The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-06-01
Letter from PontotOc.

PoxToToC, May 90 ISL.
Fdtfor ClQriou Enclosed find copy OF
proceedings of Conservative meeting, had
in the town of Pontotoc to-day, which am
requested to send you for publication in The
CLARION. Before this reaches you, you viii
doubtless have heard various and contra
dictory reports, concerning ku klux raid
in our town on the night of the 18th, inst
The truth of the matter is this:
About II O'Clock of the above mentioned
night body of disguised men rode into
town, near the Courthouse, in which is the
press on which the Equal Rights is prin-
ted. read proclamation against the
editor, Col. Il. W. Flournoy, and awoke
several parties, asking them various ques-
tions about Col. Flournoy, where he lived,
&c, and some questions about negro
schools.
They were making considerable noise
with whistles, horns, &c. Some citizens
who were awake, armed themselves and sent
one of their number to Col. Flournoy's
house to awaken him and apprise him OF
what was going on; he returned with the
man who went to wake him. TO where the
other citizens were, where they all-about
eight in number, approached the disguise
party, and asked them To disperse, which
was answered by the report OF pistol from
the ranks of the disguised party. wherenpon
the citizens fired into them with several
double barFeled shot guns, killing one, and
rumor says, wounding several others. The
disguised party Immediately dispersed.
1t is said the cause of the party coming
into town was the appearance of some very
severe articles against the people of this
county in the E'EqGal Rights" and especial
~ one against the ladies of the county, in
which. among other things, something was
said about them peFiuring themselves, &c.
Mr. Editor although, as you know, the
Equal Rights is a most bitter paper, and
uses the most violent language against our
people, yet this is no cause for violence and
lawlessness. and | assure you it meets with
no encouragement, but the hearty condem-
nation of all good citizens. But this needs
no further proof then to tell you that, the
Ddrttt achO freHt To rake Col. FlGu711Og IS q
Conservative, aud erery gun trhich eoas fired
into the disguised party eeere conservatives ex-
cept Col. ElOurnoy himself.
In fact it was Conservatives who got up at
the dead hour of midnight, and risked their
own lives to defend Col. FlOurnoy, and
have been active ever since assisting the
civil authorities to bring the parties to JUS
tice. And what is the result +? The military
has been sent here, but finding every thing
quiet, and the citizens doing all that was
necessary to assist the officers of the law
they returned Immediately. But we I'M
derstand a committee from Washington is
on their way here, and we are threatened
with the military. These are some Of he
fdUOrS Conservatives get by protecting the
Radicals at the risk OF their own lives. This
does not change matters, however, in that
respect-for it is the law we propose to
sustain, and lawlessness to suppress at all
hazards. And after we do this if troops
still must be quartered upon us, we cannot
help it, we can but do our duty. Vel do
we know the object of the Radicals in
bringing the military upon uS-not only
in this county but all over the State.
Whether they will succeed in accomplish
ing their object or not, is yet to be decided.
&. Is. MITCHELL.