The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-24
CALLS TROOPS TOCHECK FEUD| Mississippi Town Undei Martial Law. CLERK SHOT FROM AMBUSH Attempt Made on Recently Elected
 Official. Because sherin Refused to Cali Lsrwsn Force, Mayor Deserts Tewn--
 Armed Men walk
CLERK SHOT FROM AMBUSH

Meadviile. Miss. Aug. 23.--wfth mara tiai law in effect, State troops en- camped about the court house and. ape parently, master Of the situation. Mead- vtiie tonight is quiet but withal thera Is feeling of uncertainty as to what hours may bring forth.
 This situation follows an attempt to XII Ernest Newman. chancery clerk and son of the leader of one faction tn the Newman-Pritchard feud fight of several -months ago which brought about. the death of four persons.
 According to the statement of New man he was preparing to retire last night and had approached a window when the heard the click Ing of a shot gun from the outside. As he Jumped from the window, a charge of buckshof entered the room. several of the shot penetrating his arms while the re- matnder was embeccsd in the walls. The man or men. statements conflicting as to the number who ran from the yard. escaped.
 Armed Men Gather,
 AS the news of the shooting spread about the countryside armed men gathered at Msadviile and that the slightest overt act was needed to bring about clash between the New man and Pritchard factions, was ans parent So serious had the situation become late today as to prompt Sheriff Jones to appeal to Acting Governor Manship for troops and the declaration Of martial law. Two companies we're sent from Natehez and another from Brookhaven.
 Although no outbreak has occurred the situation Is stlll tense. The Prftch- ard faction. howtser. has disciaimed all responsibility for the shooting, ana emphasizing their assertion. has offer ed reward for the capture of those who had Il part in the shooting
 To further complieatA matters. Mead- vile tonight is without a mayor. When the request for troops was made May or WhitfinKton suggested that a larger force was necessasy. Sheriff Jones, however. thought different and, as a result, Mayor whftiinston ieft the Newman E,roth<r. f.ease..
 Tonight tho four Eawutmn brbfhess left for Natchez whether they win return to Meadviiie tomorrow or re- main away for some time ls not known.
 The Newman-Pritchard feud had it's inception in connection with q polfs- ical contest in which Dr. A. Nj. New= man was a successful candidate for the office of Chancery Clerk. When the two factions met on the streets of Meadville June II. last. several hand ed pistol duel followed. Tn the nght- ing four men. Dr. Newman, his son Lenox Newman, Cornelius Pritchard and Silas Reynolds, were killed ana several persons were wounded. Foi- lowing the fight mutual friends Inter- vened and a taeit understanding was reached that the Newmans would ra- move to another part of the State ana the feud brought to an end. Plans. however. were changed and at recent election Erenst Newman was elected Chancery Clerk to succeed his father.
 At midnight while no outbreak has occurred, several hundred friends oe Newman are still in the city ana threats are rather freely made as to what might occur should those respon.. sible' for the shooting be arrested. The troops on hand total about eighty. Whether this number would be able to cope with the situation should disor- der occur. Is thought problematical.