Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-08
KILLED IN RACE WAR HITS At METHODISTS
Three Negro Dam Builders Archbishop Ireland Comments
Slain and Riot QueIIed Over Fairbanks Affair."
ALEXANDRIAN IS BEATEN UP ICAUSTIC IN CRITICISM
Him and Declares American Mhodist In
Precipitate Trouble Rome Are "Pernciou Proseyters
CHATTANOOGA POLICE IN ROW STANDS READY FOR FIGHT
of o Methodists at
on
Three Negro Dam Builders
Slain and Riot QueIIed.
ALEXANDRIAN Is BEATEN UP
White Laborers Assault Him and
Precipitate Trouble.
CHATTANOOGA POLICE IN ROW
Bring Riot Gums and Ammunition
and Rout Disturbers of Peace
on Tennessee River.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, February s.
Three negroes were killed in a race riot
at Hale's bar, lock and dam. twenty miles
below Chattanooga, on the Tennessee
river. about midnight last night
IIl-feeling between the white and black
employees of the lock and dam contractors
had been growing for several days As
saut upon one OF the negro laborers by
several white men yesterday brought
matters to a climax.
After exchange of shots between the
negroes and five policemen, rushed by
train from Chattanooga, and squad of
special deputies, the trouble was quelled.
No white man was killed or wounded.
The negroes who had taken the most
active part in the trouble retreated up
the river. The sheriff of Marion county is
trying to apprehend them.
Alexandria Negro Beaten Up.
A negro laborer who recently was sent
TO the lock and dam from Alexandria,
Va, was set upon by party of white
laborers yesterday afternoon and badly
beaten.
The enmity of the white men toward the
negro arose from rumor that he was to
be placed in charge of certain pump work
which is usually looked after by white
machinists. The contractors declared that
no such move was anticipated, but the re-
port gained wide circulation.
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 circu-
lated freely. They adopted an obstrep-
erous attitude toward the whites.
& hn lrc
two to one. the white employees and their
families became alarmed and notified the
Marion county authorities. Sheriff West
moreland was In Chattanooga, but his
brother. a deputy sheriff, took charge of
the situation.
Chattanooga Sends Help.
In the meantime the attitude of the
negro laborers became more alarming.
1t was feared an attempt would be
made to shoot up" the camp. A large
number of men were deputized as
guards. AS only a small number of
guns was available it was realized the
deputies would be of little use. Chief
or Police Mcmahon of the Chattanooga
police department shortly after mid
night was asked to send guns and am
munitiOn to the scene.
Chlo Mcmahon secured an automo-
bile and placed twenty riot guns and
iDbD TOunuS OIL ammunition In the con-
veyaDce. AS 1t was feared an attempt
might be made by the negroes to hold
up the party and obtain possession of
the arms, policemen were detailed to
convey the weapons to Hale's bar.
Attack on Negro Shacks.
The negroes We're firing in all di- ections
from the shelter of their shacks when
the officers reached the dam. The fire
was returned and the party closed In
upon the negro settlement, clearing the
shacks.
About thirty negroes, who seemed to
have been the chief troublemakers, re-
treated up the Tennessee river, taking
with them in their fight a large number
of rifles and evolvers.
The officers made no effort to pursue
the fleeing men, but made search of
the negro houses. One negro was found
dead IN one of the houses, In such a DO
sition as to indicate that he had been
killed in drunken fight with members
of his race. Another dead negro was
found on the ound behind one of the
houses. where he had apparently stood
while firing upon the officers.
Reports from the scene this afternoon
are that quiet is prevailing, and that
most of the men have resumed work