The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-02-24
outra@es In Texas.

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outra%es In Texas.
WASHINGTON, Feb. I2.-The fol-
lowing letter, just received by At
torney General Williams, tells its
own story. The writer, whose
name is withheld to secure his own
protection, is a man who stands high
in the estimation of the Texas dele
CATION iniCongress, who have seen
the letter:
GALVESTON, TEXAS, Feb 5.-Hon.
Geo. II. Williams, Attorney Gener-
al-Dear Sir: As an humble citi-
zen of the State of Texas, | beg to
call your attention to the fact that in
the months Of June and July last
many acts ofIawlessness and crime
were perpetrated in Dewitt County,
in this State, by party of men dis
guised by masks and other devices
to prevent recognition by persons
otherwise knowing them. Their
conduct was most cruel and bloody
character, resulting in the loss of
many innocent lives, both colored
and white. So powerful was the
combination that the civil authorities
became paralyzed and completely
overpowered.
The Governor in the month of
July last, sent company of State
troops there to aid the civil authori-
ties in the enforcement of the law,
but hampered them with such IN
structions that they have been of but
little avail against the murderous
purposes of the Kuklux confederation.
They have not arrested man since
they have been there, nor has the
Sheriff of said county at any time
called on them to assist him in so do
ing. Consequently they have re-
mained idle in camps, consuming the
revenues of the State to no remedial
purpose. The secret conelaves OF
the midnight assassins have been
permitted to assemble for unlawful
purposes in open daylight, and with
their paraphernalia of war, in sight Of
Capt. McNulty's camp, and in de-
fance of law and all State authority,
have fred into portion of his COM
mand, killing two horses and serl-
ously wounding one of the State
troops.
For this daring. outrage and wan
ton insult to the State authority, the
cut-throats made no apology to Capt.
MeNulty, and the State quietly
pocketed the insult. Some of said
banditti, having turned States evil
dence, sought protection for their
lives in Capt McNulty's camp,
where they should have been pro-
tected and provided for until the
sitting of the court But such was
not done The witnesses, for rea-
sons | need not here explain, were
advised by Capt McNulty to leave
the country, which they did, he CIV
| ing them all the assistance he could
to get them off Satisfied that the
authorities were insufficient TO punish
such offenders of law and order, es-
pecially in the absence of material
testimony, l, of my own accord and
individual expense, hunted said wit
nesses up, and in October last
brought them before United States
Commissioner Sanford Mason OF Gal
vestn, (all Commissioners in that
section having from fear refused to
act in the matter), vino issued pro-
cess for twenty-nine of them to be
arrested and brought before him for
examination.
No attempt was ever made to ex-
eeute said writs, and the matter was
dalIied with one way and another
until the meeting Of the Federal
Court of the Eastern District OF
Texas in December last, when the
grand jury composed mainly of Demo
Gratis, promptly indicted said twenty
nine parties for various ofenses
against the enforcement act OF Con-
gress, one of which was for assault
ing q harmless old negro man on my
farm-seyenty years old-and buck
ing him till life was nearly extinct,
then whipping him until he revived
they then castrated him and hung
him till dead, after which they cut
him open and threw him into the
river, where lie was found two days
afterwards and taken out and buried.
have most respectfully torequest
! YOUR Honor to cause an investiga-
tion to be had, to the end that the
only government we can look to Tor
the security of life and property may
have its officials act promptly IN mat
ters of great Importance to society
and the nation.
| | most respectfully refer you to
Messrs. Flanagan and Hamilton, ol
the Senate, and John Hancock, OF
the House Of Representatives.