The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-10-07
Martial Law In Alabama High
Handed D0ings of Federal Officials.

MONTGOMERY, October Ga letter 10 the
Advertiser from one of the most prominent
and reliable citizens of Sumter county says:
"The United States marshals are very ac-
lively engaged here. Martial law in point of
fact exists in Sumter. Houses are entered
by United States soldiers without form or
ceremony. Private property Is taken and
carried off without leave or license, and pri-
vate citizens, against whom there. is no
shadow of 4 charge, are arrested without
warrant or process of law.
"a few nights ago the whole body Of the
Democratic and Conservative Convention
was put under arrest until the deputy United
States marshal saw fit to release them.
"On the next night squad of Federal
soldiers went into the country to a house,
and, not finding the owners at home, took
into their possession guns and pistols be-
longing to different parties. AT another
house, which was in charge of negro man,
who was sleeping in it with his little SOD, in
attempting to surround it they awoke the
little boy, who became frightened and started
10 run. He was shot at eight or Hine times,
but whether he was wounded or not l am
unable to say.
s.The next night Marshal Randolph with
soldiers and detective went to the house
of one of the most quiet and respectable
citizens and surrounded it. When be gotup
in the morning he found that his premises
we're guarded all around. As soon as he was
dressed he opened the doors, and Randolph,
soldiers, and detective came ia. The gentle
man was ordered to cross his hands so that
he could be handcutfed. He demanded their
authority for his arrest, when the United
States deputy marsha! significantly tapped
his musket and remarked, sThis is my
authority
"Another case was that Of an old man who
started ut au early hour to 60 to town, when
he was met by deputy United States mar
shal with squad, who told him he was out
too early, and arrested him and held him
several hours. The marshals appear sur
prised to find no white leagues in the
county,"
MOBILE, October 6.-Messrs. Penfroe, Bull
lock, p. A. Hiliman, and Childs, the gent'c-
men charged with the murder of W. Z. Bill
ings, in Sumter county, arrived here Sun
dav. They were interviewed this morning.
They give dreadful accounts of their suffer-
ings and brutal treatment. They were
bandcutfed and chained together and put IN
charge Of squad of Federal soldiers, who
had orders to shoot them on the slightest
proyocation. Along the entire route from
Demopolis to Montgomery they were
subjected to curses and abuses from
negroes and scalawags, who were allowed
to enter the cars at any station when remain
ing over. They were thrown into the vilest
dens, reeking with filth, were denied water
and meals, and were prohibited from COM
municating with their attorneys. The mar
shall had q warrant for William Hillman,
and when p. A. Hillman demanded by what
authority be was arrested the marshal re-
plied, at don't make a d--n bit of differ
ence. Well take you along now and get
William some other time" The trial is
going on. Three negroes testified to-day.
Their testimony Is incoherent, their lesson
not being well learned.