Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1915-03-16
Authorities Believe Negro Is
Author Of warnings Posted

mass meeting of negroes was held at
the Jerusalem Baptist negro church
SUNDAY night, at which Mayor Simon
Bloom. Sheriff r. II. Williams, TAX
Assessor Fred T. Rucker ana Fred
Fox addressed the negroes, Chief of
Police Frank Stewart and other well
known white residents of the city
being present.
Pastor Rowan of the Jerusalem
church presided at the meeting, and
was assisted by other negro preach
ers. The church was crowded with
negro men and women, and the as
surances Of protection given by the
city and county officials had notice
ably cheering effect upon the gather
ing. Pastor Rowan called for the
singing of a hymn, There is Rest for
the Weary" explaining that the
hymn was most appropriate, because
the negroes, wearied by strain and
watching, could go to their beds and
rest peacefully, after the promises of
protection made them.
Mayor Bloom in his talk assured the
negroes that the white people of
Pine Bluff are ready to aid and sup
port them in any OF their trouble,
and to give them the utmost of pro-
lection. He urged and exhorted,
however, that the negroes put up
their pistols and guns. and cease
promiscuous firing, such as had CAUSED
the death of Epps. He pointed out
that the lives of the very officers
who sought to protect the negroes
were endangered by them, through
their fear He spoke strongly. assur-
cd them the authorities are working
in their behalf and will see that they
are protected if the negroes them
selves will cooperate.
Mayor Bloom stated the authori-
ties are of the opinion that the warn
ings were posted by members of, the
negro race, and by residents of the
Hoboken section. No other negro
section was visited, he said, and he
expressed the belief that friction
among the negroes themselves was
the cause of the whole trouble.
whites Will Protect.
Fred Fox, who stated that for So
years he has lived on the edge OF
Hoboken, in peace and quiet, and in
harmony with all the negroes, was
the next speaker. He impressed upon
the audience that the white people
of Pine Bluff are standing by them.
He remarked that the minister OF his
church Sunday morning had spoken
OF the Hoboken troubles, and had
urged that the white men stand to-
gether to help their "colored broth
ers" in this trouble Mr.. Fox urged
the negroes to be calm and cool, and
not to get excited.
keep close watch on you:
homes" he said, but remain at home
at nights. Keep Off the streets. Keep
your pistols and guns in your no,.aes
Above all things, don't shoot promis
cuously. If you hear a noise or il
you see suspicious persons, telephone
| the police or the sheriff. The officer:
will come to your aid at once. 70,
dbn't have to snOot, like you did las
night, to your own shame and tht
shame of the bost city, the mos
peaceable city, in the entire coun
try"
Fred T. Rucker, county assessor
spoke along the same lines, ant
| Surllll N. II. w lllldlIlS lOIiOWNu Lii'
line of thought laid down by Mayo
Bloom, in pointing out that for th'
negroes to get the best aid from thu
officers, promiscuous shooting mus
be stopped.
"kpps was killed just as one o
! the officers might have been killed
he said THE officers are takin;
| their lives in their hands. when the.
come to Hoboken at night to protec
you, because Of the shooting you hav
done and are likely to do, in you
excitement"
He stated also that the negroes o
the HobokeI section will be give
absolute protection but the negroe
must assist and cooperate.
StOut's Good Advice.
Rufus S. Stout one of the negr
preachers, and president Of the negr
Y. NJ. G. A., srlke in response to tn
white men, and ev@n more strongl.
than theyeXhorted the negroe
to cease the ndiscriminate carrying
and using of arms.
go to your homes at night, an,
stay there he said. Keep you
guns stacked. If you hear or see any
thing suspicious, telephone head
quarters. and the officers will come
When the Officers come, if they nee,