Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-10-23

Wer imminent.
The Memphis Tenn. } correspondent
of the New York Herald, Of the 18Th,
thus describes the scenes transpiring
in "frce' State under Grant rule:
Having just returned from Oscoola,
Ark, ! am enabled TO send II state
ment Of the impending troubles at that
point. Tho town OF Osceola contains
some six hundred inhabitants, five dry
goods stores, seven retail groceries or
grog shops, and several dozen trading
ssesidcnts of various kinds These are
what are left by the tornado which
swept over the place two weeks ago,
and destroyed some twenty houses,
including church and three store
houses, with their contents. Osceola
is tho county seat of Missouri county,
Arkansas, and is on tho Missouri Riv-
or, ninety miles above this city. The
surrounding country is swampy, and
the settlement, except an occasioal
cotton or farm plantation of several
hundred acres, is rather q wild region.
Except by river there is no communi-
cation with the place from this city,
and ii has neither railroad nor tele-
graph station, though there is regu-
lar landing for steamers. The inhab-
itants, except those who own farms,
arc an illiteratc type, such as gener-
ally reside in newly settled country.
For the past six years
THE COUNTY OFFICIALS
have been OF the stripe of the follow
era OF Ex-Governor Clayton and his
doctrines. Their elevation to Office
was entirely due to the negroes and
ignorant whites. Property and land
owners have had no vote in the elec-
tion OF officials, aud split in the domi-
nant party in tho State gave the Lib
erals some hope Of changing the politi-
cal situation and eventually securing
a less hated set of county officials
The principal leaders of the factions
were Murry, the Sheriff of Missouri
county, and Fitzpatrick, County Reg
ister The latter is bold, bad, erratic
man, of violent prejudices, a carpet
bagger from Kentucky and confirm
ed Radical.
FITZPATRICK KILLS SHERIFF MURRAY.
In a public discussion Of local poll
tics Same six weeks ugo he denounced
Sheriff Murry, whom he afterwards
shot and killed in an alteration, when
brought great dcnuneialion down on
him. We was a Liberal or "brindle
tail" and popular with the people,
Fitzatrick was an extremist, with only
negroes for associates, and considerable
feeling was engenderod by his killing of
Murry, which was by some regarded
in the light Of self.defence, that official
aag!ng commenced the assault that re-
suited in his death Fitzpatrick was
soon released under bonds to appear
at The succeeding term Of Court.
LOCAL TYRANNY.
A short time since Colonel Gouse,
Liberal candidate for Congress, visited
0steola to speak on the political issues.
Fitzpatrick met him aud asked to be
permitted to "dividc timo" Gousc
declined TO recognize him, and was
to leave the place, because
declared he would break
up his meeting by getting up an OPP
position meeting few hundred yards
distant. Bad feeling was increased
by this circumstance, and some threats
wee made by both factions. Last
Tuesday was the appointed time for
the County Court to be held. Judge
Palmer, of Helena, was appointed
special judge in the absence of Judge
Step phenson, who had gone off to settle
the Pope county trouble, In company
with W II Clayton, brother to Scnn-
tor Powell Clayton, and prosecuting
attorney for tho cireuit; also several
menbers OF the Bar, lie arrived q I
Osdeola bystcamer from this city early
Dn Tuesday morning. 1t was soon
palpabe that trouble was brewing,
."d "i'sr tho Judge opened Court lac
ound that all the
JURORS AND WITNESSES WERE ARMED.
During the morning session Of the
)ourt party of armed whitc men,
ONE twenty in number, marched into
he place aud stacked arms in a store.
They stated that they desired to pro
ect tie Court and jurors from attack
r intimidation by bodies Of armed
egroos whSm Fitzpatrick was known
o have lorking in tho ncighborhood.
~ armed party of negroes carrying
ag also marched throcgh the town
nd drew up in front Of Fitzpatrick's
flee. The latter took their colors
nd placed them over his house lie
onferred with Judge Palmer, and
tated that ho was anxious to have his
rial for the murder Of Sheriff Murray
t the present term of Court.
JURORS TURNED INTO SOLDIERS.
Upon opening the Court on Wedncs-
ay morning Judge Palmer found
either Jurors nor witnesses forthcom-
lg. All were under arms, and had
'ined the cortending factions, the
'hites, under their chosen loader,
.-..,.~.. a. a. .o.tk