The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-26
THE NATCHITOCHES PRISONERS.
lLOUNT AND BREDA ON THE sTANR.
they Tell What They Know About the
Case.

Case.
The case OF the Natchitoches prisoners was
taken up again yesterday before Judge Woods.
Who, shortly after the opening OF the court. re-
uuired the reading of the names OF the defend
ants mentioned In the Indictment but not on
trial. Forty eight responded to their names.
On motion OF Judge Egan the witnesses for
the prosecution we're sent to another room. un-
der charge Of deputy marshal, and the wit
nesses for the defense will be treated likewise
to-day.
After this came the examination Of witnesses.
The first one called was
ALBERT R. BLouNT,
Witness lived In Natchitoches since March. 1883.
Has been a member of the Legislature. Was
In Natchitoches on the twenty second Of Sep
iember. Was compelled to leave Was taken
from his house by Mr.. Cunningham and others.
Al about u O'Clock as near as can say. there
was news brought that we had better disperse.
or the Democrats would break up our meeting.
wanted to leave, but ordered those who were
there not to 60 away. IS j did not believe they
would come in open daylight. Alter the meet
Ing had closed walked out. and saw three men
on horseback, and asked what was the matter
They said: Better get away: because the
Democrats are coming to hang negro leaders"
Irode along to Mrs. Philipp's house. at the end
Of Jefferson street. and met Judge Plerson. He
was ahead OF body of men. l spoke to him
lhe used to speak to me-. butI saw in his face
that something was wrong. Rode back toward
the graveyard. and l saw women running and
screaming, Go home.7 Was uneasy. Passed
the church, and saw another crowd running
and screaming. Reached my house, JumLed
from my horse. and went through the gate.
Some people followed me. My wife asked what
was the matter. People were screaming, Blunt
will be killed" Some wantedguns. / had three
shotguns and two pistols and one Winchester
rife.
Ali the negroes we're frightened and uneasy. =.
and said the Democrats wanted to kill them.
They said that Breda would be hung by the
whites.
Mr.. Beckwith objected to any hearsay evidence
and asked that the witness be required to state
only what he knew personally. The witness
was then examined as to the occurrences at his
house when the crowd of white men came to
take him out. The details OF the affair have
already been published. but they are interest
Mem marched up to my horse on Second
Il did not hear. Then heard him call On me to
come out. There was good dial of excite
ment Mr.. JAS; Little said he would bring me
out / ordered my wife to prevent anybody
from entering the house. l then went Ia the
lrtper story, locked the doors. and got through
atrap-door to the garret. The trap door is over
the tester of my wite's bed. and is about ten
feet from the floor. l had my nistols with me
and my wife handed me my Winchester riff.
More men gathered around the house. | heard
Mr. Cunningham say had to surrender The
crowd broke into the house and began hunting
Tor me.
handed presentment to the Judge. AID were
Blunt resuming-There was much excite
m tha o. lMmDBH m
yard, and Cunningham ordered them not to
shoot be called his men and told them to obey
Jack Ranye. as he Cunningham was going
When saw It was no use to resist. surren-
dered on being assured that my IKE would bs
saved I did not wish to die In that way and
feared that my wife and daughter would be
hurt II l resisted. When | was G 'iied OUT mr.
Tranmell said. Come out Blount: W want Z
two Jews, Caspari and Moses, who were Ia the
crowd. but who did not seem TO nave any
weapons. ho,,na
my arms and marched me down stairs: TX
turned me towards the crowd and was anNi+e ntted
e leave Che parish. the State and emsn the n'e
as has property and business here and I've Wo9lr fpr
Ike to settle my affairs before going; ASK ior
Mo or three days Cunningham atd saie res z had
said no am sure would have b. en- murdered.
nr. Ranye asked me what did with my az q ms. -
sHnningham sni said 1t was nc aHor mme 10 of Na'ahi
~,
toches. came up and seemed to approve OF ne tne
Proceedings OF the crowd. Mr.; Bayne ana MT
Zines said that 1 would not be hurt. was
nken to the courthouse and put into tne
snsrifrs office. Six men were detailed y ~ WatcI
me. and there We're wo at each door. ashou ,ho
some Of them what had dom. They SAID tney
0id not know; that they had nothing aRaiaS;, y
me, but had been appointed TO watch me. anu l.
was their duty to do so.
Billy Smith said tnat he would risk his lie
~ protect me. and Bill Carver said the same
tapg, ! then found ont that they had potRlne