The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-10-06
II PLANTERS
MARKED TODIE
StartIin .eveIations Made OF
RACE ss''oubIes in Phillips
: nty, Arkansas.
COY ; .SSI0N OF LEADERS

COY : .SSI0N OF LEADERS
p 4e, Ark, Oct. 6.-Discovery of
WI believed to have been a wide
81 plot on the part of organized
n jes for general killing OF
whites in this locality, and possibly
ain other parts of the SOUTH led Off
cials today to tighten up on emer-
gency measures and redouble their
efforts to apprehend leaders of the
alleged organization who are still
uncaught.
Conspiracy Existed.
The existence of the alleged con-
spiracy was brought to light by the
committee of seven appointed by
civil and military authorities follow
ing the race disorders here last week
through the questioning of negro
prisoners.
According to committee members
the negro captives readily revealed
to them the inner workings of the
plan. Today. Oct. 6, the negroes de-
clared. was the date set for the up
rising. Women are said to have beer
members of the organization, which
the authorities say was known as the
Progressive Farmers and Household
Union of America.
Twenty-one white planters in this
district, according to the alleged con-
fessions, had been marked to be
killed first. The killing of the TWEEN
ty-one, it was asserted, was to bt
followed Immediately by a genera
massacre of whites, after which the
negroes We're to take over the lanc
and till it. 1t was said efforts were
being made to connect white mer
with the propaganda to incite the
negroes to kill white residents.
Quiet Reisns.
Helena, Ark, Oct. 6.-.rhe situation
throughout Phillips county, where
race riots have continued intermit-
tently for the past fouF days, was
reported quiet by military authori.
ties today.
Small squads of soldiers and vol.
unteer citizens organizations con.
tinue to search the district for riot.
ers and while several arrests were
made during Sunday and last nigh
clashes were reported.
Still Investigating.
According to information in the
hands of the Committee of seven
appointed b. civil authorities to in.
vestigate the negro uprising which
resulted in the death OF twenty foul
persons during the past four days
the negroes had planned a general
uprising for today.
This information indicates that
negroes were to present cotton tC
several white buyers at various
points in the county. The negroes
were to make demands for excessive
prices for the cotton and to star
quarrels with the white bryers. Ac-
cording to the committee of seven,
John Crow, of Elaine; w. +. Craggs
of Oneida; j. w. Keze, of Lake
view, and ]. M. Countiss, of Elaine
and several other white cotton buy.
ers were to be shot during the quar-
rels. This was to be the signal fol
general negro uprising throughout
the county Certain negroes had beer
designated to act as messengers anC
spread the word as soon as the up,
rising was launched by the shootine
of the whites.
Promised Lands.
Several negroes held by the au
thorities say they were told that a!
soon as the uprising was brought t.
a successful conclusion they were t.
be given cotton lands taken from tn,
white owners.
V. e. Powell, negro organizer fo
the Progressive Farmers Household
union, said to be back of the pro
posed uprising. has been taken t.
Arkansas City, where he is held un.
der heavy guard to prevent pos
sible violence.
60, - -
the ringleaders in the plot will b,
held here late today.
Another Negro Arrested.
The troops are headed by native
guides. Sam Wilson, a negro SUI
spected of the killing last Thursday
| of Corpl Luther Earle, company H
Fourth infantry, was captured a
Snow Lake, forty miles south, late
yesterday and brought to Elaine. {
message from military headquarters
| states, and one prisoner was sho
down attempting to escape.
The local sheriff's office reporte;
the killing of negro in West Helena
last night when he resisted arrest al
a prospective witness following q
gambling raid.
A detachment of troops went t.
| ferguson yesterday afternoon, th
| military stated, and brought back
| large number of shotguns and small
arms found in negro houses. Fergu
! son is said to be a town without
| white inhabitant. Most of the arm
| taken being worn out weapons, tn
| returning soldiers were of the i'm
| preston that the blacks had hiddel
| high powered rifles and pistols pre-
! viously reported as in their posses
sion.
Hunting For Leaders.
In an effort to capture Ed Ware
/ alleged ringleader, and a band o
twenty other insurgent negroes, be
lieved to be still at large followin
| last weeks disorders, 800 soldiers a
| daylight today were thrown out il
a Gordon encircling an area of ap
proximately thirty-five square mile
in the southern part of Phillip
county.
| that unless Fiume is given to then
D'Annunzlo will lead a successful rev
| olution. Under such circumstances
| with President Wilson III and unabl
| to give personal attention to any pub
| lie business even of the most urgen
IL - aA-sN a =.