The Murder of Alexander Webb

Title

Source Type

Newspaper

Publisher

Daily State Sentinel

Publication Place

Montgomery, Alabama

Publication Date

6/22/1867

Transcript

The Murder of Alexander Webb

We have received two accounts of the murder of Alexander Webb, the colored Register for the 19th Election District, composed of Hale and Greene Counties. The Alabama Beacon of the 15th inst. says: Alex. Webb, a colored man of this place, was killed here last Thursday afternoon by Mr. John Orrick. The particulars of this tragic, deeply to be regretted affair, as we have heard them, are these:
Orrick, who had been sitting on a box in front of the store of Messrs. Joffries, Johnson & Co., saw Alex. Webb come down the flight of steps leading to Alex’s shop, and advanced a few steps on a cross street and met Alex—when a few words passed between them, which were not heard, so far as we have been able to learn, by any person—whereupon Orrick drew his pistol and fired three times, each shot taking effect, the last shot entering near the heart. Alex. fell dead, and Orrick walked off up the street to his store, pistol in hand, remarking that “he would allow no damn negro to call him a damn liar.”
We infer from the few facts we have been able to gather that something had previously passed between them, through a third party, which was particularly offensive to Orrick. Alex. Webb, we take occasion to remark, was a man of good character, and had a large family dependent upon him for their support. The affair is most deeply regretted by the community. The Sheriff, who was in town at the time, promptly summoned a number of men and made search for Orrick, but did not find him. There was, we understand, a good deal of excitement among the colored people, some of them threatening to set fire to the town.
From a private source we learn that it was a premeditated, cold-blooded murder. Webb had left his shop about sunset, and on his way home was met by the young man Orrick, to whom Webb raised his hat. Just as Webb had passed Orrick, the latter called, “Ho! Aleck!” and as Webb turned around, Orrick fired three shots at him, instantly killing him. Some young men standing near, thought to be accomplices, helped Orrick over a high boarded fence, and he had not been captured up to midnight of that day.
The Mayor and Sheriff, shortly after the murder was committed, collected about fifty men—white and black—and posted them around the town for the purpose of capturing Orrick. The colored people were in a great state of excitement and made threats of vengeance, but were appeased by Dr. Blackford, the Sheriff, the Mayor, and others in whom they had confidence.

"Webb was a man of more than ordinary talent. His character was above reproach, and he wielded a powerful influence among the colored people."

Sources for

065-18670613-001