The Emancipation Day celebration in Moberly on Saturday drew a large crowd, but the festivities quickly turned chaotic, prompting police intervention to maintain order. Around thirty individuals, whose rowdy behavior spiraled out of control, were detained to sober up. Although several altercations and disturbances occurred, the situation remained relatively under control until late afternoon.

At approximately 5 o’clock in the evening, a dance held on Sturgeon Street by the infamous Fannie Collins became the scene of a violent confrontation. Ray Arnold, a porter at the Merchants, got into a heated argument with some visiting negroes from Iowa. The dispute escalated into a fight, culminating in one of the Iowa visitors, who identified himself as Floyd Stone, stabbing Arnold with a knife and inflicting a severe wound. Stone was promptly arrested and brought before Judge Morrissey. He waived a preliminary hearing and was bound over to the grand jury with a bond set at $350. If unable to post bail, he would remain in jail until court convened, facing a charge of felonious assault. Given the seriousness of Arnold’s injury, which could prove fatal, Stone might eventually face a murder charge.

During the same altercation, William Sellers, another light-skinned negro from Iowa, was apprehended for striking a fellow attendee with brass knuckles. Sellers pleaded not guilty, and his trial was scheduled for Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock before Justice Morrissey. Other minor skirmishes were swiftly quelled by vigilant officers, and those who were overly intoxicated but posed no further threat were held until their train departure, then sent out of town.

The more obstreperous individuals were brought before Judge O’Connell and fined accordingly: Joe Craig for disturbing the peace, $3 and costs; Isabelle Grace of Renick for boisterous talking and disturbing the peace, $1 and costs; Joe Wilson for being drunk and disorderly, $2 and costs; and Arthur Palmer for fighting, $1 and costs.

Considering the large crowd and the existing rivalries among different factions, the level of disturbance was minimal. The diligent efforts of the police force earned commendation from all law-abiding citizens for maintaining relative peace during the event.