The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-26
NEGROES ARE
BACKED BY
u. S. ATTORNEY
VIII Be Assisted to Maintain
Rights Against Whites
WHO THREATEN SAFETY
Horace Speed Answers Appeal
Made by New Countryman.

Guthrie, o. T., Oct, 2.-Horace Speed,
United States district attorney, has re-
ceived a letter from S. ". Thompson
of Ardmore, Indian Territory, who is a
coIored man, stating that he has home
Eteaded in the new country, but that he
and other men have been threatened and
notified that they and their families would
have to leave their claims and the. coun-
try. Similar reports have been received
from negroes living in the vicinity of
Bridgeport. where it is alleged that a
negro win rot he allowed in town after
eight o'clock at night. Mr. Speed has
written letter TO Mr.. Thompson, and it
contains one Of the most important an
nouncements that has been sent from the
United states Attorneys Office. The let
ter IS as follows:
Guthrie, o. r., Oct o 1901
s. W Thompson. Ardmore, J. T.
Sir:-Your letter of the 23rd inst, say
sng YOU ard other colored men have home
steads in the Kiowa and ComaEche coun-
try. and that some men there have no.
titled you that you would have to leave
your claims and leave that country, be-
cause you are negroes, and those men do
not propose to have negroes in that coun-
try. and asking what protection can be
given YOU, is received.
By section $685. Revised Statutes Of the
United States
"If two or more persons conspire TO
injure. oppress. threaten or intimidate
amy citizen ID the free exercise or enjoy
ment of any right or privilege secured
to him ly the constitution or laws Of
tho United States, or because Of his hay
Ing so exercised the same. or if TWO or
more persons so I'm disguise on the high
way. or on the premises Of another. with
intent TO prevent or hinder his free ex-
ercise or enjoyment of any right or priv
lIege so secured. they shall be fined not
more than FIVE thousand dollars and i'm
prisoned not more than ter years; and
shall. moreover be thereafter Ineligible
to any Office or place of honor, protitor
trust created by the constitution or laws
OF the United States.
Men have been sent TO the penitentiary
from this territory in former years for
the violation Of this statute and win be
sent again if the statute is violated and
the evidence is produced against them.
II any attempt or threat, OF any such
conspiracy is formed, or made, and the
proper evidence is produced. I viii prose
cute those men. send the leaders to the
penitentiary. and ask tho interior depart
ment to have every homestead entry Of
every man engasen in the crime Cancelled.
The government does not give home
eteads to men who viii turn around and
violate it's law at once nor to allow any
one 20 enter into a conspiracy TO violate
the laws. SUCH men do not belong on
honesteads. but in tho penitentiary.
II You. ar the other men YOU mention,
7viu furnish me the evidence your letter
indicates. I wiz have special agents sent
at once to investigate the cases; and If
the charge is sustained by the evidence. I /
viii have tho men bound over TO the Uni
ted States grand jury. and request the /
cancellation Of their homestead entries 4
Crimes Of this class win be thoroughly in /
vestgated and thoroughly prosecuted.
Very respectfully,
HORACE SPEED. q. 5. Attorney.