Year: 1875

The following is the statment of Judge
Dewing:


NEW ORLEANS, October Is, 1875.
Hon. C. C. Antoine, Acting Governor of the State


of Louisiana:


SIR-Agretable to your request by tele-
graph have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing statement connected with the open
ing and adjournment of the Fifth Judicial
District Court in and for the parish of East
Feliciana:


The court opened at 10 A. NJ, October Z,
the sheriff, Henry Smith, in attendance
The grand jury was impaneled, charged by
the court and retired to their room with the
district attorney, A. E. Read, Esq. The
civil and criminal dockets were then called
and cases assigned.


An appeal case from the parish court was
taken up, and the trial proceeding, when
the sheriff came into the court room, and in
loud voice, attracting the attention of the
court, seemed to be wrangling with some
person in the passage leading to the court
room. l directed him to keep order, as the
controversy in which he was engaged inter-
rupted the proceedings of the court. He
came within the bar and sat down. then
saw several persons in the doorway smok-
ing. with their hats on. l directed the
sheriff to request them to take seats within
the court room or to cease smoking and
take their hats off. They withdrew from
the door into the passage, beyond the view
of the court, the sheriff returning within
the bar.


The case on trial proceeded, and hearing
disturbance in the passage way, called
d. G. Hardee, Esq, to the bench, and said
to him, we must have order or the court
can not go on. He replied that from the
appearance of the crowd he saw about the
courthouse he thought it doubtful whether
Smith could keep order; that they were
persons not to be tritled with. l reioined,
you know better whether he can control
them or not. He then asked rue if l was
not aware of the opposition to Henry
Smith. replied that l had seen reports
in the newspapers. but could not believe
they were true. While this conversation
was going on, the sheriff left the court
room without my knowledge, and, as l was
atterward informed and believed, while
near the foot of the stairs was set upon by
the same persons with whom he was
previously disputing. He then ran into
the courthouse yard, and while there was
fired upon by the crowd. l should Judge
twenty pistol shots were fired | heard
come one remark in the courtroom that they
were shooting at Smith. Including the
members of the bar about twenty persons
were then in the courtroom. Looking into
the courtyard, saw Henry Smith limping
and an excited crowd talking to him. A
consultation took place between several
mem bers of the bar. citizens and myself;
some advised that the court adjourn sine
die, some an adjournment for few days,
others stating that with Smith as sheriff it
was impossible for the court to proceed
One gentleman gave as a reason why court
should adjourn sine die that if word should
go into the country that Smith had been
shot both whites and cOlored would flock
into town, and conflict would be inevita.
BILE; word OF adjournment would stop them.


l was reluctantly forced to the conclusion
that the business of the court could not be
proceeded with, its orders executed, or its
process enforced in the then temper of the
public mind, and decided to adjourn. A
deputy sheriff remaining in the courtroom,
resumed the bench and directed him to
adjourn the court sine die.


Subsequent to the adjournment, the gen.
tlemen present assured me that personally
l was in no danger; that no indignity was
intended or would be permitted; but for
fear some reckless person would offend they
prottered their protection. Stating that I
apprehended no danger, but if they thought
there was any danger l would accept their
aid, two or three members of the bar and
several citizens walked with me to my
hotel.


During the evening Colonel F. Powers,
soon after his arrival, called on me, stating
that he was authorized to say that if l
"ouiu opCu COuEt III INC u6 WOulu
have 100 picked men, if necessary, to pre-.
serve order and execute the process of the
court. stated that it was too late. Other
persons expressed regret at the adjourn
ment, stating that if Captain Fuqua had
been appointed deputy sheriff when the
court opened the disturbance would have
been avoided. During the night the streets
Of Clinton were patrolled by citizens, they
giving as reason the preservation of the
public peace. The next morning left by
the railroad for my residence in Iberville.
The district attorney left by the same train


This all occurred within my observation,
and, refraining from suggestion or COM
ment, 1 simply state facts.


have the honor to be; E yeTy nEw1Nps wyf1sNpseSttnlly'
Judge of the Fifth judicial District of


Louisiana.


The special dispatch to the REPUBLICAN,
from Baton Rouge, gives additional psrti-
culars of the arrest of John Gair. The
warrant held by Deputy Sheriff Woodward
was signed by John B. Lyons, parish Judge
of East Felicisna. 1t was shown to the
mayor and chief of police of Baton Rouge,
who had no power to inquire into criminal
case. Before the posse in charge left, Mr..
Gair spoke to Mr.. Reed, the district attor-
ney of the district. 1t was subsequently
learned that he was killed on the road to
Clinton. His friends have telegraphed for
his body, but the wires are reported down.


John Gair's wife is in Baton Rouge.


On the fourteenth thirty persons in dis.
guise attacked Mr.. Makes store, also Mr..
Ligan's, and burned the same under the
pretense of stopping the buying of seed
cotton. This party also made threats to
burn cotton gins and stores in Baton
Rouge. Mr.. Ligan wrote the Governor on
the thirteenth that threats were made
against himself and other dealers in mer-
and cotton seed, and asked for
protection. He served in the Confederate
army, but was ready to volunteer against
the outlaws who threatened him. The dan
ger he anticipated has overtaken him.


The Advocate advised the Clinton negroes
to leave the city, because their presence
was liable to "kick up . mu.s" between the
whites and the colored people, These man