Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-02

have anything that way.
Mr.. Murray-We have no objection to the full
est cross-examination by Mr.. Spoftord.
Judge Spofford-We are taken by surprise by
the course taken by the board-the ruling of the
board-and we are not prepared to go on.
GOV. PALMER INDIGNANT.
Gov. Palmer-I may here take occasion to say
that this case involves more than Presidential
election. 1t involves the dignity and honor of
human nature. | think that you will hardly salts
fy the country unless you give such directions as
will lead to the complete development of all the
facts in this case. Certainly the people have no
right to claim any sort Of government like that
which is attempted to be shown here. think you
owe II to the country to allow all the facts to be
developed.
Senator Sherman--I concur with you, Gov.
Palmer. l would like to have Gov. Palmer and
Judge Spofford cross-examinc witnesses so we
might have the facts.
Gen. Smith-The mere cross-examination of
this case would not develop anything. 1t is to in
vestigate facts from all the witnesses within
reasonable number who may know the character
of this transaction with this woman detailed.
l concur with Gov. Palmer in what he said. 1t
does not concern parties but concerns humanity.
VAIN ATTEMPT TO pIscREDIT THE STORY OF THE
WOMAN INSTRUMENTATION OF GENERAL
JOHN r. BROOKS, UNITED STATES ARMI-THE
SYSTEM OF THREATENING, WHIPPING, AND
KILLING PURSUED IN THE PARISHES UNDER HIS
oBsERVAT1oN-A COMPLETE REIGN OF TERROR
WHICH COULD NOT BE CONTkO-
YERTED-THE RESULT OF THE VOTE TO BE
ANNOUNCED PROBABLY NEXT MONDAY.
Especial to the Ns,o York Times
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 29.-At this mornings
session of the Returning Board, the democrats
made extraordinary efforts to overthrow the testi-
mony regarding the killing Of her husband and
child given by Mrs. Eliza Pinkston yesterday.
They were not successful. They did, indeed
prove, that the poor woman had told various and
contradictory stories 10 relation to the crime, and
that at one time she had charged a number OF ne
groes with having admitted it. This Mrs. Pinks.
ton admits in her original affidavit, but at the
same time she swears that she dared not let any
white democrat know that she suspected any of
that party. She accused the negroes through fear
and to save her life, which she knew would BE-
sacrificed if she told the truth. Her evidence
must stand among the annals of the other terrible
outrages committed for political purposes upon the
republicans of this State.
Regarding the intimidation and violence prac-
tced by the democrats, most important witness
appeared to-day in the person of Brevet M ajor
Gen. and Lieut.. Col. John X. Brooks, of the Third
United Ststes1 Infantry. This gentleman has been
stationed in Louisiana for number of years.
and during the last election had command of the
troops in the "bull- dozed" parishes. The demo-
Gratis do not attempt to deny or question his evil
dencc, which was substantially as follows: "In
the parishes Of Louisiana, just prior to the cleo
ton, there was complete system or organization
of the white or democratic party, which had the
eHeCt tue Dlacks; tnlS was
the case IN the Parishes of East Feliciana and East
Baton Rouge, the blacks Of which came to ME in
large numbers, telling me of threats made and
acts committed, which caused them to fear politi-
cal action their part. The threats were as fol-
lows: Discharge, bodily injury, and in some cases
extending to death, in case they (the blscks) did
not join the democratic clubs and vote the demo-
cratic ticket. l lave been told by many black
men of both Of the parishes that during the win
ter and spring last past, many of their people had
kaon Id nn,th Aat hxt nartsA a. q
known, who came in the night disguised and
armed, in squads numbering from ten to fifty, who
would surround q cabin, take the man out, and
either beat or kill him. This occurred so fire.
quently, that they the blacks) often for weeks at
time, slept in the woods away from their houses
became satisfied from the frequency and SINH
larity Of these reports that this was the fact.
After took command, there were but few out.
RACES Of this kind brought to my knowledge
Among those saw one Colman Brown, a colored
man, who was then suffering from q bullet
wound in the thigh, which he averred was infict-
ed by a man named Mansur, who was arrested
and bound over to appear In court. This was
about the Ist Of July. Another man. named Gus
October who had bullet wound in the head, still
open, which he AYERS was made BY one Bedus
Townsend on the plantation of A. Riley in East
Feliciana. The reason he gave for the shooting
was that he (Jackson) would not join the demo-
cratic club. About the LIST of September man
named Paul johnson was taken from his houses
at night by q body of armed and disguised
men. He has never been seen since. This was
told me by his father, who said he saw the dis
guised party at the house, and traced them to q
point on the Comite river, where he averred many
other men had been taken in like manner and
never heard of alive afterward. The old man
was very much frightened, and feared that he
would be visited in like manner soon. Shortly
after the lst of September man named Monroe
Beacham disappeared under similar circumstan.
ces. johnson lived near Atkinson's store near
the East Feliciana line. Bescham lived near 4
place called Redwood. l have seen men with
what appeared to me to be marks of rope around
their necks and on their wrists and which they told
me were such, and were made by men placing a
rope around their necks or wrists and tying the
other end to the pommell of q saddle starting off
ct too brisk pace for them to keep up.
There were several of these cases. The
names Of the men / do not recollect.
l sent them in most cases to the Sheriff of East
Baton Rouge with their complaints. As to peace
and order and obedience to he-law, do not think
there was much in the back part of the Parish of
East Baton Rouge. or anywhere in the Parish of
East Felicana. This is based of course. on what
information could get from the people of those
parishes and the officers Of my command away
from my own station at Baton Rouge. Many
democrats in the town of Baton Rouge do not
now recall the wards, admitted to me on more
than one occasion that many violent acts were be-
ing done in the back country, which they did not
approve Of. The organization of the democratic
clubs partook Of, as far as could Judge and OBJ
serve, a military character. My instructions to
my subordinate commanders were to be at all
times prepared to prevent disorders, collisions, or
bloodshed, in whatever form II might appear
This for the reason that the civil authorities es-
pecislly in the Parishes of East and West Felic-
lana and East Baton Rouge, had on former occa-
sions been powerless to prevent collisions and
bloodshed. In most of the cases, they were una
Bile to arrest the perpetrators of violence on the
part Of citizens Of the parishes, fearing to exer-
else their legal functions through apprehensions
of violence to themselves. As an instance coming
under my personal observation, would state that
about the middle of June last, / was coming down
the Mississippi river from Vicksburg to New Or
leans on the steamboat Katie. observed about
80 o'clock one morning Q body Of armed men
on the boat. Upon inquiry learned that it was
9 company going below Mount Pleasant to flank
Q body Of negroes, intrenched on hill. The com.
pany numbered about twenty men, and seemed to
be thoroughly organized. They had with them
negro prisoner. They were landed about two
miles below Mount Pleasant, and they marched
10 that direction. l afterward learned from par
ties at that place that day, think the Sheriff of
East Baton Rouge for one. that this was but a
small portion of the force at Mount Pleasant.
What they did is matter of public notoriety. In
Baton Rouge Parish, in the town of Baton Rouge
and the two wards next below the town, on the