The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1890-06-19
Grim Measures Taken in Lou
isiana to Discourage the
Rechartering Project.
George Swayze, a Custom House on
Ger and Ex-State Senator, Hanged
to q Tres.
The Trouble With the cheyennes on
a Fair Way Of Adjustment The
News in General.


NEW OnLnASs, juno ia
Grim measures have been taken 10 dis-
courage the Louisiana lottery recharterinR
project. From tree In East Felicjans
Parish Sunday might there dangied ths
body Of George swayxs, custom house
officer and an ex-state senator, and meet
ing OF negroes, called together to listen 70
arguments favoring the lottery, vas with
out o leader. Swsyze was well educated
negro, and had been prominent 20 q r.
publican politician for years. The lottery
bosses issued an infiammatory address to
the negroes Of East Fsliciana, where thu
election for senator came OF Tuesday,
and sent II for distribution into that par
ish. Swayze had charge of the mat
ter, and obtained leave Of absence for d
week from the customs department. The
district whsre the election took place IL
composed Of the parishes OF East and
West Felicisna. East Feliciana had one
more vote In the district convention than
West Feliciana, and could have nominated
any candidate it chose but for an agree
ment male six years ago that the district
Offices should be divided. and that the sem
ator should be named by West FelioiAna.
Here the sentiment is pro-lottsry, while In
East Felicisna IL Ii anti-lottery. Eotwith-
standing the agreement, East Felioizna re-
fused 10 allow the sister parish to name
the man, and, ~ q consequences, each
parish nominated q candidate. East Fes
liciana's was Decker, an anti-lottery man,
and West Fsliciana's Irvine.
The negroes Ia West Feliciana favor the
lottery, but In East Fshciana II was sup
posed that the negroes would Do influenced
by their white neighbors. To prevszt this
Swayze went through East Felieiana, dis
sributing the following circular among the
negroes:
An Address 20 Coiored People OF kAst Fs-
election to be bald ora Tuesday, june IA, a. Of
no interest 70 ron. On the contrary friends Of
ths lottery and snti-lotfery factfons sesm 70 be
edonlx nn nssa ..ns.f &C. s. 49, =. 49,.
Ii strictly faetional night amongst democrats
we adyfss all colcred people 10 abstaln frurn
voting. thereby leaving the settlement % the
democrats and &iforfing them chanse 70 ar
range their own differences. By order OF the
oommittes tn West Fssloiana.
Swayxs was arrested Sunday afternoon
as suspicious person, but the oficsrs
we're al once surrounded by mob Of white
men, including many prominent residents.
The PRISONER was seized aud told TO pre-
pare for death. The offensive circulars
wers taken from bis pocket and burned,
sweyze shaking with apprehension as he
saw In every move OF his captors evidence
Of their vengeful disposition.
Az the bundle OF paper crumbled to
ashes rope was produced and o moose
thrown about the negro's neck. The
leader of the mob approached him and
asked IL he remembered warnings against
entering the parish that had been given
him. Without waiting tor M answer the
signal was given 10 trio of men who
stood with one end OF the rope In their
hands. The rope was cast over limb,
there was tug and q gasp OF horror, and
swayxe hung ten feet above the ground
writhing in the agoniss of strangulation.
His legs had not been pinioned. and his
struggles were viptsnt, but tong before he
Was dead the last of his executioners had
disappeared.
The caution Swayze had failed 10 regard
was sent out by East Feliciana parish
Wc8A 4&os Ane pcUp1e III A1ss moosah6
solemnly warned the world by resolution.
that attempts at bribery and masslng the
negroes against tho whites would be fol-
lowed by the prompt and stern punishment
Of the perpetrators. A copy Of the resolu-
tions was sent 10 John A. Morris by order
Of the meeting. Morris being the recognized
leader Of the lottery boomers.
Il Is claimed By those implicated In the
lynching that when Swayzs lived in West
Fslicisna fourteen pears ago be was sus-
psctsd OF the murder Of w. ID. Winters,
prominent lawyer OF thst parish, and two
other persons, and that he has been a fugi-
tive from justice since. In is certain. how
ever, that he has not made any efforts TO
secrste himself, for he has always been
prominent In poIities, and since his tcrm
In the state senate has been almost Icon-
slantly In the federal service. He could
have been arrested a. any time hada charge
been made against him.