Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1868-04-17

The Washington C1sTontcLe publishes
the following letter giving the particu-
lars concerning the assassination Of Hon.
G.. W. Ashburn at Columbus, Georgia,
by disguised emissaries Of the Kuklux
Klan:
COLUMBUS. GA, March 81, 1868.
Hon. j. ". FOgVeyi
DEAR SLR-One Of the most brutal
and fnhuman events ever recorded by
mortal pen occurred in this city about /
o'clock this morning. A large mass
meeting was held here Last night. in
Temperance Hall, for thV purpose OF
listening to q speech from the Rev. III.
M. Turner eOlOred. About eighteen
hundred persons were crowded into che
spacious room, q ROOdly share OF whom
were whites. The speaker was accom-.
panied on the platform by the Hon. O..
W. ABhburn, Hon. j. A. Caldwell, Rev.
G. ". Parker, and a few leading color
ed men.
The speaker [AEr. Turnerl held his
audience entraced for over Two hours,
and his speech was regarded by bUth
white and cOlOr6d as one of his best st-
forts. He was frequently interrupted
by the heRrtiest applause from all par
ties, even the biEtsrest rebels admitting
that he made many good points in has
alluHtOn to the Democratic party. At
about 1I1E O'Clock the aBsemblage dis
persed, and everybody seemed IN the
best Of humOF. have never known 3
meeting IN this place TO break up in a
better spirit than this did. The afUer-
part ofthe programme, however, had not
been played. Laughter and cheering
were made TO give place 10 other emo
GtOns and feelings, and these were OF
basest and most fiendish description.
COL Ashburn left the hall ia cum
Il n ha9a
boarding house. After writing a few
letters to some of his friends In regard
70 the prospect Of ratifying the COnsti-
tuition he had done 30 much in helping
20 frame, he retired to his bed. Alas
how short was his repOse. Only q few
moments thereafter and the house was
completely surrounded with q number
Of iends in human shape in every con
Ceivable disguise, with black faces
made to cover the blaCkness Of their
deeds. They broke down the doors,
rushed in upon hIm, and after lighting
a few parlOr matches, commenced fir
ing balls from several loaded pistols
until they had rlddled him almost to
pieces, and final " stab Oed him several
times with their DOwie-kuiVes, In the
meanwhile Ashburu attempted to es-
cape at one Of the doors, but was met
by some Of the Williams, and, in trying
to fly from their grasp, was either
8
was fearfuIly bruised and literally torn /
70 pieces with balls, from the effects Of 1
" hich he died.
Hon. g. W. Ashburn was q man of
excellent attachments and of1rreproaCh.
able character. The only fault any one /
could charge him withs was his loyalty /
10 his country, and the belief that Con- 4
gress was right in it's plan OF recon- |
structing the South. The rebels had 4
threatened to kin him on several occa- |
sions, simply because he was allied 10 4
reconstruction.
None Of these devils have been found, ]
and it appears TO have been a concerted !
hing between the parties themselves /
and the police. Everybody knows, If It /
had been otherwise, so many pistol /
fires, screams Of the women, &C., would /
have aroused the police. The negroes /
are much excited this morning, and IL /
would take but little to avsnge his /
death. They are coming in from the /
and the sober white men are /
much exercised.