New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-09

TIE DEMOCRATIC CRIMES IN OUACH1TA
Testimony Of Hon. John 7. Ludeling,
Chief Justice Of Louisiana, Be"
fore the Senate Investigate
ing Committee, Janu-
airy 4, 1879.

John T. Ludeling, sworn and examined
by the chairman.
Question-You are Chief Justice of
Louisiana, believer
Answer am. If the committee will
allow me, have prepared my evidence IN
writing, and will read IT,
Question Yes; after few preliminary
questions you can do so. Your home ID
where2
Answer-In Ouachita parish, near Mon
rec. l live within o half mile Of Mon
rec, 0aachita parish.
Question-Ha You been for long
time resident Of Louisiane2
Answer am q native OF the State,
and have resided in it all my life, except
ing when absent at school.
tnestion- ere you in Ouachita parish
during the late political canvass there,
mare or legs2
Answer-OnlJ during portion of the
time. was there until about the middle
ofrApgust, and then was absent until
about The middle Of October, when | re-
turned, and remained then until after
the election.
The chairmsn-Now you may make any
statement that you have tomake touching
the conduct Of that canvass.
Witness i will simply read what have
prepared, and will then answer any ques-
lions the committee may have to ask me.
The witness here read the following:
reside near Monroe, in the parish Of
Ouachita; am Chief Justice OF this State.
was born in this State. DR.. B. II. Dink-
grave was my nephew. He lived in my
hoSse at the time he was murdered. he
had been living with me many years. He
rs-h "a hoH
received a liberal education and had
efndaafed ut the medical college in this
cftg.5 Ee was amicable and sociable in
displ rion, and he was generally re-
spacAsd aud liked. He was very brave
ard courageous He had been twice
alecLsd sheriff, ard at the time Of his
deaf he was tax collector. He conversed
Wifhine about his affairs without reserve.
IN J1ly or August last be frequently spoke
60 me Of the threats be had been told
Democrats had made against bis life if be
attempted to organize Republican clubs
IN 0uachita. At first he believed those
threats were made merely to intimidate
but after awhile he became satisfied that
thera was danger that the execution Of
tfrezts might be attempted, and conse-
0uently he and other Republican leaders
scxaed to have club meetings only in
the daytime. He seemed to be par
tioula1ly impressed by what q per-
sonal friend "a friend Of his boy
hood who belonged to q rifle elub)
cold him-''that he would be killed if he
wsnt 70 organize q club at Logtown, on
the Onachita river. His informant would
not. of could not. tell him more than that
IA could not guard against the danger,
pt by desistiDg frcm organizing Re-
rusIlean clubs as be would be killed BY
,laueel4 or disguised persons This in
formation was imparlcd 70 him under the
pledge Of secrecy. When he told me Of
8his be said be was .zouhled shout it---
rs did'nt want 10 be killed; but still
ne couldn't brook the idea that
IS should not be able to act Ike free
man, He spoke 10 my sons about having
life insured ID favor Of his wife, and
ha would forfeit the policy after the
ee1lI5n. &c he wore not killed b. the bull
before 81 be found the premium
ao6 hasy The only danger he appra-
af Nas srom lhe bulld0zeIs Ok mem
ne rife clubs. hIr Sam Mclgnery
in0ry has stated hat the pre-
3tsf hat the Wimherly dith-
M o Dlnh4rAva's death. Mr..
~ W 40 3ulius Eanemo.
Et aEtkl Ny 56Hta T.. Ray.
.l.I1s. 1t|. 81 M Fsme4 Since
aalian 81 Nc DtnksraFe,
ea the subject d lhe ~
s with al tAs persons above
Mr. Sam AleEat4y. e1esps DE
90 nof know dAnts j.
Dn41a 10 mnsl hefs
81 hst james S. ha1
win both Of whom
std oa aeispl and nof orr