Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-25
WHITE MEN ARE
SHOT TO DEATH
AND RACES WAR
Armed Camps Face Each Other
in Mississippi Town and Sc.
rious Trouble Feared.
SPECIAL TRAIN TO SCENE
Troops Are on the Ground and the
Conflict is Said to Have
Begun.
RAILROAD PEOPLE ARE ANGRY
Company Sends Its Train to the Town
for Purpose of Reinforcing Militia
Negroes Are Barricaded and
Defy the Authorities.
RAILROAD PEOPLE ARE ANGRY

There is every indication of a
serious race war around the town Of
Wahalak, forty miles north of Me-
ridian, Miss. The trouble started or
Monday morning, when a conductor
on the Mobile and Ohio railroad
killed one and seriously wounded
another negro while trying to quell
disturbance they were creating on
his train. One negro and one white
man are known to have been killed,
and it is reported that three of the
militia are also dead. Not only are
the state troops on the scene, but the
negroes have armed themselves and
are gathered in fortified camp,
while bodies of armed white men
from surrounding sections are
hurrying to the spot to take part in
the expected battle. The railroad
authorities, two of whose conductors
have been killed, have assumed the
aggressive, and are running spe-
cial full of armed employees to Wa
halak.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
MERIDIAN, Miss, Dec. 25.-Another cor.
ductor, Bob Harrison of the Mobile and
Ohio, was killed at Crawford, fourteen miles
north of Wahalka, on the Mobile and Ohio
railroad, at O'Clock this morning by me-
groes, intensifying the strained conditions
existing in that community. 1t is difficult
to get Information of events last night at
Wahalka and vicinity. but enough is known
to justify anticipations of a serious OUT
break at any monrent.
Two companies of infantry and one Of ar
tillery were dispatched to the scene last
evening by Gov. Vardaman. 1t is reported
that, arriving at the scene, several hundred
| armed negroes were found barricaded. Last
night there were two armed camps facing
each other, the military in one, the negroes
in the other A conflict is anticipated at
any moment.
Early Morning Alarm.
At $50 a. a gun was accidentally dis
charged, followed by some promiscuous
shooting, and for moment pendemoniun,
reigned among the inhabitants of the town,
which quieted by the prompt appear
ance of the soldiers. The situation is in-
tense, growing out of the great excitement
that rules the country for miles around.
Following the stabbing of Conductor
Cooper Saturday night, and the killing of
Constable O'Brien by Simpson, the negro,
who used his knife on the conductor, vig-
orous pursuit search for the murderer was
begun.
Men gathered in armed bodies from tho
farms and neighborng towns and organized
search parties. One of these yesterday
overlook a brother of Simpson. The negro,
who was heavily armed. fired upon a party
and was promptly killed. Another negro
was wounded at the same time. This Incl
dent, occurring in the neighborhood oc
Wahalka, caused a panic among the
negroes and the peaceful element of the
race came to the whites for protection,
while the more turbulent gathered in an
armed camp.
Railroad Takes q Hand.
Immediately upon the receipt of inforna-
ton that Conductor Harrison had been
shot Col E. l.. Russell, vice president Of
the NJ and O., wired each special agent
along the road to secure as many men es
possible, at no matter what cost. AMI 40
to the scene of trouble. Special Agent A.
N. Griffin, with headquarters in MERRIAM,
left Immediately with strong force aboard
a special train for Wahalak
At noon information reached here that
armed men from Columbus. Artesia, Macon
and other M. and o. points are being car
ried to the scene with all possible haste In
order to suppress the negroes as gu lcllly
as possible. There is no telegraph Office at
Wahalak. Information has just reached
here that a conflict has been precipiiated
and three of the military were killed, but
no yerification of the rumor is obtainal,le.
Troops Guard Town.
special message to the Morning Dis
patch at an early hour today says:
zone company of infantry and a battery
of artillery are in charge. Two negroes
have been killed by citizens. Troops arc