The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-12-17
TINE vIoKsBURG MASSACRE.
The Story Told by AuthorItY-HOw
the Negroes We're Shot Down by
the UnTec0nstTucIed Whites,

From the Cincinnati Commercial.
That alalse account Of the slaughter
OF colored men in the neighborhood ol
Vicksburgh has been spread over the
country, by those who arc sympathizers
with the aggressorS, guilty Of needless
and most wicked blOodshed, we arc not
at liberty to doubt.
Wehave from source that commands
confidence statement that is due the
country. Our information is that the &C.
tive whites OF Vicksburg had some time
since determined to "clean out" the pres.
ent ofaceholders. Three oi those office.
holders were indicted at the last term of
the Grand Jury. Crosby, the Sheriff, was
the one especially aimed at. 1t was de.
termined that he should be put out oil
office. The papers insisted upon the
Board Of Supervisors meeting on Wednes.
day Of last week and requiring Crosby to
give good bond. A meeting OF that body
was called, and II Is known tho intention
was 10 require Crosby to give good bond.
But the citizens, headed by hot.head.
ed ard irresponsible Get OF men, put out
an incendisry circular calling for a meet.
ing Of the citizens ot the county the same
day the Board Of Supervisors were to
meet. And every one knew full well
that 1t was the intention that the Board
should be forced to do what was wanted,
or personal violence used So the county
members failed TO put in an appearance.
But the citizens held their meeting. 1t
was attended mostly by the younger men
and irresponsible parties spelling for a
row. During the session, a committee OF
five lawyers were appointed TO report If
all legal means 10 oust Crosby had
been exhausted. A majority Of the
Committee reported that all legal means
had not been exhausted. A minor.
ily report was made by two young limbs
Of the law, saying that oil legal means
had been exhausted, and that the time
for action had come. By action" they
meant force they meant the rope. No
conCealment was made in their talk
about hanging, etc. A committee was
appointed 10 wait upon certain officials
and demand their resignation. The meet.
ing adjourned TO await the report. The Of
tlcisls who could be found begged time to
consult their lawyers, but Jailed to reply
in the time given them. On the resssem.
bling Of the meeting in the afternoon, and
hearing the report of their committee,
they resolved to adjourn in body to the
Court House and demand the resignation
OF the officers On reaching the Court
House all the officers fled but Crosby.
He signed resignation. No one con-
Cealcd what his fate would be II he had
not done so. HewOuld have been hanged
on the spot. AS soon as he got out of the
clutches Of the mob he wrote letter to
Judge Powers, OF the Circuit Court,
stating that he took back his resignation,
as he was compelled to sign 1t TO save his
lie. He was then out in the country, on
his way 10 Jackson.
The morning alter this row Judge
Brown tried to hold court, but the pafties
left in charge Of the Court House refused
10 let the Deputy enter the court room,
and so court has been adjourned from day
10 day since then.
On Friday rumor got abroad that
Crosby was about 10 make good bond
by placing his office In the hands ol some
person or another acceptable to the
people, and retiring, leaving all control to
such deputy. Two or three good parties
agreed to take the position, and arrange.
mcnts have been made with their friends
to make bond that would be
ample and beyond dispute. When
this was heard q meeting oil
the citizens in the city was called, which
resolved TO irown down any such effort.
The next morning the papers contained
notices warning white citizens from going
on the bond, and this, too, in the face OF
repeated assertions that no charge was
made against Crosby except his failure to
give good bond. On the streets the threats
were numerous that no mans life would
be sale who went on such bond.
Crosby returned from Jackson on Fri.
day, with instructions from the Governor
to take possession of his office, and to call
in the aid Of the militia 10 sustain him,
He sent news to the country for the ne
groes to come in Monday and report TO
the Court House. They came, were met
at the city limits and slaughtered-simply
slaughtered and butchered. They were
chased through the woods and the fields
and shot down like dogs. Many were
shot after they gave up, and some were
shot on their knees while begging ior
mercy. The spirit of demons was IN
the people. It was not safe for any
one not in full accord with them
to be on the street. One poor old
negro by the name Of Ambrose Brown
was ordered of the street by Captain
Cowau, q former rebel battery csmmsnd
er, and being tardy in going Cowan de-
Iliberately shot him. Many prisoners were
taken and kept in the Court House, and
taken out in the morning. With winks
and mods, and laughter, and jest, 1t was
reported that three Of the most obnoxious
made their escape, which means that they
have simply been murdered while pris
oners.
This is unQuestionsbly the truth oI the
massacre, and the people of the nation
should fully recognize all its enormities
The worst of It is that the persons who
have been guilty Of this wholesale mur'
der fully justify themselves upon the
statement Of facts that we have given
and we are bound TO add that they are
animated by the conviction that there
has been q political revolution in the
North, and that their time is come.
ST. IOTTIS.