The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1868-07-01
MILITARY TYRANNY.
whittier riftln g.

The following was communicated to the
Washington City NATIONAL INTEILIGENeER
On the night of the SOth of March, G. w.
-AshbuTn was killed in a negro house of i'll
fame in the city of Columbus, Georgia.
From the difference known to exist between
Ashburn and many of his political associ-
ates, his violent and overbearing temper,
and the remarks made by his relatives and
intimate friends, the suspicion that he was
killed by members of his own party, for
political reasons and purposes 3oinaFae ediatefly1
obtained in the community.
One Bennett, who had been an active
Radical partizan, prominent member of
the Loyal League, was in the house at the
time of the killing. This man was heard to
make threat against the life of Ashburn
on the Saturday previous tie his death His
statements as to the cause of his. being in
the house, and as to the differences which
existed between himself and Ashburn, about
some matters of money, and his subsequent
conduct in endeavoring to suborn negroes
to swear the deed against certain citizens of
the place, pointed to him very, strongly as
an accomplice, at least in the transaction.
An affidavit was made by citizen who
heard Bennett make the threat against the
life of Ashburn, before Samuel R. Bostock,
Justice of the peace appointed by General
Meade, who failed to issue warrant for
the arrest of Bennett. This man Bostock,
and his bailiff Thomas Grier, who has since
been appointed Marshal of the city by Gen
eral Meade, were very active in getting ne
groes to swear the deed against certain par
ties, two of whom are now in confinement.
]. G. Maule, of Alabama, member of the
Reconstruction Convention of Georgia, and
a member elect to the Legislature of Geor-
gia, has since stated that he knew the killing
was to take place on that night, and that he
left town beforehand.
Solomon Woodfeld, who Bennett states,
| was in the house short time previous to
the killing of Ashburn, and who was known
to be on bad terms with Ashburn, on ac-
count of certain moneyed transactions be-
tween them, left the city shortly after the
killing, and has gone to parts unknown.
Some time after the killing, and after the
Military Governor of Georgia had offered
an unusually large reward for the appsehen-
sion of the murderers, several of the most
prominent and respectable young gentlemen
of Columbus were arrested by military au-
thority, together with two negroes, who had
| 4 81,
and, after confinement of several days,
were discharged on heavy bail, without
charge or accusation.
Subsequently two of the white men were
rearrested, together with the two negroes;
were sent to Fort Pulaski, confined in cells,
fed on soldiers rations; and denied all access
to or communication with counsel or friends
Later still, another young gentleman was
arrested and sent to the same place, on the
same conditions, and Bennett and white
prostitute, who were in the house on the
night of the killing, were also sent to Fort
Pulaski.
When the matter of these arrests was
brought to the attention Of Congress and the
country, by the Hon. Mr.. Beck, of Ken
lucky, three of the young gentlemen origin
ally arrested, viz: w. I. Chipley, DR.. Kirck-
sey, and Columbus BedeIl, and another
young gentleman, Cliff B. Grimes by name,
were arrested, and are now confined in the
military barracks at Atlanta, awaiting trial
by military commission for the murder OF
A1hburn.
After the arrest of these parties a military
officer of the staff of General Meade, togeth-
cr with Captain Mills. commanding the posi-
at Columbus, proceeded to arrest and con-
fine a large number of negroes of both sex
es; and to examine the same in the manner
specified and described in papers hereuntC
attached. Six OF the negroes so arrested
and examined have been sent to, Atlanta un.
der military guard, to be used, as supposed,
as witnesses against the parties accused.
The parties named as above are confined
in separate apartments, and are denied al
communication with friends, save undel
military surveillance, and all opportunity IL
confer with counsel as to their defense. A
| W
denied, upon application, the privilege O,
even seeing the prisoners in the presence O
an officer, though she promised not to speal
to them, and only desired to see them, il
order that she might report their situation IL
friends and families.
All of the persons so arrested and conin
ed, and who are sought by extraordinaa..
and unusual means to be mplic ated IN tn
commission of a crime, of which they ar
believed to be entirely innocent by all wh
know them, have occupied positions of pro
minence il the Democratic organization o
the city.
To combat this movement, to vindicat
the characters of the accused, to protect then
from persecution and punishment, and t
, enlighten the mind of the country as to tn
true status of this affair, this document an
the papers appended have been prepare
and collected:
GEORGIA, MUscoGEE COUNTY,
Personally appeased before me, this Ct
day of June, 1868, Sandy Wilson, a color
ed man, who, being duly sworn, depose
and says that on Monday, June l, 1868
I, about IL A. NJ. deponent was arrested O
streets of Columbus by one Thomas Grie
and a Federal soldier, and carried tothead
quarters of his post, and delivered over 1
Captain Wills, commanding post; that in tn
room were three other United States officer
!, !, names not known, besides Captain VIII,
that he was first accused of being q. Demt
cratic negro, and a book was produced. an
referred to, in which were written name.
among which deponent saw and read hi
own nume Deponent at once prOteste
. against this arrest and told one of the offic