Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-08-28
The Yazoo Tragedy Dix0n's Career.

A dispatch from Yazoo City, Miss.
states that James II. Barksdale, who,
shot and killed Henry NJ. Dixon in that
town last week. has been released on
600 bail, the prosecuting attorney
consenting to the 6ailing. The history
of the difficulty in Yazoo, which has
terminated 30 tragically, is thus sum.
med up by the New York World.
Captain Dixon was always n Demo.
orat, and was well known in Mississippi
as a planter. His courage was unques-
toned. In 1878 he w9s presented with
massive solid silver pitcher, on which
was the inscription: "To the bravest Of
the brave, Captain Henry NJ. Dixon,
from his democratic fellow citizens OF
Yazoo county, as testimonial Of their
fine appreciation of his brilliant services.
in the redemption OF the country from
Radical rule" What these services
were is not more clearly stated. In
June last Dixon announced himself as
an independent candidate for sheriff Of
Yazoo county. lie was indorsed by
such Democrats as ex.Judge X. S. Hud.
son, of Yazoo City Major Doherty, the
county treasurer; Prof. Gadberry, long
professor in the medical college at
Louisville, KY, and nearly thirty repre-
sentative planters and merchants. There
was regular Democratic candidate
nominated against him by "A convention.
Early in July registration began. A
number OF Democrats tried to prevent
the registration Of Dixon men. Some
of these on the last Friday Of July
collected at the town Of Benton, and
gave out that Dixon was about TO assem-.
ble an armed force Of negroes there.
Presently Capt Dixon and two friends
rode up in buggy. lie faced the crowd
Of adversaries, defed them and returned
home. Thither a mob followed him,
and demanded that he should leave the
county, never TO return. Several Of his
Democratic friends attempted TO stay
the mob, who threatened TO burn their
houses and his own. Finally, TO save
the property of his neighbors, he
agreed to withdraw as their candidate.
Mssissippians who knew the man and
the region assert that personal terror Of
Dixon had much to do with the opposi.
ton to him. lie il believed 10 have
killed many men, and II is known Of
him that in 1878, when he WAS redeem
ing the county from Radical rule. he on
one occasion compelled a crowd OF ne.
groes to hang their own leader. He had
heard that a movement was preparing
among tho negroes against him, and
rode along on horseback TO the place
where the negroes had gathered to.
gcther. carrying 4 rope over his saddle.
bow. When he came upon them he
covered the leader with his revolver
and ordered him to step out. The man
obeyed. Selecting four other negroes
by name he babe them come to him
and take the rope which no gave them.
Put il around that mans neck he
said. They obeyed. Now, then. one OF
you 60 up that tree and reeve it over
that bough.' This was done. Now.
then. pull away, you three The three
men pulled, and upon Dixon's com.
mand made the rope fast, when their
unfortunate leader was fairly swinging
in the air. Dixon sat on his horse eye.
ing the scene until he was satisfied that
the man WAS dead, and then, forbiddiug
the negroes 20 cut him down for twenty.
four hours, ordered them to dispersc,
which they did, and quietly rode of
home"