The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30

SHEfByvifl.E. Ind. Aprl5
For several DAYS past the Democrats
Of this city have been Of the belief that
the Republican leaders II Shelby County
were importing negroes into the city for
the purpose II carrying the election
here at all hazards A dozen strange
negroes were seen ON the streets last
Sunday. in company with Republicans
here. who were drilling them tor the
election to-day. Several negroes were
brought from Seymour NJ a late hour on
Saturday night. and distributed here
and in Washington Township. this
county. Republicans openly said that
they Intended To vote these paupers, re-
gar,Iless Of public sentiment and over
the wishes Of Democrats. and threatened
Ia knife any one who should object TO
their scheme TO carry the township.
The boldness Of Republican leaders Ia
thus carry the election by intimidation
and fraud was lhe greatest outrage Of
modern times, and stamps that party.
for all time TO come as the most corrupt
the world has ever seem
Republicans went secretly armed TO
the polls contemplating murder. il nee
esSary 10 carry out their designs. The
Democrats. however. 81 old Shelby,
being a. true A. the needle to the pole,
determined that no negro should vote
who was not known 10 be LEGAL voter.
and in solid phalanx they stood 10
guard the ballot boxes from the helliSh
designs Of their opponents. About eley-
en- o'clock colored boy not over eigh-
teen years Of are was marched 10 the
polls by Government officials and Re-
publican desperadoes. and an attempt
was made TO vote him. but the Demo
Gratis challenged his vote. and then the
entire Republican forces rallied to the
negro's relief. The negro was q mere
stripping. and had never been seen in
the county before. ard was total
stranger TO the negroes themselves
| Republicans threatened violence unless
the negro was permitted to vote, but
the Democrats were not 10 be bull
dOzed. and gave the lawless element
led by Republicans here 70 plainly I'M
derstand that their negro pet was one
~ = gang OF imported cattle and
should not vote The negro finally left
the polls. and publicly said that he did
not want 10 vote anyhow. Dut had been
coaxed To attempt the act BY Republic
cans. who assured him that he would
not b. prosecuted
In the afternoon another negro made
his appearance n the polls with large
knife drawn, and threatened 70 kill
any Democrat who should challenge his
vote. and went about the yard threaten
ing Democrats with violence. and said
that he came from North Carolina TO
vote. and he would vote. He was very
soon interviewed. and when II Was a.
certained that he had been imported
bv the Republicans 20 vote, ne was
driven from the grounds By Infatuated
Democrats. A Republican bully BY the
name Of Kennedy was armed with a
! large club which he had prepared him
behind Mr. T. Il. Amsden. County
. Treasurer. struck him heavy blow on
! the head. which knocked that gentle
! man down. Mr.. Amsden was carried
: to the Sheriff residence, where med
I cal aid was rendered him by DIR. j. I.
Maddox and at this writing l. in a crit
ical condition.
The affair was disgraceful. but the
entire blame i due To the Republicans
: who attempted to vote North Carolina
2 negroes. who were not legal voters A
I nice party. indeed, to talk Of the purity
( Of elections
There was deliberate purpose on th'
: part of Republicans 10 get up quar-
q rel. and 70 have Mr.. Amsirn 70 en-
! gage in il. and then 10 kill him bcfor'
I the fight was over Those North Caro-
2 lima negroes brought into Shelby Coun
~ to vote the Republican ticket have
been given 10 understand that they
cannot thus invade our soil and cas-
= Illegal votes--Spsciai TO Indiana Sen
4 timed