Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-09-25
The Present Terrorism In the South,
A TERRIBLE STORY OF MURDER TOLD BY
AN EX CONFEDERATE soLDIER-LAw-
LEssNEss IN VARIOUS PARTS OF


ALABMA.
In order to obtain clear and definite
statement of the actual situa ton of az
fairs in Alabama, General Hawley of
Connecticut, recently addressed letter
to the Hoo. Charles Hays, member of
Congress from Alabama, making inqui-
ry concerning the state of feeling exist.
ing there. General Hawley statee his
belief that the people of the North are
both uniformed aud misinformed. He
said "It is believed that there has been
exaggeration as to the number and char
acter of the assaults and murders result.
ing from political causes, and that ru-
mors of outrages are started by Repub-
licans with a view to the effect upon the
coming elections" In answer to this
request, Mr.. Hays wrote an interesting
letter, which was published in the Hart
ford Courant last week. Although Mr..
Hays is native and lifelong resident
of Alabama, engaged largely in plant
ing, formerly the largest STAKEHOLDER in
that State, and soldier in the Confede-
rate army throughout the war, yet he
expresses desire that :" the true oondi-
ton of affairs in the State of Alabamn
should be known as soon as possible to
the people of the whole country, in or
der that they may begin to realize the
fact that the spirit of rebellion against
the laws and Government of the United
States to extinguish which so many
brave and gallant men laid down their
lives, still exists in the hearts of many
misguided people; they employ every
opportunity to commit deeds of lawless-
ness and crime, that are everlasting stig
mas upon the fair name of the nation
and an open insult to the flag of our
country, which many of your people are
vainly patriotic enough to believe is an
agis of protection, wherever it floats !"
Mr.. Hays makes the following remarka-
} BILE statement
We omit paragraph printed last
week
" But need make no appeals to the
patriotism or the sympathy of Northern
, men, who like yourself, have barred their
breasts to the battle storm in the dark
and bloody days of the eventful past.
The bare recital of proven facts shall be
my only appeal. That will cause the
heart to shudder, the cheek to blanche,
and the mind to wonder how such das-
tardly outrages, such unprovked MUIR
ders, and such fend.like conduct
; can be tolerated for an hour. | shall be
particular to narrate no rumors, to color
no atrocity, to set down naught in NAL
ice, but simply to give you we'll authen-
ticated facts, with dates, names and To-
calitles, so that every man in the land
may himself verify the accuracy of my
; statements, if he deems it necessary.
These then | proceed to give you, with
the deliberate opinion ON my part that
the half cannot be told, and that, to-day.
many victims of hellish murder are
sleeping in unknown spots and secluded
places from which they will never be
wakened until the final judgment day."
He then proceeds to give startling
array of examples of the murderous
work of the law-breakers of the State.
: According to his statement, the crime
and lawlessness in Sumpter, Russell, Ma
con. Coffee, Choctaw and many other
counties have been fearful. The follow
ing instances will serve as sufficient H.
lustrations of the existing condition of
affairs. Mr.. Hays says:
"On or about the 1st day of August,
1874, in SGmpter County, Ala, about
one mile from his residence, near RAM
sey's station, on the GAINESVILLE branch of
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, Captain
) w. Z. Billings, a son-in-law of ex- United
States Judge Wells of Missouri, and
formerly resident of Brooklyn, N. Y,
was brutally murdered. When discov-
cred, he and his horse were both lying
dead in the public road, his body pierced
with buckshot, and that of his horse rid
died with bullets. The hiding place
of the assassins was found, but the Cor
oner's jury returned the usual verdict,
That he came to his death by gunshot
wounds, and that the parties firing were
unknown Captain Billings was Re-
publican, and had, that day, addressed
Republican meeting at Abrahams
platantion, some fifteen miles distant
from the spot where he fell He had
: about twelve-month since purchased
cotton plantation in the county, was a
man of unimpeachable character, and
did not know he had an enemy in the
world. His widowed wife and orphan
children are now in Jefferson City, Mo-,
: driven from their adopted home Mrs.
Billings can furnish to the incredulous