Life of Ryland Randolph

This statement of Randolph’s unpopularity was denied by friends in Tuscaloosa and other parts of the State. In a letter to the Montgomery Mail Mr. Whitfield of Tuscaloosa refuted all the accusations of the State investigators and declared that there was no more honorable man in the community than Randolph, who challenged the respect even of his bitterest foe. The Montgomery Mail warned: “if a hair of Ryland Randolph’s head is hurt through the murderous suggestion made by the State Journal the outrage will be met with retaliative measures which will bring grief to the tyrants who are striving to intimidate the Press. Randolph thought the murder of the negroes was justified. He believed there would have been no punishment for Findley’s death if matters had been left to the negro- elected authorities, and there probably would have been much more trouble between the races. After the retaliatory measures of the whites, the negroes resumed their work with renewed application. Despite the peace and quiet which prevailed in Tuscaloosa, Federal troops were sent, and the town was subjected to military supervision.