Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-04-08
TWO men KILLED
IN RACE RIOT
And -Four !s,iiIieTS Are Wounded
At Laurel, Delaware
Leaders Arrested

Two men are dead, four others are
wounded and three negroes are locked
up in the Jail at Georgetown, the seat
Of Sussex county, the result of race
riot Saturday at Laurel. Delaware.
The dead: Orem Stockley, IS years
old, son of well known farmer living
near Laurel. George Hudson, years
old, of Bethel, DEL, shot through the
calf of the leg with buckshot.
John Thompson. a barber. of Laurel,
shot in the leg.
John Cummings. living near Laurel,
shot twice.
The prisoners are: George Wright.
alias "Slim JIM" George Collins and
Albert Hitch, all negroes.
The riots occurred shortly after mid
night, when band of drunken negroes
passing down Main street addressed
sluring remark to number of Laurel's
white residents. The negroes were tod
to move along, and one of them imme-
diately drew a revolver and fired into
the croud. This was the signal for
general uprising, and the white men
charged the rioters. 1t was then that
shots were fired from every direction.
and before the whites could retreat
young Stockley fell to the ground with
bullet through the head. Hearing the,
shooting number of Laurel's citizens
armed themselves and, rushing from
their homes. charged the negroes.
Suddenly the lights in the street went
out and under the cover of the darkness
the negroes fired from behind trees and
other places of concealment.
Chief of Police Ellis and Special Off
Ger Baker hurried to the scene. and
after a fight lasting until nearly 3
O'Clock. during which time over hun
dred shots had been fired, the negroes
were routed. No arrests were made
during the night. but shortly after day
break Wright and Hitch were taken
prisoners. The capture of Wright was
sensational, and the credit of his being
behind the bars is due to l5-year-old Earl
Records. who lives ear Laurel.
The Records boy, when he heard of
the riot, stole his fathers revolver and
while roaming about his home met
Wright. The lad knew that the authori-
ties had been looking for this man for
nearly two years. When he came up to
him, Records drew the revolver and
pointing it at Wright, commanded
"Hand up" He hesitated, but finally
up went the burly negro's hands.
Shouting at the top of his voice for help.
Records kept his prisoner covered until
his cries were answered. He was then
turned over to the authorities. Wright
is desperate character and is wanted
in Virginia for numbering white boy.
During the battle number of win
dows were shattered and the exterior of
many residences was damaged. 1t is
known that several of the negroes were
wounded during the riot, but they are
keeping close and cannot be located. 1t
is believed that they have been spirited
away by their cronies.
After it was learned that young Stock
ley had died, number of white citizens
armed themselves and accompanied by
Chief of Police Ellis, Special Policeman
Baker and others. entered the colored
settlement and raided house where it
is alleged the negroes made their head
quarters. Considerable excitement pre-
vailed throughout the town and numer
Gus threats of lynching were made. This
caused the authorities to remove their
prisoners to the county Jail.