The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-26
A CHAPTER IN SOUTHERN LIFE.
Narrative Of a Dinb0licnl Attack Of Negroes
Upon n Private Family in Louisiana.
From the New Orleans Times.l

From the New Orleans Times.l
The most extraordinary event connected with the
recent political assurances mas never been written
tending the death OF Pablo Fieu, and until his wife
took the stand IN the recent ST. Bernard nvestiga-
rOn the extraordinary details have been lin spite OF
efforts made at the time) beyond the command OF re-
porters. The exact manner In which the high
spirited and determined Filieu met his death is
destined to have its place in history. And as such
we give below the statements made by his surviving
wife OF what was the most dramatic and tragic situa
ton OF any OF the recent disturbances The evidence
was taken down by Judge Thornton, Mr.. Henry
Castellanos acting as prosecuting attorney for the
State
Madame Pablo Fillieu sworn-The last time saw
my husband alive was on October 25 lie was then
at our house, In the parish of st. Bernard. On that
night crowd OF some 400 negroes had come up the
road They had approached very slowly and finally
stopped In front OF our residence. One Of them cried
"Hak,n and they all halted. They were armed with
all kinds OF knives, pitchOrks. hoes bayonets, &c.
Having hated four OF them made great noise by
Knocking violently &C the door There being no
road; my husband was at the time In the rear OF the
house, and upon entreates being used said he would
do nothing II they did not trouble him; after the
four men had wiadrawn 20 the road yoley Of at
least 400 shots was fred at the house. whereupon
my husband ran to the balcony ana fired at the
crowd; he returned 10 reload his gun; while
he was loading the negroes again fired; my
husband the second time fired upon them;
this interchange OF volleys was nve times re-
peated. At the end OF that time ran to the
window to see II they were going away. then dis
covered that they had possession OF a load OF hay.
saw them come in front OF the steps OF the house,
pile up the hay ana set fire TO II. went to my hus-
band and told him they nad set IRE to or house.
lie thereupon went around and fired another musket
shot, After that he returned and ordered me to go
away and save the children, six in number. There
were present also my sister, white boy and col
ored girl. Each grown OF our party took child
and went away toward the woods by the back way.
| That was the last time | saw my husband The
negro Brown, now IN court, halted me In going
out OF the gate towards the field. He was then
crouching by the. fence. When ] refused to halt
he shot az me. then stopped, and, coming up,
4 the man threw himself upon me. begged his
pardon when he interr0gated me, and asked
him to save my life aud that OF my poor children.
lie cursed and said d--n you, have pity on the
baby In your arms but none on you. Continuing to
beg for mercy he finally told ME TO go. After had
started to he commenced calling TO the crowd In
the road. He now cursed me again and four OF the
men shot at me. continued to run until they over
took me. then called my sister to come back ana
that we would die together. j went Oh my knees
with my children around me as my sister came up.
One OF the men dealt her blow upon the head
She fell down and Ph0gene Augustine ran to her
and put his hand in her pockets She now sat up ana
begged them not to fire again at her. Five shots
were thereupon fired. Phiogene and Brown now de-
They made me cross over the worst roads they
could find, over and over. ! finally begged them
% XIII ne there They SAID they were not ready TO
jumped over to where was aud cursed me until l
again fell upon my knees. was unable to move
through excess OF terror He ordered me 70 hasten
TO the house. where the money was concealed, be-
cause the flames were fast gaining ground. Tie
hurried me on, the negro girl who was with me
clingng TO my dress. subsequently, as stated that
the girl knew where the money was, they dragged
her Off by the and released me. NY sister was
then sitting alongside OF the road, bleeding from her
finally persuaded her to attempt to make her escape
with me, and this we did, although the negro fired
his gun ut us.
The witness identified all OF the negro men, who have
been sent for trial before the Criminal Court.