Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-11
TWO BLACKS KILLED
IN TENNESSEE RIOT
White and Negro LaborerS
CIath in Race Riot AT Lock
and Dam Camp

/ CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Feb. S.-TNO
negroes were killed as the result of a
race riot at the Halesbar lock and dam
soon after midnight this morning.
The dead:
w. II. BAKER, laborer.
EDWARD SLOAN, laborer.
A report that the third negro was
killed could not be verified
Bad feeling has been brewing for some
days between the white and black em-
ployes of the lock and dam contractors,
and an assault upon one of the negro
laborers by number of white men yes
terday. coupled with the alleged liberal
distribution of bad whisky and guns
among the negroes brought the trouble to
a climax.
VOLLEY OF SHOTS.
After an exchange of shots between
force of five policemen sent from Chat
tanooga, under the direction of Capt.
William Burke, Deputy Sheriff Moreland'
of Marion county, who had sworn in
number of special deputies and the ne
groes, the trouble was quelled.
None of the white men was killed or
wounded in the rioting. The negroes
who had taken the most active part in
the trouble-making retreated up the Ten
nessee river, and the sheriff of Marion
county is trying to apprehend them.
A negro laborer who was recently sent
to the lock and dam from Alexandria,
Va, was set upon by a party of white
laborers yesterday afternoon and badly
beaten. The trouble is said to have start
ed over the rumor that negro was to
be put in charge of some work over the
white men. This the officials deny.
The contractors sent the negro into this
city late yesterday for medical treatment
and to avoid further trouble.
After the negroes at the lock and dam
had quit work yesterday, whisky began
to circulate freely. and they adopted an
obstreperous attitude toward the whites.
AS the blacks outnumber the whites two
to one the white employees and the faml-
lies became alarmed over the prospective
trouble, and notified the Marion county
authorities. Sheriff Westmoreland was in
Chattanooga at this time, but his BROTH
err, a deputy sheriff. took charge of the
situation, while an attempt was being
made to locate the sheriff.
FEARED ATTACK ON CAMP.
In the meantime the attitude of the
negro laborers became more alarming
land it was anticipated that an attempt
A large number of men were deputized
by Deputy Sheriff Westmoreland, but as
only a small number of guns were avail
able. it was realized that they would be
of little use unless arms could be secured
Chief of Police Mcmahon, of the Chat
tanooga police department, was commu-
nicated with by them shortly after mid
night the situation was explained to him,
and he was asked to send supply of
guns and ammunition to the scene for
the use of the sheriff's men,.
Chief Mcmahon told the Marion county
authorities that while he had no juris-
diction in the matter, he realized the
urgent necessity of the occasion and
would do whatever possible to relieve the
situation.
An automobile was secured and 20 riot
guns and 1000 rounds of ammunition
placed in the conveyance. AS 1t was
realized that an attempt might be made
by the negroes to hold up the party and
obtain possession of the arms, force OF
five policemen in charge of Captain Burke
was detailed to convey the weapons to
the officers.
The party of officers left Chattanooga
about 1870 a. m. and reached the scene
of the outbreak about 8 o'clock. Firing
was in progress when the ofncers reach
ed the lock and dam.
NEiNIf NOEnS OEAOT11N 1ANAAN1s
Sheriff Westmoreland, of Marion coun-
ty, had been located in Chattanooga by
the local police authorities and received
his first intimation of the trouble He
ACCOMPANIED the local men to the scene,
and realizing the serious nature of the
uprising. he at once deputized the Chat
tanooga officers to aid in quelling the
trouble.
The negroes were firing from the shell
ter of their shacks in all directions. The
officers returned the fire and closed III
upon the negro statement, clearing the
shacks of men. A band Of the negroes
retreated up the river toward the noun
tains This party, about 80 in num-
Der, seemed to be the principal trouble
makers In their flight they carried
with them a large number of repeating
rifles and revolvers.
The officers made efforts to purse the
fleeing men, but made search of the
negro houses, one negro was found dead
in one of the houses, in such position
as to indicate that he had been killed In
drunken fight with members of his
race. Another dead negro was found on
the ground behind one Of the houses
where he had apparently stood while
firing upon the officers.
A pistol was found beside the body.
After the officers had left this morning
a third negro was reported dead in a
nearby corn field but this could not be
verified.
A search of the negro houses revealed
a large amount of whisky which accounts
in a large measure for the trouble. One
case, which had not been broken open,
was found, while whisky bottles were
laying around in large numbers.
Reports from the scene at noon are
that quiet is reigning and most Of the
men have resumed work.