Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-03

He knows that since he has beena freedman he
has not up to this time had the protection OF either
the Fedsia or State aatAorities that there is no
way to enforce his rights or redress his wrongs.
The civil ,ti loriies will give him no rehef, and
this departuf !! up to this writing has been power
less. #S .i#
OF the offenses reported there has been but one
arrest by the civil authorities, and that was case
of murder, the murderer released on light bail,
and now at large, no effort having been made to
bring him to trial.
The arm of civil law has, however, been brought
in requsition quito recently to release and protect
offenders.
& On the night of the 10th of February, 1866 a
gang of white men, residents OF Bath County, en-
tered the house of Jos. Balls person who has
been a freedmen for several years humble and in
offensive md much reepected-the owner of 10
acres of land-and beat and most horribly man
ged him his body was burst open, his intestines
protruding. EL TIA a lIn-#
He fingered two days in agony and died. Atthe
same time they set upon another old col0red man,
named Thacktr, who Was at the house of Balls
beating him for some time, putting out an eye, aud
then very deliberately placed him over the fire.
roasting him first upon one side and then upon the
other Upon the same night as is presumed, by
a portion OF the same gang an attack was made
upon the house of Pate Burns, about four miles
from the residence of Balls. Burns was a most
exemplary man, and preached the gospel, and
they robbed him of his bacon, money and clothing
shot MIN IN the neat severely WOulltulg nlll tII
there III his presence raYlshed us wife. Two other
coIored persons, who were at the house Of Burns
at this time, were severely beaten, and one of
them shot in the head. Two of the offenders were
arrested by the Agent of the Freedmens Bureau Of
Bath County, and while removing them for safe
keeping to military camp, writ of habeas corpus
| was issued by Judge Hepperson of Montgomery
County, and the men discharged and atlberty
he holding that the Ereedmen's Bureau has no le-
gal existence III Kentucky, and that the writ Of
habeas corpus is not suspended i'll this State.
| These views are sought to be impressed upon the
people by the leading men, and are the source Of
much difficulty. Oil s..... "A. ........ .....f
81. The fact should be impressed upon the minds
Of the people, not only that the Bureau has le-
gal existence in Kentucky but that it has also q
real one. .u.... .. .... ..#. .rs.
1t does me pleasure to report that the freedmen
exhibit an earnest desire for education.
One of the most humane and excellent gentle
men Of Lexington, long a resident of Kentucky,
told me he was astonished to see such an intense
desire for information, and that he thought the
freed children learning faster than the whites
Of the same age. Persons at the age of 80 are
learning to read and write.
In Lexington they are well provided with schools
but sadly deficient in country places. .....
In some Of the counties there are organized
bands of men called 'rangers," ''moderators, "
'nigger killers" " who have driven the freedmen en-
trely out of certain sections, and begin at least
to threaten and intimidate Union white men. In
wages, and this is the case, think, III some other
sections but there counties and portions of
counties where they forced or intinidated TO
work as low T6 or s month, and III other
counties induced to work without a stipulated
price. In Jessanine County alone are contracts to
any extent brought under the supervision of the
agents OF the Bureau and there Its beneficial ef-
fects is beginning to be felt by all interested
Until the system is fairly carried out there will
continue TO be great amount Of oppression and
injustice. "F
A thorough organization of this department in
the Lexington Sub-Distrct of Kentucky is also
necessary in many parts, to protect those truly
loyal and humane citizens who would gladly do
much to aid the freedman in his present trying Sit
uation but are now intmidated by local prqjudicos
or the fear Of personal injury. .. .... .
Respectfully submitted.
(Signed) p BoNEsTED,
Special Inspector for Kentucky and Tennessee.
Lecington, March o. 1866. @ ,.r..
\ true copy - H. S. Brown,
.... Capt and Asst. Adj Gen.