Richmond planet., 1907-08-17

ONANCOCK, VA, August IL
While tonight finds this town and
the Eastern Shore without actual
outbreak or recurrence of the riot
ing OF last night the situation here
is grave I'm the extreme.
The day has been one of suppress
ed excitement and high tension.
Not only were the printing Office OF
the celcred editor and the store of
the colored merchant burned but the
Governor has been appealed TO rush
arms 20 the citizens here with which
they may protect their homes
IL is understood now that he will
come in person TO advise with the
leading citizens as TO what is best
to be done.
Just few minutes ago (10:S0
i. NJ fifty colored families were
ordered by the whites TO leave Oman
cock by or before = 4. NJ. Monday or
there would be serious trouble. A
colored minister finding this notice
on his door on returning from church
Immediately vacated. Pickets are
on duty at every corner keeping the
town well guarded.
The printing Office of the paper
which belonged TO James Uzzel the
colored editor. who was one OF the
leaders of the mob. and the store
house of Samuel Burton. also a
leader of the rioting last night.
were burned 10 the ground by the
whites early this morning
Several colored peoples dwellings
were riddled with bullets. bat no
one was seriously injured. excepting
one colored man, who was shot I'm
the shoulder. The colored men Bur.
ton and Uzzel, were thought TO be i'm
hiding places in the store which was
burned this morning This caused
the burning OF the buildings. which
was done i'm a very quick time. by
throwing oil and gasolene in the
building and setting the torch. The
building was surrounded to maze
sure that If the two colored men were
there they would have no chance TO
escape. Many of the whites. who
toward midnight filled the streets of
the town, had come from neignbor-
ing towns and country surroundings,
lost no time in a search for the men
who were especially wanted. being
the ones that begun the shooting
yesterday evening. But this search
was IN vain in every respect.
IL Is now supposed that both col
ored men made their escape from
town, AS the colored village was
thoroughly searched this morning
and no clue colud be found of them.
The other colored people are very
quiet without their leaders, but still
threaten.
Call on Governor TO Furnish Arms
TO Citizens.
a mass-meeting was held this af-
ternoon by the Town Council for the
purpose of taking the following ac-
tion:
First, To request the Governor of
Virginia to rush arms for the citi-
ems of the town.
Second, To ask an injunction to
Urevent the colored people from hold
ing their agricultural fair at Tasley,
Va, on the ground that Uzzel and
Burton are office-holders in the fair
and both outlaws.
They have also appointed FIVE ex-
ira policemen, who go on duty to-
night. Conditions. although much
more quiet tonight, IL is feared will
grow very exciting at any moment.
Trouble began over a bill which
Constable Kellam tried to collect
from a man by the name of Con-
quest, who was IN Burton's store
at the time. Conquest refused with
hot words and cursed Kellam, then
calling for assistance. At the same
time Uzzel appeared on the scene,
who fired a shot which missed its
man and struck Garland Belote. a
citizen of the town, in the hip on
the opposite side of the street, but
not seriously injuring him.
John Toppin, colored, is reported
to be dying from a shot last night.
Never before was Accomac county in
such a state Of excitement when the
news circulated over the telephone
and telegraph lines regarding the
conduct of the colored men and the
unprepared position of the Oman
cock citizens.
Burn Every Round of Ammunition
in Town.
Practically every round of ammu-