The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-06-28

the river and taken to the shore
whence he had embarked few min
utes before. Mr.. Kings body va.
removed from the skif; lie was dead
Such tragedy naturally created
much excitement in the village. A
number of the citizens crossed thu
river, and gave such aid as was ii
their power to the wounded men, anc
many volunteered to pursue and en-
deavor to capture the murderer, and
after some delay caused by indecisior
and lack Of nerve exhibited by tn,
Sheriff Of the parish, posse was or
ganized in charge of the Deputy
Sheriff, an old man, and started il
pursuit, but after following the trai
for several miles, lost it, and finding
it impossible to get any clue OF
trace Of the fugitive from justice, f
nally returned to their homes.
The country is thinly. populated,
the roads few and difficult, and the
means Of escape are abundant by the
bride paths and through the swamps
almost impenetrable.
Mr.. Twitchell was removed to
Springville on the Coushatta side Of
the river, and about a mile from the
town where his testimony was taken.
The testimony Of the witnesses, with
out exception, is to the effect that
the man who did the shooting was
unknown, and the horse that he rode
was not recognized as belonging in
any part Of the country.
The foregoing embraces all that
your committee we're enabled to is-
certain in regard to the death of Mr..
King and the wounding Of Mr..
Twitchell and the ferryman..
Witnesses were examined with a
view to ascertain whether the assas-
sination "was or was not of politi-
cal character AS before stated,
gentlemen representing both of the
political parties, white aud colored
men, were called and examined
The testimony shows that Mr..
Twitchell was instrumental and took
an active part in the organization of
Red River Parish, and at the cleo
ton preceding the organization of
the parish, and while q candidate
upon the Republican ticket for State
Senator, was supported by promi-
nent Democrats in Coushatta and its
neighborhood. Since the organiza-
ton of the parish he has controlled
the appointment of its officers, and
has had almost unlimited control OF
its affairs; and on the I'd day of May
last, according to his own testimony
he was a State Senator, member OF
the Police Jury of the parish, mem
Der of the School Board and United
States Commissioner.
In reality, he also had control Of
the school money and other moneys
collected from the taxpayers Of the
parish.
The testimony of all the disinter'
ested witnesses who were examined
in regard to the conduct Of parochia]
affairs was to the effect that they had
been loosely and extravagantly man.
aged, and that Mr.. Twitchell was
responsible for their Encouragement
Numerous instances were cited, show.
Ing a prodigate waste Of public
money.
The lands of the parish were as
sessed at figures largely in excess Of
their value and Of the assessments
in the neighboring parishes, and the
taxes levied by reason Of this exor'
bitant assessment fell but little short
of confscation. In many cases alb.
solute con6scation resulted.
r. It became necessary to erect a
courthouse and Jail for the parish
The evidence shows that the con.
tract for the erection of the court
house was awarded to one John Z.
Yates lat that time sheriff of the
parish) through the influence OF
Twitchell, then, as now, on the Pc.
lice Jury; that after the award had
been made Twitchell demanded Of
Yates the contract, threatening that
if it was not surrendered to him he
would cause it to be revoked.
Yates did surrender it to Twitchel
u,ho oancod fho hnild;no IN ho aronf