Johnson and Washington, The New York Times, August 9, 1871

 Kentucky Elections

Rioting Reported in Various Places– Two Whites Killed in Frankfort– Negro Prisoners Lynched

FRANKFORT, Ky., Aug. 8– A riot commenced here last evening after the closing of the polls. A short scuffle arose among several negroes, and two shots were fired. The police interfered, but were driven back, seventy or eighty shots being fired, and large stones and boulders thrown, etc. Two white men– Mr. William Gilmore and Mr. Bishop– were instantly killed, and three or four other white men wounded. Five or six negroes were wounded, but none killed. A crowd of negroes paraded the streets after the shooting. The State troops were ordered out, and still under arms. The Federal troops were not called out. Toward midnight there was considerable excitement in the city. Young Mr. Gilmore, who was killed during the disturbance, was a master mason, and was extremely popular in the city. The leader of the negro rioters was arrested. He has received several severe though not fatal wounds.

About 2 o’clock, before daylight had set in, a band of about 250 men, armed and wearing masks, went to jail and knocked violently at the entrance. On the jailer appearing they demanded his keys. Alarmed at the savage aspect of his visitors, he complied, and, on obtaining the keys, they immediately proceeded to the cell of a negro who was lying in prison under a charge of rape committed on a Mrs. Pfieffer. They seized him, and then went to another cell occupied by the negro who is said to have fired the first shot at the election riot last evening. Both prisoners were greatly terrified. The band then quitted the jail, taking both negroes with them. They hung them both at a spot only a few yards distant from the jail. When the affair became known, the greatest excitement followed. Young Mr. Gilmore, who was killed in the riot last night, will be sent to Lexington. The other white man, who was also killed, will be buried this evening.

–Evening News.

The Troubles in Frankfort, Ky.

Louisville, Ky., Aug. 8-- About 2 this morning about two hundred armed and masked men went to the jail in Frankfort and demanded the keys. The State Guard, who had been on duty there, had gone as it was supposed; all disorder was over. The jailer was compelled to surrender the keys, and the men entered and took out the negro who committed the rape on Mrs. Pfiefferd a few days ago, and also the negro Washington, who was said to be the one who fired the first shot in the riot there yesterday, in which two white men were killed. The negroes were taken about a half mile from the jail and hanged. Great excitement prevails in the community in consequence of the turbulent scenes yesterday evening and the lynching outrage this morning. No further violence is anticipated, however.