The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-28

SOUTHERN OUTRAGES.
The Mississippi Mur.erers-
FACES Brought Out by Senator Frye.

The Mississippi Muir.
Facts Breught Out by senator Frye.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 26.-Among the interesting
witnesses yesterday before the House committee
were Hargreaves, sheriff of'Copah county, Meade,
editor, and chairman of the Democratic conven-
were Meade. editor and chairman of the Democrat
ic convention, who led the mob; Hargraves, the
sheriff, who allowed these crimes to go on With no
real desire or intention to stop them; and Sexton,
a young lawyer, engaged by the Democrats of Co
piah to make the best showing for them before the
committee One other, an old man named Morti-
mer, appeared to be an oldtime Republican of the
Alcorn era, to read document, In which he praised
the Democracy, with whom he is now acting to the
SKIES and denounced the independent movement in
Mississippi as unworthy of confidence. Meade, the
official head of the Copiah Democracy, had the fur
tive look peculiar TO most of the poung lawyers who
have appearei before the committee and evidently
intended to show that it would take pretty smart
man to trip him up. He promised by saying that he
never encouraged lawlessness. The day b fore the
election Mathews asked him to protect the formers
family from the mob, and Meade, knowing that he
had great influence with that body, consented
"Did you offer to protect Malhews?" he was
asked.
Mathews said the men would protect themselves.
and told him, You will play hi at that " AS
editor of the paper he had said nothing about the
outrages going o. did he comment upon the
murder OF Mathews at the polls. 1T never oc-
CURED to me to do so,' he inforned Mr. Hoar.
After alluding to the mob m Ade uD of tax-pay-
ers, and good men Copiah could boast, he said
that at his req uest it was agreed to molest
Mathews family. Ware, a respectable merchant,
testified few days ago that Meade told him that
cannon was used to announce 10 neghboring voting
places the murder If Mathews Meaae denied this.
"How could - he innocently asked, "when had
no knowledge that Mathews was to be shot?' He
admitted that it was done by pre-arranged signal
to summon the armed Democrats from all the sur
rounding country. Meade presided at the meeting
when the resolutions upon the death OF Mathews
were adopted. He stated that he approved them
ALL and laid down as part of his political ethics
that when a large mai ritv do
know what officers it is best for them elect it is
preferable to use force rather than allow the ma
Disgnsted at this wtness's Statements a member
of the committee thought to recall him to himself
by asking, "Did you approve of the action of the
mob?''
Meade quietly made answer, well that depends
entirely upon circumstances"
AT this Mr.. Hoar who had been doing the cross-
questioning, said he had nothing to ask from
him.
Hargraves. the sheriff, frst told Mr.. Salisbury
that he had done his Vhoe duty 10 keep the teace
Then Senator Frye took him in hand. Mr. FRYE
has done very little Gro s-questioning. Whenever
he has the a,rocity OF these murders has been fully
brought forth Hargraves said he had heard no hing
of the m bis marauding until the Saturday night
before election, though its work matter of
common talk in other counties. The shooting and
beating of the negroes had not reached this vgant
sberiffs ears, although of tue had been
carried to the grand jlry in vain. Saturday night
Ha' graves was given warrants for about rs ring
leaders in the mob, and commanded to serve them.
Mathews also appealed to him for protection. Har-
e q
those rioters. The deputy serve he war
rants about 20 of the mob. From each ons by
Harg aves's Instructions, he took personal recog-
nzance to appear after election and then set them
free. This was done without taking them before
magistrate or divestng them of their arms. Har-
graves met two of hem in the street and per-
formed the same farce.
"That's pretty way exclaimed Senator Frye.
Monday as the mob came IN Arching iuto Hazel
hurst, Hargraves met it; in the ranks score
of men under bonds to keep the peace He merely
asked them NIT to injure any women nor children
and then went his way. He knew of their having
| rant to Mathews, but did nothing.
"Do y not nave the power to call out a posse
comitatus, - inquired MIR. Frye.
| Hargraves admitted that be did.
"Well, after Mathews had been murdered. what
did you do?'' he was askei
He replied that after the murder Wheeler me
10 him saying that he had shot Mathews. He did
not put Wheeler in JAIL but kept him in he street
until justice OF the peace could be found to bail
m He did not take the gun away from the muir
derer because the latter SAID he wapte to keep it,
So The sue iH allowed him to, and after half an
| hours nominal detention, let him 60 home
did you let him keep his gun to murder some
one elseS asked Mr. Frye.
| The sheriff nodded assent.
That's all / want to know about you,'' was the
impulsive reply.
The warrants issued for the arrest OF the mob he
has never returned neither has any of them for
whom he held warrant been brought before .
magistrate.
| In answer to Mr.. Frye's hot questions, this
unique sheriff swore that the 0utrages which he
had thus allowed to 20 on had helped swell his
jority for reelection though he expected to win
anyway. So scath ng was Mr.. Frye in his ques
| tious To HarAraves that when the sheriff who al
lowed NOES to enter the town condition or their
sparing the families of their political opponents
concluded his testimony Senator Salisbury rose to
express his opinion thaG Hargraves had performed
| his duty. Thus vindicated the latter retired.