New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-09
THE CaTAEOULA VENDETTA.
Las. act in the Tragedy-FuN Pare
sicuiars.

THE GATAEOCAA sENDEIlAs
Las. act In the Tragedy-Ful Pare
ticuiars.
There is so much public interest Il the
following from the Times of last evening,
that we regard it as important to reproduce
the whole article:
A contemporary having given some par
ticuars of the Black river vendetta, and the
escape of the younger JONES' after the nur-
der of his father aud brother, duty to the
public compels Us to furnish Information,
which has been in the Office OF the Times
since Saturday, and up to this time, for
obvious reasons, has been suppressed. The
gentleman alluded to, youth OF nineteen,
reached this city at late hour Friday night
or early Saturday morning, after one OF the
most extraordinary escapes that perhaps mas
ever been recorded in either romance or
history.
Immediately upon his arrival, he sought
refuge in the Third District, but shortly
afterwards he was removed to another por-
ton of the city, where be has since re-
mained under a strong police guard.
From those who have conversed with him
freely, we learn the following details of one
of the most horrible outrages that has ever
biackened the criminal record OF louisiana
The story of Sunday evening, February
27, has already been partially told. While
in the custody of Sheriff 3 tilard, and in COM
pany of mir. Elijah B. Cotton and several
ladies, the house they three then occu-
pied, near Harrisonburg. was completely
surrounded by an armed mob, who, knock.
ing at the door, first demanded to see the
sheriff.
Mr.. Ballard, making his appearance, he
was informed in manner far from violent,
but at the same time with the utmost firm
ness, it was necessary for him and every
other inmate to at once leave the premises.
- III fhD n1.In
was repeated more peremptorliy, and in his
closing remarks TIE leader stated the house
would be burned IN the course OF few
minutes. There seemed to be no other
alternative and all the inmates, excepting
the three victims, quietly left. The house
is 2 two-stOry building, with stairs leading
! from the rear to the second floor. Col.
! Jones and his SONS we're on the ground
! floor, and after the departure of the other
| inmates, the doors were securely fastened.
| When the contest commenced, the three
were in a front room. The father, standing
near bedstead, rested his wounded left
| arm on il. and III mis- right hand held re-
volver pointed at the portal. The second
| con stood Immediately in the rear, with two
revolvers pointed in the same direction.
The third son (the one who is now in the
city, was still further back armed with one
revolver. In the brief parley the younger
brother had urged the unhappy little gar
rison to take station upstairs, but the
other two insisted that if fire was used that
course would only lead to certain destruc-
iion, and that as death was apparently un-
avoidable all had best meet it boldly. The
youth, however, did not seem disposed
to give up all hope, and before the assault
had fairly commenced he retreated
through rear room, in the direction of the
stair case. About the time he had placed
his foot on the first step, there came ter
rife banging at the door, apparently with
an axe. Hurrying up, he was startled with
a crash the door had fallen, and then the
horror which followed rivsled terrors' of hell
itself. A dozen shots in quick succession,
tiendish yell, the groan of dying man, and
the tramp Of heavy footsteps. Men, like
wild beasts, maddened at the sight of blood,
rushed in all directions. The older son, des-
perately wounded, tottered out to the gar
den in the rear, only to have the remnant of
life shot out of him by q wretch, (reVolver
in hand), who stood over him as he lay
gasping on the ground.
The work of carnage was of short dura-
tiOn; ten minutes completed the butcheTy
below, and then rush was made tor the
upper story for one more victim, beardless
boy, who remained for their hungry bullets.
To leap to the ground ard certain death, or
present his breast to the now ascending
assassns, was the thought of an instant.
While the assaiiants were yet on the stairs
he concluded to do neither, and sprang
1LIOuSl a. llcuG WluuON. StcSplu5 %
ledge formed under the sill, he swung him.
self out and hung suspended blood below,
blood thirsty enemies above. How long he
remained there is better told by his hands,
covered with bl;sters and so bruised and
strained that even now they are nearly use
less. The room was speedily filed with
men.
Torches were thrust out almost over his
head, but, thanks to its binding glare, the
victim hung unseen. They evidently be-
heved he hal escaped. Parties were even
sent to the river, but after stay OF perhaps
fifteen minutes, the scene Of horror was de-
serted.
The danger for the moment over, the
youth swung himself back into the room,
exhaustion. h m fhen came the sad Office Of
viewing the bloody corpses Of the only two
he claimed akin within thousands of miles.
Colonel Jones lay where he had stood, pierced
by four bullets. He had evidently died in
stantly, receiving every wound from the
front. The son lay in Ahe garden, also quite
dead.
Remaining perhaps ar hour on the tragic
ground, the boy creeping softly to the river,
procured pirogue, and slowly floated down
stream to q lower landing. Sinking on
board the steamer Maytiower, he found him.
self in the midst of his enemies, fifteen OF
them armed with shot guns.
While standing in bewilderment, one
man, worthy Of the name, we wish we dared
give it, touched him, and the two walked
toward the engine room. He was quickly
directed TO the hold, 8 couple of bales Of
cotton were carelessly rolled over the hstch,
and the escape was accomplished. The
party left the boat in squads of three and
four on the way down the river. 1t is not
certain that all left. It is not certain that
some are not here now; that two of them
did not. on Saturday night, drive to his
refuge in a carriage. He Is surrounded,
however. by circle tiercer than Greek fire.
Should they penetrate it, twill be st the risk
Of life.