The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-06-18

ne Attempted Murder Of Twitcheu Z
rersesal, Net Political vehseance.
Ao.: E.ndaI! I. Gib b. Chairman Committee
Your committee, in pursuance of the
resolution adopted on the 3lst OF May
after taking the testimony Of one wit
ness In New Orleans, proceeded BY
steamer to the town OF Coushatta, In
the parish Of Red River, reaching there
on The evening Of the 9Th or June
Thirty three witnesses were examined
including prominent men OF both par
ties. 80
From the testimony produced it APP.
pears that on the morning OF the I'd OF
May, 1876, at an early hour, q stranger,
nounted upon peculiar coored pony,
entered the town Of Coushatta.
He was disguised, having q coat made
Of rubber or oil reaching to his feet; his
face was partially concealed by a heavy
beard, evidently false; his eyes were
covered by q pair OF goggles, and he
wore his hat drawn down over his face.
After reaching the town, and before dis
mounting, he went to blacksmith shop
at the upper end OF the village, where
he could command view OF the oppo-
site side OF the river.
his horse, but finally stated that his
brother would soon be there and would
direct the smith rs to the manner In
which the horse should be shod. He
remained in the shop until he apparent
ly saw Mr.. Twitchell approaching the
ferry landing, in buggy, on the Oppo-
site side or the river. He then rode to
the landing, where he dismounted,
hitched his horse, and proceeded to the
op of the bank. About the time he
reached the top OF the bank, the ferry
skin in, which were David King, NJ. H,
Twitchell and the ferry man IA colored
mani approached the landing.
The stranger opened fire, wounding
Mr.. Twitchell in the leg. Twitchell
jumped into the river and caught the
edge Of the skiff with his hand. Mr..
King fired at the assassin with q re-
vOlver, when he turned his gun upon
KIM and shot him, evidently causing
his death at once He then turned his
gan again upon Twitchell, and shot him
through one arm and then through the
other. About this time the ferryman
attempted to rescue Twitchell from the
water. and to prevent this the assassin
fred ct the ferryman, wounding him in
one Of his hands.
Evidently surprising that his victim
horse and rode away. During the pro-
grees OF the shooting, gentleman
named Benjamin Wolfson, rode up on q
horse, approaching quite near. The as
saesin pointed his gun at Wolfson, and
ordered him away, and he retired. Two
ladies, Mrs. M. J. Merrell and p. J. Lee,
also approached the assassin during the
progress OF the firing. Mrs. Merrell
begged him to desist, but without effect
and scanned him closely.
Mr.. TwitcEell was rescued from the
river and taken to the shore, whence he
had embarked few minutes before.
NJ: Kings body was removed from the
skin; he was dead.
Such tragedy naturally created
much excitement in the village. A
number OF the citizens crossed the
river, and gave such aid as was in their
power to the wounded men, and many
volunteered to pursue and endeavor to
capture the murderer, and, after some
delay caused by indecision and lack of
nerve exhibited by the Sheriff Of the
p Irish. q posse was organized In charge
VI the Deputy Sheriff, an old man, and
started In pursuit, but after following
the trail for several miles, lost it, and
finding 1t impossible to get any clue Or
trace OF the fugitive from justice, final
y
The country is thinly populated. the
roads few and difficult, and the means
OF escape are abundant by the bride
paths and through the swamps, almost
Mr.. Twitchell was removed to Spring
Vile, on the Coushatta side OF the river,
and about q mile from the town, where
his testimony was taken. The testimony
Of the witnesses, without exception, is
TO the effect that the man who did the
shooting was unknown, and the horse
that he rode was not recognized as be-
longing in any part Of the country.
The foregoing embraces all that your
were enabled to ascertain in |
regard to the death Of Mr.. King ana the |
Of Mr.. Twitchell and the |
lerryman.
Witnesses were examined with view |
10 ascertain whether the assassination
was orswas not of a political charac-
ter" As before stated, gentlemen
both Of the political par
les, white and colored men, were called
Ind examined. The testimony shows
hat Mr.. Twitchell was instrumental
md took an active part in the organiza-
ion of Red River parish, and at the
election preceding the organization of
he parish, and while candidate upon
vas supported by prominent Democrats
n Coushatta and its neighborhood.
Since the organization Of the parish he
las controlled the appointment of its
ulcers, and has had almost unlimited
control Of its affairs. In addition to fill
ng the Office OF State Senator, he filled
everal Offices himself; and on the I'd
II May last, according TO his own tes-
imony, he was aState Senator, member
Il the Police Jury Of the parish, member
4 the School Board and United States
In reality, he also had control Of the
chool money and other moneys col
ected from taxpayers Of the parish.
The testimony Of all the disinterested
Witnesses who were examined in regard
o the conduct of parochial affairs was
0 the effect that they had been loosely
nd extravagantly managed, and that
dr. Twitchell was respoi sible for their
Numerous instances
rere cited showing a proaigate waste Of
ublic money