The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1873-05-10

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my blood. Seeing no course then left
I, at fhe order of tho Judge, summoned
a posse consitatus OF citizens, both white
and colored, and with these GAS in
number) succeeded on Easter Sunday
in dispensing the $50 rioters and pre-.
serving the peace. The warrant fol
their arrest, and the order, still hold
in my possession. deemed that ii
! was necessary to preserve peace at all
hazards, and, therefore, I resorted to
the measures taken.
Very respectfully,
G. G. NASH, Sheriff.
This statement was made in writing
and handed to the Major, who received
it, and we then shook hands and left.
Depend upon it, tho white population
here had to meet tho issue made by the
riotous negroes and give them severe
check, or leave tho country. Nothing
else was left to do.
On tho Wednesday night preceding
the difficulty young Mrs. Janey and
Mrs. John Hadnot, brides OF only two
weeks standing, in company with Mrs.
James Hadnot, scventy-three years OF
age, and sixteen small children, rang
ing from six months to eight years Of
age, were compelled to pass the night
In the woods, while armed bands of
negroes ransacked their dwellings,
throwing everything they could not
carry away out of the doors.
In the evening late we arrived at
Mrs. james IIadnot's whose husband
had been so ruthlessly murdered, and
where we now are. She was alone
with her daughter, Il beautiful girl of l6
years, her husband dead her son driven
to the woods and her home dcsolatc--
the negroes even now threatening to
burn the house and murder them all.
She is lady far advanced in years,
looking feeble and nearly worn away
with grief and pain, but she is II II oble
woman. She does not desire rev cnge,
but only that she may have her chill
dyen in peace.
It was truly ~ desolate thing to see,
and though she did not nurmer, did
not complain, the tears came into her
eyes as she pressed our hands.
Indeed rs her home is, thcro are
many here; these young men driven to
the woods by the negroes, the ladies
mostly confined to their beds from
sickness contracted by exposure, and
even as it is all they desire is peace.
STATEMENT OF U. g. POSTMASTER g. r..
CUNY.
always have been one. was menl-
Der Of the Republican Legislature from
1868 to 1872, and was, and am now, n
United States postmaster at Colfnx,
Grant parish, having supported Gen.
Grant and Gov. Kellogg in tho last
campaign. Previous to this was n
member of tho Constitutional Conven-
ton in 1868.
was quietly pursuing my vocation
as Postmaster ut Colfax, and was told
repeatedly, from tho 5th Of April, by
the rioters that l should be killed, and
on tho 10th OF April was compelled to
leave, they stating that they would
shoot me if I stayed, unless took up
arms with them. On the morning of
the 10th went up to receive the mail,
and was met by an armed mob of nc
grocs, who told me to got on my horse
and leave, else l would be killed.
They also threatened tho life Of my
brother and a colorcd man named Buck
McKinny; also Ralph Marcus.
I then left, and came to Alexandria
to receive instructions. I expected to
peace; but finding none, was told by
Mr.. Surls, the mail conductor, to bring
the mail here, which I did. made n
requisition on Daniel Shaw, supposed
to be acting Sheriff, rs follows:
To D. w. Shaw, Sheriff OF Grant parish, La.:
SRI demand you in the name OF
tho State protection for the postmaster
at Colfax, La, and also to protect Gov
ernment property.
Very respectfully, $. i. CuNY,
United States postmaster.
Mr.. Shaw sent two men, but Il coiorcd
man named Leo Allen came down and
said Shaw had no authority to do so,
and that he was commanding officer.
then made n similar rcquistion on
him rs commanding officer, in writing,
the same as the above. lie replied the
Government property must take care
Of itself, that he wanted the men him
self, and took them away. This was
about the 9th of April, and the threats
were made after this. My object WAS
to protect tho United States Govern
mcnt property, and l remain until my
life was threatened. S. T.. CUSY,
United States Postmaster, Colrax,
Grant parish.
Executed at Alexandria, La, Mon
day, April A., 1878.