The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-16

the council, and was Above to come and go
as he pleased. He seemed to realize and ap-
preciate the fact that he was free, and en-
Dyed his liberty.
His Statement
New ORLEANS, Oct. Is, 1875.
Hon. c. c. Antoine, Acting Governor, State of
Louisiana:
Sl-Agreeably to your request by telegraph,
I have the honor to submit the following
statement connected with the opening and
of the Fifth Justice District
Court in and for the parish of East Feliciana.
The Court opened at Clinton, at 10 A. NJ,
on Thursday, Oct. Z instant. The Sheriff,
Henry Smith, in attendance. The Grad Jury
was emfuncted, charged by the Court and
retired to their room with the District At
torney, A. E. Read, Esq.
The civil and criminal dockets were then
called and cases assigned. An appeal case
from the Parish Court was taken up, and the
the courtroom and in loud voice, attracting
the attention of the Court, seemed to
be wrangling with some person
in the passage leading to the court
room, I directed him to keep order
as the controversy, in which he was engaged,
interfered with the proceedings of the court.
He came within the bar and sat down. then
saw several persons smoking in the doorway
with their hats on. directed the Sheriff to
request them to take seats within the court
room or to cease smoking, and take their hats
of. They withdrew from the door into the
passage beyond the view of the Court, the
Sheriff returning within the bar.
The case on trial proceeded, and hearing
disturbance in the passage way, called D.
C. Hardee, ESQ, to the bench, and said to
him we must have order. or the court cannot
90 on. He replied that from the appearance
OF the crowd he saw around the courthouse
he thought it doubtful whether Smith could
keep order; chat they were persons not to be
trifed with.
I rejoined, "You know better than 1,
whether he can control them or not" He
then asked me if was not aware of the oppo-
sition to Henry Smith. l replied that I had
seen reports in the papers, but could not be-
ieve they were true. While this conversation
was going on, the Sheriff left the courtroom
without my knowledge, and believed,
while near the foot of the
stairs was set upon by the same persons with
whom he was previously dlsputing; he then
ran into the Court House yard, and while
there was fired upon by the crowd. I should
Judge twenty pistol shots were fired. l heard
some one remark in the courtroom that they
were shooting at Smith.
Including the members of the bar about
twenty persons were then in the
courtroom. Looking into the court yard
I saw Henry Smith imping, evidently
wounded, and an excited crowd talking to
him. A consultation took place between sew
eral members Of the bar, citizens and myself;
some advised the Court to adjourn, sine die;
some an adjournment for a few days: others
stating that with Smith as Sheriff it was i'm
possible for the Court to proceed; one gentle
man gave as reason why Court should
the country that Smith had been shot, both
white and colored would flock into town, and
conflict would be inevitable-word of adj
journment would stop them. l was reluct-
antly forced to the conclusion that the bust
ness of the Court could not be proceeded
with, its orders executed or it process
enforced in the then temper of the
public mind, and decided to adjourn.
A deputy sheriff remaining in the court
room, 1 resumed the bench and directed him
to adjourn the court sine die Subsequent to
the adjournment the gentlemen present as
sured me that personally was in no danger.
that no indignity to me was intended or would
be permitted, but for fear that some reckless
person would offend they proffered their pro-
lection. Stating that apprehended no dan.
ger, but that if they thought there was any l
would accept their aid, two or three members
of the bar and several citizens walked with
me to my hotel.
During the evening Col. F. Powers, soon
after his arrival, called on me, stating that he
was authorized to say that if 1 would open
court in the morning he would have one
hundred picked men, if necessary, to pre-
serve order and execute the process of the
court. I stated that it was too late
Other persons expressed regret at the ad-
journment, stating that if Capt. Pagan had
been appointed Deputy Sheriff when Court
opened the disturbance would have been
avoided
During the night the streets of Clinton were
patroled by citizens, they giving as reason
the preservation of the peace.
The next morning 1 left the railroad for my
residence in Iberville. The District Attorney
LETT by the same train. This all occurred
within my observation, and RETAINING from
suggestion or comment, I simply state facts.
have the honor to be, v cry respectfully,
E. F. DEwING,
Judge 9Th Judicial District of Louisiana.
The sachems remained in council for some
time and the following is the result of their
deliberations
Upon the statement of Judge Dewing, the
Acting Governor will request the Judge to
Immediately convene a special term of the
court, by the usual thirty days notice.
In the meantime competent Sheriff will