The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-10-19
Testimony Of GeO.L. Hanme-
ken in the GrOeSbeCk Affair.

u III SOAA Vi lAC - AAAISu ObdtSo 4OA
the Western District of Texas, at
Austin, George L. Hammeken, to
me well known, who deposeth and
sayeth, that he is a native of the city
Of New York, Of sixty years of age,
that he was temporarily residing in
the town of Springfield, Limestone
county, on Saturday the 3Oth of Sep,
TENDER last.
That about 8 P. NJ. of that day,
whilst at the residence of and con-
yersing with his attorney L. J. Far
rar, Esq, Captain Richardson of the
State Guard, and partner of the
commercial firm of Griggs & Rich
ardson, entered, and informed them
that he had just arrived from Groes-
beck, where the citizens were much
excited on account of the murder of
a Mr.. Applewhite, an auctioneer,
who was father of a family, and. very
popular in that community; that
some Of the negro police had first
sought a quarrel, and then basely
assassinated him. Captain Richard
son also stated that very serious dis
tu7bances were apprehended.
As the Captain observed that he
was not personally acquainted with
the new Sheriff, Mr.. Young, whom
[ had several times met at the tavern
kept by Doctor Huston, 1 offered to
accompany and introduce him, so
that proper legal steps might at once
be taken to prevent disorder in
Grocsbeck.
We found that Mr.. Young was not
at the tavern, and were directed to
the Court House. The deputy She
riff, Mr.. Newton, came down stairs,
and as Mr.. Young had been some,
what indisposed for several days,
Mr.. Newton determined to go to
Groesbeck in his stead at once.
Next morning, Sunday, 1st Octo-
be2, Captain Richardson and his
Company, headed by the Registrar
Mr.. Bonner, and the Sheriff, Mr..
Young, went over to GrOesbecB, and
returned about mid Gay. Shortly
after, Mr.. Young, with pistol in
his belt, entered the house of Mr..
Smith, from whom I rent room,
and asked Mrs. Smith if she could
prepare dinner for fifty men, and
said to me, doctor Huston will pre-
pare dinner for fifty, and 1 want
dinner for fifty more"
Sometime after dinner, I observed
another body Of armed men, and on
asking who they we're, was told that
it was a company from Groesbeck,
who had come to assist the Sheriff
and State Guard, if necessary, to
appreheud the murdercrs who were
protected by the police, and by a
large armed force of negroes.
Not long after, the negro police,
leaving the main body of their aux
iliaries outside the town, entered
Springfield, formed in line in front
of the Court House, and surrendered
two prisoners to the Sheriff, and
shortly after the posse of Groesbcck
returned quietly and in good order to
their homes.
George L. Hammellen further de-
poseth and sayeth that he was at
Springfield recently, during the four
days election, and never has witt
messed a more orderly and quiet
election. That on the first day he
was told by one of his Republican
friends that probably the negroes
would be intirnidated and not come
in to vote. That he employs as his
coachman freedman called Felix
Dayey. That he urged Felix sewers
al times during those four days to 60
and vote, and observed to said Felix,
81 do not care for whom you vote,
but it's your duty and your privilege
so to do - that he also remarked to
Felix, if he was afraid, he himself
would accompany him to the polls f.;
that Felix laughed, and said he was
not afraid, and that he reminded the
dsponent that many days previous
he had observed he thought he would
not vote this time. And deponent
further deposeth and sayeth that he
told said freedman, Felix, to state to
all Of his color, that Captain Rich
ardson had said to him, the deponent,
that if any people of color wished to
vote, he would have them properly
escorted to and from the polls that
the State Guard had been placed
under the orders of the Sheriff, both
to preserve order at the elections,
and to prevent any renewal Of the
agitation caused by the unhappy oc-
currance of last Saturday. And de-
ponent further declares that during
the election, ne asked several freed.
men who we're in town moving about
freely and unconccrnedly, if they
had voted, and when they answered
him in the negative, he asked them
"Why ?" They shrugged their
shoulders and smiled. And depo-
nent afIirms that, although he will
not mention names, but that he SOL
EMMY swears and declares that two
of the persons, who, he has every
reason to believe, have boen most
instrumental in endeavoring to have
martial Law proclaimed in Limestone
county, not long ago, stated to him
in substance, if not in these exact
words, "that they had spite against
this community, and would have re-
venge." He also further states, that
after the prisoners were safely lodged
in Jail, he has not observed the
slightest tendency to violence or dis
order, either in Springfield, Groes-
beck, Or in any other part of the
county nor during the election did
he witness anV proyocati0n, or hear