The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-04
THE NEW ORLEANS BULLETIN, THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1876

IL II w OhAGANS bUAuEI1
be allowed to 60 through to Washington. Nc
Emery was in Mississippi on the 14th of Sep
TENDER. Neither McEnery nor witness though
there would be collision. The conflict was
precipitated by the unwarrantable seizure O
arms by the police.
Is not aware that McEnery was purposely
sent to the country previous to the 14th Of
September. The uprising on the 14th was
not premeditated. 1t was spontaneous
movement.
This witness read written statement
which opened with the announcement
that Coushatta had been built up
sine the War, and that for few
years following 1865 it grew rapidly and pros
pered. This state of prosperity of the sec
| ton was not disturbed. and the friendly rela-
tons of the races continued until the carpet
Dagger made his appearance. Thereafter the
parish of Red River was formed, and Cou-
shatta made the parish seat
Taxation was increased and the people have
been burdened since. He detailed at length
in this written statement the circumstances
which led to the excitement and assembling
Of the white people in Coushatta, and the
arrest of the Republican officers, also their
murder by parties unknown. Witness is
president of the white political club of Cou-
shatta There is no White League in the
parish. Is merchant
The wounding of Dickson, near Twitchells
house, occurred on the night of the 9th of
August; it was necessary to take the Republi-
can officials in charge, in order to protect
them from the assemblage which, under the
excitement, was fast assuming the character
of mob; when the prisoners left on Sunday
L. HI l.. LII
that the guard placed in charge of the prison
ers would protect them; knows but little of
the assas sination.
Witness was arrested by Deputy Marshal
Stockton, and is now under guard. Very few
of the guard in charge of the Coushatta pris-
oners were residents of the town. Mr.. Hymns,
member of the guard, stated that they were
pursued by parties unknown to him, and the
prisoners killed by the pursuers. These men,
it is said, Immediately left the State. witch
ellis horse was subsequently seen in Cleburne
Johnson county, Texas.
The indiscriminate arrests made few days
before the election by the deputy United
States Marshal with troops struck consterna-
ton to the white community, and caused
loss Of over one hundred votes to the Con-
sentative ticket. Witness was under guard
on election day. If there had been no intimi-
dation Of the white people the viii es would
no doubt have influenced sufficient number
of colored voters to have carried the parish.
As it was good many negroes voted with the
whites.
There was $4,000 paid H. Twitchell, for
his friends, for locating the Court House.
Does not think that Twitchell ever added one
dollars worth to the prosperity of Coushatta.
He took very little capital to the place with him.
Homer Twitchell, Devices. Edgerton, Willis
and other Northern men, who located there
with q. Twitchell, had no capital. The mills
Of whish Twit,hell referred to, consist of
planning mill and shingle machine, taken there
to dress lumber and make shingles for the
building of the Courthouse, for which a
large amount of money was appropriated.
Mr.. Twitchell does not represent capital of
500, 900 in Coushatta.
Heard that Capt. Jack led the party who
killed the prisoners, but don't know who
Capt. Jack is. Does not know the men who
hung the two negroes. They claimed to be |
Capt. Jacks men.
To Mr.. Frye-Is President of the Execu-
i've Committee. There was consultation |
relative to the removal of the parish officials.
Never told any one after the Natchitoches
officials were removed that witness would see
+ the same could not be done in Red River
parish. Was one of committee of twenty
i've who investigated the charge against two
negroes who were hung.
The committee did not vote to hang th en-
The negroes were hurg by a mob, none of
whom he knew. Knows that witness has been
charged with instlgating the murder of
Cwitchell AMI others.
Mr.. Frye demanded of the witness the
lames of the parties who formed the guard
nd had charge of the murdered Coushatta
'fficials. Witness gave most of them. Only
nows of four negroes being killed in Red
river parish.
The witness was subjected to a very close
discrimination by Mr.. Frye relative to the
filing of Twitchell, Devices and their COM
anions, also relative to the hanging of the
wo negroes, on the Wednesday following that
vent.
Mr. Frye was DESTROYS of obtaining the
ames of those who witnessed, or rather were
resent at the lynching OF the negroes, but
[r. Abney could only give those of two gen.
emen.
The witness will be recalled to-day for fur
Ter examination.