Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-01-19
The Louisiana Investigation.

The Senate committee on the 10th heard
further testimony from East Feliciana. Six
colored men testified to being intimidated
and voting the Democratic ticket through
fear. Supervisor Anderson testified to the
general intimidation of cOlored voters.
Judge Lyons testified that the election was
fair and peaceable; there was great amount
of lawlessness in the parish caused by the
rayages of thieves; colored voters were in-
duced TO Join the Democrats by being prom
ised protection and that all lawlessness
should be put down.
Five witnesses from East Baton Rouge
testified before the Senate subcommittee
that there was a peaceful election and no in
timidation, and Morgan (colored) testified
to general intimidation, breaking up OF Re-
publican meetings, and that he had been
shot at.
Catlin, of New Orleans, Clerk of the Re-
publican Committee on Registration, testi-
fed before the House committee that the
registration was correct and legal; did not
know that any Republicans were stricken off,
but believed that $4,000 illegal votes were
polled az the recent election; thought most
of those registered fraudulently were Demo-
Gratis. Williams (colored), Deputy U. s. Mar
shal in the Ninth Ward, testified that Bourges,
Republican candidate for Sheriff, told him
he must enter protest to his poll il it would
help the ward.
The house subcommittee heard testimony
from various parishes. Witnesses testified
that the election in st. Landry was devoid of
intimidation. Milan (colored), candidate for
the Legislature from Plaquemine, testified
that he told the negroes that they would be re-
cnslaved IL they voted the Democratic
ticket. Modely (colored), of Iberia, testified
that his church was burned because he re-
fused to preach political sermons. Butler
and Wise, of Rapides, testified to the charac-
ter of j. Madison Wells, and that he would
not he believed on oath in the parish on any
question in which he was concerned.
Before the Senate Committee, on the 11th
Judge LYONS testified that the Republicans
Of East Feliciana nominated Democrats for
the Legislature because they thought they
were better men than their own; he also
testified to the bad character Of John Gair;
believed negro suffrage was necessary as a
protection for the cOlored people. Judge
McVeigh corroborated Judge Lyons' state
ments.
The Senate subcommittee continued the
consideration of East Baton Rouge. Tanner
(colored) testified to general intimidation of
colOred voters and several whippings; one
he witnessed-Mrs. Holmes; was present at
the hanging Of Babe Mathews, John Gair's
sister, at Clinton. Eliza Pinkston was ex-
amined. Her testimony was substantially
the same as already published. She stated
that Pinkston was a firm Republican,; he was
threatened because he left Democratic
meeting before it was over; he attended a
Republican meeting the night before he was
killed; after he was killed, and while she
was hiding, she was assured OF protection IL
she would say he was killed by black men.
Gen. Heron testified before the Senate
subcommittee on the 18th that the late cleo
tion in East Baton Rouge was the most
peaceable ever held since 1858 Eliza Pinks-
ton was eross-examined. She stated that
she never was owned by Tidwell, as testified
by him; never had been in Jail or saw one;
she contradicted the story of Tidwell in ref
erence to the attack upon her house and re-
peated that Capt. Theobald, Walker, Logan
and DR.. Young were the leaders of the party
and two colored men were in ii. DR.. Rich
aTdson testified: Had examined Eliza Pink
ston's wounds; those in her head might have
been made with an ak; those on her face and
neck were made with knife and were su-
perfcial one on the temple was made by a
blunt instrument, one in the breast by bull
let; the latter was still open and appeared TO
have been neglected or purposely left open,
being healed To the orifiee; the wounds re-
ceived would hardly account for her debili-
tated condition.
Judge McVeigh, Capt. Fuqua and another
witness testified before the Senate COM
mittee that the election in East Felciana
was peaceful and quiet, and that the acts OF
violence had no connection with politics;
laWlessness had increased because the laws
were not enforced. Chapman (cOlored),
Deputy Sheriff, testified: Had been driven
from the parish by the whites; they charged
him with assisting .Gair In melting the
blacks to rise.
Bourges testified before the House commit
tee denying the statement OF Williams that
he had told him TO enter a protest in the re-
turns OF the Ninth Ward, New Orleans.
Judge Hunter, of Rapides, testified that he
knew nothing against Gov. Wells that would
cause him TO doubt his oath. Brewster, OF
0uachita, testified to the general intimida'
! tion and terroriKing of colored Republicans
there; had been offered money to vote for
Tilden, but declined 20 say who offered II.
Several witnesses testified derogatory to the
character OF ex'GOv. Wells.
Ex-Gov. Kellogg testified before the House
committee on the 18th. He said he received
many kilograms subsequent to the election,
inqulring how the State had gone, but none
\ from Chandler, Nov. 3, that Louisiana must
be carried by the Republicans; received dis
patches from Logan and Morton; mighthave
received dispatches saying that Louisiana
must DO counted for the Republicans, but
not from Chandler; received a dispatch from
| VIM, Z. Chandler about Nov. 10, saying
F" Hewitt Is coming; watch the count and be
| car ehIl'; he denied any knowledge or inten
ton to commit fraud on the part Of the Re
publicans.
Before the Senate committee, Brewster
one Of the Hayes electors, testified that h'
resigned as Surveyor General OF the Land
Office few days after the election, and Nov
2S received a reply from Washing that hil
resignation had been accepted, to lake effec
Nov. 4; having some doubts about the legal
ity Of his voting in the Electoral College h'
notified the members that he would not ac
without he was appointed TO I'LL his own va
eancy; was afterward appointed and voted
Several witnesses testified TO intimidation o
eoloTed Republicans in East Fsliciana.
D-S-~
For what purpose was Eve made