Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-08-17
CRITTENDEN COUNTY.
Affairs Across the RiVer-An
Open Letter to the
Governor.
By the Colonel Of the Crlttenden
COunty Militia.

lOu Ny MaJ0t GatiCi VIM hOiuo SpA- H.
Mission as colonel Of the militia in his e
ounty:
SoANLAN's LANDING, Ark, August Is. 1878.
% His Excellency VIM. K. Miller, Governor u
of Arkansas:
The erroneous reports published as to c
he affair at Jones Landing, in Critten- i
len county, Arkansas, induce me to v
make the following statement of facts; b
On the 9th instant the citizens OF that G
met for political discus
sion. started early from home in a 8
spring wagon, accompanied by one be. t
sides the driver, Information reached {
me on the way that a large force was be-
ing organized at marion for the purpose
OF intimidation, and bloodshed might
ensue as Harden, Hodges and Lewis,
railing Radicals, we're bent upon mis-
chief, and they we're coming fully
equipped. These threats had been often
INDUCED in by Harden, the more vicious
OF the three, and as nothing before had
followed his declarations OF war, sup
posed it merely the emanstion of u brag
gart, and 80 advised the people.
The people believed differently, and
desired to 60 prepared, and with my con.
sent halt dozen shotguns were placed
in my wagon, and covered with hay gotten
at Rowley's plantation, near the scena
We learned the place of meeting had |
been changed to a dense wood above
Apperson, at the suggestion OF the |
Hodges party. This looked suspicious,
as at Jones was tall grove of cotton.
wood, on the river bank, in an open |
country, whilst at Apperson was deep, !
tangled woods, unbroken for miles. We
went, huRever, and hoped our informa-
ton, derived from Marion, would be this
time as before, and all would 90 of
quietly.
About 10 o'clock they came with
streaming banners and martial airs by
two bands. | advised the course to be
pursued, and my advice was in the main
followed by those who we're opposing the
Hodges ring.
They brought with them two kegs of
whisky, and about o clock their cavalry
was under the influence Of whisky. |
was called upon to answer Lewis by the
masses, but Harden and some twenty ne.
groes objected, Notwithstanding the great
majority insisted that l should be heard.
They kept up such noise by shouts and
boistrous demonstrations that | could
not be heard. Their demonstrations
subsidized to considerable extent, aud |
was about to begin the reading Of pa
per, when | noticed Harden crouch upon
tree root some ten feet from where
was standing upon a wagon used as a
stand. l also noticed that his negroes
also sqHatted upon their launches, iD a
very quiet manner. But | did not re.
gard this as peaceful omen, and | re-
] marked, II will not soy any more here,
2 but will 90 to my own wagon where those
who wish can hear me And as was
about to descend shot was fred at me
and | feel shure Harden and his allies
bad lowered themselves to be under
e its range. The action of himself and
|, allies informed me what they we're going
to do as explicitly as if conveyed by hu
man language A negro by the name ol
q Cole did the sho )tipg with pistol BE
fed Immediately, but in going by my
= wagon, though mounted, he gained bu
little space, and those who were posted
to watch for such tactics had time to g.
their guns and shoot him before he wa
out Of reach. he is the same Negro
It who put the lights out at a meeting SOM
1t two weeks ago, when an indiscriminatC
n shooting was INDUCED in, resulting II
ID The shooting Of an innocent person, an,
"a the killing of some two or three horses
- | J.. -. .n.an1 Vuaalfa "a
ID JAmes's store, at Bradley's. No shot
n we're cred at any one but him by ou
8. friends, aud no other person was hurt
er On the 9Th day of June last my dwell
]. ing was burned at o'clock at nigh
le under such circumstances as to lead u
lie the belief that the object was assassins
rs ton. | had, before that time, been in
IT. formed by responsible persons that a
Ie effort would be made to assassinate M
ve 0a the morniRg of the 9th | was agai
he assured of the proposed effort to asss'
n. sinate me. This was given by a leadin
VS. Republican, aud his declarations wer
Ie witnessed and noted by Thomas Mosei
pr- justiQs Of the peacei and the charg
I'M was made directly against Hodges an
Le- his confederate took this precauto
m as to statements and proof, and waite
wu for developments. If the means Of r
n's sistanee had not been at hand our pc
l6 pie might have bseR entirely remove
ge from the arena by these cold blooded a
nd ssssins.
Ia. As these warnings are sufficient, ha'
in taken every precauliOu to resist lheI
ite and will organize at once company
at militia under the authority ol my cor
eat mission. | will u no way molest ~
AN one except those who violate the EXPIRE
ce rights of others; aud | will maintain 4
strictest discipline aud will be respon
On. BILE for every act done by them.
/ make this statement to your exc
est lency for your information, solemn
her pledging myself that every Stateme
iLg here is the truth.
ale There can be no politics in this matte
II is the effort of the Hodges ring TO r
cal the people, and the people to resist.
proof the peoples ticket is as follows:
tor Rapresentatve-Olark Brewer n
ndi tional.
Sheriif-Willam F. Baattie, Democri
.ry Clerk-Thomas Gibbs, Democrat,
hat Treasurer-Sam Floyd, coored !
publican
,on. Assessor - Wilson Swingler, color
Republican
AZ County Judge-R B Barton, Radio
This ticket was formed by q commit
n2" OF nine negroes and three white m,
q. appointed by the people, aud 1t has Civ
lie satisfaction to al! except the robbers q
,ads their allies
and Respectfully, q"
,llv j F EARLE
fore -.
{ all Miss Alcoli, the author, ia regarded
rather stiff and unappreciable in sooie