New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-11-10
Four Men Killed and Twenty Wounded
REPRESENTATIVE ELECT KILLED
THE FULL PARTICULARS

BATON ROUGE, November s.
Abotit nine o'clock on the evening OF
election day monday, November z, one OF
the most cold-blOoded and disgraceful out
RACES took place in Baton Rouge,
that has been recorded for long time. On
Sunday evening, a band Of Democrats came
into town and marched through the streets,
shouting and hOoting in a disorderly way.
The activity Of its members and the rumors
spread about let every one know that there
was a possibility Of trouble during the elec-
ton.
Yesterday Monday was very still day;
in fact, too quiet not to excite notice. The
merchants closed their shops, and all day
the people of all parties voted in quiet,
unexampled manner The plan agreed
upon by the rioters was, that at signal
given by striking the fire bells a certain
number of times, they should rush
forth, armed, and attack the courthouse.
after the voting was over, destroy the bal
lot-boxes, and kill such Republicans as
might come in their way. Everything had
been well arranged. The Democrats sta
toned their men near the house of
the United States Marshal, and pickets
at different points, one near the barracks,
to prevent intercourse with the United
States forces, and, at the proper moment,
the signal was given and the work Of de-
struction commenced. A rush was made
for the courthouse just as the commission
ers Of election were about to open the
ballot-boxes and count the votes, the polls
having been closed some time. The win
dows and doors were thrust open, volleys
of pistol shots were fred into the court
rooms, the mob made a dash through the
rooms, but, the gas being put out, they
nj Tn sfvt- fn1, hnf hav
could proceed. In tho meantime, j. S.
Chapman, commissioner of elections, made
his escape through side window with one
of the ballot-bOxes. w. II. VanOrnum,
United States commissioner, quickly con-
cealed two ballot-bOxes under some old
records, and himself in a small
closet, where he remained undiscovered.
although his hiding place was several times
approached. Two or three colored men
building. Henry Williams and Charles
Morse, both colored. were unable to escape,
and were both shot-Williams through the
head, and killed, and Morse through the
thigh. Foiled in not getting possession of
the ballOt-bOXes, they commenced smashing
the furniture. tearing up papers, etc. They
fortunately overturned an enormous table.
which fell on the polling books, hiding them
from view, and thus preventing their de
struction. The gas fixtures were torn down:
the records of the court. and all the docu-
ments in the clerks room, were scattered
in every direction. Soon after the firing
commenced in the streets, deputy United
States Marshal made his way to the bar
racks, and called upon the commanding
officer for assistance, stating that the Mar
shals house was surrounded by armed men.
Captain E. S. Myer, commanding the post,
quickly moved two companies of the Nine
teenth Infantry to the scene of action, where
he was soon joined by United States Deputy
past his assailants through a shower Of
bullets. Near the market-house, about
thirty of the ringleaders, armed,
were surprised and arrested. Many
of the revolvers taken from the prisoners
were already hot from having been fired
A line of rioters, armed with muskets and
shot-guns, formed across North Boulevard
street, but they quickly fled at sight of the
soldiers. Colored men were shot down in
the street wherever found. The number
of Republicans, mostly colored, shot dur
four killed outright. Among the wounded
were - Schoonmaker, deputy United
States Marshal, and Joseph EOfficiel, the
latter shot through the right lung and not
expected to live. Only one Democrat was
injured.
Had not the military acted with great
prOmptness, every cOlored man in town
would probably have been killed, and much
property destroyed. As it was. the rioting
for the time being was suppressed, but
thu things still still look ok threatening; Mayor Elan
the city over to the military authorities,
who will preserve the peace at all costs.
Not single ballot-box was lost or a seal
broken, and the votes are being counted
this morning
Both the United States Commissioner and
United States Marshal are busy this morn
ing, and all the rioters arrested are to be
brought to trial under the new law, ap-
proved by the President May 81, 1870.
REPORTER.
A dispatch from the Deputy United States
Marshal at Baton Rouge, to United States
Marshal Packard, on Tuesday, reads thus
Supervisor and counters of ballots at
tackled by an armed Iceh;-Aallots saved
Four dead. and about twenty wounded;
all Republicans; Marshal SehoOmaker
L'Oficiel was killed. United
States forces work well with me. More
trouble anticipated. Arrested about thirty
Of the leaders.
The Marshal telegraphed yesterday to
know if more troops were required to keep
the peace or make arrests, to which the
Deputy Marshal replied:
Captain Meyer, commanding, states that
he Is able to preserve the peace and make
all arrests, under any and all circum-
stances.
Marshal Packard has given instructions
Tor the removal of the prisoners from Baton
Rouge to place of security.
Mr.. L'Officiel, who died from wounds re-
'eived at the hands of the rioters, was
member elect Of the House of Representa-
nd