Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1903 — FORCE NEGRO TO QUIT. [ARTICLE]

FORCE NEGRO TO QUIT.

Rural Mall Carrier Near Gallatin. Tenn., Threatened with Death, The Postofflee Department is facing another case similar to that in lndianola, Miss. John C. Allgood, a colored rural free delivery letter carrier, whose route is near Gallatin, Tenn,, has been warned by armed and masked men to resign his position immediately, under pain of death. The same threat was made to the substitute carrier, who is also colored. Pending settlement of the case the eminent will suspend service on the route. Postmaster Swaney of Gallatin and W. E. Conger, special agent in charge of the rural free delivery service, rtate that the carrier was stopped on bis route and ordered to resign, but to assign some other reason for his action end not to mention the threats of death. Postmaster General Payne has ordered Agent Conger to make a full Investigation of the affair, and meanwhile to suspend service on the route. The Gallatin route was opened March L Five men applied for the civil service examination, and the three highest were negroes, Allen F. Dillard having the best markings and getting the appointment. About three weeks ago he resigned, and Allgood, the next man on the list, was appointed. This case Is regarded as more serious than the lndianola affair, because it involves the serious crime of holding up the mails and precipitates anew the racs problem in the South. — \