The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-02-21
Single Copies of the Journal
The Southern Outrages.

The Senate subcommittee are investigating
at panville, Va, the negro massacre at that
place prior to the late election, and at New
orleans the murder of Matthews in C0pah
county, Mississippi. The facts thus far de-
veloped fully substantate the accounts already
published of these outrages and the additional
details presented only serve to further en-
phasiZe their enormity. 1t is in evidence that
the negroes shot down at Danville were I'M
armed; and that in consequence of the riot the
coIored people agreed among themselves not to
vote at the election, three days later, fearing
violence. That is Just tn effect the Bourbons
desired TO produce, and they took care that this
fear was not confined to the colored voters of
Danyille. There was both murder and intim-
idation at Danvie, and it is apparent that both
were premediatcd and prearranged.
The killing of Matthews Of course admits of
nc defence. 1t was plainly political murder.
The first witness before the committee was l..
II. Matthew'S of IIazelhurst, the brother and
partner of the murdered man. He was "A can
didatr for Sheriff of Copiah county last fall
and made a personal canvass which indicated
an Independent majority, yet the votes were
counted to give Democratic majority of over
1000 During the canvass an armed mob, to
the number of 80 patroled the county, break
Ing up the Independent meetings and lust
prior to election, shooting, whipping, and
burning Matthews testified from his per-
sonal knowledge, of several instances where
men We're whipped, and he himself saw the
If al NalIn I,-,
Just after he was shot and killed. Two days
before election this mob rode into HazelhurSt
and We're addressed by Congressman Banks
dale, after which they sent delegation to the
house Of Matthews with note ordering him
not To vote The failure to obey their mandate
cost Matthews his life. A few days prior to
election the mob burned colored church at
Iiazelhur-t, in which the Independents had
started a club. Matthews testified further
that his brother was shot on the morning
Of election day, just he was voting, by
Era>tuS Wheeler. one of the armed gang
who had been patrollng the county. He
emptied both barrels of shot gun into Mat
thews' breast. After Matthews was killed the
mob held the streets all day, Wheeler and
otlltt3 Win guns. eScOfTln9 C0lOreu men TO the
polls. A public meeting was afterward held
and the resolutions We're passed which We're
delivered to Matthews lust after the burial of
his brother. No mention was made of the af
far i'll The Copiah papers, save a mention of
Matthew's death, and they were quiet as to ali
of Che outrages. Matthews testified positively
that hi, brother had no personal difficulty with
Wheeler and was shot solely for refusing to
Obey he dictates Of the mob As to his voting
The mob had given out that they would carry
the election anyway, if il took shot guns to 10
il. The effect of the killing of Matthews was
hardly any independent vote. No attempt has
been made TO prosecute Wheeler. He surren-
dercd himself 10 the Sheriff Immediately after
the shooting and was placed under bonds, and
hH, since been chosen CITY Marshal This
evidence has been corroborated by other wit
nesses. i fair presentation Of the case. and
shows how Democratic victories are won in
the South.