The police heard that Negroes were on a shooting
rampage, and they sent a car to investigate. They came in another
Ford sedan, and most of the officers were wearing civilian dress.
In the meantime, the Negro citizens had prepared for the return
of the first car. As the police entered the poorly lit street,
they were met by a barrage of bullets. Almost all the officers
were either killed or wounded. The white community was outraged
at what it believed to be an unprovoked attack, and it wanted
revenge.
Although the Guard was called again, the riot lasted for
several days. At one point, the white mob set a row of shacks on
fire and waited in ambush until its residents were forced to flee
the flames. Then, they took great delight in coldly and
deliberately shooting them down as they fled. It was reported
that some of those who were shot were thrown back into the
burning buildings, and others were thrown into the river. Two
children, between one and two years old, were found shot through
the head. At times, the mob would not let ambulances take away
the wounded and dying.
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