The Portland daily press., 1884-02-18
MISSISSIPPI oUTRAGRs.
Investigating the Copiah County Murders
Testimony Before the Committee.

Investigating the C0piah County Murders
-Testinony Before the Committee.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 16.-The sub-Senate
committee on elections met yesterday. The
first witness was Leon H. Mathews, brother of
j. P. Mathews, killed at Hazslhurst, Copiah
county. Deceased was candidate at the
election on November 7th. The parties cam
vassed the county. Clubs were organized by
the Democrats, who went AIMED. They mur-
dered some and whipped others. The day be-
fore election he saw an armed mob at Halle
hurst They sent to his brother, warning him
not to vote. Witness brother sold goods
throughout the country. Shots were fred
through the door by the meb. Erastus Wheel
or was friendly with his brother, and was at
his house before the election. As soon as the
polls opened his brother went to vote, and was
shot by Wheeler. Witness ran to the polls
and saw his brother lying dead. On the way
to the place, he met Wheeler and other armed
men. Witness gave the names of persons in
the mob, among them that of J. L. Mead,
chairman of the Democratic committee of Co
piah county. Witness mentioned other as
saultS on colored men by the mob. These out
RACES had the effect OF driving the colored peo-
pie away from the polls.
Cross-examined by Senator Jones: The Re-
publicans were all armed. He and his brother
had pistols. He did not see anybody killed or
whipped. He did not meet armed bands bat
heard OF them. During the canvass no vio-
lence was offered to witness or his family, but
they received warning.
John M Mathews, son of the Mathews
killed, testified that committee presented
resolution threatening all the members of the
family including the women and children.
A. w. Burnett, chairman of the independ-
ent committee of Copiah committee confirmed
the previous testimony.
The investigation was continued today. A.
w. Hurnett, chairman of the independent ex-
ecatiye committee of Copiah county, substan-
TALLY corroborated the testimony of l.. w.
Mathews, given yesterday: that several col
ored men had been killed and others sho. and
whipped by bands of armed Democrats after
being shot. He was advised not to return to
Hazelhurst. He believed if he did he would
be killed. Repu biicsn speeches made during
the campaign were not infiammatory.
Mrs Mathews, widow of j. P. Mathews,
testified that she and her husband were born
and raised in Copiah county: she is now living
in Oxford and will not return to Hazslhursf
although her husbands property is there.
On the day before the November election an
armed mob passed her house, McCree came
back and presented resolution stating that
the best interests would be subseryed if her
husband abstained from voting. Mathews re-
piled he had as good right to vote as any
one and intended to exercise it. Her husband
was kind, generous and charitable and con-
tributed literally to the churches No one
ever came to him for assistance and went
away Without it. He also spoke kindly of his
neighbors and she knew no reason for, the
killing other than political. Saw the mob cleo
tion day after her husband had been murdered;
Some came and stood about the yard while
others heard the band playing, were firing
guns and seemed to enjoy themselves.
Miss Mary Mathews, Miss Jennie Mathews
and s. S. Mathews, children of j. p. Math-
ews, corroborated the testimony of their
mother.