The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-12-19
The Truth About the Vicksbur1

| ter OF cOlOred men In the pelgbbOr-
hood Of Vickshurg has been spread
over the country by those who are
sympathizers with the aggressors,
guilty of needless and most wicked
bloodshed, we are not at liberty to
doubt.
We have, from source that COM
mands confidence, statement that is
due the country. Our information is
that the active whites Of Vicksburg
had some time since determined to
"clean out the present Office hold
ers. Three of those office holders
were indicted at the last term Of the
grand jury. Crosby, the sheriff, was
the one especially aimed at. 1t was
determined that he should be put out
of Office. The papers insisted upon
the board of supervisors meeting on
Wednesday of last week and requir-
Ing Crosby to give. good bond. A
meeting of that body was called, and
it is known that the intention was to
require Crosby to give good bond.
/ But the citizens, headed by hot
headed and irresponsible set Of men,
put out an iDcendiary circular calling
for meeting Of the citizens of the
county on the same day the board of
supervisors were to meet. And every
one knew full we'll that it was the in
tention that the board should be
forced to do what was wanted, or
personal violence used. So the couu-
| try members failed to put in an ap-
pearance. But the citizens held their
meeting. 1t was attended mostly by
the young men and irresponsible par
ties spelling for row. During the
session committee Of five lawyers
was appointed to report if all legal
means to oust Crosby had been ex-
hausted. A majority of the commit
tee reported that all legal means had
not been exhausted. A minority re-
port was made by two yourg limbs Of
the law saying that all legal means
had been exhausted, and the time for
action had come. BY "actiop" they
meaut force, and by force they meant
the rope. No concealmeDt was made
in their talk about hanging, etc.
"A committee was appointed to wait
upon certain officials and demand
their resignation. The meeting ad-
.journed to await the report. The Of
ficials who could be found begged
time to consult their lawyers, but
failed to reply in the time given them.
On the reassembling Of the meeting
in the Afternoon, aud hearing the re-
port Of their committee, they resolved
to adjourc in body to the Court
House and demand the resignation of
the officers. On reaching the Court
House all the officers fed but Crosby.
He signed resignation. No Que con-
cealed what biz fate would be if he
had not done so. He wonld have
been hanged on the spot. As soon as
he got out OF the clutches of the mob
he wrote letter to Judge Brown, Of
the Circuit Court, stating that be
took back his resignation, as he was
compelled to sign it to save his life.
He was then out in the country, on
his way to Jackson.
The morning afte, this row Judge
Brown tried to hold court, but the
parties left in charge of the Court
House refused to let the deputy enter
the court room, and so court has been
adjurned from day to day siDce then.
On Friday rumor got abroad that
Crosby was about to make o good
bond, by placing his Office III the
hands Of some person or another &C
ceptable to the people and retiring,
leaving all control to such deputy.
Two or three good parties agreed to
take the position, and arrangements
had been made with their friends to
make a bond that would be ample and
beyond dispute. When this was heard
meeting OF the citizens in the city
was called, which resolved to frown
down any such effort. The next morn
ing the papers contained notices warn
ing white citizens from going on the
bond, and this, too, in the face Of re-
peated assertions that no charge was
made against Crosby except his fail
ure to give good bond. On the
streets the threats were numerous
that no mans life would be safe who
went on such a bond.
Crosby returned from jackson on
Friday with instructions from the
Governor to take possession of his
otiice, and to call in the aid of the
militia to sustain him. He sent news
to the country for the negroes to come
in Monday and report to the court
house. They came, were met ut the
city limits and slaughtered-sim
slaughtered and bntchered. They
were chased through the woods and
fields and shot down like dogs. Many
were shot after they gave up, anu
some were shot on their knees while
begging for mercy. The spirit of de-
mons was in the people. 1t 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 Am
broise Brown was ordered off the
street by Captain Cowan, a former
rebel battery commander, and being
tardy in going, Cowalf deliberately
shot him. Many prisoners were taken
and kent in the cOnrt- hOnse. and taken