Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-10


anyway, so that the right prevail"
Testimony Of Refugees before the
Teller Committee.
The Teller Committee met at the Custom
House in New Orleans on the It'll, all the
members being present. The following testi-
mony was taken:
j. Ernest Breda. native of Natchitoches
who served during the war in the I'd Louisi-
ana Regiment, testified Il have been a re-
publican since 1871 have been a stump
speaker, but did not take part in the last cam
paign, having been driven away from home
on the 22d of September. Onthe I'd of Sep
TENDER we had a meeting at which there
were $50 republicans present, and | addressed
the assembly. After adjournment we started
home, | and my brothers, on horseback. We
had gone about 100 yards, when at the corner
of Cypress-st. a body of armed cavalrymen
opposed our passage. Pistols were drawn
and strong language was used. At this mo-
ment l saw some more armed men coming
down q side street. My brothers and went
down a side street, went to the woods and,
encircling the town, arrived during the night
at home. There we stayed until the next
day. On that morning, at 8 o'clock, my
uncle, former Mayor of Natchitochcs, rode
up. He had not spoken to me since 1874 on
account Of my politics. He told me that my
house was to be attacked, and desired me to
surrender. l told him l would fight, and
never surrender. My uncle said he would
bring q guarantee from a body of armed
men that the house and property would be
respected if we would leave the place within
two hours. My uncle went back and con-
ferred with the committee of armed men. Ny
brother left in the meanwhile, but did not go
too far away to see what was going on. We
remained in the woods until the 25th of Oct.
On that day my uncle came again to the
house and told my sister that we were to be
hunted with bloodhounds. Gu the 3lst of
October we left for Shreveport, and have re-
manned there until summoned before the
Grand Jury. There is no Law lessness among
the negroes. Miserable individuals, they
hardly dare strike back. They are murdered
there like sheep. Political speeches calling
upon negroes to cut loose from the demo-
cratic party are styled incendary speeches,
and | never made a speech that was not
strictly speech on simply political subjects.
Negroes are ground down and cannot even
sell their crops under their own names.
There are LOO white and 1000 colored vot-
ers in the parish, and there are more white
men who vote the republican ticket than
democratic majority in the recent election
given in the official journal was $500.
Senator Cameron-kre any prosecutions
against fraudulent voters, etc., being carried
on in any of the State Courts
Witness--No, sir; for if so, the whole ju-
dietary of the State would have to be brought
to trial.
To Senator Bailey-T state this on hearsay
only; l know nothing from personal observa-
ton.
To Senator Cameron-I and my brother
were political leaders.
DIR. A. p. Breda was sworn and testified
The republican meeting on the 2lst Of Sept.
was held for the purpose of instructing col
ored people as regards the changes which had
been made in the number and boundaries of
the different wards of the parish SO that they
might vote intelligently. The only speech
ever made was on the day after the killing of
a negro in Natchitoches in 1876, in which
speech said that the law was still existent
and such murders were inexcusable. was
coroner for two terms while my brother was
parish judge. Nearly all the white people
knew in the parish were members of the
Knights of the White Camella organization.
v. A. Barron was sworn, and testified that
he is q resident of Natchitoches, but he is a
native of Mississippi. He said: 81 fought
throughout the war in the Confederate army.
l was Sheriff of Natchitoches up to 1876"
TThe witness gave an account of a meeting
on the 2lst of September, and testified as to
the proceeding of band of armed men who
obstructed the street. The witness left town
and took TO the woods. "Nine days after
ward came home and was told to leave
town. Mr.. Cunningham told me that the
Bredas had been ordered out Of town. and
that the committee had ordered me to leave
the place.. This committee is called the Adj
visory Committee, and is composed of demo-
Gratis. / remained several days. Having
some business, left to see my brother in the
country. l was absent ten days. When
returned, Cunningham told me that As the
others had been sent away had better go al
so. The reason given was that they--the
democrats-wished all of the republican lead
ers to get out Of the way, that the ruling of
matters properly belong to the democrats.
Before left town Cunningham told me need
go only as far as my brothers, and added that
could return after the election. l went to
Shreveport"
John G. Lewis (colored), of Natchitoches,
testified that after the adjournment of the