New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-08
Two MEN SUPPOSED To BE
MURDERED IN NACOGDOCHES
.COUNTx.
NAcoGDoCHEs, April 10, 1870.

NAcoGDocHEs, April 10, 1870.
| EDITORS OBSERVER: On Saturday last
hve men, known as the Wheelers, of Shelby
county, took into custody Thomas Swift
| and Two other men one named Mora, the
other Long. and Long escaped. but Swift
ana Mora have not been heard OF, and are
supposed to be murdered. The men takel
prominent man-Swift. They were taker
from their wagons en- route to Shreveport
at Flatfork creek, in Shelby, about forty
miles from here. 1t seems that Swift and
comrades were bathing in the AtteyaC
on Friday, and one of this Wheeler
family was with them, drunk,
They ducked Wheeler a good deal,
and went off lea wing him stripped lying
near the bank OF Attoyac river, about
twenty miles from here. After Swift and
party ief, he was seen iu this condition, and
subsequently unaccountaby disappeared,
and the Wheelers say he was drowned by
Swift and party. 1t IS not known if these
men killed Swift and Mora. A party of men
went Immediately and arrested two of the
Wheelers, and arrived here this morning
about daylight, when one of them escaped
and has not been heard from since. l did
not learn his given name. The other is
named Bob Wheeler, and Is BOW ia Jail. A
party of men are after the other Wheelers.
since putting the above in type, from the
ObSerUer, We have been furnished, for pub
ilcatlon, the following statement in regard
TO the matter treated OF, and give ii rs re-
lated to US.
Our informant resides near the scene of
these disturbances, and is a gentleman Of
high standing, whose veraclty is unques-
tionable.
We Call the attention of Governor Davis
to the sad condition of affairs existing in
hat Of Atot, dato lnI ;,>O
statement. and hope, as we believe, that he
will take prompt and efficient steps to queil
the dlstur banCe, if the authorities, on the
spot, are unable to do SO, which seems to be
the case.
Here Is the statement referred to: About
the eighth OF this month Preston Wheeler,
OF Shelby county, was murdered on the
Attoyac river, which is the dividing line be-
tween Nacogdoches and Shelby counties.
Wheeler's friends followed and overlook and
killed two OF the supposed murderers, the
rest of the party pursued having made their
escape. This created great excitement,
which still prevails in that section.
Numerous and large parties Of armed
men are arrayed in hostility to each
other, near the scenes of these ont
RACES. and conflict is hourly expected.
which will terminate IN much bloodshed and
loss of life. if it occurs. Pres on Wheeler.
tuo uist NlCt!m luis LEaS0Uy, WIS
a Union man aud Republican. He left the
State during the rebellion to avoid conscrip-
tiOn in the Confederate service, and went to
New Orleans where he resided until the
close OF the war. as he was determined not
to fight against his country. His friends at
tribute his murder to these facts in his
history, and to his outspoken loyalty, which
had made him many enemies since his return
to this State.
We hope that the parties who are laboring
under the excitement which causes them to
make ready to take each others lives will,
upon reflection, let the law have sway, aud
10 nothing toward setting it aside. Let
hem use proper diligence in arresting the
offenders, and bringing them for trial be-
ore the proper tribunal. Mob law can
1ever be sustained on any grounds, either
If eXpediency or necessity. because it is al
ways wrong, and never right. Hence, no
good results can flow from its exercise, aud
Dad consequences are always the certain
ruit of any violation of law human or Di-
Tine. Let US have peace. ."-CrOcEeN
Houston County, 7erasj Journal.