The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1876-11-03
THE RADICAL RIOT
That SprOtl gOtup in Claiborne
County.
The Invcstigntion--VNhat CoIorcI
Witnesses Prove.

| fNN0bhlE iiNl"ius
PoRr GIBSON, MISS, Oct. 20, 1876.
The fslsehoods which have already
appeared in the Cincinnati Commercial
and Jackson Times concerning the
troubles of the 2 lst instant in this county,
render prompt REPUTATION necessary.
IL is the belief Of every intelligent citizen
here, that the outrage pcrpetrated that
day was deliberately planned, and adj
vlsed by the managers ofthe Republican
canvass.
For several weeks past it was known
ut Democratic headquarters that the ne.
groes were purchasing unusual quaint
ties Of bnckshot w. ID. Sprott, also, a
white man VIGOROUSLY obnoxious tv the
white people, and of an ntolerant, ma.
lignant disposition, was suddenly and
without occasion, appointed Deputy
United States Marshal. The day pre-
ceding the disturbance he was closeted
for nearly an hour in room adjoining
the writer's with two prominent Repnb-
lcans, One Of these, that night, called
the writer into the same room and re.
marked: "There is going to be diff
Guilty tomorrow. TO which he replied
Nonsense the sheriff has issued his
proclamation and appointed number of
special deputies sufficient to keep the
peace, if breach Of it is attempted"
Well, you will see," was answered.
''But, wish you to know, | have moth.
ing whatever 10 do with the meeting to
be held tomorrow and DR.. Sprott in.
forms me that he does not approve of it,
and intends to stay at home" We shall
now see how consistent DR.. Sprotts de-
claration was with his actions, both be.
fore and on the DIST of October.
In card, purporting to be an answer
to certain dispatches sent to Gen. j. 4.
George, he says: 81 did not start
towards Port Gibson with an armed
body of negroes, summoned as posse
by virtue of my Office as Deputy &. S.
Marshal. In an examination recently
had, wherein MIR. j. ID. Vertner and the
writer represented the prosecution, vii
liam johnson, Albert Scarce, Sam
Breckenridge, Isaac Wilson, Napoleon
Williams, aud numerous other were ex.
amined on oath. All of those witnesses
are negroes, most of whom were captured
with guns in their hands. Their evi
dence diScloSes facts, that not only give
the lie to the above, but proves w. d.
Sprott a bsld conspirator against the
public peace, and a dangerous malefac
tor, Further, they confirm the belief
that tho troubles of the 2lst were insti
gated by him in pursuance of plot pre-
The above named witnesses state
" that, at the instance of DIR. Sprott.
two meetings were held at the residence
of James Page, the negro ex.County
Treasurer, where all the measures were
discussed and plans arranged. Both
were held with closed doors.
guards being placed at them to shut out
At the first meeting, which
was held about the Sth inst, James Page
.old them he had been directed by Or.
Sprptt, who had been appointed Deputy
U. ). Marshal, to Instruct them to bring
heir guns to the barbecue Companies
we're organized, John Speilman, who is
low in Jail, and Dallas jackson, being
lected captains; aud Smgleton's lane, !
bout two miles from town, was designa. !
ed the place of rendezvous. The second
Meeting was held Thursday night, the ,
9th of October, when the same instruc. T,
ions were given, and letter from sprott
las read authorizing them. to bring their
rms : Phoebe, the wife of james Page,
Did the writer, in the presence of several
that she could and would pro.
uce Sprouts note. And James Page, !
imself, said to Captain DeCourcy. the :
ficer in command of the United States +
arrison stationed here, that eff Sprott !,
enies 1t he is a damned liar" !