New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-10-12
OUTRAeEIN NvnrMEKN TEXAS.

ssaHaalH sassl9riHss 7iar
.sKu.Kluxn Observation-Disclosures OF the
Texn. Con ssIsutiosal Cenventlon and
ColOred Men AssassEnated-lThe MIL
tary Au.horitiesD ened-Other Kepub-
Leans Threatened.
We learn the following facts from Judge
Caldwell, Of Jefferson, a member Of the
Texas Constitutional Convention. which
are very clearly narrated. Judge Cald-
well arrived here last evening
On Sunday night, the fourth instant, a
tragedy occurred in the city of Jefferson,
Texas, which surpasses in atrocity any
thing which has taken place in Texas since
the hanging Of 1861.
Hon. George W. Smith, member of the
Constitutional Convention, aud three ne
gro men were assassinated. There is no
pretense that the cause was not political.
Mr.. Smith had just reached home from
the Convention. His colleague, Rev. Mr..
Grigsby, brought his valise in a buggy,
(Smith hav .ng come on horseback), and
gave it to some colored men to take to
Smith. While on the road to Smiths resi-
dence they were met by party of young
men who robbed them of the valise.
In the issue of the "Ku-Klux" newspaper
of the third, was published what purports
to be au invent,ry of Smiths "carpet-bag."
That night Smith, with the assistance OF
Lieutenant Ryan, of the Fifteenth United
States Infantry, and squad of men, went in
search of the "carpet-bag" but failed to
find it. 1t was subsequently found,
cut into hundred fragments, and his clothes
scattered on the ground, but his papers
were missing.
A little after dark Smith was accosted in
the street and ordered to halt. He charged
that he was fired upon, and in return ex-
hausted the shots of his six-shooter, wound
ing ten of his assailants. Smith then ran
to headquarters of Major Curtis, command
ing post, for protection. He was surren-
dere6 by Major Curtis to the civil authori-
ties, and by the Mayor coofined in the city
prison to await an investigation OF the at
fair. The Mayor stationed guard of six
or eight citizen police at the cllaboose to
protect Smith. Major Curtis, not feeling
that lie was safe, detailed guard from the
Fifteenth Infantry, under Lieutenant Bots,
as an additional guard.
Between nine and ten o'clock, just after
the people in the churches had been dis
missed, body of Ku-Klux," estimated
to be seyenty-6ve or one hundred, all
masked or painted, armed with double
barreled shotguns and six shooters, rushed
upon the guard and disramed them. They
then began batteling at the prison door to
force it open. which Major Curtis hearing,
ran to the scene of action, with his orderly,
instructidg his men to follow. So soon as
be made his appearance the "Ku-Kluk !"
seized him, said to him: Major, we don't
want to hurt you or your men. We have
come for an object, and that we intend to
accomplish
Resistance was useless. The door was
forced and Smith literally shot to pieces.
The "Ku-Klux' then took four negro
men, who were also confined with Smith,
and supposed to be witnesses Of the assault
on Smith the previous night. Two were
killed dead, one effected his escape unin-
jured, and the other badly wounded in the
shoulder. The cry was then raised, eve
have got Smith-Caldwell and Campbell
next"
Judge Campbell anticipated trouble, and
took refuge at Major Curts's headquarters
in the evening. Judge Caldwell had Just
retired to bed when the firing was heard.
He Immediately arose, taking with him his
GWU SOuS, JUG Vi WuOm IL uIucLceu, tD6
other fifteen, and retired to dense thick
underground or thicket, some two hundred
yards from bis house. In few moments
some twenty-five or thirty of the Ku-
Klux passed the road within few feet
of the Judge and his sons, going in the
direction OF his house. The Judge then
directed his youngest son 10 take circuit
GUS route home and inform his mother and
sisters of his safety.
When the lad reached the corner of the
garden be was arrested by masked "Ku-
Klux." The whole Khan then surrounded
him, and resorted to every means short of
actual violence to extort from the youth
the locality Of his father. Failing in this
after retaining him some two hours in cap
tivity the boy was released.
Another party of the 9 Ku-Kluxs under
took 10 assassinaie Hon. G. H. Slaughter, a
member of the Constitutional Convention.
The same evening they visited the house
where he was on visit, and finding that
he too had fed, then dispersed.