The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-03-05
THE SHOT GUN POLICY.
Democratic Confession of Crimes in
mississippi

Democratic Confession OF Crimes IN
Mississippi.
New ORLEANS, February 27.-Per-
haps the most convincing evidence
of conspiracy to murder Republi-
eau voters IN COpiah County has
been furnished by the Democratic
witness. Meade, editor and chair
man of the Democratic Convention
who led the mob, after alluding
to the mob as made up of taxpayers
and good men as CUplah could boast
said that, at his request. it was
agreed not to modest Matthews fam
lily. Ware, 4 reputable merchant,
testified few days ago that a can
non was fired to announce to neigh
boring voting places the mudrer OF
Matthews. Meade denies this.
"How could |, a." he innocently asked
when | had no knowledge that
Matthews was tV be shot ?" He ad-
mitted 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 muir
der of Matthews were adopted He
started that he approved them all
and laid it down as a part of his
POLITICAL ethics that when a large
majority ofthe people do not know
what officers it is best for them to
elect it is preferable to use force
rather than allow the majority to
rule. Disguised at this witness
statements, member of the con-
mittee thought to recall him
to himself by asking, did yeu APP
prove of the action of the mohs?"
Meade quietly made answer, We'll
that depends entirely upon cirCum-
stances" At this Mr.. Hoar, who
had been doing the cross questioning
said he had nothing more to ask
from him.
! WHAT THE SHERIFF DID NOT DO.
Hargraves, the sheriff, first told
Mr.. salisbury that he had done his
whole duty to keep the peace. Then
Senator Frye took him in hand. Mr..
Frye has done very little cross ques-
tioning, but whenever he has the
atrocity OF these murders has been
fully set forth. Hargraves said he
had heard nothing of mobs marau
ding until the Saturday night be-
fore election, though its work was a
matter of common talk in other
counties.
The shooting and beating of The
negroes had not reached this vigil
ant sheriff's ears although SEINE of
the cases had been carried to the
grand jury in vain. Saturday night
Hargraves was given warrants for
about twenty five ring leaders in the
mob and commanded to serve them.
Matthews alsJ appealed to him for
protection. Hargraves waited un-
Ill Monday and then sent a deputy
to arrest these rioters. The deputy
served the warrants Oh about TWEEN
" of the mob. and from each one,
by Hargraves' instructions, he took
personal reC0gnlzance to appear
after election and then set them free.
This was done without taking them
before a magistrate or diyesting
them of their arms. Hargraves met
two of them in the street ard per
formed the same farce. That's
n pretty way" exclaimed Senator
Frye.
HOW WHEELER WAS TREATED.
Monday, as the mob came march
ing into Hazlehurst, Hargraves met
it. In the ranks were a score of
men under bonds to keep the peace.
He merely asked them not to injure
any women or child and then went
away. He knew of their having pos
session of the town and of his death
warning to Matthews, but did moth
ing. Does not the law give you the
power to call out posse comitatus?n
inquired Mr.. Frye. Hargraves admit
ted that it did. "Well, after Mat
thews had been murdered what did
you do?' he was was asked. He
replied that after the murder,
Wheeler came to him saving that he
had shot Matthews. He did not
put Wheeler in Jail, but kept him
in the street until justice of the
peace could be found to bail him.
He did not take the gun away from
the murderer, because the latter said
he wanted to keep it, so the sheriff
allowed him to do so and after half
an-hour's nominal detention let him
go.
Did you let him keep his gun to
murder some one else?' asked SEN
a.or Frye. The Sheriff nodded as
sent. That's all | want to know
about you" was the impulsive re-
ply. The warrants issued for the
arrest of the mob have never been
returned, nor has any one of them
for whom he held warrant been
brought before a magistrate. In
answer to Mr.. Frye's hot question
this unique sheriff swore that out
rage which he had thus allowed to
go on had helped swell his majority
for reelection, though he expected
to win any way. Scathing
was Mr.. Frye in his cues
tions to Hargrave.