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Show A BLOODTHIRSTY PLOT. A Negro Conspiracy to kill all the whites in a whole county. Mobile, Ala. Aug. 21.-In Chataw county, Ala. on the ?? inst., a bundle of papers, disclosing a well organized plot among the negroes to kill the entire white population of that county, was found near one of their rendezvous by two gentlemen, who laid the matter before the solicitor. On the 16th a quiet meeting of the citizens of Mount Sterling and Butler was called at Butler to consider the best mode of suppressing the intended outbreak and massacre. After discussion it was agreed that the ring-leaders, Jack Turner, F. D. Barber, Jesse Wilson, Peter Hill, Welles Lyman, Aaron Scott and Range West to whom had been assigned the duties of leading the respective squads to Butler, Mount Sterling, Desotoville and other places and killing all the whites at each place, should be arrested and lodged in jail. Their arrest was effected on the 17th inst., without any disturbance of blood-shed. The same day a mass-meeting of the citizens of all classes was called for Saturday, to decide the fate of the prisoners. The plot has been in existence, since 1878, and the conspirators now number 400. They have powder, shot and guns, and think themselves sufficiently strong in accomplish their fiendish design. Sunday night, September 17th had been appointed for its consummation. The papers further showed that this day was selected because then the white people would be at a camp meeting unarmed and could offer no resistance. The meeting called for Saturday brought together 700 men, among whom were about 150 negroes, who, after hearing the papers read by an almost unanimous vote decided that Jack Turner was a ?? of and dangerous character, a regular firebrand in the community and that the public good demanded his immediate death. He was according hanged at 1:15 the same afternoon in the presence of the assembled multitude. The crowd dispersed and all signs of turbulence ceased. Everything was quiet Saturday night. The other prisoners are still in jail to await further developments. |
