ELECTION RIOT IN ALABAMA.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 205, 4 February 1875, Page 3

ELECTION RIOT IN ALABAMA.

A terrible electioneering riot occurred in Alabama. While the votes of both parties were proceeding at Eufaula, a negro who had voted the Democratic ticket was attacked by a mob of Radical negroes, and a bloody riot was at once precipitated. Chief among the party who set upon the negro Democrat was one of a very desperate and bad character, named Milas Long, who seemed to be the leader. As soon as the ytetim of their rage appeared to be getting selfcrely beaten, a number of whites who were present rushed to his rescue, but were unable for a while to aid him, and were partially driven back. Upon this the mob began to punish the negro Democrat, when the whites, who had been reinforced, boldly broke in and ordered them to desist. Nothing daunted, but rather enraged by this interference, Milas Long", the ringleader, attempted to draw a pistol on one of the whites. As he did so he was told if he produced the weapon in that crowd he would be killed. Long becoming savagely irritated, pulled out the weapon, and, with a loud oath threatening the whites, dared them to " come on." Before a movement could be made to disarm him, he fired his pistol, which it is supposed took effect, and this was the signal for a terrible outbreak. Both whites and blacks drew their weapons, and a general and indiscriminate fire was begun, which the negroes did not stand for more than a few moments before they broke and ran down the street in one of the wildest stampedes ever witnessed. There were probably in the few moments the fight lasted over 500 shots fired by both sides—amajority by the whites—and the execution was effective. The negroes mostly came from the country, and in anticipation of a ro*r, were armed with pistols, guns, heavy clubs, and wheel spokes, with which it was their intention to make war upon any of their own colour who dared to vote the Democratic ticket In the stampede, their wounded and killed were trodden upon, and they threw away their weapons in the streets without regard to anything but safety in flight, and the scene resembled a battlefield. Six whites were severely wounded one of them, William Keith, mortally; three negroes were killed outright, and seventyfour were wounded—ten or fifteen of that number, it is supposed, mortally. Since the riot five more have died, and three or four more will die during the night. For a few moments after the riot was over the negroes halted at the end of the street, and made an attempt to rally and renew the fight. The whites, however, then armed themselves with guns, and as soon as the negroes saw this they broke and scattered, and order was soon again restored. The voting was re. sumed, and progressed quietly until the polls closed.