The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1879-01-18
]. h. coscRovE
Editor l. Proprietor.
Published Every SATURDAY Morning

sSOuS OuCo ~ Vuc u0us V0O 0I0C60O
BY &O majority to the Legislature 10
1876. Have never been summoned
by the Grand Jury but testified before
them Notwithstanding.
Previous to the disturbance my re-
lations with the gentlemen who drove
me away were most friendly.
Senator Garland-1s not Mr.. Levy
q little lame, which may account for
bis being In the attack I
Witness-lle's only behind 10 cour.
age, that's all.
{ The negroes know of no other par.
: ties except the Democratic aud Re.
publican parties ;if tho Democrats, to
use slang phrase, "went up = lane,
the negroes would go down."
| To Mr.. Cameron-There are Only
two negroes in the parish who are
Democrats. When elections approach,
they are treated with great couside.
rations but afterwards they fall from
grace-of course, I mean 60 far - tho
Democrats are concerned. These
two negroes have no influence with
other negroes. -.,.
RAFORD BLUNT, COLORED. =,
Have been living in Natchitochee,
since '553 am 81 years Of age have
have been a legislator 10, ne; was
in Packard's Senate, but the Govern.
ment was sold out and 60 was I.
atteded the meeting on Septem.
Der 81 to organize the party vas
chairman of the Central Committee,
and was anxious to retire, AZ I was
not candidate for any political Of.
fee the meeting was held . half mile
from the court house speeches were
made by Breda, Briggs, Lewis, Raby
and myself.
Bob Holmes came to mo near tho
fclose Of our meeting and said, "Tsll
the people to disperse quietly, ~ tho
Democrats intend to kill you ALL"
said it was nonsense, but I b.
lieve he was really alarmed.
A few minutes afterwards . crowd
Of negroes came rushing Up, saying,
"They are going to kill YOU" I
mounted my horse and went to ny
home ; chained up all the doors and
gates. Several colored men came
with mo and were very excited and
asked for guns to defend the house.
l had several guns ia tho house
and distributed them to my friends,
who remained in the second story
prepared for an attack. went up to
my garnet carrying pistols and . via.
chester rife with me. From tho gar.
ret could see a squad Of mon up to
the north side of the house, another
body came up to tho front, and the
third came up to tho southeast eide.
All were armed. Mr.. Cunningham.
who was the leader, demanded mo
to surrender. The others yelled 10
come down and surrender. 1 refused.
The men then entered tho yard, tax.
ing the gate off tho hinges they OK.
amined the cistern and other places
for me. My wife obeying my instruc.
tious.
REFUSED TO ALLOW THE DOORS 10 Be
Ono Of tho men exclaimed, "Hero's
a man who will do 10 much @ any
man 10 the parish !; do jast what he
tells you" pointing to Cunningham.
After awhile Cunningham gave the
ordors t. ''go in." Levy exclaimed,
"Break 10 : I'll take tho responsible.
ty Of the whole thing on my heed"
The crowd shouting, broke ia tho
door and ran all through the house.
When they could not open . door
they would take the key from my
wife, or else take az az and break 10.
Finally they found out I was in the
garnet, but they had no ladder to ret
up to me, 90 they demanded mo to
surrender ; I replied I was armed and
would not.
They then asked II they would
promise not to harm mo wouldI eur.
render One of the party ssid +, :
the crowd: Boys, Blants found, and
WON'T you pledge not to harm him,
if he surrenders : Every ono 10.
piled, Yes.
He again asked Won't you prom.
ise to defend HIM from any injury Z
The reply was again unanimously,
Yes. then came down and wss
seized by two men, amid shouts and
yslIs. l was told my vito and dsught.
or had been carried to Jail BY tho or.
ders of Cunningham. He pointed .
pistol at my wifes head and ordered
her to be carried to jail.
Cunningham sa;d to me Win you
leave the parish and State and toll
the negroes to abstain from politicsi
l asked for afew days 70 arrange NY
plans, but ono Of them answered. No,
we've got you now, and we'll not lot
you dictate.
They then took me . short distance
and I met my wife and daughter, aud
gave them . gold watch and whas
money I bad, and babe them geod-
by. was then taken TO tho shosifs
room in the court-house, and WIS
guarded by . band Of men, armed.
10 the afternoon Cunningham told ne
the negroes were advancing 70 To-.
cue me and requesting me 3 eenl
them message TO- disperse. .l'rsplisd
/ had no authority over them and
declined. After awhile Cunningha,n
repeated bic request. and I oene =
message to the negroes telling them
to 60 away and leave mo ID tho hands
Of God. At 10 that night ny vito
visited me and brought ne somethisg,
to eat I was ~ frightened I only
took 4 cup Of coffee, % l expected to
be murdered. ID -
Shortly after Cunningham ssid:
The negroes are marching On the
town, and Blunt will b killed II thew
MAkn fhA AffnsMnk -