The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-22
THE YAZOO TRAGEDY.
The Facts Concerning the Killing
of Henry M. Dixon.
A Purely Personal Difficulty Ia wv hich
o. Violent and Dangerous
Man Was Killed.

young gentleman, q native and resIden
of this city, Of tho most unimpeachable chal
aeter, returned here yesterday from visit t
Iazoo City. Having been there during tE
recent tragedy, which resulted in the KILN
Of Henry M. Dixon, q man who had becom
notorious throughout the country. he yolur
teered to give the representative OF the Dem
oGRAT an account Of transaction whic
has been grossly miarepresented iG tn
Northern and Western papers rs q murdc
growing out OF political differences, ans con
demned as az outrage.
1t appears that the excitement attendan
upon tho extraordinary political course and
| condgct OF Dixon, who had stfenRousl.
| attempted to array the negroes against thu
whites, and to conduct the campaign On thu
race issue had measurably abated, and that
his party Of independents were to mee.., and
did probably meet, on the day following, ant
that there was neither thought nor fec, o
disturbance on that account.
The killing grew out OF a personal an'mos
lily entertained by Dixon against Mr.. Janee
A. Barksdale, whom Dixon had reason to be-
that seriously affected his character for hog
esty. He frequently threatened Barksda!es
life, and us he had in January, 1873, kiIleo
Samuel Harrison In the streets Of Yazoo City
for precisely similar reasons, his threats had
considerable Significance. So much 50, la.
deed, that Barksdae was fully satisfied Of
DiXon's intention to assail him, and remarked
to The DEMOCRATS informant that he did not
H. hat hnt hot t,f,IS a
killed by Dixon in alnbuscade, and that from
he bad received the difficulty
would eliminate Ia very few days.
On Tuesday, the nineteenth Instant, he was
told to be on his guard, as Dixon meant TO
kill him that day, and he accordingly prel
pared himself.
About o'clock q. M, In the heart Of the
business portion Of the city, on Main street,
the two men encountered each other. and the
report ID that Barksdale. addressing Dixon,
said: eve will settle our difficulty now"
The evidence RS to
WHO DREW FIRST
Is conflicting. and probably will not he defin-
teIy ascertained until the testimony Is taken
1t the trial, but after an exchange OF five
shots, Of which Dixon fired three and Barks-
lale two, the former fell mortally wounded
Ind expired about O'Clock p. M 1t Is a some
what a remarkable fact that he fell on almost |
he precise spot upon which his victim OF the
year before had fallen.
Dixon was a gambler by profession and a |
desperate violent man. and on several occa-
'fOns announced in the presence OF a number |
II gentlemen that he would not hesitate to
Jack jury, If necessary. to acquit friend.
This too, while he was candidate for the |
,ffice OF sheriff.
At mass meeting OF the Democrats Of
lazoo, held on the fifteenth OF August, they
made lengthy declaration setting forth
heir objections to the man, and, among other
Kings, said
Here then. we have a man who is candidate
or sheriff Of our county who publicly az
himself base enough to pack q Jury
3 acquit friend will DO the same thing to con
let an enemy. Or all the officers In the county
he sheriff has most to do with the grand and
etit Juries. he has access to them at all times
- has every opportunity to corrupt them, If he
) base enough to do SO. Dixon admits he is
use se enough end shall We allow him to get into
ernol basenoss? We beIieve he 1aoI Is Al
7o1derer sn Peasp psv. By the :, eHsef
y coen we believe that Dixon a ms mura
II; Samuel Harrison II cold blood. The mayor
Yazoo CITY. Me-: J. 81 Holt, thought SO aud
ldge. Hon s. s. Cahoon. thought SO and a, l ra
handed him to Jail without bail. For months |
Z, flied felons cell. aid We believe that hs {
My escaped felon's doom and felon's death
" want OF intel igence and yrtu3 in the jury
lat tried him. !
Dixon was about thirty eight years Of age
nd leaves a widow and six children. His
life is most estlmable lady, belonging to /
4 old and respected family in Yazoo, and she
as the profound sympathy of the entire
immunity in her trouble. z
Mr. Jas. A. Barksdale Is a young man about I
lirty years OF age and enjoys the reputation :
q peaceful and good citizen. There are
one who stand higher in the community, 7
Id no one laments more than himself the !
fortunate difficulty which was thrust upon :
m, and which it was impossible for him to
Id dangerous foe, who held human life In a
ght estimation.
This affair has been most shamefully mis-
and it is but just to the people of =
400 that a correct account Of the matter be
lblished in vindication Of their name as
,aceable and law-abiding citizens The t
EMoCRAT Is pleased to be able to perform
Is service for them. ii