The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-03-13
REPORT OF THEGaR BERY
OF PIAE COUNTY.
The Report of GSse AeSi-lasTVe
Committee SasGaiued-A lead.
ing Cause of Ihe 'rrOubles-Fi-
mamciRl Denre@si0n.


ing Cause of the 'CrOubIes-Fi-
nancial Depression.
To the Honorable J. B. Chrisman, Judge o
the 10th judicial District Of the State Of Ms
sissiPpi.
The Grand Jury nf the county of Pix
beg leave to report that they have labored
diligently since the organization OF thi
court, IN end-avoriug IL ferret out fhe law
esSnesS which l. said 10 have prevailed in
the county, aud which has been the snbiec
ols much comment by the press and anon
the people
We have found but four bills of indct
meht; a much OF our time has been con
slned IN the investiga ions leading 10 IN,
apprehension. and bringing to Justice o
that mysterious class OF people known a.
the Bul dozers. We believe witnesses have
bee3 before Us who could have given sucl
information a would lead To the con ictiof
OF some parties. but would not reveal what
they knew. through fear, o personal injury
this has been so manifest. that we have re-
Trained from further Investigation.
We believe that many of the colored peo-
pie nave lett this country on account of the
general depression OF the tim = f ON Il fail
ure to receive full remuneration for thsiI
labor; inability to meet their obligations
To procure supplies for the coming year, and
70 better their financial condition.
These influences. acting together. have
created general demOraiiZs among all
classes of citizens, and in many instances
the consumers are LETT behind, while the
producers have gone to other sections ir
search OF renumera i've emplo, ment. We
have no doubt that AT one time, there was
an organization OF some kiud in certain sec
tions OF this country whose object was 70
drive out OF the community thieves and
criminals. but. we do not believe that there
is an organized band OF BulIdozers (aS they
are cslled) in Pike county. bur th4t muc!
of the lawlessueSs of which there has been
complaint was committed 10y person. living
outside of this county. IL is probable thai
in some sections OF Pike county acts of vio-
lence were committed by me1 who have
always been regarded iis peaceabie aud law :
abiding citizens, in protecting their proper
ty from thieves.
We have had a great many witnesses be-
fore Us, and have made special inquiry as
TO some mysterious notices found on
the gates, or lying In the yarls OF many
persons white and colored. and have
concluded that most of it was done by per
sons who have lost their lands. and con
spired against the more fortunate of their
nei gh bors who have succeeded in procuring
labor, though We think other parties have
been instrumental in having those notices
disseminated with view to intimidate the
colOred people, aud induce them TO leave
their homes and that in most cases said ne
tees were circulated and posted bV, or
through the influence OF col0red men en-
in other sections OF the country.
In addition to the foregoing. we report
that mary witnesses have been summoned tn
appear before rs who have not attended,
and we learn this WAS in consequence OF
fear on their part, that personal violence
would be- done them shoulG they appear and
give evidence in certain eases. And Others
have purpoSely avoided Sumons for the same
reasons. One witness was assaSsinated
while en- route To the seat OF justice. aud we
have received such information as to lead us
to believe that the lives of others would be
in danger if they come before the court to
testify.
In conclusion we would remark as an
evidence of the law-abding proclvities OF
oar people, that many of us have had much
experience as grand jurors, but we have
never known so few criminal cases of the
ordinary class 10 be reported for investiga-
tion-when We consider the many troubles
through which our people have past, and
know the difficulties to encounter in a re-
turn to peace and prosperity 1t is indeed
gratifying to observe a desire on the part OF
the great mas of our citizens to have the
laws strictly enforced and the perpetrators
of crimes punished.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN q. IEGGETT, Foreman.