New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-04-17
4 McEnery Dodge.
Beginning Of the DiMcuity-A statement Ct
tho Facts In the Gaze.

The following, from the New Orleans Re-
publican of the 18th instant, which was re-
ceived last night, throws some further light
upon the cause of the difficulty, which, il
seems, has eliminated in blOodshed:
The steamer, st. Mary, which left COlaN
on Wednesday morning at daylight, brought
down to the city quite number Of gentle
men who were witnesses Of the recent tunult
in Grant parish. They report everything
quiet at the time they left Colfax, all the at
lacking parties having dsbanded.
Capt. ID. W. Shaw, sheriff Of the parish,
with his deputies, was in charge OF the court
house, and there were no aprrehcnSi0ns Of
further trouble.
Measures have already been taken b. the
authorities here, State and Federal, which
will insure peace hereafter.
The following statement OF the diilicultIe7
at Coliax has been prepared by some Of the
party who came down on the st. Mary.
In view Of the Misrepresentation made of
the recent difficulties in the parish Of Grant
and in justice to ourselves, we deem il proper
to put the public in possession Of the facts
Everything appeared quiet in the evening OF
the 3lst OF March, when rumors reached us
that a body of armed men intended, on the
following day, to make an attack on COlfax
take possession Of the courthouse, with the
public property therein, capture the offers
appointed b. Gov. Kellogg, who were quietly
exercising their duties, and put the APP
pointees Of McEnery in their stead, and made
threats OF more serious character against
our Representative, Vim. Ward, and other
prominent Republicans.
Our sheriff, Mr.. Shaw, Immediately took
such steps the emergency seemed to re-
quire, by deputzing good citizens to aid ia
protecting the public property and keeping
the peace.
On the morning Of the lst Of April
SMALL BODY Of ARMED IEN,
supposed to be twelve in number. were re-
ported Oh Calhoun plantation, in the dircc-
ton Of Rockford; and another body, az far
"a seen, seven in number, headed BIZ one G.
W. Scarborough, brother-in-law Of Rutland,
armed, came in by the way OF Bayou Darro,
on the road leading from Colfax 10 Lecroix
ferry. 4 third party, numbering sixteen,
armed and headed by James Hadnpt, came
directly to the store Of u. Brulland, situate
about 300 yards from the courthouse, but
made no further demonstration than sundry
threats against the aforesaid officers and c;i-
zens. y respectable body OF citizens, under
the guidance Of the proper authorities, served
as wholesome restraint to their further pro-
ceedings, aud about p. IN. the whole body
disappeared.
Fearing a second advance, aud for the
further securing Of the peace, guards were
placed at intervals where danger was appre.
hended. About d O'Clock W. Il. Rutland,
with family, moved across the river without
threat or hindrance, though well known 10
the prime movers and co-workers with Had
not in these, as well a. other troubles that
have afflicted this otherwise peaceable aud
orderly parish.
Some time during the aighi some person or
persons, without the knowledge or consent OF
the authorities, entered the house left by the
said Rutland and committed some tEiiling
depredations on some articles Of clothing,
leaving furniture, and articles Of value, to-
gether with box containing the embalmed
body Of child, entirely unmolested, the
truth Of which can be established by ". r.
Haryell, attorney-at-law, from Montgomery
who was depulized BY the citizens Of 3iont-
gomeFy TO Inquire into the existing difficulties.
ON the SECOND DAY
following Mr.. W. l.. Richardson moved his
effects across the river, in view Of all pres
ent, and unmolested. From the lst 10 the
4th instant bodies Of armed men were seen
lowering around, keeping the people in an