Evening journal., 1905-06-26
Clayton Powell, the
Town BaiEiH, Shot and
Badly Beaten by Me-
grOes and John Parvis
Was Also Severely AS
sauIted
Two of the Attacking
Negroes Are Reported
to Have Been Shot.
No Arrests Made As
Yet-BuIIet Not Ex-
traCted From Powell

Word was received here today of
serious race riot at Townsend late Sat-
urday night. Clayton Powell, the
town bailiff, was attacked by a negro
mob when he attempted to stop
fight between two colored men, and
was shot in the hip with his own re-
volver and badly beaten. He was left
unconscious on the street. John Par
Wis, aged p years. another white man.
who had aided the bailin, was also
beaten into unconsciousness.
a regular fusillade of bullets ragged
for some time during which a negro
named Caulk was shot through the
hand and another negro, named Wall
ter Hopkins, is said to have been shot
[ in the leg. The affair was one of the
most, serious that has occurred in
Townsend. and happening at the same
time that the Greenwood and other af-
trays occurred, it is of considerable
Significance.
The town bail.m and Mr.. Parvis are
being attended by DR.. Enos. Thus far
no arrests have been made but the au-
thorities are looking for the assailants.
The negroes supposed they had killed
both the bailiff and Parvis when the
men became unconscious. Both will
probably recover although Parvis is in
a serious condition today and is con-
fined TO his bed. He was badly beat
en- about the head with clubs. The bull
let has not yet been extracted from
the bailims body.
John Parvis is son of Mrs Parvis,
of Middletown, and resides with Mr..
Hamann at Townsend.
START OF THE RIOT.
The colored element of Townsend
and vicinity have been angry at Bail
iff Powell of late because Of his rigid
treatment of wrongdoers, especially on
Saturday nights when the town has
been crowded. On last Saturday night
two negroes, whose names are as yet
unknown began to fight between the
stores of j. 5. and w. Lattomus and
w. T. Devalinger. 1t is reported that
the ARRAY was started in order that
the negroes could attract the attention
of the town bailim. The ruse. if such
IL was, succeeded, for Powell at once
ran to the scene.
No sooner had he reached the place
than the crowd of colored men attack
ed him. He drew his pistol and fired
four times into the gathering. The ne
groes, Caulk and Hopkins, were shol
as a result. The colored men then al
so drew revolvers and began firing
Powell saw that his life was in dan
ger and he began to run. One bulle
OF the volley fired after him lodged IL
his hip and he fell.
The pursuers thereupon pounceC
upon the PROSTATE man and begoI
beating him. He placed his revolver a
the breast of one of his assailants an'
fred but the remaining cartridge die
not explode. Finally the assailant
took the bailiff's pistol and clug an'
one of the number fired the officer
own pistol a, the victims head. Thi
time the cartridge went off and the bul
let Just grazed the officers head. HI
iapsed into unconsci BUSINESS after he
ing further beaten and then the as
sailants departed.
HE Is DEAD. ANYHOW"
The negroes returned to the seen
where the outbreak started and ther
{ attacked Mr.. Parvis, who, they de
Z clared, had advised Powell TO shoe
when he was set upon. He was ais
beaten into unconsciousness. One ne
gro said: shoot him." but another on
stated: whats the use; he is dea
anyhow" The crowd then left.
The negroes soon afterward went I
their homes and the wounded me
were removed to their residences wher
they We're treated.
The residents of Townsend are in
ccnsed over the outbreak and II
stated that the state detectives wi
lie requested to try and apprehend tn
would-be murderers. It is probahl
however, that the town authorities wi
catch the rioters.