The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-01-31

An abstract Of the evidence taken by the
Teller Committee Of Investigation. which
mot at New Orleans on the It'll. Is as follows:
j. Ernest Bredas aud pr. Bredas, brothers,
natives OF Match tochcs Parish, IA the foi mrr
formerly Parish Jud ~ and ths latter Coroner,
testified that they were driven from the par.
iSh on she I'D OF September last ON account 81
their making Republican speeches, their
beers OF the knights of the white cnmelia.
subsequently, known ~ the White League,
and now as No. rs They ned 20 the weeds,
where they lay concealed until they cnn
make their escape TO shreveport. whore they
have since resided.
". A. Barron, sheriff Of Natchitoches up
10 1876, was also driven away nc the same
time as the Bredas brothers on account of
his being n Republican. lie was a native Of
Mississippi and served IA tue Confederate
Army. Was warned 20 leave by the advise
~ Committec," which was composed solely
OF Democrats, for the reason ~ given that
tho ruling Of matters properly belonged 20
the Democrats and they desired 10 get All the
Republican leaders out OF TIE way. witness
also went - Shreveport.
Raford Blount, colored, pastor Of the
Baptist Church Of Natchitoehcs. and In 1870
senator in the Packard Legislature, WAS taken
from his house by party of armed men ana
lodged in jail, but was subsequently released
on condition that he would advise tile negroes
20 leave politics alone. and would leave the
parish, never TO return, which he did. Wit
ness said the trouble N the parish was =, caus'
Specialize people were not in favor Of IL.
number of colored witnesses testified
rs 10 the attack on Fairfax's house In Tensas
Parish on Oct. II. the substance of which has
been heretofore published. IL was reported
that ~ negroes were killed in the parish. but
none of the witnesses knew actually Of but
fivc.
Il. c. Ruth, colored, Of Tensas Parish,
men were forced 70 join Democratic club
and were then given certificates emitting
them to protection.
Judge l.. N. Reese, of Tensas, Chairman
Of the Democratic ommtttce, testified that
In his opinion the troubles In the parish did
not arise from political causes. that Fairfax
attempted 70 array the blacks against the
whites. and that warrant WAS issued for his
arrest but could not be served on account OF
the negroes massing for his protection, that
a posse was assembled TO put down the dis
turbance in legal manner.
Daniel Wise and II. Moss, Of Tensas, testi-
fed as to armed bands of negroes marching
through Waterproof there were not over %
white men in the parish and the negroes
threatened 70 kin children and outrage
women. Fairfax WAS leader OF the negroes.
The white people were all very much fright
ened. think the negroes would have burned
the town II the shcrif's posse had not arrived.
J. Ross stewart, Appointment co'ored poll
tician OF Tensas, testified that threats Of vio-
lence prevented the Republicans from NOM
mating "A ticket. Witness gave the names Of
Is negroes alleged TO have been murdered.
A. J. Bryant, colored. Senator from Ten
sas, testified that he was taken from his house
under threats Of personal chastisemcnt CON-
PEELED to promise to vote the Democratic
ticket, which he did.
A. II. Leonard. District Attorney for
Caddo Parish, testified A. 20 the abuse and III
treatment Of himself and other Republican
speakers M meeting held for joint discus
sion. Witness fled 20 shreveport, consider
ing that his HE was in danger other wit
nesscs corrob0rated his testimony.
WIN. A. Leary and j. g. Moncure testified
that the election in caddo was fair and peace
able; they considered District Attorney
Leonard responsible for all the trouble: that
negroes voted without molestntion until he.
seeing no chance Of the Republicans carry ing
the election, ordered them 10 20 home.
George Norwood. OF Caddo. Republican,
testified that he was one Of the Deputy sher-
ih's. posse that attempted 70 take possession
house NJ Caledonia, on account OF the threat
ened disturbance by the negroes: A. they ap.
preached the house they were fired upon, and
witness was shot in the face.
w. Il. McNeai, Deputy sheriff Of Caddo,
corroboratcd Norw0od's testimony.
s. X. NJ. Newman, cclored, Clerk Of the
District Court Of II. Mary's Parish, testified
concerning the destruction OF ballot boxes
by the Democrats and other outrages at the
election
Several coIored men from Point CoupAe
Parish testified that they left their houses on
account Of political prosecutions. thnf the
bulldozcrs there committed great outragcs.
whipping and killing negroes.
q. W. Johnson, J. A. johnson. David
Young, Charles lincoln, ~. y. Randolph (ail
colored). If Concordia, testified u general
charges Of intimidation and fraud IN the late
election.
@: L. Walton, A. Concordis, member Of
the Legislature. denied in effect the charges
made by previous Witnesses
T.. Kennel, colored, . coroner of Con-
cordLa. said there were seven men killed. all
cnloicd, held an inquest over six. i've were
huug and one shot Some were killed IN No
ycmber. Others In October.
The members II tho Teller Committee left
New Orleans on the 18th. II was ordered that
United states ComuiSsioner Lane take the
testimony Of witnesses not examined for
Natchuochcs, Ten~a- and Catalonia Parishes.
and that Morris Marks represent tile MAORI.
~. and u. y. Jonas the n nority. Testimony
80 taken will be transmitted 90 Teller and
treated as II taken By the committee.