Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-12
BURNED OUT NEGROES
LYNCHINGS LIKELY TO FOLLOW
VIRGINIA RACE WAR.

VIRGINIA RACE WAR.
NORFOLK. Va. August 12-The New
York. Philadelphia and Norfolk railroad
steamer Maryland. which arrived here to-
day from Cape Charles on the eastern
shore OF Virginia. reports having passed
the gunboat Maury of the Virginia oyster
navy at 7:30 An, off Back river. bound
across Chesapeake bay. for the eastern
shore The Maury left Old Point Comfort
this morning. with Gov. Swanson aboard.
bound for Onancock. where the governor
will act in advisory capacity.
Members of the crew of the steamer
Maryland report that information received
by them before they left Cape Charles was
that all was quiet in the vicinity Of Oman
cock and that it had not been necessary for
any of the Inhabitants to leave there.
After an hours firing by mob that hunt
ed J. d. Uzzle. a negro schoo. teacher and
editor. late Saturday night. a store and
newspaper office owned by negroes were
burned.
The wounding of Mr.. Garland Belote by
a negro said to have been Uzzle so aroused
the citizens that 1t seemed If a race war
was to be fought. Last night the situation
was quiet and the offers of assistance which
came from as far away as the jamestown
exposition grounds have all been declined
citizens meeting Is still In session.
At the mass meeting a resolution request
ing Gov Swanson to send arms for the use
of the citizens was discussed. An injunction
will be asked to restrain the negroes from
holding their state fair at TaSley next
Tuesday Five extra policemen were ap-
| pointed and went on duty last night. The
town IS quiet now. , .-..,.
Fifty negro families have been ordered
by the whites to leave Onancock by be-
fore am. today under threats of serious
trouble. An old minister. finding this notice
on his door returning from church, I'M
mediately vacated. Pickets were on duty on
every corner keeping the town we'll guarded
late last night.
The trouble began last Friday Mr. John
NJ. Fosque of the livery firm of Neck &
Fosque went to the store Of Samuel L.
Burton. colored. to collect a bill from Syl-
vanus Conquest. Clerk. Conquest refused
to pay. and it is alleged that he and Burton
cursed Mr. Fosque.
Constable Tankerd kellam was asked to
collect the bill. When he went to Burton's
store, he says. the negroes became impu-
dent Conquest would not submit to arrest
and Burton was called on for help. He re-
fused to give it. Conquest was later taken
before a magistrate and fined.
Blacks Began the Firing.
Saturday night the negroes planned riot
Uzzle who runs a newspaper that is severe
ly criticised by the white residents and who
Is also treasurer of the negro fair associa-
ton. was prominent. Without provocation
the residents contend. the blacks began fir
ing Mr.. Belote was coming from R. L.
Shield & Co. s store, which was in the CEN
ter of the disturbance. At the same time
another negro mob had gathered at Bur-
tons store.
They intended to attack Mr. Fosaue. 1t Is
alleged. should he attempt to drive his hack
to the railroad station Six men and a
woman were in the hack, and while the ne
groes attacked it and shot up the baggage
not one OF the party was hurt. The only
victim of this fusllade was John Topping
negro. who was used as a lookout by
the mob. Topping was sent to see whether
MIR. Fosqua colored employee drove the
vehicle. When he yelled White man. the
negroes began shooting, and he is probably
fatally hurt.
The second attack so incensed the white
fox that they began to gather heavily
armed. 1t was reported that four men had
been shot. and for a time it seemed as II
| clashes between the races could not be
averted
Negro Leaders Fled
Burton and Uzzle were at once searched
| for. but they had fed. For an hour the
crowds kept up heavy firing and thor
| oughly cowed the rioters After this time
| the persons on the street seemed willing to
| dispense. and the mayor. constable and po-
| lice sergeant went to their homes Then
came the burningS.
Men from miles around had gathered a
| number of the nearby towns having heard
of the trouble. Persons unknown" visited
| the store owned by Burton and the news
| paper office of Uzzle and applied the torch.
| After the blaze was over there was more
| firing. but no further trouble. Guards made
| up of volunteers, remained on the streets
| until daylight.
Besides the disappearance Of Burton and
| Uzzle, a Doctor" Bowen. another agita-
| tor. was given ten minutes to get out Of
! town. He went.
| derby and last evening meeting of the cit
| liens of AccOmac was held at the town
| hall to talk over the serious question that
! confronts the people.
Special Train offered.
! During the night Mr.. Rodgers. superfn-
! tendent of the New York. Philadelphia and
Norfolk railroad. telegraphed that he would
run special with help from Pocomoke
and Cape Charles. Richmond offered aid,
as did the soldiers at the jamestown expo
sition. but the local people felt able to SUBJ
| due the trouble
The negroes Of this section used to be
orderly, but Burton and UZze. II is alleged
| have for several years exerted a bad in
| tiuence over the colored popuIat ON, when
| by using their power right they could have
| done much to help their race cesidents
| claim they have been the undol ing cause
| of the greater part of the disturbances from
| the negroes whose conduct has been un-
| bearabe. Uzzle and Burton are still at
large. and it is likely lynchings will follow
| If they are caught.
Boyertown Bank o. Z.
The Farmers National Bank of Boyer