Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-12-23
The vIcksbnrg hatchery.

il considerable taxpayer of that city,
who was there during the earlier stag
es of the crime, and whose character
sponsible parties.
The predecessor of Sheriff Crosby
was man named G. T.. Furlong. He
was a very bad man every way. He
plundered the citizens remorselessly,
and when he left office last year, took
away as his proceeds or booty $3.50, 900.
He was bitterly incensed at his defeat
by Crosby. He wanted to continue
his own fat pickings. He has been
one of the leading men in the out
rsgeous assault on Crosby.
This man Crosby is colOred. lie is
about twenty-eight years of age, and
is one Of the most intelligent and cap
able cOlored men in the State He
had the respect of the people OF War
rem county (NiCksburg). His ability
was as unquestioned as his honesty.
He had served term as Treasurer be-
fore he was elected to succeed Furlong
as Sheriti'in the autumn of 1878. His
official conduct rs Treasurer was
above reproach or question. His ac-
counts were all found correct when he
submitted them for final settlement.
In fact, his election for Sheriff was
largely due to the good record he had
made as Treasurer. He was borne in
to Office on the tide of reform move
ment.
He assumed the duties of Sheriff
and Tax Collector on the LIST of Janu-
airy of the present year. AS n Tax
Collector he had to give bonds in the
sum of 100000 ; as Sheriff, in $50 900.
He had no difficulty in securing them.
Among his bondsmen were ID, X.
Bruce and II. r. Pease, Senators f.
II. Little, President Of the Memphis
4 Grenada railroad, and James II.
Holland, State Treasurer. His bond
was accepted as good and sufficient.
and he began at once to perform his
duties.
In September last one of his bonds
men, l.. n. Hill, died. His widow
presented petition to the Board of
Supervisors setting forth the fact of
her husbands decease, and asking
that his name be taken from the
Sheriff's bond. Under the laws of
Mississippi it is only necessary that
such request should be preferred to
make it obligatory to grant it. Furth-
ermore, the name thus taken Off could
not, under the laws, be replaced by q
new one, but new bond had to be
given. 1t was certainly pretty hard,
this demanding two bonds in less than
year
However, "A new one was secured.
| Crosby's bond as Tax Collector was
made out this time for Sos, 000-SS, 900
more than was required by law. His
bond as Sheriff was filled out to the
full amount required-$20, 600. Among
his bondsmen this latter time were
Martin Carey, whose property in
! Vicksburg is assessed for $50 900 ;
Lewis Kent, who pays taxes on Sl3,-
! coo, and fifty other persons who owned
more or less property in Warren coun-
ty. This is the bond which the lying
rascals set forth rs being of no account;
these are the sureties that were said to
| be worthless"
Among the number on this second
bond was one G.. s. Yerger, of jack
son. 1t is asserted that the White
Leagures visited this man, and told
him that they would bring suit against
him for perjury If he did not withdraw
his name. He was down for only thou
sand dollars. Illuminated by theiI
threats, it is charged that Herger con.
scented to do what was demanded oil
him. He made a request to have his
name taken off. This, bear in mind,
would necessitate a third bond The
board refused to comply with the de-
mand of the rascals who were trying
to force Crosby out of Office. Mean
time the "citizens " held a public
meeting and passed resolution de-
nouncing in advance any white man
| l,n ch IN 4
by's new bond, which they were con.
tidently counting on compelling him
to make out. AS we said, the board
refused to fool any longer with Fur.
! longs malcontents. "yhis bond }
they said, sis as good as .uy ever Of
fered in the State. Had IL been pre-.
scented by Democrat there would not
have been a word in opposition to it
| The names are those of responsible
men, and this is conspiracy against
an honest man that we are not going
to help along" Crosby, too, went be
fore them and asked what charge they
had to make against him. Put your
finger on any dishonesty have com
mitted, either as Treasurer or Sheriff, u
| he said. Not man could do it. They
told him they were not impugning his
honesty; they simply wanted him out
of the way.
! Matters stood thus until Saturday,
December 4. Then meeting of " cit
liens was held, at which it was de-
cided to force Crosby to resign. A COM
mittee first visited him, and then q
mob. Summoned by 200 or 800 men,
what course was left him but to step
down and out?
On Sunday, Crosby went over to
Jackson. to consult with Governor
Ames. He returned to Nicksburg in
time to be there on Monday morning
Early that day the big bell on the
! Court House summoned the people to-
gether. From 800 to 500 responded al
once to the summons. They formed
in order, and were supplied with
needles guns. "Do you call this Q
state of war or peace ~ our informant
asked.
Meantime word was brought thai
the negroes from the country were
coming in in obedience TO the sum
mons from Crosby. 1t was determined
to meet them on the way. One com,
pany was led by a Captain Miller. Out
about mile and q half from the CITY 6