New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-18
TIE SOUTHERN OUTRAGES

| ACCOUNT OF THE MERIDIAN COURTROOM RIOT
| BY THE HON. }. AARON MOORE, A CoLORED
| yICTIM-IHE SHOOTING OF JUDGE BRAN
| LETTE.
| All the accounts of the recent riots and
murders at Meridian Mississippi thus far received both
| by telegraph and mail have been from Rebel and ku'
Kux sources only except the letter Of Mayor sturges
Tn, Jackson Pilot publishes statement from the Hon.
J. Aaron Moore q c0lOred member Of the Mississippi
LEGISLATURE who resides Meridian, and who arrived
at jackson after fight on foot. The reporter TOOK
down his words as he lay in bed, Frustrated by faugue'
IL was MI MoOres house wi III was burned on MONDAY
evening after the first riots, and concerning which
"Citizens Committee" made report ntmatihS that
It was burned for the insurance, the furniture being
previously removed The truth appears to be that the
House was threatened by the whites and that II had
deserted there would have boon greater loss OF
property, II not, indeed, loss OF life' meeting OF
cOored people the immediate cause OF trouble hOre
and other coored men were arrested for making
"incendary speeches." and it was at their examination
On Monday that the shooting OF Judge Bramlette and
the subsequent general slaughter OF cOored men oc
Cured. The account given below Of the shooting con-
trass strangely with that given by the first kilograms
No hint was gwen in those Of the threatened attack on
negro by witness which preceded the shooting. Mr..
Moore was among those arrested and examined. He
says:
At the examination, where arrived about p. m,
Judge Bramlette presiding The charge OF making
ants were Warren Tyler VIM COptOn, alias Dennis and
nyself all cOlored. Mr. Ford the prosecuting attorney,
asked what had to cay sad was nGt gy ad b Hd
done nothing The witnesses were then examined Ihcy
seemed to agree that Tyler and Clopton had made liam,
Inc neecles but that mine was the side Of peace and
good order Mr.. Brantly, white man, gave his
testimony. At this time all the cSlo,ed ponce,
the ROOM but only remained a few minutes Inc
prosecuting attorney asked Branty what ne nhu heu
Tyler say the street that Nlonday) morning. ne
answered that no passing along the street Wneh no
~ howl prpp
that 'hc Democrats were getting frightened Hranuy
testified that he called Tyler ID liar, and that ne had
great mind to shoot him down or dow hlS Drains ouI
spot. At this Tyler said he desired Branty 70
keep the door for moment until he could go OUT ana
get two men who would impeaGh bis tBIantSr ~ tesI
mony. BTautly repliod "Wnat did you say Iyler re-
peaIcd his remark, whom Brandy caught up the
! with it started for Tyler. The last remember OF
| H. Tyler was retTeating backward toward the
sRerl;s room heard several say, Shoot him! shoot
| him - mad inst Got behind Judge Bramette when
heard the shot, and the Judge fell to the tOor fe
with him. he falling directly upon my ielt s1ouiuea
| nv clothing and arm. The firing became general. l
cannot say who fred the shot at Judge BrAmlette;
me and hit him T1ere was soon nIins al oRtr t.o
room. heard the Marshal shout ont for The iTing to
| dead and remained quiet. When the crowd was di,-
perscd looked us and saw ClOPr0n also dead Deputy
snerR Belt was nigh, with pistol In his hand ana
sought his protection lie aYeried tnas ne couiu no'
Soon thereafter picked up my hatand walked away
covered with blood and every body SUPPOSE that was
not hurt. reached home, told nay wlie she must take
care the children and herself, gave her what money
mile when friend back. lie soon returned to tell
me that 100 at my house Looking l9r me. L
ing when reached Attends house. stayed there all
that day. Another friend there and told me that
M Then that place and Travelled on loot day and
hight aud got here this morning AT O'Clock