The Washington herald., 1919-09-01
8 DIE IN RACE RIOT
AT KNOXVILLE, TWO
WHITE GUARDSMEN
FROM PAGE ONE.


Chattanooga. During the morning.
crowds of whites left for that city
with the intention of attempting to
seize the prisoner from the Chat
tanooga jail.
Clashes between whites and
hacks followed Immediately after
the mob left the Jail. Jim Henson,
a we'll known Knoxville negro. was
the first victim, falling riddled
with bullets after he had attempt
ed to charge the mob singIe-handed.
Negroes, gathering from the
black belt" reinforced the few
struggling blacks down town.
charged the whites, who returned
to the colored forces charge for
charge Troops then took a hand II
the fighting.
Machine Guns in Action
Machine guns were brought up.
One was placed at the alley on the
north side of Vine street, just east
of State street. Detachments OF
troops were sent up alleys and
squads OF six each were placed al
advantageous positions.
After the men had been stationed
quiet prevailed for a few minutes.
Negroes. suddenly appearing in large
forces in Central street, then began
firing The soldiers ct first replied
with rifles. Later machine guns
opened up.
Lieut.. James w. Payne, OF Provi-
dence, KY, regular army instruc-
tor. and Private Henderson. OF the
q u -sa
north side Of Vine street. were d.
rectly in line with the machine gun
fire, but unseen by the gun oper-
ators Both were literally out in
two by the hail of bullets, it was
said. The number of negroes killed
by the fire is unknown. Many,
themselves wounded. were seen
leaving tho streets. carrying
wounded companions.
Fought Mob in Jail
When the machine gun fire halted
Lieut. Payne was found dead. his
body riddled with bullets. lying
behind a telephone pole. Hendsr-
son. barely alive, was later rescued
by troops. He was removed TO a
hospital where he died later.
In addition to Lieut.. Payne. Pri-
vate Henderson and the negro,
Henley. two unidentified negroes
are known to have been killed. ac-
cording to the police.
In a series of fights between
deputy sheriffs, policemen and sol
di"rs AMI members OF the mob
inside the jail building, several
men were wounded. All civilians
were removed in the confusion by
friends before their identity could
DC learned Several of the militia
men were badly beaten. but were
able to remain on duty. Jail win
dowS were shot out and one front
tered in.
Asks Governor for Troops
Realizing that they were unable
to cop" with the situation officials
requested Governor Roberts. at
Nashville. to rush troops to the
Jail. Two squads OF the Fourth
Tennessee. which IS in encampment
near h"re. were dispatched in a
motor truck.
Tho disorder reached its height
with their arrival. Missiles OF all
xmas were nNIItu at the SoluIVi =
Fist fights then became numerous
and ~promisCuous.
A full company OF Guardsmen n
soon reinforced the little detach-
ment and the jail corridors and
ward were cleared.
/ Mrs. Lindsey was shot to death
carly Saturday morning at home as
she was preparing to jump from a
window to escape a negro who at
tempted to assault her. The ne
gro Mays, who was arrested sew
eral days ago on a charge of loi-
tering about a house occupied by
another white family. but released,
was taken into custody shortly af-
ter the murder was committed.