The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-06-17

less officials. aud request their resignation.
The committee waited upon the officials I'M
mediateIy. and were insolently aud Insult
ingly repulsed. When the fact was re-
ported back TO the meeting, IL was instantly
resolved that the taxpayers should repair 70
the court house in. a body and there
DEMAND THE RESIGNATION
Of dishonest and bondless officials, as there
was no safety for the property of the county
and no protection for the records, which
were being daily mutilated and destroyed to
shield the dishonest acts OF criminal Off
Gals. Many of the officials fed from the
court house at the approach of the tsx-pav-
ers. but Crosby remained and complied with
| the demands made upon hia by rendering
his resignation, stating, however, that
he did so under duress. The next
convened and issued an order that
Crosby should present good and
sufficient bond within twenty days or his
Office would be declared vacant at the expl-
ration of that time. Crosby Immediately
caused a card to be published, in which he
denounced the taxpayers as a mob, ban
ditti, ETC., and sent emmissaries throughout
the county to invite the negroes to arms to
overawe the whites and reinstate him in his
Office using no other persuasive argument
than that he was colored man and a reput-
licau. On the 7th the attempt was made,
with what result you know. Negroes
marched upon the city from
three directions wers met and re-
pulsed. with many killed, wounded, anu
captured. Crosby was taken prisoner early
in the action, and was securely guarded az
| time when public excitement ran high, and
when the incensed populace was eager for
Crosby's blood. Later, the twenty days al
lOlte1 by the board of supervisors expired,
and Crosby having failed to give bond, an
election was ordered TO fiji the vacancy in
his Office. A. j. Flanagan was nominated
by the tax papers, and elected TO the office,
commenced the discharge of his official
duties. He gave a good bond, and
was proceeding quietly in the discharge OF
his duties when his Office was entered by
squad OF u. s. soldiers with fixed 5ayont Is
| and he was fOrcibly elected. Subsequently
Crosby made an arrangement with citizen
of Kemper county, then a state SENATOR
named Gilmer, by which bond was made
for Crosby as sheriff and collector, with the
understanding that Gilmer should collect
the taxes, control the office, and make II
all right with Crosby afterward.
ONE OF eILMER's FIRST ACTS
was to discharge all of Crosby;s deputies and
appoint those of his own selection. Trouble
commenced at once in the camp OF the faith
ful, and has continued ever since. Under
the new regime affairs about the court house
were not improved. Robberies and mutila-
tiou of records continued, Jail deliver
les became frequent, juries were packed, and
criminals went unwhipped OF justice, but
the citizens maintained a sullen silence and
remained passive under their severe trials,
J awed by the presence of the mi J.
tary, and patiently awaiting the good
day coming. These facts have 5een COMMIT
nieated TO you disconnectedly by telegraph.
On Monday yesterday the official relations
of Crosby and Gilmer were disrupted and
the compact broken. In the evening Crosby
and Gilmer walked into saloon near the
court house TO appeaSe their thirst. Crosby
was leit standing at the counter while Gil
mer walked through into back room. A few
minutes later the report of pistol was heard,
and Crosby fell to the floor with a bullet in
a his head, it having entered just below the
LETT eye. The report went out that Crosby
had attempted suicide by shooting himself,
, bat later in the evening Crosby, who re-
manned conscious, made an affidavit before
Mayor O'Learv, who attended his bedside,
, that he had been shot either by Gilmer or
by his direction. GilIner made his appear
ance at the mayors court this morning, but
the prosecution not being ready for trial he
was released on his own recognizance, to ap-
, pear on Saturday. Gilmer published the
| following card in this mornings papers:
. A CARD.
To the Taxpayers of Warren County:
: Ny appointments as deputy shorthand tax
collector of Warren county having been II.
voked by Peter Crosby, sheriff of SAID
county, this is to give notice, that in consid
: Grafton of said appointment, made biz
3 bond, and L shall, at the earliest moment
cause the withdrawal OF the names OF my
. friends from said bond. Taxpayers anC
those interested are requested to govern
= themselves accordingly. The tax collec
= tons for the fiscal year of 1874 having beer
+ made by me, full settlement with the state
+ and county will be made by the undersigned
: at an early date. Very respectfully,
o. JOHN 2. CLINE r