The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-06-04

situated ON the Long Lake plantation.
and find that the general opinion OF the
persons residing in the vicinity OF the
said plantation is thai the burning was
the work of an incendiary, but they find
no clue to the perpetrators of the act.
Unsupported that the property destroyed
was fully covered by insurance.
/, In conclusion Judge Bridger says; =
have conversed with an eyewitness OF
the burning of the Heath gin and The
circumstances attending It, and am
fully convinced that the property was
burned to get the insurance money.
The foreman of the jury informed me
that, while they could not get sufficient
evidence to authorize them to find bill,
yet be was fully persuaded and con-
WINGED in his own mind that the prop
erty was burned to obtain the Insurance
money. This is the general opinion OF
those in the parish who are acquainted
with the facts. Indeed, / think evil
dence had been obtained sufficient to
Justify the Grand Jury at the July term
in finding q bill. Our jurors are DIS
posed to perform their duties regard
less of persons, as two convictions Tor
arson were made at the January term.
There are mortgages on record against
Heath's property in this parish to the
amount of 81, 283.29. learn, but l
cannot say that it is true, that the prop
erty burned was insured for $1,000.
Appraisers appointed and sworn to nix
its value since the fire with the view
of collecting the insurance inform me
that they liked its value at 81, 400.
Heath says he has 1000 acres
valued at, including buildings, $zo,-
600. His assessment shows $50 acres.
valued at. including buildings. $2,500.
He intimates that he had large stock
at the time of the fire. The appraise-
ment of the cash value OF the merchau-
disc or stock in trade was $4O0. and l
am informed by the Sheriff and others
familiar with his business that he never
had large stock on hand, and that at
| the time Of the fire the stock was much
smaller. His statements are totally
false and SANDER on the people OF our
parish. With the exception of an oc-
casional personal difficulty among the
colored people themselves in the ward,
and larceny cases, there has been nc
outrage or crime committedin the ward,
With the exception of larceny, it is 9
peaceable and law-abiding ward, and
the colored people in the ward, except
those who live and deal with Heath, are
prosperous and happy and are making
money. Those who work with and deal
with Heath are in debt and do not seem
to prosper like those who have not had
dealings with him"
The above statement of Judge Bridg.
er-except his conversation with eye
!. witnesses, which they did not hear.
Endorsed by other parish officials and
prominent citizens.
Judge Bridger statement is accom-
panied by the following:
"COLUMBIA. La. April ~, lSsO
am a Republican, and have been one since
the war. was born in this parish in ~; an
q lawyer; voted for General Grant twice, wa
Parish Juoge of 0uachita Parish, La, from
. 1s70 to 1873 under the appointment OF Govern
or Warmoth; became resident OF Saidwel
Parish in the month of September, 1915; set
/ tied In Columbia and know the place owne'
by Mr.. Heath. There has been no more quie
parish in politics than Caldwell; everything
Tor years past has been conducted on AMIGA
BILE principles so far as politics Is involved
Every man In this parish can freely speak ri
political sentiments without fear OF moiesta
lion. No mans property IL endangered OF
account of his political feelingsl
ROBERT j.. CALDWELL