Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-01-11
THE ELECTION INVESTIGATIONS.
Compiled from Associated Press Reports, unless
Otherwise Designated.
LOUISIANA.

The investigations were continued be-
fore both committees and some of the sub-com-
mittees, on the Both ult., the testimony
being corroborative of the evidence already
given both sides. The Rev. Elisha
More and II. w. Burrell said, before the
House Committee they had been forced to burn
Republican tickets. and, but for the intercession
of Mr. Lacey, both would have been killed
H. j. Laner testified to the intimidation of
colored Democrats and fraudulent registration of
$50 in the Twelfth Ward of New Orleans; knew of
Judge Dibble instructing negroes to vote double
ballots at Democratic polls, as to have them
the evening, Abraham Williams, aged sixty, said
he had voted the Democratic ticket to save his
life, as he had been taken out of bed and beaten.
Before the Senate Committee, on the
1st several colored witnesses testified to intimi-
dation and being forced TO vote the Democratic
ticket. Col. Clayton stated that numbers OF
colored people complained to him that they
had been driven from home voting the
stated that the the roads adflg flH!g'Gs &c he also
clubs on the day of election David Faulks testi-
fed to his house having been fired into; he be-
lieved it was done by negroes at the lnstlgation
of white Republicans, who wanted to incite the
whites to violence to get up bloody-shirt story;
that he had used moral suasion only to induce
negroes to vote the Democratic ticket; many of
them wanted to, but feared the social ostracism
of their own race. T. n. Desnor, testi-
fed that he lived with Capt. George Phillips,
and that the night Pinkston was killed Phillips
and DIR. Young were at home, as the witness had
locked up Their horses and had the key III his
pocket. Before the House Committee, Wade r.
Young and eight colorcd men testified as to the
intimidation of colored voters by Repu blicans,
and corroborated evidence previously given as to
the influence through churches, secret societies
and other means TO secure that end.
The Senate Committee resumed its in
vestigation of Ouachita Parish on the I'd. B. F.
Jonas and R. H. Mari (attorneys), of New Orleans,
who took active part in the Democratic canvass,
testified to the efforts of themselves and other
Democratic leaders to have a peaceful and fair
election and that the general policy of their party
was directed to that end, in order to prevent the
Returning Board from seiz1ng upon It as a pre-
text for throwing ont votes. Richard Darlington
(colored) testified that he had taken an
active part in the canvass for the Democrats, and
that Richard Dunn and others (colored lead
ers) had done likewise, because they thought anv
change would be for the better; knew numbers of
colored men who voted the Democratic ticket
Voluntarily and did not know of any intimidation
to cause them to do The subcommittee
heard the evidence of Frances, wife of Paul John
son (colored), of East Baton Rouge in reference
to masked men coming to her house breaking in,
and asking him to sign a paper, anC accusing him
of organizing an armed company; that they tied
a rope around his neck, and carried him
off; she had tracked him five miles in
the body had been found with the eyes picked
out by buzzards. George Kleinfelter Of East
Baton Rouge, knew of no Intimidation, and knew
that the colored Democratic Club in the Twelfth
Ward had 1O2 members; had heard of two negroes
being shot for stealing, and TWO females whipped
for the same Otfense. Esquire Steve Tins
(colored) testified that patty of twenty men
came to his house at night and made him give up
l is official books; also that Republican meet
ings were broken up by whites. The House Com
mittee examined five witnesses, who testified to
the fairness of the election, and absence of intim
idation in the election, in Coacordia Parish. The
subcommittee examined a number of witnesses
relative to Livingston Parish Sylvester Symmes,
Tax Collectors testified that the election
was peaceable and quie, and that his
affidavit appearing in the Sherman report
was prepared in the Custon-House, and made
him say things he knew nfhing about, and he
never knew OF any armed organl@zatl92nn @ 2n mere.
contradicted the affidavit of supervisor Davidson,
as to intimidation, and said they would not be-
lieve him on oath.
The Senate COMMITTEE, On the Sd, ex-
amined Robert Wilson in rference to the char
acters of Capts. Theobold and Phillips, and
Walter Wood, of Ouachita. dlarged with murder
Gus acts of violence; witnes said their charac-
tiers were as good any in tie parish. A. Burke,
member of the Democntic state Cen rIl
Committee, stated that. in the hundred
interviews and Lengthy correspondence
with Gov Kellogg, or tie Chief Supervisor,
no complaints were male of intimidation
or violence in Ouachita, andthe Democrats knew
the only hope of success 1s in a Deaceable cleo
ton: the committee knew he Republicans had
been instructed to concentrate their votes at
towns to enable the Returning Board to throw
.
can votes. Justice LeOnsd, of the Supreme
Court. said he found great llarm among the col
ered people in 0uachita during the campaign; Re-
publican meetings were interrupted: colored men
told him they had hid in tie woods, Ii ke rab-
bits. Dist Atty. Gorham estifed to intimi-
dating the colored people an interrupting Repub-
lican meet ngs. The subcommittee examined
some ten witnesses, principlly colorei, who de-
tailed numerous cases of vfdence and intimida-
ton in East Baton Rouge, showing . reign of
terror among the blacks thee. he House Com
miltee by party vote. reIoted President Orton.
of the Western Union Telegraph Company, to
the House as in contempt, in refusing TO
answer the second subpGtR. Several witness
es were examined in relatiG TO the election in ST.
Tammany and Conc0rdia hr1shes, who testified
to intimidation of colored democrats by those of
their own color The subcommittee examined
| some ten witnesses. mostR colored. in reference
| to Living gstone Parish, all whom testified 10
| peaceable election. and no intimidation, and the
bad character of Davidson. United States Super
| visor; also. that George Whites house was
/ burned because he was beloved to be cow-thlef.
Chief-Justice LudelIg, of the Supreme
| Court of Louisiana, testiid before the Senate
/ Committee, on the 4th / the general intimida-
| ton of colored Republicans n Ouachita. by means
| of armed bodies of Democrats. and said his
nephew, DIR. Dinkgrave, taIcollector, was killed,
/ he believed, by member of the Democratic
party. for organizing the Republican party: he
! believed thai Judge Crawfsd snd District-Attor-
/ ney Harris were assasstlted on account of
| their politics. Joseph uSgneaud (attorpeyl OF
a. TE.Ar Ia Vi n1T1r