The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-01-02
A Mississippi Neighbour
hood is Rid Of a Law
less Band Of Despera-
does When the Des-
perate Contest Ends.
Notorious Gang Had Ter
rorized the People for
Ten Days--AlI Sorts
ot Crimes Charged 10
Their Doors.

MeTludn, hisS., DEC. Lo.-lu j febu-
lar pitched battle between the whites
and three negro desperadoes at Will
liams' cross roads, Choctaw county,
Ala, two negroes were riddled with
bullets, one placed In Jail and the
neighborhood rid of lawless element
that has terrorized the people for the
past ten days. Kid George. alias John
Weaver, and Bob Berry, alias Sine"
are dead, and Joe Johnson is in the
county jail at Butler. George is al
legged to have murdered q white man
on the Gulf & Ship Island railroad
some time ago and Berry and Johnson
are believed to have been escaped con-
victs from the Alabama mines.
Ten days ago the negroes entered
the vicinity and Immediately estab-
lished a reign OF terror, robbing inc
whites and blacks and committing a
series OF more or less serious crimes.
Friday night the three men, heavIIy
armed, swooped down on a big party
of negro dancers. stopped the dance
and robbed the participants in true
western style, two keeping the negroes
covered with weapons while the third
went through them. In leaving after
getting considerable money. clothes
and jewelry. they threatened death to
any one who told Of the robbery.
Saturday the negro men VINO were
robbed went to York, Ala, and told
the officers and white people and
IN \, .f,,r
the desperadoes.
j. +. Woods, q prominent merchant
of the neighborhood oIered hundred
dollars reward and Jake Warrington
was sent as O lone scout to locate the
desperadoes. His experience was
thrilling. Warrington entered q ne
gro cabin kept by an old negro wo-
man where the three had taken ref
uge. He pretended to be drunk, saw
ing his life on several occasions by
the splendid acting of the part. He
promised to return on the following
day with jug OF whiskey. In leav-
ing Johnson attempted to shoot nm
in the back, but was prevented on ac-
count of the promise to bring the
whiskey. Late Christmas day he
reached York again, told of the loca-
ton Of the men and the small caval-
cade started out.
About noon yesterday the cabin was
reached. The men hid In the woods
around the house and Warrington
again went to the cabin with the whis-
key, closing the door behind him. The
suspense became intolerable, and the
whites were preparing tor a grand
rush when the door opened and Wab-
bington backed out, accompanied by
the three negroes, each carrying all
the arms In his possession. II devei-
oped tnat Warrington had suggested
a game Of craps, he having supplied
himself with considerable money for
the purpose. Warrington and the ne
groee cleaned off spot near the house
and began the game, the whites creep
ing slowly around the little party.
When close enough the whites show
groes TO surrender. Caught In trap
the negroes fought like demons.
Snatching up their weapons they open
ed fire at close range. Over one hun
dred shots were exchanged. Berry
fell dead at the first volley and George
was badly wounded.
Bleeding from many wounds, George
pulled himself to an upright position
against tree, proppng himself In
that position and worked both hands
In shooting at the whites, Several
yolleys were fred into the negro, his
body being a mass of lead. but he was
game and fought as long as he was
able to lift a finger. He lived unt1
late IN the evening, defiant even In
his dying moments.
Johnson quickly surrendered when
he saw the force he was contending
with and was lodged In jail. None or
the white men we're wounded