New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-21
THE NEWS AT WASHINGTON.

DETAILS OF THE ASSASSINATION RECEIVED BY CAP
TAIN DXoN's RELAuvEs-sOMe PARTICULARS
OF EARLY LIFE.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TBIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20.-The democratic Con-
servatve party" of Yazoo County, Miss, scored an
other victory yesterday. 1t may be remembered
that THR tribune of last Saturday published intel
lgence that Captain H. NJ. Dixon had decided to
remain in the field as an independent candidate for
Sheriff. and that this determination would probably
lead to further trouble. This prediction has unfor-
tunately already been fulfilled. This morning Cap
tain Dixon's widowed mother, who resides in Wash
ington, received the following dispatch from an
other son, dated at Yazoo City, Miss, last evening;
"Henry was shot between and 10 o'clock this
morning Died at twenty minutes to . o'clock this
evening"
Another dispatch contains the further information
that the murder was committed by J. II. Barksdale,
candidate for q county office on the regular"
Democratic ticket. The same dispatch SAYS that
the tragedy cfew out of the present unfortunate
state of political affairs Yazoo County" but that
it was purely personal fight with which politics
had nothing to do The result shows that the fight
was certainly very personal one.
Ever since the present campaign opened, Dixon
has been the subject of most bitter abuse by Barks
dale who was one of the most active opponents of
the Independent ticket. Mr.. James II. Barksdale,
the murderer. should not be COMPOUNDED with Major
Barksdale. chairman OF the Conservative Demo-
cratic Committee who visited YazoO in company
with Congressman Singleton last month, and 1t Is
said instigated the first attack on Dixon. Major
Barksdale is said to be a relative OF the lazoo
Barksdale, however, and the latter has now shown
how well he can carry ont the advice
of the former to NIP the Independent movement
10 the budD The following facts respecting Mr..
I,vo, c,,d bie ortacadauts have bppp collected TO-
day from members of his family in this city: Mr..
Dixon's father was q Virginia Union man, whose
LOYALTY was unquestioned. Notwithstanding threats
upon his life, he voted for Abraham Lincoln in
Alexandria, when few men had the courage to do
So He was an officer in the Union Army during
the rebellion and his family compelled to seek
refuge in the District of Columbia. He was after
ward assassiiated in the streets of Alexandria by
VirGnian. Henry NJ. Dixon who was murdered
yesterday III Yazoo City, a student in George
town College the first year of the war. lie was
only fourteen years old, and was entced away to
Join Mosbys gueTias lie remained with them
only three four months, when, through the inter
YCutlOn OF his relatives, he returned Wlthln the
Soon after the close of the war, Mr.. Dixon, hav-
Ing married the daughter Of one OF tile Oldest ana
Yealtmest ctlzens OF 1azoo County, removed 10
Mississippi. Mr. DiXou's activity as chief Of the
Democratic bulldOzers IN YazOo County IN 1873 Is
we'll known. So highly did Congressman Single
ton appreciate the services of Captain Dixon in that
lively campaign that he even SAID, " owe niy seat
ia Congress to Captain DiXOn's noble efforts"
Every body knows how soon Mr. SInRletOn's ad-
miratiOn for Dixon waned when the latter gave his
services to form Independent party The at
tempt TO drive Captain Dixon from the county,
three or four weeks ago, Is also well known, but
some material facts regarding that attempt have
been hitherto suppressed. 1t appears that
est planter IN YazOo County owned a
PLANTATION a few miles from town. One day. shortly
before the mob compelled him 10 Withdraw as
candidate for Sheriff, he visited the plantation men
tloned. He was expected 20 return that night.
The regular Democrats. who are anxious to
prevent race conflict" in YazOO, hired a squad of
begrOes 10 lay in ambush and shoot MIR. Dixon as
be rode back TO town III the night Something,
however, detained him on the plantation until tine
next day and ne thus escaped Tor that time.
A few days atterwaTd two of the negroes who
had been bred TO asSasslnate hun came out on ms
side and revealed the whole plot 10 him This
shows how very anxious the IaZOO Conservatives,
who compose "the wealth. Intelligence and
virtue" OF that community, were to avoid
any conflict OF races" A few days
litter Mr.. Dixon's enforced retirement from
the independent ticket be was called DpOn pri-
Satcly by number OF the leading White citizens of
HE county and impoTed TO Tetract his withdrawal.
Eight ten of these gentlemen. who are said to be
RmOng the most influential and wealthy citizens of
Sazoo City, and who all Democrats, assured him
that there would be no further opposition, and told
him that in case of danger they would protect him
and his family from harm. He consented. Last
week Mr.. DIxOn's mother, IN tins clty, received a
letter from him in which he announced his new de-
Termination He told her of the assurances OF pro
lection and safety which he had received and IN
which he confided, and begged her TO dismiss all
Fears on bis account. The next intelligence when
she received contained In the telegram giving
kn account OF his death
A VnXVNCMAN ON nTVON