The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1875-04-10
Testimony of E. L. Pierson.
Before the Congressman Committee,

Before the Congressman Committee,
Question: BY Mr.. Fields State
where yon reside
Answer.-I was born and raised in
Natchitoches; and reside in Nntchito-
ches, in the northern portion of the
State.
q. What is your professione
A. l am a lawyer, sir.
Q. You were born there, in Nat.
chitoches I
A. Yes, my father practiced law
there for forty years.
Q. State to the committee, wheth-
er or not, yon arc we'll acquainted
with the condition and the situation
of the parish for the last twelve
months9
A. Yes.
Q. As to peace, good order and
quieti
A, Yes, am tolerably we'll &C.
quainted with the Parish of Natchi-
toches F.; have been all over it, and
know most of the people. From
June last, mp to the election and ever
since the election and mp to date,
there has been spirit of violence, in
timldation and even attempted as
sassination in that parish.
Q. Go on and give the history of it I?
A. Well, sir, l can only state. as
far as jmyself is concerned. From 1868
up to 1872, l was a Democrat aud held
Important positions iu that parish
l acted on the executive committee
l was chairman of one; l think in
the year 1870; was elected Mayor
Of the city Of Natchitoches by the De-
mocrats in 1870 and up to 1871 /; /
was the Democratic candidate for the
Legislature in 1872. In 1874, on the
18th of July, l joined the Republican
party. Previous to my joining the
Republican party, my social position
was as good as any gentleman in the
city of Natchitoches; my father Ihav.
ing been an old resident and the law
partner of VIM. N. Levy, now elected
to Congress- and l was afterwards as
sociated with Col. Levy. After be-
came identified with the Republican
party on the 4th Of July, 1 was sub
jected to ostraism !; was scorned at
upon the streets, and was declared by
resolution of their committee, the
Democratic and Conservative party,
to he public enemy, because l join
ed the Republican party. I came
down here in August last, after the
forced resignation ofthe tax collector,
district judge, and l think, district at
torney and Governor Kellogg ap.
pointed me parish Judge of that par
ish. l returned on the eth Of Aug,
expecting to perform the functions of
my office. When got within six
teen miles of Natchitoches, met
friend of mine, a Democrat, who told
me there wasa good deal Of excite
ment in Natclitoches. l asked him
why 4? He said: "Thcy understand
you have been appointed parish judge
| and they swear you shouldn't serve"
| asked: "What is the objection ?
He said he didn't know. said: 81
will try any how !" l arrived i.ftown
at night; and the morning after |
met Col. Burke, G. Chaplin, and sew
eral others. They told me, under no
condition must | attempt to hold
court, or exercise the functions of my
office. Said l, "why, what is the
reason Z" They said: ''Well, we think
your life ia in danger" l said: "But
gentlemen, that is strange" Have
done anything dishonorabls or am
incompetent They said: "No"
l asked again and they said: "Wcll,
they won't let you hold court because
you are a Republican and got Kel-
logg's commission" "Well', said |,
II will try it anyhow" So on the
lst Of September, the day on which,
court was to be opened, forty armed
men came in the city If Natchitoches.
l was at my office. My wife sent me
q note by my brother, telling me to
come home Immediately. REMARKED
to my brother, that l did no want to
60 that l was going to hold court.
A few minutes after that, she came
down crying and begging me to 20
home. l told her, no that l would
not be bullied by these White Leag-
uers; that Ihad done nothing wrong.
She insisted upon my going; aud
when l went home my sister told me
that she had heard two Of these arm.
ed men say that they had come in
town for the purpose Of killing me.
Their expression was that they would
be damned if should sit as Judge Of
that parish. l then went to Col.
Burke and said: ut is impossible for
me to compete with the whole parish,
I I am alone and don't want to sacrifice
my life. would act npon. your sug.
gestion, and would not hold court" y
Just after that, met Col. Pierson, Of
the firm Of Jack T. Pierson, who was
always a friend Of mine and says /,
"what is the objection here to ME 7"
"Well," he said, don't you knows 1t
is impossible for me tell you the real
reason. You know az we'll rs l do
that these people are not going to al
low any one who holds Kellogg's
commission to cit as Judge, aud
would advise you not tn attempt it,"
l did not attempt it. On another day,
while was at home, the Committee
Of Seventy up there held a meeting.
They appointed committee to wait
upon me. That committee called