The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-28

afraid to 90 to the place for the purpose 0
holding an inquest upon the bodies witness hat
to furnish him a guard Of soldiers; the sheriff
| did not dare arrest the murderers, and wit
ness had to supply him with detail OF sol
| dlers, as d posse comitatts, to execute the war
rant for their arrest. They were arrested
tried and acquitted, in spite Of the most pos
circumstancial evidence of their guilt. Nc
witnesses would appear against them; they
| feared to do SO.
1t was necessary to furnish the soldiers to
assist the civil authorities, because the Sheriff
could no more have taken the two men &C.
cused of the murders than he could have
| captured New Orleans. 1t was not unusual
| to see large numbers Of armed men in town.
After the fourteenth Of September, on receipt
OF the news that Kellogg had been overthrown,
| there was a demonstratiye meeting whereat
| it was agreed to take possession Of the offices
held by Republicans. This, in spite of the
presence Of United States troops. In that
country the mob controls the party. Some
OF the papers advocated the violence practiced
by the mob. The more Conservative Demo
Gratis did not indorse this, yet they appeared
not to demonstrate, openly at least.
Colored people voted in the town OF Cotax,
but thinks that a colored man would not dare
vote at polls in the country. The firing Of a
to make negroes take to the woods. 1t is
necessary to keep troops in Grant parish, be-
cause should they be withdrawn number of
people would have to leave with them. Any
man who should advocate Republicansm
openly In the parish would not be allowed to
live. As for Republicans being socially pro-
scrlbed there was no society from which to be
ostracised. The witness asserted that this
hostile feeling IN the community is directed
against the Federal and State governments
In cross examination to which the wit
ness was subjected by Mr.. Marshall and Mr..
Zacharie, he admitted that negroes had voted
very freely in the parish, and that the Repub-
licans carried the election there.
Donald Mcintosh.
Is First Lieutenant in the Seventh Cavalry,
and has been in the State since the 10th Of
October. Was off with United States Mar
shall Stockton for about thirty days, during
which he went thro Ugh several of the upper
parishes with soldiers who acted as a posse
comitatns to make arrests upon warrants
held by the said Stockton. Is not able to say
concerning the condition of society.
When with Stockton made twenty-seyen
arrests upon warrants for violation OF the
enforcement act. Observed during this tour
with Stockton that there existed feeling of
hostility between the whites and blacks.
Was unable to procure guides, either white
or black, because they feared being killed.
Knows OF no acts Of intimidation, but be-
ieves they were perpetrated Was in camp
at Natchltoches on the day of election
Heard negroes say since the election that
they bad been discharged for voting the
Republican ticket.
Capt. Allen Recalled.
At the request of Mr. Zacharie, Capt. Allen
was recalled to testify in regard to the char
acter OF Judge Phillips, leading Republican
OF Grant parish. Knows that Phillips is
looked upon by most of the Republicans in
the parish even. as man of very bad charac-
ter. Does not know personally that Phillips
melted riot and urged negroes to the perpe-
tratlon Of violence, although it was said such
was the case.
L0uis Merrill.
Is Major of the Seventh Cavalry. Came to
Louisiana about the 1st of October Was
shortly thereafter placed in command of the
Upper Red River District. AS to the condi-
ton OF that part OF he country, there exists
perfect anarchy. The colored men are terror
lied; not only fear the loss of their freedom
but fear constantly violence from the whites
Until recently colored men slept in the
woods, fearing visits from the White Leaguers.
White Republicans are ostracised, and, in
many instances, have been driven from the
country, not daring to return. Republicans
dare not express their political sentiments,
and, II tact, Democrats dare not do it. No
man can express himself, unless he conforms
to the ideas Of few who control.
There is a desire to overthrow the kellogg
Government, and it would undoubtedly be
done were the troops withdrawn from the
State. There is hostility to the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments. Finds that there
Is not disposition to accord the negroes the
rights which these amendments guarantee.
Does not think that, with United States troops
N every parish, even, there could be free
and fair election in the State of Louisiana
Has no personal knowledge Of the Coushatta
Saw no acts Of violence, but in
gestigated several murders. When witness
went to Shreveport there were no civil officers
acting with the exception, possibly, of
couple Of justices.
There was police in the town, which was
volunteer organization. No resistance to
arrests was made by this force, although it
lad no legal authority for acting. About half
If the population of the district, of which
witness has command, are of a turbulent
character; cannot be considered a law-abiding
people. AS general rule contracts made
between white and colored men are not hon |
estly carried out by the former
The negroes are generally sxindled in one
way and another. Lately there has been
made, by leading Conservatives, an appeal to
he people to keep quiet, and commit no more
,utrages.
If the Kellogg government was removed |
md the white people Of the State allowed to
construct government after their own pecu-
lar notion, there would be no trouble.
Possibly it matters not what the character
# government might be as regards integ- |
ity, if not controlled by the white people of
he State, there will be dissention and law
essness.
The witness thinks that government the
Feature of Congress, maintained by force I'M
il the people OF Louisiana learn to obey law,
5 TIE only way by which permanent peace
an be established. He related that several
eSroes were killed by white men, and that
nany were forced to seek refugein the woods.
having prepared a list of murders commit
"a IN his district since the year 1866.
The list is not yet complete, as some of the
Ulcers charged with the work have not vet |