New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-22

it was dry old thing, anyhow" am not .
member of the church; Nj Whited is.
To Senator AcDonald-Was member OF
police jury two years; appointed by War
moth; 'was elected justice Of the peace; when
they said they were after Jesse Briggs was
told they intended to handle him rough;
that they would court martial him; that
they wanted to fix up the trouble he had;
he belonged in Ouschita; knew him several
years.
To Senator Ssulsbury-Only one man
came armed to the polls while the voting
was going on, and he was told to 60 away;
did not see him again: the mon who brought
their guns into the poll room after the polls
were closed pushed aside the barrier We
had made of benches and stacked their
guns in corners; they did not assault any
body; did not offer to use their gune; were
peaceable, that ie, there was no turbulence.
George B. Hamlet-Resides in Ouachita;
native of Ohio; sheriff of Ouachita two
yesre; previous to the municipal election in
May, 1875, all had been peaceable electioDe;
then there were delegations in force from
the country wards: twelve to twenty five
each; Gundy said in q speech that when
the bullet entered the flesh would quiver.
and where the knife was thrust the blood
would fOw;" . resolution was introduced
that unless the colored people voted the
Democratic ticket they should not be em-
ployed; had consultation with DR.. Dink-
grave after the Republican State conven
ton, and agreed to 60 to Ouachita and Or
ganize the Republican party, with DR..
Dinkgrave; it was made the most complete
in the State; both were warned not to en-
ter the campaign; know of the organization
of rife clubs, and that they were armed; it
looked suspicious; asked about them;
thought it was strange way to
commence . campaign; the answer
was they were to Seep the peace;
we'll a. Democrats; they told the c0lOred
people the same; in the leland they told
them they had the means to carry the eiec-
ton and would use them; told them that
was only . bluff; at Republican barbecue
they came in force to st. James Church,
broke and cut down the rope and refused
to 90 away; knives and pistols were drawn;
that was the first they attended which they
broke mp; they came after; when Mr.. Pat
tons order was issued they came to every
meeting and interfered; their num-
mp till the meeting ut st. James
Church; when some white people moved
to Monroe the people becsne excited; talked
Of sending the rife companies to the Island
to see who had fred into houses; knew it
would do no good; offered if they would
give mo two men to 20 and quiet every
thing. and If any colOred men had fired into
houses, would bring their nance; the clubs
refused; didn't want my protection; were
not Republicans, nor c0nstablee, but men,
bers of the rifle club, and would obey no
writ; went ahead of them; met some col
ored men who said there were white men
around with guns; said NO, but some were
coming, and advised them to 60 home and
put out their lighte; met many others,
who were we'll informed of the ap-
proach of men from Monroe-who had
been run from house; Mr.. Garrett
told me there had been Q meet
tiOn with the colored people; he did not be-
lieve any cOl0red man had fred into the
house; went to Mr. Falk's house ,ano her
that was fred into; found the quarters all
empty; the colored people had fed at the
news received; told all 1 met that they
should not be alarmed; that they should re-
main in their houses; should not gather to.
gether; then. having done all possible,
turned back; met about seventy-five armed
white men; knew them; told them that it
was all quiet, 90 quiet that not even bird
was singing; went to town and they went
on; in about three hours after they reached
town, having found everything as l told
them; met Dr.. Dinkgrave next day; he said
guns had been sent to DR.. Abbey, who was
the commander of the rifle clubs that We
had better etop making speeches; that Lo-
gan had told him If he didn't stop making
Republican speeches he would be hurt; in
three days he was killed; was in Office when
was told; found him dying; asked DR.. Alb
three hours got one; rode fifty yards ahead
to where Dinkgrave was killed; met a
young lady who warned me to 60 no further;
received more warnings; rode to the
bayou; found no tracks; thought it was nof
safe to 20 over into the woode; was told it
caught outside of town would be served a.
Dinkgrave; after / returned became demor-
allied; Dinkgrave was dead and there was
NO ono to stand up to me; next the whites
came to town and stacked their arms 1t the
graveyard where Dinkgrave was buried;
went to Mayor Endom and asked if nothing
could be done; was told by him and others
to keen quiet and nobody would be hurt;
the cofored people came from all parts fol
advice; told them to 60 home and be quiet;
that it was not likely any Others than
Brewster and myself would be killed; that
their only protection was their innocence;
that they we're not able to do any
wards heard they had gathered on
the Island; about hundred white meu
went there, fred into the houses, etc the
colored people wanted to come out and
fight; we're tired of being abused; advised
them to 20 home; the day of the Nichollt
and Wilt meeting prominent Democrat,
Q friend, told me if remained / would be
shot on sight; that there was rumor that
l had ordered the colored people out; thai
he know the report was not true; that the
| best element was not in control but thai
another that would kill anybody was il
control; left for New Orleans; from that
| time there we're no more meetings; the
| colored people were so frightened that they
would not hold a consultation; knew If
went back and only attended to 0ficia
duties would not be harmed; went back
| though warned not to- found house and prop
erty destroyed; open threats of shooting OF
eight were made; resolved, with Brewster
| and Gorham, to make parish ticket and {
would be assassinated if we did; got troop
from Captain Hale and held meetings
many colored people sent word their heart
were with US but they did not dare to attent
| the meetings; ON the Island Captain Theo
bald's company joined our procession
hooted at ue; drew revolvers at the meet
| iugs; called the speakers damned liars; al
portions of the parish had rifle companies
one or two in each ward. Witness gave lie
.Ored people killed, shot and whipped. Tw'
were hanged. $50 or 200 were driven from
their homes: had seventy five or eighty tt
feed; many had to leave the State; many re
ports of shooting into colored people,
houses were made; there should have beer
. Republican majority of 1900; it was tn
best organized parish in the State; ther,
was no complaint against any parisl
oficers; only aEainst q few ward officers
the Democratic bar praised all parish off
GERS; they wore satlsfied with them, bu
wanted . change; that's what they said
heard DR.. Abbey making remsrks at
meeting; he asked the calored people t.
join them; told them that the planter, tn
farmer and the laborer should be one; SOM
nna in tha crowd asked if they WOuld Qui