New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-02
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Third Days Examination.


judicial examination of the Donaldsonville
trouble, made by Commissioner Weller,
Fisher and the two divers, together with
Morris Marks, j. A. Cheevers, Felix Rey-
maud, Lorenzo Gomez, Samuel A. Fields
and Charles Gecks were charged, the three
former with murder, and the six latter mur-
der and intimidation of voters during the time
of the election. At 'sae close of the second
days examination on Saturday last, Com
missioner Weller discharged the five per-
sons charged with murder and intimidation
as to the murder, but held them to bail as
to the intimidation, and the case was con-
tinued until yesterday at noon.
At the opening of the court the five per-
sons charged with intimidation were first
examined.
u. Holland, swOrn-The witness is a
preacher. His testimony was to the effect
that various acts of intimidation had been
committed by the parties 80 charged. The
witness testified that there was no trouble
while the election was going on, but that
the difficulty took place afterward, and the
pretext was the removal of the bailot-boxes
across the river.
Robert Noel, sworn-Witness was a con-
stable on the day of election. He testified
upon the removal of the ballOt-boxes. Mr..
Marks and others objected in strong
language. Witness saw Mr.. Reynaud shot,
down the river; saw Abraham Howell in a
cart, wounded. between eleven and twelve
o'clock on Tuesday. The witness further
testified that Mr. Philips, Mr.. Brady, Norris
Marks and Others, to about forty in num-
ber, who had arms; the principal purpose
expressed by these parties was to prevent
the removal Of the ballotboxes Witness
stated also that Mr.. Reynaud had said on
Tuesday that none OF the men elected
should take their seats.
On ncross-examination the witness stated
that he saw Felix Reynaud fire gun at
some people who were coming across the
river in boat. When fired at, the boat
was about one hundred yards distant from
the shore. The witness was subjected to a
close examination, but told the same thing
over and over.
Lawrence Corner, sworn-Was deputy
constable on the day of the election. Wit
ness testified in relation to the boat that
the preceding witness had stated had been
fred INTO. There were about twenty men
in the boat; they had guns: the boat went
back when fired into. Witness was too
much excited to know who fred the guns.
Joseph Dominique, swOrn-Was commits
sioner Of election for the Seventh Ward;
boxes from his ward to the courthouse, but
next morning received a written order from
Mr.. Hunsaker to remove the boxes across
the river Witness then related various
circumstances similar to what had been told
by other witnesses. Did not see arms on
Mr. Marks; Mr.. Field and Reynaud we're
armed to prevent the removal OF the boxes;
heard shot from the river side, and saw
cOlored man with red shirt fall; Mr..
Marks and Mr.. Field made no disturbance.
The case for the prosecution closed at this
point. and the court adjourned the examlna-
ton until Tuesday next, at twelve o'clock.
When the preceding case had been con-
tinued, the examination of Daniel Fisher
and the two divers was gone into.
Clark Sheldon, sworn-There was con-
spiracy by the divers and number Of
| others, Of which witness was one, to 60 to
DOnaldsonville and capture the ballot
boxes or burn DonaldsOnville.
The remainder Of the testimony of this
witness was as sensational as the Castle Of
Otranto" or the Horrors Of Oakendale Alb
bey." According to his account, it is a
wonder that any one was left alive.
Captain Brown, of the steamer w. 5.
Pike was sworn, and testified to the effect
that he had conveyed one hundred and
forty-six men to Mr.. Lawes' plantation, and
that shortly after Schonberg and Lawes
were murdered.
Charles Pedesclaux, swOrn-The testi-
mony of this witness implicated one of the
divers in the murder Of Lawes, and con-
tiicted directly with other evidence to the
effect that Oliver did not reach the ground
until after Lawes was killed.
In relation to further testimony IN the
case Of the divers, Commissioner Weller
said that these prisoners had been examined
at Donaldsonville and then committed, and
that he would not reopen their case !; he
would only hear testimony in relation to
the case Of Fisher.
William Hardings, sworn-This witness
knew nothing about the matter, and the
next witness testified merely that a number
of colored men had bought powder and
shot at his store.
George Washington, sworn-This witness
testified that Lawes, when wounded. was
taken out of the building and up the road,
and that Oliver came back and said Lawes
had shot Schonberg, and they must shoot
Lawes; although some of those present op-
posed this, yet guns were fred and Lawes
was killed.
The case was continued until eleven O'Clock
to-day.