New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-02
THE GRANT PARISH PRISONERS
Trial in the United states Circuit Cour

tense.
Thirteenth days proceedings. William
Cruik shank, John z. HadnOt, Thomas
Hickman indicted as Thomas Hickman)
William d. Irwin indicted as w. B. Irwin
Austin z. Gibbons Indicted as Oscar
Givens), Clement Penn, Denis Lemoine and
Prudhomme Lemoine, on trial for con
spiracy and murder in COlfax, Grant parish
in April, 1873, when Alexander 1lllmau
and others were killed.
TESTIMONY FOR DEFENSE.
The jury did not lock as if the Sunday
vacation had afforded any great reliet
Captain Boardman, formerly commander
of the steamboat John T. Moore, was
called by the prosecution. He stated that
IN April, 1873, a cannon was taken from
his vessel at Alexandria several days be-
fore the COlfax fight; the gun was thirty.
eight inches long, bore one and three-quar-
ters inches; the person who took it did so
by force.
NJ. NJ. Woods-Was captain of steamboat
La Belle in March and April, 1873; few
DTS before the fight saw several squads Of
A@ed cOlOred men; did not land because
feared trouble.
Cross examination IL was hailed at
Cuny's Point, but did not stop, for lady;
saw no people there; was never threatened.
S. Dubois-Saw Denis Lemoine and Glib
bOns at my house at 8 A. M, Easter Sun
day, cleaning a hog; went out driving and
returned home about noon and saw ID. Le-
moline there few minutes after.
This witness displayed an excellent
memory for the fifth and sixth days of
April, and for the thirteenth, but for other
days his memory was quite blank. He was
not nearer COltax than two miles from the
fifth to the sixteenth of April.
Ch0rlpa r. SmIfh-Tn urova an q Ii hi for
Austin Gibbons and d. LemOine. Had a
hand in killing that hog. Heard Brantley
say that if he had forty more men like
himself he would clean out the people; did
not tell this before the fight; did after
ward; went to Colfax on the fifth, on q
mission for a constable from Montgomery;
he had a warrant for the arrest Of five or
six persons in COltax; when l got to Col
fax / was threatened and halted, but
finally permitted to 60 on and deliver my
message; Captain Ward told me that he
was willing to agree to anything, provided
four men from each side should meet in con-
sultation; just then news came that Jesse
Mckinney was killed; the conference was
then broken.
Cross-exanination-Id do not know who
was in the fight was not there myself;
there were thirty-tive or forty men with the
Montgomery constable when he called at
my house for me to go to Colfax; did not
tell Ward and Flowers that piney woods
people were trying to force me into the
fight; did not tell anybody in Colfax the
names of the persons wanted.
Mrs. E, DuDOis-Attempt to prove alibi
for D. Lemolne and Austin Gibbons; she
does not attend american" churches, but
occasionally does the French church;
when asked the difference between the two
she could not tell.
Miss Dubois-Was perfectly able to re-
member circumstances of Easter Sunday,
1873, but is unable ~ tell anything about
any other day OF recent date.
John Lemoine-Attempt to prove .alibi
for d. LemOine and Gibbons, and helped to
kill that hog.
oss-examlnation-Did not help to kill
Gi6bsns every day during the troubles.
Valcour Vallere-Attempt to prove alibi
for D. Lemoine and Gibbons.
CrOss-examination-J G. Calhoun told
me that there had been a fight in Colfax
| remained home all Easter Sunday.
John Oglesby-Attempt to prove alibi
for d. Lenoine and Gibbons. Remembers
we'll about Easter Sunday, 1873, but can not
recollect what happened to him, or where
he was on the twenty-fifth of last month.
Miss Swine Dubois-Attempt to prove
Cross-examinatiOn-lt was nearly year
before began to think about what hap
pened on Easter Sunday, 1873.
Mrs. John Lemoine-Attenpt to prove
alibi for D. Lemoine.
Cross examination-Did not try to think
about where d. LemOine was on Easter
Sunday until l was summoned; can't re.
member what did on Good Friday.
Mrs. r. Valery-Attempt to prove alibi
for D. Lemoine.
N. Delerno-Saw Ward drilling colored
armed men in COlfax before the fight; one
trip of the boat before the fight Flowers
went on board our boat the b. L. Hodge,
fifteen miles from Colfax, and told me that
things were too hot for him in Colfax.
Cross examination-Wardd did not appear
lame when drilling the men; l knew him
because he has long legs.
Sam RhOrer-knOws Tom Hickman; saw
Tom at his home at nine o'clock on the
morning of the fight; can remember all
about the thirteenth of April. 1873, but
can't tell anything about last Christmas.
II. Huches-Attempt to prove alibi for
Tom Hickman. The condition of the cOun.
try was disturbed because cOlOred people
were arming; Hickman told me about the
fight; saw Charles Hyams, who had just
left the Colfax fight; he said he had been
the fight at three or four o'clock Easter
Sunday evening and met me soon after;
Nash was the only man l heard was in the
fight; colored people were alarmed.
Philip Ussery-Attempt to prove an alibi
for Tom Hickman. CrOss-exaMinatiOn--
The colored women and children, who were
frightened, feared that white people would
harm them; they went to Rhorer's store for
protectiOn they did not fear the colored
men.
Blk. Smilh-Attempt to prove alibi for
Tom Hickman. Knew of armed persons
persons trying to induce colOred men to go
to Colfax: one was named Wash, wko told
me that he wanted the colOred men to 60
and defend their rights; 1 persuaded my
people not to go.
Henry T. Purcell-Heard colored people
make threats; Butler and Abe Singleton.
Cross-examination-D not remain in
the courtroom during the first trial OF this
case; do not know Of any person who was
in the Colfax fight.
Jerry Wlllisms-Attempt to make an
alibi for Tom Hickman.
CrossexaminatiOn-C remember only
one date, and that is the time OF the Colfax
fight; never pay any attention to days OF
che month.
Pleasant Dallas-Went to Colfax the day
before the fight; Bully Ellis and Bush told
me / must 90 to CoIfax and fight for the
United States; went willingly, but had no
weapon; left Colfax early on the morning
of the fight; Levin Allen and Ward were in
command in Colfax; had no ammunition
for my gun; heard the guns fire.
Lucy JOhnson-Attempt to make an allbl
for Tom Hickman; saw him on his gallery
soon after dinner, and he remained there
until sundOwn.
Jane Milton-To make an alibi for Tom
Hickman.
Victoria Scott cook for Tom Hickman;
he was at home on the day of the fight;
colored people went to his house to inquire
about the Colfax fight.
Cross-examination-H did not leave