New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-03
Little History of Affairs in Grant Parish.

EDITOR REPUBLICAN,
In the Bulletin of the thirty-tirs ultim
we have a rehash of its ISLANDERS agains
some of the Republicans of Grant parisl
and the soldiers stationed there; and as i
reasonable to presume that this is done
simply to forestall the opinion of the con
gressional committee against damaging re
ports tha3 almost daily come from tha
section of country l would beg space il
your valuable journal to first make state
men3 personal to myself and friends. and
| III conclusion to recount the loss OF Dem
ocrats and Republicans n the political con
| tests since the war
| With reference to The NeeGham Waters
SANDER, would say that he, with others,
| was charged with murder in 1871. Com
missioner Weller issued warrantss and
| Deputy Marshals Henry Schorten and
| Dodds made search fer Walters, when ii
| was ascertained he had fled to Texas
| Others at the time were arrested, for which
the grand jury of the parish returned true
bills (tor kidnapping and false imprison-
| ment) against the marshals-nOt recognizing
the authority of the government to arrest a
citizen of Grant.
In 1874 capias was issued for Walters,
and Captain Snow. deputy marshal. cap
tured him and turned him over to Major
Allyn, commandant of the post at Coltax
Soon after he made his escape, when the
guard fired at him twice.
Up to the time of my leaving there, which
was about the eighteenth Of November,
nothing was known of his whereabouts but
all supposed he had made his way back to
Texas.
During my stay there at no time. either
night or day, was l away from the military
camp. The ostensible reason for trumping
up this charge is, that under guise of legal
proceedings, they can possess themselves of
few Republicans who stand between them
and office, and en- route to Colfax the Re-
publcans would try and make their escape,
and would either get cut to pieces or fall in
the wheelhouse of some steamboat. Re-
publican prisoners going up Red river are
most certain to make their escape in this
way. Had it not been for the escort of
and Lieutenant H0dgson would have es-
capped in this way, and the fate Of the Cou-
shatta prisoners stareS us in the face
Some time ago l was arrested and car
ried before Judge Staes on the charge of
being an accessory to the killing of Need
ham Walters. The Bulletin was prompt in
ventilating this much. but did not state
that for two days prior to applying for this
writ OF arrest, they were attempting to in
veigle me aboard Of steamboat. The !
BuActin should also have informed the |
public that it was not the citizens of Grant |
parish who trumped up this charge, but |
White Leaguers of the parish of Rapides. |
Colonel Lowell, the attorney who represent |
ed me. demanded an investigation thorough |
and complete. Twelve or fourteen days |
were given the prosecutor to prepare his |
case, but having slipped up in his original
purpose. which was to transport me up the
river. he failed to put in an appearance. | |
have nothing to fear from an honorable and
equitable court, but | should dread the YER
dict of the court and jury to be met with
while en- route to the parish.
IT seems to be the peculiar province of the
White League" organ to incite to lawless-
against those who differ with them polite
ally. SO much SO that the public have
ceased to expect any reply to their denun-
cations.
To show the animus of the Republicans.
and give an idea of the cruel war they
wage against Democrats in Grant, ! will
low submit summary of their exploits.
10 1868 several United States officers were
silled and the body of one found buried in
/ well by the roadside. Bureau agents en-
ragged in feeding the people were maltreated
ind robbed. Union men, wherever found, |
we're anathmatiZed and ostracised and no
nan was esteemed a worthy citizen who
vas IN sympathy with the national admin
stration. Hal Frazier, with large number
II other cOlOred citizens, were murdered in
old bleOd and their property spirited away.
In 1868 between forty and fifty Repub-
lean voters mysteriously Disappeared In
81 Delas w. White, recorder Of the parish,
vas the victim Of the bloody assassin, and
he residence and property of the parish
ndge were destroyed by fire. In 1872 some
thirteen cOlOred men were butchered by
1ob. In 1873, on Easter Sunday alone, over ,
% colored Republicans were slaughtered. :
nd during the remainder of the year near :
he same number shared the same fate. In =
S74 no less than twenty-five voters and :,
olored men were in one way and another 9
and all this time leading Repub. !
cans were made to flee from burning build !
lgs and seek safety in this city. q
Now, 1t seems strange that if they, the :
epublicans, are the worst element and the ,
sgressOrs that they should alone be tha =
ltferers and victims.
Yet, with but two exceptions this is the
,se-HadnOtt and Harris, White Leaguers \
no took an active part in the Colfax mas n
lcre on Easter Sunday. were killed, and >
lis is about the sum total of their loss. :
In conclusion, l would suggest that if the | y
epublicans in the future are to sustain a | I
SIS IN the ratio of say two hundred to one, :
has been the case, that it would show y
und sense and good and wise generaship n
discontinue the fight. Else in a few =
ore bloody trays like unto the Colfax y
assacre) the rank and file of the Repub- f.
AN party viii be non est. "
Yours, w. B. PHILLIPS. +
Naw {lrlpaos 49,,