The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-09-12
The Coushatta Affair.

SHREVEPORT, la. September l.--The
Nov Orleans Times publishes the state
ment of Mr. Abney, leading merchant
of Coushatta, to the following effect
We are glad to be able to report all quiet
in Red River parish We are inyestiga-
ting the charges of melting TO riot against
some twenty-five negroes now under arrest
before citizens committee Of the best
men that We have. The investigation is
bringing to light the most damnable plot
that ever was concocted by any set of men.
On the night of the 9th of August the
young people of our town and vicinity had
assembled to christen the new brick store
of Mcssrs. Abney 4 Love by dance. 1t
is in evidence before the Citizens Commit
tee that number of negroes had been
brought to town armed for the purpose of
the indiscriminate murder of the men,
women and children assembled there that
Frank Edgerton, Sheriff Homer Mitchell
and Il. A. Devices and Henry Smith,
notoriously bad negroes, Were to lead them
in the assault upon these dcfencelcss
citizens. Negroes were brought from
adjacent farms and packed in corn6eld
near by and under the residence of S. j.
Twitchell
r. A. Devices rode several times to the
dancing party and back to the residence
of S. j. Twitchell, where armed negroes
were concealed, and was heard to say.
"rhe party is too strong for us Learn
Ing that large number of negroes was
assembled about the town, the dancing
party broke up. About 10 O'Clock the
young men formed a scouting party and
began patrolling the place. As young
Dickson aud james B. Dickson were rid
ing in the vicinity of Twitchell's house
they saw and talked with H. J. Twitchell,
saw near him several armed negroes.
Returning to report what they had seen,
they were fired upon twice, and j. b.
Dickson was dangerously wounded.
Couriers arrived just at that time from
Captain w. Hersey, at Brownsville, some
twelve miles below, stating that the negroes
were assembling in force aud with arms,
and bore a very threatening attitude. \
squad Of some twenty young men was
Immediately despatched for Brownsville,
and clubs in the country were called upon
to come to the rescue of the people.
Their prompt response proved our saliva
ton.
In very few hours thousand men
were here. Being enrAged at the damna-
bic attempt to assassinate the whole eom-
munity, their demand amounted to a
clamor for the prisoners Seeing that
they had no safety here, aud that all that
could be done by the best and most re-
sponsible citizens Of the place could not
protect them many hours, the prisoners
submitted proposition to leave the State
and never again return.
This proposition seemed to appease to
some extent the wrath of the people, and
it was accepted by the citizens. They
(the prisoners) chose from the people at
large their own guard, with brave man
at their head, and selected the route up
the river for Shreveport, where they were
to take cars for the North. About thirty
miles above here the party were overtakcn,
the prisoners rescued from the guard aud
shot.
Since Mr. Abncy's statement was re-
ceiyed report reaches this city that two
negroes, charged with shooting Mr.. Dick
son, had been murdered by mob at Cou-
shatta. These negroes were among those
examined by the investigating committee,
who remandedsthe two negroes to jail, and
recommended that they be tried by the
District Court, but the mob removed them
from Jail and killed them.
The affidavits referred to by Mr.. Abney
have been received here, but they contain
nothing in addition to the matters stated
by him.