Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-01-12
For the Spectator.
JEFFERSON, Texas, Dec. 2lst, 1868

JEFFERSON, Texas, Dec 2lst, 1868.
INr. Editor Since the Presidential election
everything has been moving on very quietly
here until few weeks since, when our Mayor
was removed by an order from the Satrap Rey-
nolds, and his place filed by one Pat Maloy,
who now wears the shoulder straps OF lleu-
tenant, and who, some months since, held the
high and honorable position of niger bureau
at Marshall, where he rendered himself notorl-
Gus by admitting negro and excluding white
evidence and imposing extravagant fines on the
helpless planters His honor's first official act
here was to fine boy 500 for striking lady,
an impudent Wench OF color--which he said
was very grave offence.
About the same time our city marshall, MIR.
D. Sanford, was shot dead by desperate,
while quietly eating his dinner in q restaurant,
and few days later several of our most worthy
citizens were arrested by the military and placed
in close confinement in camp, on charge, it is
said, Of having been implicated In the killing
of carpet bagger by the name Of Smith, who
represented the negroes Of this city in the Aus
tin Convention.
When Smith returned from the Convention
some mischievous boys took his carpet-bag
from negro, to whom he had given it to be
carried up town. Smith applied to the mlll>
tary for squad Of men to make search for his
lost property-but they failed to make any dis
coveries although Smith directed the search.
He then swore he intended to have 1t and gave
notice that if not given up-altfough only
worth $500, it should cost the city 100000,
and he began to collect an armed band Of ne
groes to make an attack on the house OF a Mr.
Figuses, who called on his friends for protec
ton. Several citizens responded to the CALL
and as they were riding cut to his house they
passed a negro drinking shop, where Smith
H., ho md
party perhaps thinking that they were looking
for them, rushed out and firing as they ran
wounded two OF the citizens, and then ran on
to the. military headquarters and claimed pro-
lection They were at once lodged IN the city
Jail and guarded by both soldiers and citizens.
On the night following this occurrence
large body of mounted and armed men
masked and painted-appeared at the jail,
and quietly disarmed the guard, broke down
the door, and killed Smith an d one Of the ne-
groes and quickly took their departure.
Smith was one of the most vicious and de,
graded of his race--New England Puritan-and
did more to generate i'll feeling between the IA
ces than any nam who has ever been in Texas.
He lived here for many months with negro
woman to whom he pretended to be married
and then deserted her In a very helpless condl-
ton. He was at the head Of the loyal league,
and lived by levying contributions on its mem
bers. While in the Convention he associated
only with negro members and boarded at ne
gro house, and when he returned he met the
fate above described. Our city is now full OF
detectives, on large pay, trying to work up the
case for the hump.
There are now about $50 soldiers here but
they are very quiet generally. Several hun
dred have gone to the interior aud two regl
mens are to arrive here soon, the latter, how
ever, are to march to the frontier at once and
aid in the winter campaign against the Indians.
As you are aware they have been driven South
of Red River and have taken refuge among
the Wichata mountains and in New Mexico
They are to be attacked, I hear, in their winter
quarters and having taken their women
and children with them, must come to terms
or be exterminated, and the latter is most prob
able-as the poor Indian has been troubles
some pet for a long time, and as cuffee has
now taken his place-the easiest way to get rid
of the Indian is to kill him Off,
Radical reconstruction is working. out ac-
cording to the most approved radical plan in
Arkansas.
Immediately after the Bossier Parish (La. }