The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1876-12-08

lie did finally vote for Iilden anC
Reform at the Trenton Poll. A
man named Willie Howard, whC
is a leading Democrat, and whC
denounced Copgressmen-ele
Leonard and AuorseE-Genera
Hunt, the Republican cadidates
as liars at a Republican mass
meeting previous to the election
sheldon had refused to Join &
! Democratic club, and masked
men had visited his house during
his absence. On his return hi
wife told him about it, and urged
him te join the club, as nearly all
the colored men around there had
done so for fear Of losing their
lives. He left home again, and
when he started back he was met
on the road by the man Howard
1t was a dark night, but the light
ming occasionally made it bright
lie saw the man fire into the ali
| twice, and he was afraid. The
man asked him who he was, and
when he told him, he said:
Don't kill me, Massa Howard.
I'll go with We right now and iine
the Democrat club" Howard
SAID NOTHING, But COMMENCED TO
FIRE
at him until he fell. When he re-
vived he crawled to a colored
mans house, who was afraid to
let him come in, and when he
tainted again he was laid ont on
the back gallery for dead.
There are several other witness
es in the party whose cases are
nearly as hard, and there are some
parts Of the story of Eliza Pinks-
ton too horrible for publication.
BEN JAMES swoKT STATEMENT
is substantially as follows: ~
have lived in 0uachita about
twenty one years. At the last
election | was appointed United
States Deputy-Marshal at the
Third Ward poll. As Constable
of the ward, to which position l.
was elected in 1874, ] had charge
of the ballot-bOX. | live at Mon
roe, twelve miles from the polls.
| started from home with the bal
lot box at / o'clock in the morn
ing for the polls, on horseback.
STOPPED.
"When | got about two miles
from town | was halted at the end
Of the lane by two men. 1t was
a bright moonlight night. These
men asked me where was going.
| told them ] was going to Log |
town with the box. They said |
had better see, Mr.. Head. They |
called him, asR he answered
Two young men %calne up, and
they had guns. The name of
one was Cook. Both were white
men. Head then came up. He
asked me where was going. !
made the same. reply that | had
% the Others. He said: You can't
20 vet awhile He asked what !
lad in the box. | said | had pa
oers.
STARTED TOWARD HEADQUARTERS.
lie siad: You will have to go
lown to the headquarters and
lave the box examined Head or
ered-tbe two young men who
we're armed to get on their
lorses. They mounted and said
o me: Now let's go right Off
After we had gone apiece, some
me hailed, me, and said, Hold
m A man named Rills then
ame up and said: Ben, it amt
Worth while for you to take pis-
oil down there He ran his hand 1
ound body and took my pistol,
nd said: i will hand it back to
ou when you get back | said:
Yes, | would like to have it, for
am Constable at the polls to-
ay.' He said; Go ahead, that
ill be right We rode on about
fly yards and were halted again, {
voice calling out, !IIalt! who
ONES thereN One Of the guards {
18th me replied, Scott One Of J
hem went ahead and whispered
} the man who had halted us,
Tho said, All right; pass throu gh.' J
here were two of them and they l
ere armed. We rode on a short
and were again halted in
similar manner and a similar
,sponse was made, and a short
futher on we were a q
lird time halted, and, after the I
,untersign Scott had been Civ I
4, we were told to pass o.. In '
ont of Joe Mitchell's house we /
lme upon ]
ALARGE BODY OF MEN.
70 got OIL IN front OF a lire. Some :
the men were stand ng up,
me lying down, and al were =
it'll arms. There were about
,venty nine or eighty in sight 6
ound the camp. They whisper :
around a while, and one of them !,
de of towards Joe. Mitchell's 7
,use and left Buck Mimms stan i
ng with me. Very sod. sl,Ss,s S,
itchell and Bob Endom caiiiE cleyei,
thin about twenty five * fi,fh,g ,hsgreos. sIs ci
e, and they talked toys.
tie while, and | heaGe o.
itchell say, 'All rightP &it ''1oo Sos,,
ldom rode off. Joe. t;ss.l..-,',I r :
id: Boys, get on your hors es,' !
4, un.,,n ,,.N 4 a ~ a npI cniI. I