New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-16
THE SOUTHERN OUTRAGES.
RIOTS AND MURDER AT MERIDIAN, MISS.

70 fhe Edftor Of The Trfoune
SIR: AS my name has been in print in many
papers, connection with the late numbering at Men.
dian, deem 1t my duty to myself the good people OF
Iauderdae County, and my country, that facts when
the KuKlux would doubtless like to keep hidden should
be made known. was appointed an Alderman In May,
1862 July g. 1867 was appointed TO the office of Mayor
OF Meridian an Office which held until the 9th OF this
month, when was forced by the Ku-Klux to abandon
It, should say by the way OF Introduction, that went
the South to aid my brother In business In merchan
disc without any aspirations for oce but Office after
Office was literally forced upon me, and contrary to my
own Wishes but desiring the good OF the country and
people, accepted. Tho Ku-Kux were not then 30 well
organized as now My trials, troubles, and vexations
as well as dangers, were many. wished many time
that some other person well fitted for the business would
accept but II said anything about resgnng the whoie
Republican party would rise as one man and demonstrate
against it. The Ku Klux had made many fritless enorts
TO remove me legtimaely, but always failed IAer aSs
effort was made about the first Of this month They had
good man upon their Petition they garfield around ana
worked vigorously but all to purpose The Democrats
aligned for my retention In office; about ono hundred
Democrats signed my petition before 1t was presented 10
members of the Republican party. My petition was
drawn IA the morning and circulated at intervals during
the day. The next morning there were upon 1t SIi names
They saw that was firm In my position.
About three weeks ago about one hundred Aahamians
cauO 10 McTNuhu, dINicu PlinOipohy WIN
relied shot guns for the otensble purpose OF arresng
one Daniel Price, originally Alabamian, who was
Federal appontee, but who was removed when the hu
Klur came into power. Mr. Price IS an Intelligent gen.
tleman, and seemed TO want nothing Injustice Tic
had removed from his birthplace TO Meridian ior poec
ton gave him to understand that would AID him. or
help defend him from the invaders, but he was advised
TO depart and got away. The KuKluS have since pre-
ferred baseless charges against him. These Aaoamlans
under the command las am informed, Of one Reniron,
who as believe was with his gang under tho immc-
date charge Of Lews A. Raysdale, eltzen OF nel
dian bound their with ropes took them to Lewis a.
Raysdalc's Hotel and them what they dd kno" not,
but believe that the captives wero murdered asked
Gov Acorn Of Mississippi to send me some soldiers lie
sept them Immediately upon Friday. Saturday busted
myself In getting evidence against some citizens whom
knew as the prime movers. intended to arrest them
upon Monday, but before that the troops were recaeu
TO jackson, and was left powerless. There was no
chance 70 hsvo the order countermanded, ana the
soldiers returned will state that believe Gov j. L.
Alcorn to be a true Union man; lover OF his country
lie was no doubt msed In this matter OF withdrawing
troops
Only short time ago of the Board OF Supervisors
Joseph williams was called out at night by az he sup
posed friend lie was then and there completely rid
died by bullets and killed. Only short time before
that several Ku-Klux entered the apartments where
some persons sleeping and killed three OF the
the order Of the day. j. A. Moore, VIM Dennis and d.
W. Tyler coored were, think the three most intel
ligent negroes in Lauderdalo County. They desired
peaee They had doubtless, brooked many an insult In
order TO keep the peace j. A. Moore was the repre-
sentative of Lauderdale County, Methodist preacher
true 10 his race desiring their elevations true to his
country always trying cOncate, and true TO his God
asking sinners fee from the wrath to come" j. A.
Moore VIM Dennis, and d. w. Tyler after so many muir
ders had been committed, desiring peace, called meet
ing of the citizens II Meridian. and there made speeches
regrettng that feeling did not exist and begged
the white man 10 aid them in putting down tho Kuklux
From the evidence had or heard the following Monday
that wac full import Of their speeches The Union
party was growing, at all tines had been triumphant
The X KS it, and rallied for dear life on Monday
the Ku-KluS as think they are or should be name
aud reiterated after another The present lncnm
bents must be swept away from the race oil tae
| II believe all planned) than some one made
affidavit that the negroes had uttered lncendlary
speeches G.et me say what believe: they asked only
for peace and some reward Tor ther laDOr, WHICH, IN
many e had not go Iney S errs fbs@
saw the guns numerously carried toward the court
house aPprehended serious Inn Geg ,n. we're
brought there. The killing was pronediateu hIter
making, as conceived preparations for the murder.
/ went thence directly to my brothers mouse, Where
had some guns / went into the garrett, intending to
make as vigorous a defense possible. In q few mo
inents heard report after report which toll me tnat
| the numbering which feared had commenced ihme-
datey afterward heard the cries Of mourners ana the
| waing OF widows. The KuKlux cavalry were march
ing through the streets Their numbers were great
probably 500 including infantry. NO chance for me TO
escape. heard A. g. Horn, the editor OF ne Mercury
as he passed my brothers house, say, We must get
that ID rascal expected nothing but death. knew
however or believed that there not enough TO take
honId have buried the house There stayed until the
soldiers soldiers did say God forgive me for 20 dlg
nfying the yainsl, had Departed The numbering had
The Ku-Klux will cndeavor to make the people Of the
North believe that Judge Bramlette was killed by a
| make Deleyo IL; DGt 4 DC
not believe that any Of the arrested negroes had any
the for some time and sat close the accused and
saw none But in q direct line from the SheriHs once
door to TO the main hall there sat Of those negroes
and believe although saw the shooting that one
or many OF the KlKuX, In carrying out ther Heslgh
umped out OF the twOtOry window after which lao was
| killed. Gen. Dennis, colored, was shot IN the court
room after which he was thrown from the two-story
| window on TO the brick pavement below, and as that
did kill him. they then cut his throat After Iney
a aaS k 40 they Continued their hesh barbaro
They surrounded my brothers house. They were an
armed with double barreed shot guns, and, as Was
told 200 in number. Many good citizens OF Meridian
plead for Inc, well many in the kuklux columns
They appointed committee after COMMITTEES TO walt upon
me and To inform me that must leave by 10 o'clock
Wanted 70 know the why's and wherefoes but they
sid they not to argue any question OF ngntm.ne
fuly but said that their ultmatum was that must
| take Northernbound train. l yielded AT about ~
O'Clock night perhaps 800 came and escorted me 10 inc
cara Some difficulties and dangers presented them
| selves but got here in safety. x,,,
am much sufferer In pain and feeling, but DeleVe
that the state OF Mississippi is able to indemnify me-
LET me urge the necessity of having martial law pro-
claimed through every Southern state The soldery TO
be sent there should be quarered the Rebels Lenl-
ency will not do Gratitude, they have none Reepro-
cation OF favors they never dream Of Wh sTUkGEs.
Hetc- York. March Is, 1871.
| ACCOUNT OF THE EXPULSION AND OTHER OUT
RACES BY REBEL PAPER.
ySo~ 1sk Alabama Sak Journal, March 10.
Since the killing of Judge Bramlette in
Meridian several nhumsn acts have been comnittea ny
that any Of them have been arrested, as were the
negroes IL looks very much Ike disregard OF law wnea
ths Mavor OF A city ordered by a mob TO resign ana
leave on short notice II the Mayor and coored men or