New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-23
seuator Twitcheli's Statements.

Now that this unfortunate gentleman mas
80 far recovered as to be able TO converse
freely and almost cheerfully, he was aeked
to make traightferward statement of the
last attempt to murder him at Coushatta.
His statement is about as follows:
On the day he was attacked he and Mr..
King were on plantation opposite Cou-
shatta, waiting to be ferried over. A colored
man was found who agreed to land them in
Coushatta. The river at that point is not
very wide; indeed, good sized revolver is
liable to carry bullet from one bank to the
other. Before the ferryboat was half.way
across Mr. Twitchell saw the assassin raise
his rifle and point it directly toward the
skiff and fire. Such an outrageous attack
was entirely unexpected, therefore no pre-
caution had been taken to meet the emer-
gency. The murderer, apparently as calm
as if firing at a target, continued to shoot,
and did not cease until he had delivered
twenty-five loads, using rife and large
revolver. Mr.. Twitchell could see him
plainly, and although considerably excited
noticed that the murderer wore rubber
overcoat and pair of dark colored goggles,
and also had q beard.
The first or second shot took effect, and
as soon as the Senator felt himself
wounded he leaped into the river on the
lower side, clinging by one hand. BY that
time Mr.. King had received his death
wound, and was stretched out in the ferry
boat. Mr.. Twitchelrs first wound did not
trouble him greatly while in the water, at
first, but when both of his arms were shat
tered he almost despsired, being barely
able to keep his head above water by using
his right leg. When the ferryman cav him
floating away ne began to push his boat as
if TO rescue the victim, when the assassin
fred at him, wounding one OF his hands,
Mr.. TwitcheIl then whispered to the ferry
man TO tell the rutfian that he (Twitchelll
was dead, and - stop shooting. The Ole
man spoke up promptly as directed, and
two or three ladies on the bank not tar
from the villain also told him that MT
Tvitchell was dead, at the same time I'M
n,or;ng him to desist. The scoundrei there
upon quietly mounted horse and rode on
annarently as serene as if he had per
formed a religious deed. Nobody pursued
During all this time General Mudge'
stood on the opposite bank and witnessed
The entire transaction, and when he saw
that King was wounded fired few shots
| at the assailant, but without effect, as hif
weapon was an ordinary revolver.
As soon as the murderer departed the
farrvm an managed to place Mr.. Twltchei
in the boat, and finally landed where tneJ
had started from. BY that time Mr
Tvitohell was nearly dead, prostrated by
r.;ns loss of blood, and chilled cleal
through. He was conveyed to plantation
cabin. and as he complained OF being very
col,.. some bricks were heated and placed
at his feet, and by reason of carelessness o.
natural excitement of the attendants nl
right foot was badly burned, and ne SUI
suffers from that cause.
He remained in the cabin an hour
wben his friends removed him to Spring
vile, . mile and a half oack .
Cousbatts. when DR.. Carson, an army SUI
oeon. speedily attended him. 1t was q
onca saen that one arm could not possiol.
be- saved, and it was taken of close up
the shoulder. The remaining arm wa
badlv shattered, and Dr.. Carson used nj
heat efforts to save it, but after twenty
eight days Of patient waiting, the surgeo
unwillingly announced that the only oours
to nnraue was to amputate it; this one ais
close to the shoulder.
Mr.. Twitchell expresses the belief tina
Dr. Carson saved his life, and wishes
publicly express his gratitude to that III
firing gentleman for his kind services AN
constant attention.
In con sequence of repeated threats mao
,.-.ons in that section that "the wor
must be finished" very few visitors wei
cerm;tted to eco tho half desd victim, ou
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