The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-08-04
TESTIMONY FoR THE PROSECUTION

AASAAs v ~ AA~AA N-A~ -
Wilks.
TESTIMONY FOR THE PROSECUTION.
VIM. Collier. (white.) On the morning
of the 5th we were notified of an attack on
the place by negroes. l rather discredit ed
it at first. Notified Jackson in shop and
said come TO the Office. When Jackson came
to the office to see about it, then saw the
people (negrOes) coming; the parties came
near together: a shot was fired, and then
other shots, one of the white men fell first;
the shot first fired was from the negroes; :
certain that Aaron Mitchell was in it; heard
Bostwick say, ''you rascal. you have shot my
brother Was 4j0 feet from the spot I;
heard no threat from the whites, only saw
them pass rapidly. Both were advancing.
now near together. First shot by the blacks,
one of the whites fell; then other shots and
some of the negroes fell. All over in 20 sec
onds. Saw two blacks face. Saw blacks
running, pursued the blacks say $50 yards.
Last one killed was found within 80 yards
of the conflict. The negro who shot Bost-
wick was pursued by his brother who fred
at him once. Henry Pierce was the name
of the negro who shot BOstwick. The store
is Cos feet from place of fighting. and 1912
to crossing of Railroad. Blacks were all
armed and holding arms at a charge
Whites advanced towards them rapidly
Heard of the threats of the negroes from
Bostwick, King and Hooker, some of whom
came to give ths-.slaEAaas Defendants were
employed at the Factory, and had families
residing there. Witness closed front doors
and windows to prevent fire. Women and
children at work in the factory. Three
fourths are families of widows. y conflict
near would have been very dangerous on
account of fire so much loose cotton lying
about one spark might have set the whole
on fire.
Stephen Jackson (eolored,) was inside the
factory yard, standing near Collier. Part
ed with him, ran to the fence got on the
gate. Saw the afiray. Saw Jackson. (black)
with shot gun. Saw Reid and Drane with
rifle IN the shop. [ heard yell. Boys
(negrOes) had guns on their shoulders
Could not tell who fired (firs) pistol-then
instantly there were other shots. Two c0l-
ored men fell at once. Saw white men when
they started; there were or 10. Wilkes
(whte) was not armed, had Il stick. There
we're some guns. Henry Bostwick had no
gun. The colored men were coming along
calmly. Parties were 30 or 30 yards apart
when first seen. Heard talking, but could
not tell what was said. Several pursued
Henry Pierce-amOng them Bostwick One
that was shot (McMillan) pursued short
distance, and Reid pursued to corner, about
40 steps. Blowed an alarm whistle for help
from other places. There was a difficulty
on the 4th. in which Aaron Mitchell and
Henry Pierce were concerned. They Ghe
whites) took Aaron's qua from him and told
him to 90 away. He would not, without
his gun. Drane said put down that gun,
you have carried i5 for me two weeks. Then
Henry Pierce (colored) interfered and Gus
Harris and another. BoStwick told Henry
that it was no affair of his and struck him.
Henry came out of the store with lamp in
his hand. Gus Harris said come along and
Bostwick took hold of a gun. Drane said
let him alone after he had got hold of the
gun. The crowd told Drane not To shoot
Drane talked to Aaron good deal. My son
lived at Brookhaven. He came to WesOn
on the 4th, on the II O'Clock night train. He
was to have returned next morning st 4
O'Clock. David Jones came up. He lived
ut Brookhaven. When my son came in l
was awakened by him. L told him about
the difficulty and TO go to sleep. l said if
all is quiet at BrOokhaven it was more than
it was here. | was 20 yards from the scene
of conflict. Cook had guns does not know
what pun Cook said he picked up guns by
Jones and jackson; both were loaded
School house is $50 yards from crossing
Saw pistol that belonged to Davis in court.
Nv son came up at u O'Clock at night To go
to a candy stew. He went straight to bed.
Wanted my boy to go away and keep out of
Il difficulty, but expected none. Told him
to 90 to his work and keep himself out of
trouble. Always gave him that sort of adj
vice.
ing room. Heard some one say, ''yonder
they come. Saw them Saw the whites
going Negroes coming. Saw them pre-
Sent their guns 100 yards apart. Heard pis
toll then guns-was $50 yards from the
fiCht. Had a fair view. Whites carried
Guns on their shoulders, walking fast. Heard
some one fetch a yell Blacks yelled be
yond the white men and came on. knew
noHe of the colored men. Heard who they
were. Saw men on the ground dead Saw Bost
wick fall Saw Two men run of up the road.
White men had or guns. Saw none on
Rostwick. Wilks aEf Mcmillan had none.
All the negroes took guns from their shout
ders and presented them at charge. Col
ored men came on 80 to 60 feet. white men
had guns on their shoulders and went on To
meet negroes, and took guns down. Pistol
first fired on the left. BOstwick (white) fell
first Heard one man shout. 1t did not
come from the white men. 1t came from
further off. Saw or colored men, 100
yards from place of fighting.
Felix Jackson (colored) Was at home on
the 5th Met Henry Pierce (eolored) about
o'clock, going to Beauregard. told
brother John not to get into any fuss. Hen
gun out of the store. Went to school
Heard the shooting. Saw Aaron Mitchell
who was wounded. William Reid said,
don't you speak word.
Ora Stamford (colored.) Was at home
on the 5tn. Was at the spring when the
light took place. David Jones took gun
and went off about that time. Had vegeta-
bles ready for dinner and went to spring.
The colOred men started at ~ 10 go hqnt-
ing, and to return to Brookhaven at z Hen
nv Pierce, John Jackson, and Aaron Mitch
eli were at my house. Said they were go
ing hunting towards Beauregard. Left
them at the house and went TO spring for
dinner water. Dinner at II O'clock John (
Jackson shot off his gun and loaded it. All
loaded their guns-five men there. David
Hill had gun. Sam Jones had no gum
NV son had a razor, no his own. In Oct. |
David Jones was n years of age.
Mary jackson (colored.) Mother of John. |
Was 400 wards from affray. About ten |
o'clock came home. Saw Aaron Mitchell
and asked him what be was shooting so !
much for? Said he and John were going |
Told them not to get into FUSS
Always gave caution. Saw Reid after the
ii oht He said don't come here to make |
fuss, l will blow your brains out" John
had gun.
Lizzie Richardson (colo-ed). Lives at |
Beauregard on back part Of town; Was at |
borrow double barreled gun about O'Clock. |
Four men with him. Two we're Jones and |
Jackson. Saw the same gun on the train.
S. Simmons (colored.1 Was in Wesson on |
lives there. Boys said they were
going hunting, of them. l stopt behind |
the oak tree about 500 yards from the fight;
the boys went on TO get TO the next tree
They walked on steady. Don't know VINO
fred first shot. John Jackson. Jones ana |
Henry Pierce were killed. White men |
were advancing in trot. Heard cursing.
Pistol went off. Close together. linen guns.
Staid behind till guns all fired. The boys
met me first at Uncle Wesiey's at Z; Sta,a
with them all the time-Aaron Mitchell, |
jackson. Jones and Pierce in the party
Shot of guns. Three guns, saw no pistol. |
David Jones had a razor. | was shot at
or 6 times. Staid at S.anford's until they |
came to the fight. Saw the guns loaded
Did not see the shot.
Wilson smith (colored.) Lives in Wes-
son. Was at Beauregard. Went there TO |
work. Staid till heard of the fight Six |
wounds ON Henry Pierce. skull broken ali
10 uieces. Saw the colored men at 10 at |
Beauregard. They said they were going to