Daily Republican., 1879-09-04
A CLERGYMAN's BITrER ExFk
~ RIRHOA

A ACLERGYMAN's BITTER Exrk
RIRnOA u
Murder Of the Bev. Ssmes Cell
yard-Aatack On the New. ID. W
II. Simpson.
From Yesterdays New York Tribune.
The Rev. DR.. W. H. Simpson, a ma
tive Of Oneida County in this State
for thirty-ssvsn years m active min
lister Of the Methodist Episcopal church
in Texas and Louisiana, Is at pressn
in the city. Dr.. Simpson was driven
from Texas because Of his efforts to bring
to justice the murdsrers Of q friend
Z preacher Of the African Methodist
Episcopal church in Texas. The Doc
tor Is an intelligent pleasant r,an, about
sixty. five years Of ags. r
He brings letters Of recommendation
from the Rev. Drs. Leonard Bacon and
William Patton. Of New Haven; the
Rev. J. J. Lansing, of Msriden, Conn;
the Rev. DR.. J. W. Parker and the
Rev. A. F. Mason, Of Baptist Churches
in Washington; the Rev. T. J. Msmsnt,
Of the Congregational Church at Deni
son, Texas, Mr.. Gorham, Secretary Of
the Republican Committee at Washing.
ton, aud many othsrs. Dr. aippspn'a
story OF bis persecution, as told 70 are
porter Of THE TRIBUNE. is - folloxs:
"Ia the Southern States" he said,
''since the Reconstruction acts mems
lives have been held at very low
price. have lately had an oppportu-
nifty Of looking over the Official reports
Of the Klu klux outrages at the South.
l find that between $4,000 and $4,000
persons have been murdered by the
White League and Klu klux organiza'
tions.
"For thirteen years previous to the
month of June, 1878, I lived in the
county Of Van Zandt, Texas, preaching
and practicing medicine. ! had nothing
to do with the politics Of the county OF
state. While lived. there seventeen
men have been assassinated in the
county.
Early in June of last year there came
to my house on visit the Rev. James
Gellyard, Professor Of the oolored branch
of Austin College, position which he
had held for four years. He was also
a minister of the African ME-. Church.
Though born Of colored parents, he was
as white as many ofthe Southern white
mon. He took no part in politics, and
never made a political speech in his
life. He was studious and devoted to
his work in the college. He was thirty
years of age, modest and retiring, and
a man of unusual intelligence, having
been educated in France especially for
his work in correction with the college.
On the day that Professor Gellyard
was to leave my house he was arrested
by several men who claimed to be Uni
ted States officers, but who, / happened
to know, were not, on the charge OF
carrying concealed weapons. Though
no weapons were found upon him, he
was retained in custody, and on the
next day, when in charge Of these So
called officials, he was oowardly shot at
from behind and instantly killed.
~ Immediately wrote to the Attorney
General at Washington about the mat
tor. The letter which l received gave
me little encouragement. 1t stated
that the matter rested with the State
authorities. resolved to let my Texas
friends see the letter. For this pur-
pose meeting of about $50 Republicans
was held at place four miles from
Willis Point in Van Zandt County. As
was reading the letter, the lights
were suddenly put out and men rush
ed in and began firing revolvers. The
chairman Mr.. Simmons, was killed out
right, and several others received
wounds from the effects Of which they
died shortly after. This was on June
II, 1878.
The men who committed the murders
belonged to the White League, or
Invisible EMPIRE as they called their
organization. | ran from the building
when the firing began, but was captur-
ed, and together with ten men and a
woman was confined in a large iron
cage for thirty six hours. AT that time
owned property assessed at over sl9,-
900. When was released from the
cage | possessed only the clothes on my
back. Everything which ! had OWED
was either destroyed or stolen. ! was
bailed out of my prison by friend, but
il was unsafe for me to remain in the
region any longer.
That night l was obliged to ride fifty
seven miles to the Red river, cross 1t in
a canoe, and walk eighteen miles in my
stocking feet to the Missouri, Kansas
aud Pacific Railroad. At a town on
that railroad found friends, and by
their aid reached Washington. | was
in that city six weeks. saw the Presi-
dent upon the subject of my persecu'
tions, but he told me that nothing
could be done about the case then, add
ing that must wait, waited-and l
am waiting still.'