Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-18
REIGN OF TERROR In MISSOURI

Governor Letcher, of Missouri, has, by
sending troops to Lexington, caused a
reign of terror. A letter from that place
gives the following history Of the days {;
My record of the doings of this body
Of men, led by Bowen Montgomery, is as
follows:
December 3-A man by the name of
Warren shot by one of them, as he was
quietly proceeding home In the evening,
not badly hurt
Same day-Two soldiers entered the
wellknown store, corner of Pine and
Marion, and demanded pair of gaunt-
let's, which were refused but only saved
through the courage of the clerk.
Same day-Captured q pair of boots
from Mr.. Klee, Radical. These not
fitting, they were snapped at another
store.
December 5-A negro shot at by a
young man of this vicinity, when the mi
litia went in pursuit. Not finding the
perpetrator, they arrested Mr.. Jesse Rob
erts, an old man, and brought him to
town, supposing him to be the father of
the young man who did the shooting.
Same day-Stopped one Of the editors
Of the Caucasian as he was proceeding
homeward from work at night, threatened
to shoot him, and used language the most
opprobrious
Same day-At noon, entered the store
Of Mr.. Simons, and demanded shirt, to
be charged to the Government; were
dismissed without the goods; crossed
over to the store of Mr.. j. r. Jordan, a
Radical, and made the same demand
and succeeded.
December GA party of two or three
soldiers encountered Maj. John E. Ry-
land in front of his Office. Some word;
we're passed, when one of the soldiers
laid violent hands upon him, and though
not much hart, the Major was badly used.
One of the soldiers said Montgomery had
told him he could not shoot into that
row, and not kill rebel. Montgomery
came up and ordered the men to quar-.
ters, remarking, as reported, ''if any man
insult you, shoot him down"
Same day--Sheritf Pool arrived here
from Jefferson City, and was defied by
these same men.
Same day-Ben Scott, who was on a
trade for pistol, fred it off at the back
of a livery stable to see ifit was all right.
He was taken by two or three of the Gov
ernor's bull dogs, pulled from his horse
by the hair of the head, and otherwise
maltreated.
December limited States mail stage
robbed within FIVE miles of the city of
express money to the amount Of $250O.
The posse was soon out in force, but did
nothing as usual
This 9Th and 9th being rainy and cold,
there was little done, so that the business
of two days were crowded into the next
aav. as will be seen
December l0-Two or three soldiers,
headed by Montgomery himself, entered
the store Of Colonel Casper Gruber and
demanded to know if he had written to
General Hancock He said he had not
that he had gone to see him, A letter
was handed him, and while perusing 1T,
one of the bullies struck at Gruber, when
rather free and easy fsticuf ensued in
which Gruber was oyerpowered and
beaten. Soon after this melee, some
soldiers returned to Gruber's and de-
manded shot gun which he had in pos,
session, and took it. This by force Of
arms.
Same day-At City Hotel, Montgom-
cry ordered couple Of his men TO quar-
ters. One not going with alacrity, be
attempted to push him forward, when he
warned NJ. to beware how he pushed
him; and almost Immediately the other
soldier fired upon the man, taking care
10 get Immediately behind Montgomery.
He discharged his piece twice, when the
fellow took to his heels, and was fired at
by The guards near Mr.. Young's stable,
which the soldiers had seized on their
arrival, taking full possession, and
threatening to shoot Mr.. \. if he re-
turned. The man was unhurt, so far as
is known.
Same day-Ed. Packard, a little boy,
was arrested for some fancied odense,
but soon released. Another young man
was stopped on the street. and his shawl
taken. 1t was afterwards returned.
Same dsy-Mr Alexander Mitchell,
banker, was proceeding homeward IN the
evening after business. On Franklin
street, Just back Of the Court House, he
was arrested by a couple Of soldiers and
his money demanded. They relieved
him of SIS. Were recognized, handed
over to the Mayor, and bailed.
Same day-Mr. Mansfield, Of the oil
wells. was stopped by them ca Laurel
street, aud his money demanded Not
having any, be was let of with beating
over the head with pistols.
Same day-A Mr.. Michael Richardson
was killed, By whom it is not known, on
Main street; the first man murdered here
for some six or eight weeks. He was
said 10 be against Irishmen.