New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-03
BLOODY COUSHATTA
SENATOR TWlTCHELL SHOT
The Last Act Of a Fearful Tragedy
A NORTHERN FAMILY exTlNGUISHED

A NORTHERN FAMILY exTlNGUISHED
The news of q foul, vindictive and r. lent
less murder was received yesterday at the
Governsr's Office. This is the dispatch:
COUsHATTA, La, May 9, 1905 A. M.
Governor W. p. Ker ogg. New Orle q 4 Louisianal
Senator NJ. H. Twitchell was mortally
wounded, and George King killed, while
crossing tie river at Coushatta, by an un-
known party. s. T. WESTER,
Clerk Of the Parish Court of Red River.
The shock that this news gave was by no
means allayed on the appearance of an
extra from the Democrat effice, giving the
cold -blooded particulars of the atrocious
assassination:
Especial to the New Orleans Democrat]
CoUsHArrA, La, May 9, $50 P. Nan
unknown man, disguised, very deliberately
rode into this place this morning about
nine o'clock, dismOunted at the river bank,
and, with repeating rife, commenced
shooting st N. H. Twitcheil and George
King. who were crossing the ferry. Result:
Twitchell badly wounded, King killed, and
the negro ferryman wounded in the hand
be then rode-out of town. ALI quiet.
Since the above nothing has been heard
of the affair. kilograms sent have
elicited no response. 1t is hoped that the
news is not true-that the assassin's bullet
has not cost the State . useful Me. But
there is nothing unreasonable in the state
ment. COushatta is already known over
the length and bredth of the land for the
horrible crime Of her citizens neatly two
years ago. In the report of the COM
mittee of Congress, which set in
this city in the beginning of 1875, Repre-.
sentative Hoar thus alludes to the massacre
of Coushstts. The assassination of Senator
Twitchell is the last act in this bloody trag-
edy-s family extinguished by political
assassine:
We were anxious to obtain the facts in
the territ Il tragedy of Coushatta, and were
able to do so from several witnesses, but
principally from Mr.. Twitchell. a brother
Of one of the victims, and from Mr.. Abney,
merchant of that town, whose reluctant
admission under rigid CROSS examination,
satisfied us he was the chief cOnspiratOr
This is the fearful story, proven to our sat
isfacti0n:
The Twitchell brothers, from Vermont,
both young and active men Of business, one
man some time married, the other but
short time before bis death, with five or elk
other men trop the North, with their fami
lies, settled in this little town, bringing With
them esinastness of purpose, integrity, econ.
omy and habits of industry. The reasonably
expected results followed; the hamlet grew
into q prosperous and fourishing New
England village, with its cav and grist
mills, its factory, it's stores and storehouses,
its pleasant white painted houses, with
their lawns and gardens, it's churches and
schoolhouses. Business fourished. About
1900 colOred men were gathered into the
village. Their labor was ID demand; their
wages good and promptly paid. Ieeir
children eagerly availed themselves of the
school privileges abund sntly afforded.
The co1ored voters finding that these men
never betrayed their confidence, but
in all things we're aiding them,
elected them to the several parish Offices;
and they, thus elected, from . sense of duty
honestly and faithfully administered the
porous, peaceful and happy. But there was
q small party Of white Conservatives,
headed by Mr.. Abney, who determined to
rule, who acknowledged no right to the
black man but that Of service; who had no
feeling toward their white neighbors recog-
nizing in the black citizen, other than in
tense jealousy and hatred. The usual re-
suit ,tollowed. August IS. 1874. these Off
GERS, were waited upon and ordered to re-
sign, They declined Then they we're
informed death alone was the alternative.
Knowing that the inexOrable decree had
gone forth, that nOtbing-neither service
to the town, to the State, to their
beigpbors, nor the faithful performance
of duty, nor virtue, nor integrity, nor
prayers Of themselves, OF wives or little
children could save, they besought their
cruel neigh bors to send them in safety out
of the State, promising never to return.
An escort was raised by this man, Abney,'
of twenty mounted men. The prisoners,
taking all Of their ready money, about
$4,000. placed themselves in the hands of
the guards Abney Issued military orders
to what. he called political clubs, but
we believe White Leaguers, along the
route, to furnish aid, supplies, etc
The march was commenced, and within
thirty miles of their homes these prisoners
were all murdered, terribly mutilated, buried.
and no father widow, brother or son was
permitted even to visit their graves until
The bodies we're deaOmpnsed. None OF the
White mans party have ever scughr the
purderers; no pursuit has ever been made, |
Uo inquiries ever set on foot by them. !
man riding one OF the horses OF one OF the
dead men has been seen In the parish, bat |
no oue arrested his course or asked him |
abont the bloody deed. No Republican,
whire or black, has dared to commence |
proceedir gs Abney was arrested and
admitted to bail in a small sum, ana with
impunity insults the majesty VI outlasou
law by boldly appearing as witness |
before this committee More. he was in
trnd need by the Conservatives to the wit |
meas stand with a flourish of trumpets as |
leading merchant Of that section OF the |
State. A brief extract from his cross-ex-
animation will indicate his connection with
the crime.
Mr.. Frye-Was thefe not one other officer
at that time requested to resign'
Mr.. Abney-Yes.
Mr., Frye-What was his namef
Mr.. Abney-ScOtt.
MI. Frye-Was he killedY
Mr.. Frye.Did he go with your guards
Mr.. Abney.No.
MIR. Frye-Why not!
Mr. Abney-I wouldn't let him; l com
pelled him to remain behind.
Mr Frce-Was he Master Mason!
Mr. Abney-Yes. une
Mr. Frye-Were you q maS'7r ""'oA'
Mr.. Abney-Yes. erso.s
Mr.. Frye-Were any others OF the pefeon'
MasOns9 chat they
were. ,,a man M
crime was charged, DO dishonesty alleged,
m maifeasance in office proved Aoney
alone said that they had cheateu IL .,, oul '" M
contracts, but your commltteo gave
credit whatever to his testimony :,
Tins by the murderous bands OF nelgn-
hors of men who pride themselves upon
rff