade them from this inten-
ition. This officer declared that the
members of the company We're required
Ito give up their loaded cartridges that
had been issued and that other and
Ismaller cartridges were issued to lees
than a half dozen members of the COM
pany. He said orders were given that
there should be no firing. The local
linen lay the blame on the officers in com
Inland. He was the captain of the Sa-
vannah company, on duty here 1t is de-
lclared, and not denied, that the mob
with the two negroes or the way to the
Istake passed within a few yards of the
lSoldiers stationed about the Jail. 1t is
declared, and not denied that these SOL
ldiers even Their could have rescued the
lnegroes and held them against the
lmob.
One we'll known business man who
laGmits his leadership of the mob and
who admits he had a part in the burn
ling Of the negroes. told the Associated
Press correspondent hat the plans to
kill the two negroes at the end of the
trial, regardless OF what the verdict
might be, were formulated the day be-
fore the trial. Excepting that it was
not previously determined that burning
iShould be the method, the plans, he de-
clared. were carried out exactly as
made. The same citizen declared that
1.-The military authorities have his name
las we'll as others who had an active
part in the killing of the prisoners. He
lsaid that IA grand jury would indict
land no petit jury in this county would
find guilty any nan who had partict-
lpated in the work.
Judge Daley, presiding at the trial Of
the negroes, said he could not say what
faction, if any, will be taken to appre-
bend those who had part in the work.