Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-16
back and killed him. The courts were all broken
up in this district and the district Judge driven

back and killed him. The courts were all broken
up in this district and the district Judge driven
out.
In the parish of Caddo, prior to the arrival OF
the L. S. troops, all of the officers at Shreveport
were compelled to abdicate by the White League,
which took possession of the place. Among those
who were obliged to abdicate were Walsh, the
Mayor; Ropers the Sheriff; Wheaton, the Clerk
of the Court Duran,, the Recorder; and Fergu-
son and Renfzo, Administrators. Two colored
men who had given evidence in regard to the
frauds committed in the parish were compelled to
flee for their lives and reached this city last night
having been struggled tb ugh in cargo OF cot
ton.
In the parish of Bossier the White League have
attempted to force the sbdication Of Judge Baker,
the United States Commissioner, and the Parish
Judge, together with O'Neal, the Sheriff, and
Walker. the Clerk of the Court, and they have
compelled the Parish and District Courts to sus-
pend operations. Judge Baker states that the
White Leaguers notified him several times that If
he became candidate on the Republican ti;ket,
if he attempted to organize the Republican par
ty, he should not live until election.
They also tried to ntimidate him through his
family by making the same threats to his wife, and
when told by him that he was [ United States
Commissioner, they notified him not to exercise
the functions of his office. In but few of the coun-
try parishes it be said that the law is properly
enforced and in some of the parishes the Judges
have not been able to hold court for two years.
Human life in this State is held so cheaply that
ions the murderers regarded rather as heroes
than as criminals in the localities where they re-
side and by the White League and their support
ers. An illustration of the osracism that prevails
may be found in a resolution Of White League
Club in the Parish Of De Soto, which states that
they pledge themselves "urder no circumstances,
after the coming election, to employ. rent land to.
or in any other manner give aid, comfort or cred
it TO any man, white OF black, who votes against
the nominees of the white mans party.
Safa fpri all hn q
in the isolated portions of this State has existed
only when that opinion was in favor OF the plnc-
pies and party supported by the ku-k and
White League organizations. Only yesterday
Judge Myers, the parish judge of the parish of
Natchitoches called upon me on his arrival in this
city. He stated that in order to reach here alive
he was obliged to leave his home by stealth and
after nightfall, and make his way to Little Rock,
Arkansas, and come to this city by way OF Mem
phis. lie further states that while his father was
living at the point of death in the same village he
was unable to visit him for fear of assassination,
and yet he is native Of the parish and prescribed
for his political sentiments only
1t is more than probable that if bad Govern
ment has existed in this State it is the result OF
the armed organizations, which have now crystal
lied into what is called the White League. In
stead of bad government developing them they
have, by their terrorism prevented. TO a consider
able extent, the collection of taxes, the
holding of courts, the punishment of criminals
and vtiated public sentiment by faniarzing
it by scenes above described.
am now engaged in compiling evidence for
detailed report upon the above subject, but it Will
be some time before | can obtain ali the requisite
data to cove; all the cases that have occurred
throughout the State. | will also report in due
time upon the subject of affairs in the States OF
Arkansas and Mississippi.
tSigned) Z. ii. SHERIDAN, 1t. General.