New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-09-16
The Vigilantes.

Mr.. E. Ewing, an old and respectable
planter of Vermilion Parish. furnishes the
Brashear Ne,cs an account of affairs in that
parish, which led to the organization of q
vigilance committee, and the wreaking of
summary vengeance upon certain disor-
derby characters last week. Mr.. Ewing
says: -''}A4Aa "o''N q" 5' '"@a5)JS
Since the war, cattle, horse, hog and
sheep stealing has been daily on the in
crease, and these broad and beautiful prai-
ries of good lands aud rich pasturage have
been desolated by the band of desperadots
and thieves that have been permitted to
run at large. 8 49, $3.50 - %
Several attempts have been made to or
game vigilance committee within the
last two years, but euch attempts have
generally proved failure, owing to the
prevalent opinion that such an organization
would be construed as the formation of q
Ku-Klux Khan. 1'df .-s7sH bur
Such failures to organize this committee
did emb0lden the thieves, and SO increase
their numbers that in some instances the
sons Of respectable citizens were induced to
Join them. - az 30 .'@ - n. f--r- -'
As the law had been resorted to time and
again to put down this wholesale thievery
without effect, some two months ago the
lCoNCCtdOld 1c60cI0fOl tuo Two UOlltlcal p6r-
ties agreed to lay aside all political differ
ences, and to make war against these high
way desperadoes. The good and honest
citizens of all parties and cOmplexions are
here united against the common enemy,S
a The first organization was intended to be
secret, but where SO many are engaged the
fact must leak out one way or another, as
in this instance. The thieves learning of
the formation of this committee, had spies
into th< fao S<,f a. -
discovered, arrested, tried and sentenced
to be hung. While on their way to the
place of execution, being in the night, they
made good their escape, ahv thus thwarted,
for the time being, the doom that awaits
them. ..-
The formation OF the vigilance committee
being now generally known by these des-
peradoes, they publicly organized in the
town Of Abbeville to resist any and every
attempt made to subdue them. -
The chief of this delectable rabble was
noted for his boldness, and distinguished by
rooster feather and white rosette worn
in his hat. The ringleaders made night
hideous with their yells, and the firing of
pistols and guns. Some Of their confed-
crater, who would be respectable, harbored
them, and induced them to remain in town,
alleging that they would be secure from ar
rest by the vigilants.
combustible material to carry out their pur-
poses. Their acts put the citizens on the
alert, as they might expect confagration
at any moment.
The excitement continued to increase un-
til last Saturday, the sixth instant, 1T cul.
minated in some 400 of our best citizens
surrounding the town and arresting every
one that could be found.
OF those taken. after due trial and con.
VicfjOp fn1r Va fol o,
the Bayou Fermilion. and hung to the limb
OF one of those majestic oaks. Several
more have been hung at different points
throughout the parish, and verify salutary
lesson is being Taught.
There is, no doubt, q chain of these
thieves extending from New Orleans to
Texas, but tremendous and telling raid
has been made on them by the yigilants of
this parish. and a lessen has been taught
that will not soon be forgotten.
The Opelousas Journal, of the twelfth,
says: a1.- .7i
We have seen a gentleman from Able |
Vile, Nermlllon parish. He left there last |
Monday. He says that from Friday last,
when they began operations, to Monday
noon, the vigilance committee had hung !
sixteen or seventeen thieves. Among the |
number were three sons of former sheriff |
OF that parish. The or one OF the butchers |
of the town was hung. 1t seems the thieves |
had become very numerous and we'll organ !
lied in that parish. Their thefts were no !
secret. They stole boldly. They always |
had enough witnesses to get clear before |
the courts. They even got to wearing |
rosettes to distinguish each other from Or |
binary citizens. They stole about fifty head |
OF cattle from one person during one night. I
Court was in session there last Friday, !
and the thieves were congregated in Able
vile to attend to their legal affairs, as some
Of them were to be tried The vigilance |
had organized, about 400 strong, and sur
'ounded the town, completely surprising |
The thieves. They sent in posse, who ar
rested the thieves and carried them before
Judge Iynch, who held his court beyond
he walls of the cour house and limits OF |
;he corporation.
One great objection to vigilance commit
5aes is they generally 20 too far. They
'ften hang man on mere suspicion, and
ometlmes they are led to do it by the rep
or Misrepresentation of indi-
'ldual members whose sole object is ven
,eance on some personal enemy, who may
'e as good or better than some of their own
number. We hope the administration of
Judge Lynch in Vermilion will not be
stained by anything of this nature.