Norfolk Landmark, August 11, 1907

RACE WAR THREATENED ON THE EASTERN SHORE.

African-Americans -- Racial violenceInfrastructure -- Utilities - Telephone

Shooting of Garland Belote by Negro Editor Caused Clash

ATTACK EXPECTED AT DAYLIGHT.

Negroes Riddle Baggage of Four Fleeing Men With Bullets -- Fired Volley at Passing Train -- People of Onancock and Other Towns Thoroughly Aroused.

Baltimore, August 10. -- The "Sun" has a special from Parksley, Va, which says that reports have reached there to the effect that Garland Belote was shot and seriously wounded tonight at Onancock by a negro named Uzzle, said to be the editor of a paper published at that place.

The reports also say that later large numbers of negroes prepared themselves for rioting and went into ambush; that the white residents of Onancock were entirely unprepared to defend themselves and were asking aid of Onancock, Parksley, Accomac, Tasley and other nearby towns, several of which had sent help; that four white men leaving Onancock were made the targets of fifty shots fired by negroes from a grocery store in the suburbs, and that it is feared all four were killed, and that special trains have been ordered by officials of the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk railroad to carry the citizens of Onancock from Pocomoke City, Maryland and Cape Charles.

Fired Volley at Passing Train

There is said in the dispatch to be great excitement in Accomac and Northampton county, Virginia, and in neighboring parts of Maryland.

A late report is that negroes fired a number of shots through the windows of a train passing through Tasley, but no one was hit.

White People of Onancock Will Attack Negroes.

Philadelphia, Pa., August 11. Information received direct from Parksley, Va., by the Associated Press early this morning confirms the reported trouble at Onancock, Va. The four men, who left Onancock in a cab and who were believed to have been killed, arrived safely at Tasley.

Their baggage was riddled with bullets. The identity of the men could not be learned. The only connection Parksley had with Onancock tonight was a single telephone line, which was closed at 11 p. m. At that time it was said that the white people of Onancock intended to attack the negroes at daylight this Sunday morning.