Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-15
THE pICESBURG BL00DsHED.
4 STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR AMES-llIs
LETTER TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.

LETTER TO THE NEW DIRK HERALD.
JACKSON, Miss, Dec. 6, 1874.
| take this as an opportunity to present an incl
den. Of the suffering Of the colosed people of the
South in their slow and uncertain course toward per
sonal liberty and personal security with the here
that the great generous heart of the nation may be
| moved, because have yet to see political events
at the South reported fairly for republicans; and,
least of all, to set myself right before the people
| That should be fairly represented cannot be ex
peeted from a partisan opposition which can find
il in their hearts to put scores Of men to death for
political reasons. Such an opposition cannot do
justice to an opponent nor has one either time or
incl nation to correct constant misrepresen alton.
The present troubles in Nicksburg are but the
natural outgrowth Of the violence of last August S
| election and are, in my opinion, forpolitical pur
poses.
WHAT THE "IEAGUEs ARE Doing.
The white leagues at one time and taxpayers
league at another have been for some time through
their committees examining the books and papers
of the county officials. They, the leaguers, it is
said, forced themselves on the Grand Jury and
after lengthy session found indictments against
but one county official colored man. by the name
of Davenport. This information, relative to the
action ofthe Grand Jury, received from the fore
man Of said jury and the leaguers No charge
was made against the official conduct of Sheriff
| Crosby. | know he has made his settlements to
udte IUtN OF Inc
Grand Jury referred to-that the county would
be defrauded because Crosby's bond was not suf-
hclent. Here let me say, republican officials who
have to give bonds are constantly being attacke d
| through them and embarrassed beyond measure,
| yet the number of defauters in thc State during
! the past year have been more numerous among
democratic officials and for a greater amount, so
say ali oar reports, than among republican OIL
Gals. The leaguers pretend to say that
| THE PETIT JURY WILL BE PACKED,
to acquit Daveoport and two ex-county officials
against whom indictments have been found SO far
as know-so far as | could learn from the fore
man of the Grand Jury-the indictment against
Davenport and the pretended fear of packed juries
were the only cause Of the present usurpations
| and boodshed in that city. After meeting of
the so-called taxpayers committee waited on
Crosby and demanded his resignation Crosby
declined to resign, and asked what charges had
been preferred against him. The
chairman of the committee stated they were only
instructed to ask his immediate resignation. Al
terward a 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 es-
cape or secreted themselves.
The Circuit Court was in session and the Judge
being deprived of his Sheriff, came down from the
bench and was going to leave the room, but $50 l
am informed by an eye witness) was forced to re-
turn 10 it and adjourn the court to given day.
JUDGE Browns REPORT.
The following is a note received by me from the
Judge -
To his excellency Governor Ames -
1t becomes my duty to inform you that an Or
gained mob composed of several hundred armed
men, have this evening taken forcible possession
of the Court House and Jail Of this county, and
forced most OF the county officers to resi- On or flee
to the country for protection. The mob is in DO
session OF the records of the offices, and threaten
violence to any one who does not recognize their
authority. My court is in session. but | am pow
erless and cannot execute the law. Relief must
be furnished from abroad in the way of military
by the State or general government and that
quickly, to prevent general riot and loss of life.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE F. Brown,
| Judge Fifteenth Judicial District
Thus anarchy prevailed Then came the ques-
lion, Shall the United States be called upon, or
shall the State attempt to maintain its authority
and laws For obvious reasons the President
should not be appealed to until the State authori-
| ties had acted. Saturday Sheriff Crosby returned
to Vicksburg. My Adjutant General went the
same day. The city was then full of armed men.
many having gone there from other town, and
from Louisiana.
THE GOVERNOR APPRAISED OF THE FIGHTING.
About midday on Monday l received the fol-
lowing telegram -
To Governor A. AMEs -
Riot commenced about nine o'clock A. NJ,
Fighting outside city limits, on Grove street.
Armed bodies Of men moving out ON different
streets. They have possession of the Court House.
and Sheriff Crosby is under arrest. Militia are
p0werless to enforce order
A. g. PACKER, Adjutant General.
ANOTHER DESPATCH.
Later the following came
TO Governor A. AMEs -
Fighting has ceased. Ten or twelve colored
and one white man killed. Probably twice that
number wounded Twenty or thirty prisoners
taken by whites. o. S. LEE, A. D. c.
afterwards learned the following facts That
the colored men had understanding to aid
Crosby in his effort to regain possession of his Of
flee, and started from various parts Of the county
Monday morning. Early that morning Crosby
was seized by the mob. One of the leading men
of body Of men going to Crosby's aid, one
Owen, saw him and received his orders counter
manding those previously given, and ordering
him to desist from further efforts in his behalf.
Under flag of truce Owen returned to his friends
and was reporting his interview with Crosby when
the White Leaguers voted to assault Ovens par
ty, and at once advanced on them and opened
fire. 1t is reported 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-negioes killed by the score, none Of their
opponents hurt-and still the regro to blame. 1t
bales, going TO town, were killed. Also men were
killed elsewhere without any arms in their pos
session. Positive word comes to me that the first
man killed was Presbyterian minister, under the
following circumstances He was proceeding
along street in Nicksburg when he was accostcd
by squad Of men, one of whom asked him where
be was going Ills reply was about as follows -
"Down TO the house"
| "What house =
| "Down where live"
| Whereupon he was shot dead. This give to
illustrate the spirit which is reported as existing
III Nicksburg.
| cRosBY's DANGER.
Tuesday received the following telegram -
To Governor AMEs -
leave on special train for jackson. Suspend
orders till | see you.
A.. q. PACKER, Adjutant General
Upon the arrival of General Packer he greeted
me with these words 81 have come by special
train to save CIosby's life. They say II thew pet
a telegram that the United States troops are com
ing to Nicksburg before the resignation Of Crosby
can be accepted by the Board Of Supervisors, Cros-
by will be put TO DEATH"
| had not sent for United States troops Ny re-
ply was that ] could not hold any Intercourse
with the mob in Nicksburg.
1 Last evening" issued call for the Legislature
I to assemble to-day. ] heard that fighting was