Description: Conspiracy Among the Negroes of Choctaw Co., AL

Date: August 23 1882

Newspaper published in: Huntsville, AL

Source: Microfilm at Huntsville Library

A Horrible Plot.
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Discovery of a Conspiracy Among the Negroes of Choctaw County, Ala.
To Murder All the Whites - One of the Ringleaders Hanged
MOBILE, August 21.—In Choctaw county, Ala., on the 15th instant, 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-instant, a quiet meeting of 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 following ringleaders, Jack Turner, F. D. Barney, Jesse Wilson, Peter Hill, Willis Lyman, Aaron Scott and Range West, to whom had been assigned the duties of leading the respective squads to Butler, Mt. Sterling, DeSoto, and other places, and killing all whites at teach place, should be arrested and lodged in jail. Their arrest was effected on the 7th instant without disturbance or bloodshed. The same day a mass meeting of citizens of all classes was called for Saturday to decide the fate of the prisoners.
The plot has been in existence since 1878. The conspirators now number 400. They have powder, shot and guns, and think themselves sufficiently strong to accomplish their fiendish design. Sunday night, the 17th of September, had been appointed as the date for its consummation. The papers further allowed 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 about 700 men, among whom were about 150 negroes, who, after hearing the reports read, by an almost unanimous vote decided that Jack Turner was a turbulent and dangerous character, a regular firebrand in the community, and the public demanded his immediate death. He was accordingly hanged about 1:15 0'clock the same afternoon, in the presence of the assembled multitude. The crowd then dispersed, and all signs of disturbances ceased. Everything was quiet Saturday night. The other prisoners are still in jail to await further development.