The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1878-09-28
ANOTHER TEA-PARTY.
Fat" Tom i'm His Wigwam.

ing Radical, in company with a
party of seven other persons, one
of whom was a Democrat, the
CHRONICLE man found himself on
the inside of Eat" Tom Johnson's
wigwam, the stronghold of the
RAIDS of this section. Some fifty
or sixty negroes were already gath
cred in conclave, with a solitary
white-skip, who seemed to be per-
fectly in bis element. "Fat" Tom
was presiding over the assembly
with dignity, solemnity and great
corpulency. 1t was evident that
business of Importance had already
been transacted, all of which, of
course, was kept profound secret
from our inopportune prying.
There was considerable whis-
pered consultation. 1t was plain
that an enemy was in the camp,
end due caution was to be had in
the proceedings. Finally it was
announced that the main business
of the meeting was over, and, as
some of the candidates for Office
were present, it would be agreeable
to hear from them. Constable Jim
Smith was asked to enlighten the
audience on the topics of the day.
But Jim was a little too sharp to
be caught in trap, and insisted
That as it was not his meeting they
should fire off the first gun.
On motion it was agreed that
Brother Dan Fletcher and Henry
nj. Jeter should each talk twice,
Brother Dan to lead of, and that
neither was to talk over fifteen
minutes at a time.
Brother Dan came smilinglv to
the front. He was an Independent
in this election, for the sake of get
ting what votes he could from the
Democrats, but he expected to re-
ceive the votes of all the black peo-
pie, because he was Republican
at heart. He had been accused of
grave things, but he could prove
his innocence. If he had erred it
was from the head and not from
the heart. Here he struck tragic
attitude and clasped his hand to
the pit of his stomach.
Mr. Jeter said he was Demo-
cract and did not expect them to
vote for him in preference to a Re-
publican, but he thought Demo
crat was as much entitled to their
support as an Independent. He
read an article in the CHRONICLE
charging Brother Dan with extor-
ton while acting as deputy sheriff,
and said he could prove every word
of it's assertion.
Mr. Fletcher did not deny the
fact alleged, but claimed that he
was instructed to make the charges
by Sheriff Nugent, and produced
an affidavit In which MIR. Wilson
Prestidge swears that Sheriff Nh
gent did so instruct Mr.. Fletcher.
Mr.. Jeter thought it was no ex-
cuse for Mr.. Fletcher, even if he
was so instructed, to violate O law
so plainly understood.s But he
believed MIR. Nugent would con-
tradict the statement. One thing
was certain, he never received any
such instructions, nor instructions
OF any other nature. He ran the
Office as if he himself was sheriff,
and supposed Mr.. Fletcher did the
same thing when be was deputy. as
MIR. Nugent was seldom ever known
to be about the Office OF to transact
any of the business. Mr.. Jeter
then produced note for SIS, given
to MIR. Fletcher by an old colored
woman, Aunt Pud. who signed the
note supposing it to be a bond for
a prisoners release, but who after
ward was forced to pay the money
on the note.
Mr.. Fletcher tried to explain how
there was nothing wrong about the
note. He said he was justly emit
tied to the money, but was swim
died out of So of the amount, hav.
ing had to accept $12 as COM
promise in order to get his money.
DR.. Deal had made the compromise,
and if the debt was not honest,
then why did the Doctor make the
compromise for Aunt Pud?
MIR. Guynes was called on, but
begged to be excused as he was
suffering from a terrible headache
and fever. He was a Simon pure
Republican and expected to ad-
dress them at divers times here
after.