The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-09-17
THE YAZOO MARTYR.
Asaosl.er Story Of DsDo,.,s Dea.,..

"a 8CAAss0u0u we'll Known IN railroad circles,
who was in Yazoo City and saw the shooting
of Dixon, said on Saturday to reporter Of
the New York SIN:
"Henry Dixon was a friend Of mine. He
was native of Virginia. He came to Yazoo
during the war as sutler in the Union
army. After the war he married lady who
owned three plantations and had $6O. 900
N money. When Dixon died, ono of these
plantations was all that was left. This had
mortgage against it for all it was worth.
Henry 'Dlxon's business for years was
gambling. He dealt faro in bank
in Yazoo. I don't think that Dixon ran q
skin game for the reason that don't
think ne knew enough. He was willing
enough to take advantage of his customers
at any Kind of game, but he lacked the
shrewdness. He had no ability except IN
reckless daring and bravado. He had al.
ways been leader in the Democratic party
of Yazoo county. No one ever took more
prominent part in sbulldosing' negroes or
'intimidating' white Republicans than he
did. ID -
"Three years ago the sheriff of the county
was republican. A number of the gam
blers OF Yazoo were indicted, among them
Dixon. All of the indicted parties but
Dixon went into another county. deputy
sheriff named Mitchell went after the gam
blers and arrested some of them. The
sheriff OF the county and Deputy Mitchell
became very obnoxious to Dixon and others,
and they determined to drive the officers
out OF the county or put them out of the
way. At . political meeting held at this
time Mitchell was present. The meeting
was q hot one, and Dixon was the most
prominent actor in it. During the excite
ment Deputy Sheriff Mitchell was shot dead.
The circumstances under which he was kill.
ed led to Dixon being credited with the
murder. Dixon never denied it, and no one
in Yazo0 believed that any one else killed
Mitchell.
"At the beginning of the campaign it was
James Barkdale's intention to try for the
Democratic nomination for sheriff of the
county. Dixon went to him. Jimmy he
said, you don't want to be a can
dldate against me; go for something
else, and let me get sheriff if I CAM
Barkdale consented to withdraw his name as
candidate for sheriff, and accepted the
nomination for chancery clerk. This Office
is almost as good as sheriff. The canvass
opened, and everything went peacefully for
time. Finally it TRANSFERRED that the pres.
ence of Barkdale on the Democratic ticket
was strengthening that ticket throughout
Then Dickson began his tactics to weaken
Barksdale. He set afloat many damaging
stories, and capped them by charging Barks-
dale with maintaining illicit relations with
his own sister. This go enraged Barksdale
that he sent word to Dixon that he must
look out for himself when they met.
"On the day of the shooting Barksdale was
standing in the principal street of Yazoo.
There is only one business street, and It runs
clear through the place. Barksdale had q
shotgun, for he was likely to meet Dixon at
any time. He was talking with some friends
when Dixon came down the street. When
Barksdaie saw him he cried out, Henry, de-
fend yourself! Henry Immediately drew
his revolver from his pocket. Backsdale
fired. Dixon ran to hallway on the oppo-
site side of the street. Barksdale fred his
other barrel. Dixon returned the fire five
times with his revolver. Barksdale's first
shot had been the fatal one. Dixon fell in
the hallway
"From the same hallway about three years
ago Henry NJ. Dixon shot and killed Samuel
Harrison, an amateur detective. The coun-
ty treasurer's Office had been robbed, and
Dixon was generally believed to have been
the ringleader in the crime. Harrison took
upon himself the dangerous task of shadow
ing Dixon for the purpose of procuring evil
dence against him. Dixon saw him coming
one day, stepped into the hallway, and as he
passed shot him down.