Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-01-21
KuKLUx AND WHITE LEAGUES.
Their work I'm Louisiana
TheysKill and Wound 1854
Men I'm One Year.
Gen. sheridan's Report.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 13.
On. Wa w. Belknap, Sec'y of War


NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 13.
Hon. w w. Belknap, sec'y Of War:
Since The year 1866, nearly $500
persons, N great majority of whom
were colored men, have been killed
and wounded in this State. In 1868
the Official record shows that 1884
persons were killed and wounded.
From 1868 to the present time no Of
fetal investigation has been made,
and the civil authorities, in all but a
few cases, have been unable TO arrest
convict and punish the perpetrators !;
consequently there are no correct
records to be consulted for informa-
ton. There is ample evidence, how
ever, to show that more than 1890
persons have been killed and wound
ed during this time on account of
their political sentiments. Frightful
massacres have occurred In the Par
ishes of Bossier, Cadds, Cattahaula,
st. Bernard, st. Landery, Grant and
Orleans. The general character Of
the masSacres i'm the above named
parishes Ii SO well known that il is
unnecessary to describe them. The
isolated cnses can best be illustrated
by the following instances which 1
take from mass of evidence now
lying before me, of the men killed
on account Of their political princi-
pies: In Nachitoches Parish the
number OF isolated cases reported is
80; in the Parish of Benville the
number of men killed is 30; In Red
River Parish, isolated cases, men
killed Is 81; in Union Parish the
numbersof isolated cases where men
were killed is l5; in Jackson Parish
the number killed is 20; in Cachoula
Parish the number Of isolated cases
where men were killed Is 10, and
most OF the country throughout the
State will show corresponding state
Of affairs. The following statements
will illustrate the character and kind
of these
On August 80, 1874, in Red River
Parish, six State and Parish officers
named Twitchell, Divels, Holland,
Howell, Edgerton and Willis, were
taken, together with four negroes,
under guard TO be carried out OF the
state, aud were deliberately mar
dered.
On the osth of August, 1874, three
negroes We're shot and killed at
| brownsville before the arrival Of the
United States troops in that Parish.
Two white Leaguers rode up to n
negro cabin and called for . drink Of
4 wtfer. When an old es,iofet imam
turned to draw 1t they shot him in
the back and killed him. The
courts were all broken up in this
District and District Judge driven
off in the Parish of Caddo. Prior to
! the arrival OF the United States
troops all the officers 8t Shreveport
were compelled to abdicate by the
White League, which took possess
/ ion Of the place. Among those oblig-
ed TO abdicate were Walsh, Mayor;
Roper, Sheriff; Wheaton, Clerk Of
the Circuit, and Ferguson and Rem
fro, administrators. Two colored
men, who had given even the evil
dence in regard to outrages commit
ted in the Parish, were compelled to
flee for life, and reached this city at
night, having been smuggled
through In carload Of cotton.
In the Parish OF Bossier the White
League have attempted to force the
abdication of Judge Baker and the
Parish Judge, together with O'Nell
Sheriff, and Walker, Clerk OF the
| Court, and they have compelled the
Parish and District Courts TO suspend
operations.
Judge Baker states that the White
League notified him that If he did
not abdicate they would attempt bis
life. They also attempted to intimi-
date him through his family by ma
king the same threats to his wife,
and when told by him that he was
United States Commissioner, they
notified him not to attempt To ex0r-
else the functions Of his office. In
but few of the country parishes can
ii be truly said that the law b. Ell.
forced, and i'm some Of the parishes
the Judges have not been able to
hold court for two years. Human
life in this State IL held 50 cheapiy
that when men are killed on account
Of political opinion the murderers
are regarded rather as heroes than as
criminals, in localities where they
reside, and by the White League
and their supporters. An illustra-
tiOn Of the ostracisln that prevails in
the State may be found In resolu-
tion Of the White League club In a
parish debate, which says they
pledge themselves under no circum-
stances, after the coming election, TO
employ, rent land 10, or in any 9TH
er manner give aid, comfort or credit
TO any man, white or black, who
votes against the nominees OF the
White Mans party. Safety for in
dividuals who express their opin-
ions in isolated portions Of this State
has existed only when that opinion
was i'm favor of the principles and
party supported by the kn-kInx and
White Leaguers. Only yesterday
Judge Myers Of the Parish Of Match
itOehes called on me, aud stated that
in order to reach here alive be was
Obliged 10 leave his home by stealth,
and in the night, and make bis way
10 Little Rock aud come to this city
by way Of Memphis. He states that
Eha.i his father was living ut the