Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-08-11
BANDITTI.
A Republican Meeting in. Texas
Dispersed by n Mob Of DEM
Ocratic Assnssims.
Two NEGROES RIDDLED WITH
BULLETS AND THEN KNOCKED
ON TlsE HEAD.
Down with Free speech and Death
TO Negroes. II htili she Demo-
r cratic Cry.
BRENNAN. Texas. Jniy 26.

Az tue pk tDt lutex-Uceaul
Another ono of those chivalric butch
cries has taken plsce-butcheries which
the historian of the Southern States
will tire of recording. and concerning
which the people are already tired Of
hearing. The scene has shifted from
Vicksburg and New Orleans to the lit.
tie town of Independence, in the State
of Texas, yet is the samc old scene, 80
familiar to every man living in the
South, and apparently SO little under
stood by the people Of the North.
On tho second day of August so
called election is to be held to decide
whether or not constitutional con-
vention shall be called to frame new
constitution, and also to elect dele
gates to the convention in the event Of
An affirmative vote. The Democrats
having an overwhelming majority in
both branches of the Legislature, did
not deem it necessary to proceed in
this matter according to the form pre-
scribed by the present constitution.
Believing that convention would as
semble. and new constitution be
adopted, success in their undertaking
would amply compensate for any in.
fringement of the old worn-out or
ganic law of the State. Besides this.
their hearts were made brave by the
complete success of the Arkansas out
rage last year. The Republicans in the
State have taken little part in the can
vass; but in this Senatorial district.
consisting OF the counties Of Washing
ton, Burleson, and Lee, they have
nominated their candidates and have
held few macs meetinge. 1t was at
one of these Republican meetings,
hsd Say @ that the pre.sn,
outrage occurred.
Several Republican speakers were
invited to address tho meeting, among
whom were the Hon. j. 4. Lockett,
candidate to the convention II. A..
lsrvin, District Clerk, and Mr..
Decker. Several Democrats were pres
ent and listened to the speeches, but
were noticed to leave the ground be-
fore the last speaker concluded, and 90
back to town. After the speaking was
over, and while all were quietly eating
their dinner in the grove, a band Of
ten or twelve banditti. completely
armed, rode up and inquired for The
speakers. On being found they immc-
diately set upon the three gentlemen
named, with loaded whips and six
shooters, beating them in the most
shameful manner. The gentlemen
were unarmed, and while some
threatened them with death, in case OF
resistance, others struck them with
their pistols and whips. After com-
pletely satisfying their desires, they
ordered them to leave the ground i'm.
mediately, which they were glad to do
alive. But the chivalric Southern
heart having been once fired, could
not be Quenched, save by the blood of
that long oppressed race of slaves
the panacea of all Southern disorders.
Seeing two old men some distance of.
each with an old muskct, they order
ed them to lay down their arms. This
the old men refused to do, alleging
that they meant no harm by having
their guns that they had been hunt
ing, and would take their guns home
on their return. No sooner was this
said than the whole pack of assassins
began firing upon them. One, an aged
Baptist preacher, G5 years old, was
shot down bleeding from q dozen
wounds, when he was uucercmonious.
ly knocked in the head. The other old
mamie waited, when a boy, npon
General Jackson at the battle OF New
Orleans-fired his musket, loaded
with bird shot, upon his assailants,
wounding one slightly in the face. He
then rushed upon him with his club.
bed gun, putting this bravo man to
flight. Overtaking him, he struck him
with the gun, and undoubtedly would
have ended the career of ono Of the
marauders, had he not been shot by
the others. He now lies at the point
of death from his wounds. After this
noble exploit, the victors rode of in
triumph, to be crowned with chaplets
Of immortal glory. They have already
been enrolled in the Legion Of Honor,
and their names become household
words. Fathers admonish their sons
to emulate these brave men in the holy
cause of liberty. After the trouble,
for several days upward Of a hundred
armed men patroled the country, os-
tensibly to defend the rascals, but in
reality to intimidate lAw.abiiiing citi-
zens. Transient peace now reigns. A
sham bond has been given, and the
murderers are at liberty.