New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-18
" IIIIIIh IhNI ' IUEIbOy
Chief Clerk House of Representatives
THE cOULEE CKOCHE MAssACRE.

Three Killed and Two Wounded.
OPELoUsAs, La, July II, 1868.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:
The Courier copies my last communica-
tion, calls it " carpetbagger mendacity and
effrentery" and me a white-livered,
black-hearted renegade" from my race !;
predicts that and my associates (meaning
the leaders of the Republican party will
soon be swept away, and leave the re-
mainder clear,n i. e., assassinations can be
made with impunity, and are encouraged.
No facts are cited in refutation of my state
ments neither are those parties condemned
who prowl at night armed and disguised
seeking the lives of inOffensiye citizens.
The editor knows well that where society
does not openly applaud it silently sympa-
thizes with and exults in the deeds of these
graceless scoundrels. So much for the
morals of 81. Landry and of the Democratic
editor of the Courier.
Yesterday obtained from eye-witncsses
the following particulars of the midnight
raid which eliminated in the massacre Of
Coulee Croohe, twelves miles south OF Ope-
lousas, on Monday, July C.
A party of men, about fifteen in number,
armed and disguised, neaS twelve O'Clock
rode up to the house of John B. Francois, a
freedman, on or near the plantation of
MARCEL Richard, and shouted: Hello I!
step here. We will put notice Oh the
door, and you must read it in the morning" J"
This notice ordered John B. FRANCOIS
to leave within twenty days, under
penalty of death, and was signed X, K. K"
Eugene Chretien was next visited. As
surfing him that he would not be hurt they
attempted to call him cut under various
pretexts. Failing in this, notice signed
TX. X. X, ordering him to leave within
twenty days, was passed over the door-top,
! They next searched his sisters house for a
man named Daniel.
Proceeding to the house Of one Joseph,
they called him to come out An inmate
replied that he was sick. The door was
pushed open, the man Daniel was dragged
| from his bed to the yard, bliudfolded, and
then severely cowhided by two men. He
was unable to work for several days in con-
sequence.
A house in the vicinity was next sur
rounded. Man, alarmed, stepped to the
| door, and seeing the crowd cried out, ''Pass
here He was Immediately fired upon.
| Firing lasted some i've minutes. Several
buckshot lodged in his arm. His wife was
mortally wounded in the head, and died
next day. In a room adjoining woman
with child was shot in left breast. A mis-
carriage Immediately followed, and mother
and child are both dead. Another was Sc
Verely wounded in the thigh.
| Afidavits have been made against the
following parties who have been recognized
among the raiders: Andrew Meche, G
Meche, Cyprien Meche, Edward G. Gard
nier, and Thomas Moore. Warrants hav,
been placed in the hands of the Sheriff
Let us see what will be done. If loya
officials are not soon empowered to execut
the law and put down the rebel element
will be extremely hazardous to speak on
sentiments or walk the streets.
Hoping that the Legislature will come t
our aid, and that liberal, law-abidin
spirit may control this people, the loya
men of st. Landry await their deliverauc
from the insults and contumely that is dali
meted them
More anon, ID. b,