Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-12-17
THE ViCksBURG MASSACRE.

flCkSUufS, coming tuIOuSu DCLhO
cratic source, made it appear that
the negroes were the aggressors and
the only ones to blame. Later de-
velopments, however, show that the
negroes were rot the aggressors,
and that but very few Of them were
even armed. The fact shown by all
reports that while but one or two
whites were hurt, fifty or sixty were
killed, is of itself sufficient proof as
to who were armed and who did te
numbering. Governor Ames, to
vindicate truth and correct misrep-
resentation, wrote the following let
ter to the New York Uerdld, a
perusal of which is sufficient to con-
vince all unprecedented people as to
which party is most blamable:
JACKSON, Miss, Dec. 9, 1874.
Editor ofhe New York Ueraid.'
The present troubles in Vicks-
burg are but the natural outgrowth
of the violence of last Augusts cleo
tons and are, in my opinion, for po-
litical purposes. The White Leagues
at one time and Taxpayers League
at another, have been for some time,
through their committees, examn-
ing the books and papers of the
county officials. They, the Leaguers,
it is said, forced themselves on the
Grand Jury, and after u lengthy
session, found indictments against
but one county official, a colored
man by the name OF Davenport. No
charge was made against the official
conduct of Sheriff Crosby. | know
he has made his settlements to date.
After meeting of the so-called tax
payers, committee waited on
Crosby and demanded his resigna-
ton. Crosby declined to resign,
and asked what charges had been
preferred against him. The chair
man of the committee stated they
were only instructed to ask his inn
mediate resignation. Afterward
mob of some 600 waited on him,
and he resigned TO save his life---so
he has stated to me. The other
officials to be waited on made their
escape or secreted themselves.
The Circuit Court was in session,
and the Judge, being deprived of
his sheriff, came down from his
bench and was going to leave the
room, but $50 | am informed by an
eye-witness) was forced to return
to it and adjourn the court to
given day.
Thus anarchy prevailed, Then
came the question, shall the United
States be called upon, or shall the
state attempt to maintain Its author
ity and laws! For obvious reasons
the President should not be appealed
to until the state authorities had
acted. Saturday, Sheriff Crosby
returned to Vicksburg. My Adju-
tant General went the same day.
The city was then full of armed
men, many having gone there from
other towns and Louisiana.
afterwards learned the following
facts: That the colored men had an
understanding to aid Crosby IN his
efforts to regain possession OF his
office, and started from various
parts of the county Monday morn
ing. Early that morning Crosby
was seized by the mob. One OF the
leading men of II body going to
Crosbv's aid, one Owen, saw hlm
and received his orders counter
handing those previously given,
aud ordered him to desist from fur
Their efforts in his behalf. Under
flag of truce Owens returned to his
friends. and was reporting his inter-
view with Crosby, when the White
Leaguers voted TO assault Owens
party, and at once advanced on
them and opened fire, 1t Is re-
ported that few of Owens men had
arms. and at once broke and ran.
Then the slaughter began. 1t is
said and believed that some sixty
or eighty colored men were killed.
The same old story-negrocs killed
by the score, none of their oppo-
nents hurt, and still the negro to
blame, 1t is reported to me that