The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-03-22
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THE MERIDIAN MASSACRE.

Account Of the Court.Room Riot by
q Colored Victims..The Shooting
Of Judge Bramlette.
We are beginning to get a little light
about this affair. The jackson Plot pub.
fishes a statement Of J. Aaron Moore, a
colored member Of the Legislature, who
resides at Meridian, and fed to jackson.
Mr.. Moore saved the house which the
"Citizens' Committee" thought was burn
ed for the insurance. he was arrested
for using inceudiary language. Hero is
his story:
"At the examination, where l arrived
about 8 r. n, Judge BramIette was pre-
siding. The charge OF making speeches
on Saturday was being examined. The
defendants were Warren Tyler, William
Clopton, alas Dennis, and myself, all col.
ored. Mr.. Ford, the Prosecuting Attor.
ney, asked what / had to say. I sold l
was not guilty, and did not know any.
thing oft Ineeded no attorney, for
had done nothing. The witnesses were
then examined. They seemed to agree
that Tyler and Clopton had made flaming
speeches, but that mine was on the side
Of peace and good order. Mr.. Brantly, a
white man, gave his testimony. At this
time oil the colored policemen were
called In. The Mayor had been IN
the room, but only remained few min
utes. The prosecuting attorney asked
Brantly what he had heard Tyler say on
the street that Monday morning. He
answered that be was passing along the
street, when he heard "this boy here" Che
did not know his Iiame) say that "the
Democrats were getting frightened"
Bantly testified that he called Tyler 0
d-d liar, and that he had O great mind
TO shoot him down or blow his brains
out on the spot. At this, Tyler said that
he desired Brantly to keep the floor for Q
moment, until he could go out and gel
two men who would impeach his bran.
tly's testimony. Brantly replied: "What
did you sayt" Tyler repeated his re.
mark, when Brantly caught up the hickory
stick Of tho city marshal from q table near
and with It started for Tyler. The last
remember Of 1t, Tyler was retreating
backward towards the sherifFs room.
heard several say, "ShO0t him! shoot
him |" l had just got behind judge
Bramlette when l heard the shot, ant
the Judge fell TO the floor. l fell will
him, hG falling directly upon my lef
shoulder. l was not hit, but tho blood from
Judge Bramlette covered my clothing ant
arm. The firing became general, l canno
say who fired the shot at Judge Bran
lette. was at tho time Of the mind tha
It had been aimed at me md hit him
There was soon firing oil over the room
l heard the marshal shout out for the firinl
TO cease, Us the magistrate was killed.
saw that he was uead and remained quiet
When the crowd dispersed | looked ul
and saw Clopton also dead. Deputy Sher
III Belt was nigh, with o pistol in hi
hand, and I sought his protection. III
averred that he could not protect anybody
Soon thereafter I picked up my hat ant
walked away covered with blood, ant
everybody supposed that was mortally
wounded. | only told one person that
was not hurt. l reached home, told m,
wife she must take care Of the children
and herself, gave her what money hat
and left, l only went about three e-quarter
Of amile when sent q friend back. HI
soon returned to tell me that one hundred
men were at my house looking for me.
Travelled all that highland until 9 20'clocl
Tuesday morning, when l reached
friends house. I stayed there all tina
day. Another friend came there and toll
me that my home and all that I had in II
with the church, was burned up The
l lelt that place and travelled on foot, do,
and night, and got here this morning
0 o'clock,