The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-12-26

was discharged. The indictment was,
however, kept hanging over Page, as the
Republicans believe, for the purpose of
keeping him out of the way until after
the election. Page seems to have been
of this opinion himself, for since election
day he ventured to return to his home,
and remained there for time with his
family.
The officers, however, on learning that
he had returned, went with posse, SUR
rounded his house, and summoned him
to surrender. This he refused to do, and
in the skirmish which followed he shot
and killed the Sheriff and one of his dep
uties. A letter written by person who
was in Port Gibson during these occur
rences, and who has since been in CORES
pondence with some of the persons most
interested, gives an impressive picture of
the state of affairs now existing there
The letter was addressed to friend in
Washington, but was not written for
publication. James Page, who is men
toned in it, was the father of the accus-
ed man, Harrison Page. 1t is as follows:
DEAR FRIEND: 1t is with apainfully sad
heart l address you. l tried to write you
before leaving Mississippi, but the ex-
citement was so great that it completely
unnamed me. Poor Mr.. James Page
has been brutally murdered, and many
others have shared the same fate Two
of his sisters's children, young men, the
Sawyers, have been murdered. They had
four in Jail when left, and their friends
were waiting to hear of their being hang
ed. Three men were taken on Ford's
Hill and shot; it is not known for what
reason. They lay where they shot them
until one of the men on the place had
to go to town and get permission to bury
them, they had become so offensive.
They shot Mr.. Page and a lad who was
trying to get out of the burning house,
and then they had both bodies rolled in
hole together and covered up. That
was their burial. Ii was supposed that
they had burned Mr.. Page after they shot
him. Some one asked, and white man
remarked if he was not burned he got a
damned good scorching, he was so close
to the house. They made his wife and
sister and kindred witness what they did
Those poor young girls were made to run
before their pointed guns. They set the
entire premises on fire the residences of
some of his sons and sister being more
than mile from Harrison s house.
l suppose you have heard all about the
affair. The Sheriff went to arrest Harri
son Page, the supposed assassin of Brisco
which happened two years ago. He kill
ed the Sheriff and deputy; for this the
white men swore to avenge themselves
on his fathers family. 1 would not care
if the offender was brought to justice;
but oh, to murder the poor old man and
SO many others. To destroy all the poor
women and children had to live upon,
and then to drive them, thirty-three in
number, perfectly bare, to Louisiana to
provide for themselves, not single man
among them. Every man fed to the
woods, hirelings and all Some said
spare not even women and children"
have not heard as yet if they have killed
any of the old mans sons. They all fled,
knowing that they were equally in dan
ger as their brother Harrison, the offend
er.
Oh, Mr., where is our refuge? Poor,
despised, dependent race, we cannot hope
to see our wrongs redressed in this land
Sometimes I feel that if a pestilence
should sweep the last colored person
from this country, it would be blessing
n early every smart, enterprising man
and family of color in the South has been
destroyed. Mamie Page has written to
a friend to intercede for assistance for
them and the letter has been sent me.
Cant you beg some money and send to
them If you could read her letter it
would nearly break your heart. She
signs, Your poor naked, barefooted,
Mamie Page"
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE ATTACKED.
The details of a tragic affair in Shreve-
port, La, which grew out of the recent
election riot in Caddo Parish, have been
received here. James Aston, the Re-
publican candidate for Sheriff in Caddo,
and Commissioner of Elections, was at
tackled on election night, while in compa
ny with two other Republican Commits
sioners (the Democrats having refused to
serve), by party of Democrats led by
one Flanagan. The ballot box was taken
from them and destroyed. Recently
Flanagan and Alston met in Texas St,
in Shreveport, and it is asserted, both
drew their pistols. Flanagan was shot
dead by Aston. Alston was arrested,
and is now in Jail in Shreveport.