National Republican., 1883-12-12

will be subserved by Print Matthews absenting
himself from the polls on election day
Therefore, DC II rcso!rcd, that Pint Matthews be
ordered TO keep within his own enclosures TO.
morrow Adopted by citizens of Copah county
This the fifth day of November, 1883.
After reading the note my husband told
McLemore that he was free man, and bad
as much right TO vote asany of them and that.
he would exercise the right.
Mr.. Barksdale speeches, especially the ono
at night was well calculated to encourage
violence. He told them among other things
to carry tho election If they had to do it at
the muzzle of their guns. This was heard by
all and fully talked about. I have read n
denial of il by some one for him, but Mr..
Barksdale is too bold and too truthful man
to deny 1t himself
"On the morning of tho election we wero
oil in deep trouble. Mr. Matthews ate no
breakfast but after II was over, replying TO
his brother Leon, he said, Yes, will vote
and went to his store, situated near tho polls.
! never saw him again In life, but faithful
and truthful friends have told me the horrors
that followed.
"The room in which the election was held
is about hundred yards from our house. IL
has cellar, which is entered by trap door
from the inside. When the polls were opened
my husband went to them with q handful of
tickets, where he found Wheeler, who was
to act as democratic challenger, and
the officers of the election. Very few
others were anywhere visible. He
saw no gun, but II was there setting in
gun box. As my husband came into the room
he and Wheeler met and had conversation;
and ali say they were not only friendly but
pleasant. In few moments my husband
said, Well, l have always voted last, but this
time l will vote first and Wheeler said,
Pint. would not vote if was you The
reply was, / have n right to voto-as much
right as any of you-and l intend to do SO :
fal Oh IN, hfc riubt bon hn
approached the polls. One of tho officers re-
ceived the ticket, dropped it in the box, called
his name, and said voted and rs my husband
turned from the box Wheeler fired both bar
rols of his gun, the charges striking him
in the neck and breast, and killing him
instantly. As he sank to the floor pistol
he had in his pocket was driven out by the
fall and fell on tho floor. In moment a
number OF armed men came into the room
through the trap door in the cellar and sur.
rounded Wheeler. The front door was then
locked and Wheeler and his friends passed
out at the back door. My daughter heard
the report of the gun, and, realizing its inn
port, ran to the place. His brother Leon
reached there about the same time and, find
ing the door locked, broke il down to reach
his murdered brother.
THE tool of the democratic leaders, ap-
pointed to do this work of blood, Immediately
became lion, and was placed in command Of
the mob. The news was sent in hot haste to
oil the voting places in the county, which,
with threats and demonstrations of violence
had the effect shown by tho returns of the
election. And, although no independent or
republican had committed or threatened any
violence at any time, Sheriff Hargraves tele-
graphed Gov. Lowry for troops. Instead of
sending them, he sent arms and ammunition
for distribution among the infuriated
mob, which was done under the direction of
the murderer, Wheeler. This sheriff and
this governor were appealed to only the day
before by law-abding citizens to interfere
and protect the people in their rights, and
they turned deaf ear to the appeal; but
when the lawless mob, that had been for
weeks q terror to all good people, applied to
them for protection against the vengeance of
outraged people, which they expected and
deserved the governor used the first train
coming that way to send arms and ammuni-
ton to the mob. and thus assumed his share
q the responsibility of his party for tho ter
rblc crimes committed.
What followed has been pubished.-that
Is, the democratic meeting and its action,
placing mo and my children outside the pale
of tho law and forbidding under penalty of
death any opposition to the bourbon party:
and now am here as o temporary refuge for
my children. AS early as l can, / will select
"A home among strangers, whore my children
can enjoy the rights to which they were born,
and where l can enjoy whatever peace and
quiet may remain to me-"
None of the famous political murderers of
Mississippi have ever been punished, and not
all Of them even indicted, but all have been re-
waTded for their party service Barksdale,
who murdered Dixon, has been chancery
clerk, aud is now a member elect Of the Mis-
sissippi legislature. Gully, the leader of the
mob that assassinated Chisolm and his chill
dren, has since been n member of the legisla-
turc; and Wheeler. at the municipal election
following tho killing of Matthews,
came within three votes Of the nomi-
nation of his party for mayor,
and would have succeeded but for the efforts
of a few men who labored to save their town
such q scandal; but the first act of the new
board was to make Wheeler town marshal,
and his claim TO promotion cannot be denied.
While governors, sherifis, democratic chair
men. judges, and jurics show by their acts
that they are in sympathy with their great
crimes, IL Is due TO the people TO say that such
men do not hold office by the popular vote
but by the counting Of the outlaws who con-
troll the ballot boxes.