The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-06-13
as chairman, and W. J. Slater as secreta.

as chairman, and W. j. Slater as ~secreta.
~.
On motion a committee Of twenty citi-
zens was appointed to inquire into and re-
port upon the conduct OF the militia, and
to make suggestions as to the best course
to be pursued.
The committee, after retiring, made a
report, and thereupon speeches were made
by Messrs. Arlcdge, Terry, Colyar and
Singleton. The report was then unani-
mously adopted.
The report is as follows:
Your committee report that. upon e1-
animation, they find the following facts to
be true That the militia now located in
this county, under one Capt. Kirkman are
committing depredations that call for
prompt and immediate action. For weeks
the conduct of this militia has been such
as to deter many of our citizens from en-
gaging in their ordinary pursuits, and in
particular parts of the country, farmers
particularly have been deferred from max.
ing any expenditures in the purchase OF
stock to make a crop; and in portions of
the county the indications now are that
the crop will have to be abandoned, and
will be entirely lost.
Several of our citizens have been driy-
en- from their homes. and for weeks have
been hiding out. Within the last few
days, the outrages Of this militia have been
OF a much more serious character. They
have been travelling over the country, pre-
tending 70 be hunting arms, but they have
In the most violent manner, entered peo-
pies houses, insulted the women, alarmed
the children, threatening to kill many per-
sons.
Among the families thus outraged are
DR.. Abernathy's, Z. H. Poe's, Hampton's.
and many others.
Only a few days ago, they took an inof-
fensive boy, the son of e. II. Poe, a pris-
oner, carried HIM TO camp, tried him and
condemned him to be shot, and his life
was saved only by the intercession of a
friend, making the young man PROMISE, on
pain Of death, not 10 tell what bad taken
place.
Yesterday morning about daylight, a
portion OF this militia went to the house of
a peaceable, quiet citizen, James Brown,
and upon a pretended acknowledgment.
which they claim to have extracted from
him, by falsely personating East Tennessee
refugees, as to the part he (Brown) took in
the war, they took him into the woods, ut
terly disregardine the appeals of his wife
and father, and put him to death in the
most heartlesS and cruel manner. Leav-
ing him dead, they returned to camp, ONLY
sending word to his wife that she could
send and get her husband IF she wanted
him.
Other citizens we're shot at, and the lives
of many have been threatened. Several
OF the citizens have been notified within
the last few days that they would be kill
CT. And these things are all done. as is
alleged. because Of the pert said persons
took In the war, which has now been over
more than two years, and for which the
parties have all been pardoned. aud have
the pledge of the United States govern.
ment, through its highest military officers.
that they should be protected, having laid
down their arms.
wye further report tEat go &r as the cit
lzens OF this county are concerned, and es.
pecially the men who were rebels during
the war, the most perfect quiet and order
prevails. Everybody, and especially the
former rebels, have shown a disposition to
obey the laws, no matter how cnerous, new
er before witnessed in this country. 1t
has the constant remark of our Judges.
to-wit: Judge Hickerson, Judge Patter-
son and Judge Steele, all of whom held
court in this district, and all of whom were
appOintees of Gov. Brownlow, that they
never knew a people more disposed to be
law-ablding. The truth is no one pretends
that any man who was a rebel has commit.
ted any crime or done anything since the
war for which he deserves punishment.
Your committee recommend, first, for
the immediate protection of men who
were in the southern army and who live in
the neighborhood where the militia is To-
Gated, that they protect themselves by
keeping out of the way of the militia fol
the present, even if they have to abandon
tnelr families and give up their crops.
2. That a committee be appointed tC
draft a petition 10 the federal government
setting forth our grievances, and asking
protection for our lives and property.
B. IF the Expectations of this militia
are continued, and our people are indis-
c~riminately driven from their homes and
murdered, and after appealing in the most
earnest manner to the federal and State
authorities, we can get no protection, we
recommend that the people combine and
protect themselves.
Jesse Arledge, j. L. Baugh,
VIM, f. Taylor. w. T. Faris,
Nathan Frizzel, John Burrough,
Tilman Arledge, NJ. Ransom,
j. G. Garner, j. W. Bone,
j. M. Pryor, Henry Singleton,
Wiley S. Embry, Alexander Smith,
Wiley Sanders, a. S. Colyar,
E. f. Colyar, A. d. Trimble,
j. j. Williams, Charles III. Cherry.
On the Sunday preceding the recent