The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-23
city. He did not know one street from
another. He had been to Wards house
here. Had found it himself

Baptiste Elsey,
another abject specimen of the genus homo,
color, black. was trotted to the stand said
he was sworn in as deputy sheriff by Shaw;
was III Colfax up to the time of and during
the tight; they built earthworks on the day
previous to the fight, under the supervision
OF Jas. Terry, white man; gave a graphic
description of affairs during and after the
fight; all in response to questions by Beck
with. He was wounded and taken prisoner.
There were about 35 prisoners in all most
of them We're afterwards shot.
Cross examined by Mr.. Whitaker
Tie said that there were twenty one men
sworn in on the day he was, March 3lst by
Shaw. Shaw made ont all the commissions.
1t will be remembered that Register as
serted he had hand in this interesting
business and assisted in making out the
commissions. The swearing in process
took place at Brantley's House. Register
was not there. Witness was summoned to
90 to Shaw by man named Jim Smith
who said he was deputy sheriff. Witness
was working in the field at the time mile
and half from Colfax. He was instructed
to bring his gun.
He saw the men under Mr.. Hadnot; they
did not come any nearer to the Courthouse
than Pete Bolan's store, about $50 yards dis
tant. Register and Ward both telegraphed
that the men approached near to the Court
house-sO near that the veraciOus Register
could distinguish Mr.. Hadnot's dress. At
ter stopping at Bolan's the men went off
No one knew where Ward, Register and
Flowers slid He was asleep in the breast
works during the firing. He was not in the
army. He woke up, aud with the rest ran
to the Court house
Firing on the Court House was very brisk
There was call for surrender, and the ne
groes said they would, and the firing ceased
for some fifteen minutes. Did not know
who had made the call. He stated that he
did not know of the Court House being on
fire until Shack White told him.
At the last trial he told all about the
setting fire to the building. Said he saw
the man do it, knew the man that did.
Heard the white men tell him that if he
did not they would kill him. He had evil
IDENTIFY forgotten all about it. His lesson
had not been well learned.
Mr.. Whitaker read him his previous state
ment Witness said it was all true. He
said, further, that his evidence, as just
delivered, was also true. Mr.. Whitaker
pressed him. He said he had seen the man
behind Shacklefo' DIS house. Shackleford's
house was directly in front Of and facing
the Courthouse, and about twenty yards
away. He had looked out of the side win
dow and saw him. Did not hear the white
man with him say anything.
Mr.. Whitaker gave him up in disgust.
Beckwith took him in hand, got him to
indorse all he had said at the previous trial,
and he (Beckwith) tried the bluff game on
the jury by making the reliable and truth
full witness say that, Notwithstanding all he
had previously said, he did not know
the prosecuted Niger who was delegated to
set fire to building had accomplished his
purpose, until Shack White told him so.
This was very good, but Beckwith spoiled
it by pressing his inquiries touching the cir
cnmstances that made witness go to sleep
during the firing.
SAID Redistribution were up all the night
before the fight, were you not:
Intelligent witness in responsibility, no
sir; slept all night
Beckwith (testily)-Well, then, what
made you go to sleep during the fight
Intelligent witness-Well, cos most all
the men was asleep. daughter on the part
of all, jury included)
Reckwith-That will do, sir; you may
retire.
Annie Elsey,
An interesting black feminine of elegant
AID rounded proportions, was induced, not
withstandng her bushes, to take the stand.
She too for OF her story, got hopelessly
mudded, got indignant, got cooled off, con-
fessed that she had not told the truth, be-
cause she was mad. Tried it again, got
worse muddled, got more indignant and in
formed counsel, judge and jury that +" Pse
mad now, youse done axed me 'nough and
fse not gwine to answer no more. 40 you
hear"
Her testimony all in all, was unimportant,
save in hat it showed that the prosecution
had missed point by not having rehearsal
since the last appearances Of the witnesses.
So far the witnesses for the United States
have proved good witnesses for the defense.