Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-12-28
THE SOUTHERN INVESTIGATIONS.
Compiled from Associated Press Reports, unless
Otherwise Designated.
LOUISIANA.


LOUISIANA.
Two colored witnesses (Henry Carroll
and John Petty testified before the House Com
mittee, on the 18th, to the effect that they had
voted and acted with the Democrats at the late
election, and that for so doing they had been sub
lect to threats and abuse, Carroll stating that
attempts had been made on his life, and that
man was slot and killed on the 10th
of November in mistake for him. Petty testi-
fed that he was shot and beaten by colored
William Ward (colored) testified that he was
Republican in 1874, and took a seat in the
L hhegislatqre although fairly beaten at the polls.
de stated that the History of the OuTages on
Red River written by him, he believed al the
time to be true, but now he knew better. o. B.
Morgan discharged from a clerkship in the Gus
tom House, on the 10th of November testified
that Supervisor Anderson had told him, after the
election, that the Democrats had carried the
Parish of East Feliciana, only one Repub-
some men came to Anderson's office and said
he ought to be hung, but they did not otherwise
modest him. Witness had frequented the Gus
tom House since his discharge and had seen
number of persons there making out affidavits
and had known some instances where they were
not in accordance with the testimony given in re-
gard to intimidation. Supervisor Clover of East
Baton Rouge, had said to witness that it was
peaceable there on the day of election, but Glover
did not consider it safe return there after the
election; that he had thrown out some boxes and
elected three Republicans to the Legislature. The
witness conversed with Supervisor Leday. of La
fourche before and after the election. Leday told
him that the parish was Democratic, but it would
60 all right; that he not there for any foolish
ness; he would throw out enough polls TO elect
the Republicans. He said nothing about intimi-
datlon. Witness said he had been advised not to
go before the Congressional Committee, as he
would not get his place back in the Custom House
if he testified.
M. S. Peeler, of New Orleans, was be-.
fore the House Committee, on the 18th and testi-
fled that he was United States Supervisor in Poll
2 of the Second Ward; that an attempt was made
by the Republican Commissioner to prevent the
Democrats from voting; that Mr. Hare, Republi-
Can Commissioner, had told him, after the cleo
tlon, that there was some trouble about that poll
that the Democratic Commissioner would be ar
rested, and they would take the box and fix it to
suit themselves: witness was offered s. by Mr..
Casey, Republican Mar >hal, if he would let him
and another Marshal have the box; he declined
the offer and notified the Democratic Committee,
who sent force for protection; the Republicans
subsequently made an attempt TO seize the box
and take it to the Custom House; witness was
subsequently assaulted by Hare, Republican
Commissioner, because he would not certify the
returns as correct and refused to allow the
box to be taken by the Republicans. On
the discrimination, witness said the elec ion
was peaceabe, quiet and fair had been told if he
did not keep in he would be killed for going back
on his party; was still Republican. Pompey
Steele, Marshal Taylor, E. FL. Flowers and Henry
Smith (al, colored) testified that they voted the
Democratic ticket at the last election, and had
been assaulted and malrreated fer so doing;
Flowers said he canvassed the State for the Demo-
Gratis, and had heard large number of colored
men say they would vote the Democratic ticket,
and others said they were afraid to vote such
ticket owing to threats which mad been made
against coored Democrats. S. J. n. Smith, law
yer, of New Orleans, testified that he canvassed
the State for the Democrats; saw no intimidation
of colored people except by Republicans. who
said if the Democrats got in Office the colored peo-
pie would be again enslaved; saw num-
Der of negroes who promised to vote the
Democratic ticket; heard of no disturbance in the
Parish of East Feliciana; Supervisor Anderson
had told witness that Parish would go Democrat
hr1tr hno
derson) had said that the Custom House officials
wanted him to swear that fraud, violence and ns
timidation were practiced by the Democrats, but
that he refused to do so.
AT the meeting of the Senate Commit
tee on the 18th, Gov. Wells, President of the
Returning Board, was called upon to give
some information respecting the action of the
Board; he said he would furnish the COM
mittee with the required statement Of votes
polled and votes excluded, but, as the Board
islature, the clerks would not nave tine
! to make the copies; the Chairman said the six
stenographers oil the committee would do the
work. Witnesses had been summoned to testify
in the of East Baton Rouge, and large
number of witnesses were already on hand to
testify. No witnesses on the Republican side
had so far been examined by the House Commit
tee.
Several colored citizens were examined
| by the House Committee, on the 18th, and gave
testimony similar in substance to that of wit
nesses on the two preceding days Geo. johnson
| (colored) was recalled and stated that he had
| been assaulted by colored Republicans since he
| testified before the committee; he knew other
witnesses who feared violence if they tes-
| titled. E. w. Barnes, Manager of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, who had been SUBJ
penaed to produce dispatches sent and received
| by Messrs. Kellogg, Packard, Dibble, Warmoth,
Carter and Gen. Augur, from and after the Isl of
August 1876. was called before the comm ttee and
stated that he had been instructed by General Su-
/ perintendent Van Horne net to deliver produce
/ the messages. and consequently he must, under
/ his in trucIions refuse to deliver the telegrams
/ called for by the subpoena. resolution was
/ then adopted. by party vote (the Republican
members of the committee objecting to the clause
- his refusal being in contempt the House. be-
ing. they thought the BEST Judge of the question:,
1 to communicate TO the House, for its considera-
| ton, Mr.. Barnes refusal to produce The tele-
| grams, . his refusal being in contempt of the
/ House of Representatives.
The Senate Committee was called to
order at IL 30 OH the 18th by Senator Howe Chair.
man. who stated that the committee was not vet
provided With The desired tables ef Fstaras, The