L. H. Butler

The Courant American
Cartersville, Georgia
January 25, 1900, page 1
Transcribed by:  

A Macon Riot.
Two Negroes Killed and two White Men Shot.

The Macon News of Monday afternoon tells of a bloody riot in that city as follows:

A frightful scene of carnage occurred at 2:45 o’clock this afternoon, near Hammond’s saloon.

L. H. Butler, a negro, had made an attack on a negro woman and was pursuing her down the street, when Policeman Pierce undertook to stop Butler.  The latter drew a 44 calibre and began to shoot recklessly.  The policeman and bystanders began shooting at Butler, with the result that he was instantly killed by a bullet through the body.

In the meantime, however the negro’s bullets had done awful work.  One bullet went through the stomach of B. Feldman, an umbrella mender, and it is believed his injuries are fatal.

Another bullet went through the head of Ong Smith, a negro, killing him instantly.

Another bullet went through the neck of a white man named Reed, the injury being very dangerous.

Butler made the attack on the negro woman because she had given him away, reporting that he had already killed two men somewhere down the road.

The noise of the shooting brought an immense crowd to the street and the cracking of revolvers was like a battle.  It was a wonder that more were not injured by flying ??.

It is believed that Butler was killed by Pierce, whose good marksmanship probably saved other lives.  Every chamber of Butler’s revolver was discharged.

Mr. Feldman and Smith are now in the city hospital, having been taken there immediately after being shot.


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