American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-05-10
Further Particulars from the Scene
of the Last Negro Riot.

EdTttCutoGo INV SSOuV
of the Last Negro Riot.
A correspondent of the New Or
leans Picayune, writing from Coltax,
Louisiana, on the 9th of April,
gives the following particulars of
the recent riot in that place:
Friday evening Sheriff Nash rode
into camp, and, in company with
yOur correspondent, proceeded to
the headquarters Of Major Smith,
when he was introduced, and Il long
and agreeable conversation ensued.
The sheriff is about twenty seven
Years of age, slight-built, active,
and about five and a half feet in
height. His features are delicate,
and very regular and handsome;
his hair, eyes and beard are jet
black, the latter long and curly his
hands and feet are remarkably
small, and his eX preston is that of
child, yet in daring and bravery
it is said he cannot be excelled.
| er the murder of Mr.. HadnOt he
rode up alone to the door of the
courthouse and broke it open with
an axe. He is a man of character,
and has the respect of all here, with
many devoted friends. In the con,
versatiOn which enSned Major smith
hoped that the sheriff would eXer-
else his influence to quiet the cOun-
try, which he said had been already
done, and he. in fact, promised the
major that the principal gentlemen
of the country should meet and ex
change cOurtesieS with the officers,
| in token of their amity and friend,
ship. AS to the origin and terlnin-
alton of the Colfax affair. he sub
m,tted the following statement rel
ativc to the difficulty:
Mai. j ii. SMITH, 10Th U. s. Inf:
AS the duly elected and legal
sheriff of this parish l would make
| this statement, that You may judge
for yourself relative to the legality
of the action taken. l received for
sheriff the largest number of votes,
and as such was duly commissioned
both by Messrs. McEnery aud Kcl-
lOgg. Previous to my election there
had been bodies of riOtous persons
in the country, who had no fear of
the law, aud who made frequent
threats of Outlawry and incen-
diariSm.
On the Goth of March last, these
persons, both white and colored.
marched in body to the court
house, and thence elected the
legally elected aud installed parish
officers, myself amongst the num-
Der. at that time ordered them to
dispense, but they fired upon myself
and others, compelling us to flee for
our lives. l accordingly, seeing no
other course, procured from Jadge
Regain, the police magistrate, com
missioned by Kellogg, Il warrant
for the arrest of the rin.leaders, and
with it and a deputy constable, pro-
cretled to CulflX, where l arrived in
time to learn that an aSsemblage of
peaceable citizens had been broken
up and fired upon by the rioters.
Even then / desired to make a
compromise; and, before executing
the warrant, rode up and endeavOr-
ell to preserve peace, but was again
fired upon, and threats made by
the rioters, who said they would
anyhow drink my blood. Seeing
no course then left, l, at the order
Of the judge, summoned u posse
cOMitdtuS of citizens, both white
and colored, and with these Given
ty five in number) succeeded on
Easter Sunday in dispensing the
two hundred and fifty rioters and
preserving peace. The warrant for
their arrest, and the order, l still
hold in my possession. l deemed
that it was necessary to preserve
peace at all hazards, and, there
fore, l rpsOrted to the measures
taken. Very respectfully,
Z. q. 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,
the white population here had to
meet the issue made by the riot
GUS negroes and give them a severe
check, or leave the country. Moth
ing else was left to do. On the
Wednesday night preceding the
difficulty young Mrs. Janey and
Mrs. John HadDot, brides Of only
two weeks standing, in company
with Mr.. James Hadnot, seventy
three years of age. and sixteen
small children, ranging from six
months to eight years OF age, were
compelled to pass the night in the
woods, while armed bands of ne
grods ransacked their dwellings.
throwing everything they could
not carry away out of doors. In
the evening late we arrived at the
residence OF Mrs. James Hadnot
whose husband had been so ruth
lessly murdered, and where we
now are. She was alone with her
daughter. a beautiful girl of six
teen years, her husband dead, her
son driven to the woods, and her
home desOlate-the negroes even
now threatening to burn the house,
and murder them all. She is a lady
far advanced in years, looking fee
BILE, and nearly worn away with
grief and pain but she is nobl Q
woman. She does not desire re-
venge, but Only that she may have
her children in peace. 1t was truly
a desOlate thing to see, and though
she did not murmur, did not COM
plain the tears came into her eyes
as she pressed our hands. Indeed,
~ Lar homa iS tbara ora MANY