Condition of Affairs in The Southern States

334 CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES. ALABAMA. 335 I never understood, and never inquired, the particular disguise these men appeared arms; and that if they wished to hold their meeting we would see that they should be in who murdered Boyd. protected, and should have perfect peace and quietness. But in the mean time the Question. Living in that community, and having the opportunities which your pro- white republicans there became very much irritated and provoked, and they declined fession gives you to learn of alleged occurrences of lawlessness, give us briefly your to hold the meeting at all. When these negroes were advised to go and leave their view of that organization or association, or whatever it may be, which is ordinarily known there by the name of Kn-Klux. arms outside of the town, it was reported that this old negro who formerly belonged to Answer. I have stated all that I can say on that subject, and that is, that there are, me, (Richard Burke, advised them not to do it: saying that “the white people were there with arms, and that they (the negroes) had smuch right to stay there with their in perhaps all the counties I have named. a few bad, desperate, dissipated men, who arms as the white people; that they must not give up their arms, nor leave them out hand themselves together, either to avenge real or supposed wrongs to themselves or of town.” I do not know that the old man ever said any such thing: but that was real or supposed crimes committed against society; and they accomplish what they propose to do, either disguised OF undisguised : and there the matter stops until a new the report. A few nights after that, when I was home, I heard rapid firing which ap- peared to be about a hundred yards off. and I supposed there was some trouble on occasion arises, when perhaps an entirely different set of people, in a different neigh- hand. My wife was very much frightened. I rose, and called up my servants to as- borhood. will do precisely the same thing without any concert of action with any por- certain what the matter was, what the firing was about; and they said it was over at tion of the people in other parts of the country. 1 mean by this that these men band themselves together just as they used to do in old times to administer lynch law, and Richard Burke’s who lived about one hundred yards from me. There was a path lead- that the hand exists for the time being only, not as a permanent organization. That ing from my house to his. I asked them what the firing was for. They said a party of men had gone there after another negro, who formerly belonged to me, whose name is my opinion. Question. To what extent have offenses been committed in that manner through the was Hayne Richardson, and who had refused to give up his arms at Livingston, and in the serimmage was shot by some persons whom do not know-not killed but wounded counties you have named How many persons have been victims of such proceed- ings pretty badly in the head. He said they were after Richardson, and that the firing was Answer. I know of but one person who has been assassinated in our county, He at him: that he jumped out of the window and ran away. I asked if anybody was hurt, and was informed by the servants that there was not. I sent for Richardson’s wasa negro who was formerly slave. He was a favorite with me. He was a Baptist preacher, and was greatly indulged he had his own way. He was quite an old man. wife and asked if any damage had been done: she said “no.” I was very much grati- fied and went back to bed. Next morning when my servant came in. he informed me By Mr. VAN TRUMP: that the old man, Richard Burke, was dead; had been killed about half way between Question. Give us his name his house and mine, and that he was lying on the path leading between my house and Answer. His name was Richard Burke. A short time previous to his death I was at his. I rose and went over as soon as could, and was informedthat he was lying there, Livingston, the county seat. attending to business in the probate court. While I was shot very badly in the head and elsewhere-shot all to pieces some colored friend of there the day arrived which had been appointed for the republicans to meet and make his had been there before me and spread a cloth over him. I then called up one of my their county nominations. On the evening before this day, my local law partner in servants who was in the habit of staying over at Richardson’s house, and asked him Livingston received a dispatch from my town, stating that a hundred armed negroes what be knew about it. He said he was there when these men came: that he thought had passed through Gainesville and were on the way to Livingston ; that they had there were about twenty men on horseback; that they came and hallooed : that he stopped at Gainesville and obtained quantities of ammunition. That took us all by sur- went to the door, and they directed him to open it and raise a light. They asked him prise: at least it took me by surprise. 1 had no idea that there was to be any assem- if he had a lantern. He said he had: and he raised a light. They carried him out to bling with arms. The white people did not meet there with arms, and I did not sup- the gate, and put him under guard with his lantern, and they went in search of Hayne pose the colored people would do so either. Very soon after that a dispatch was re- Richardson, and old man Burke. ceived from Captain Johnson, think, who commanded a steamboat on the Tombigbee, Question. Whom had they carried out to the gate that in passing up the river to Demopolis he had seen groups of negroes on the banks Answer. My servant, who was holding the lantern. Only two er three got down to of the river-all with said they were going to Livingston to attend the go in search of the men they were after: and while he was there he raised his lantern, meeting next day that they had been ordered to attend with their arms. Very soon so that he saw the face of every man distinetly; and he said not one of them was dis- after that a dispatch was received there from Eutaw that Major Hays had engaged pas- guised, and that. although he was very well acquainted in that part of the country, he sage for one hundred negroes to Livingston the next day. Well that produced a great had never seen one of those men before. The citizens were very much excited. The deal of excitement there: And the citizens sent out messengers through the county to mayor of the town had an inquest called to examine everybody, white and black, that notify the white people that there was likely to be trouble the next day they sent was-likely to know anything about it, except this man. Hayne Richardson, who had the information that had been received by these telegrams. The result was that the concealed himself or fled from the State. He has never been there since He was the next morning the white people, old and young, came in with their pistols and double- only person likely to know anything about it who was not examined as a witness: and barreled guns; and the negroes came in from every direction with their guns and pis- they got no clue whatever. I heard that about daylight the next morning a party of tols. This old negro of whom I spoke was a leader: he was a member of the legisla- three or four or five men were seen going in one direction. and as many in another ture: and this meeting was for the purpose of nominating candidates for the county. direction, and as many in another-not as many as ten in any one company-all going Knowing him to be a man of influence I went to him and told him, “Richard, this in the direction of the Mississippi State line. That is all we have ever been able to thing will never do. You see how these people are excited. If the colored people come find out about that. here with arms, as the white men are here with arms, we shall have a difficulty. I am Question. How long was that after the meeting authorized to assure you that you may hold your meeting here and make as many Answer. I do not think it was more than a week, if that much. speeches as you please ; and you will not only be permitted to do it. but you will be Question. Were they white men whom your servant saw protected in doing I said to him, Go and tell your friends to around town and Answer. He said they were all white men. call a meeting. went to several of the prominent republicans and colored men, and Question. Had there been any act of violence committed or threatened against the advised them to do the same thing. Some of them were ignorant people, and said they colored people before the time of that meeting, when they came there with their had been ordered to do this by some white men; that they had received orders that arms? they were to go there with arms. What these negroes stated about being ordered to Answer. None whatever that I heard of. The state of feeling between the colored go there with arms excited the white people a good deal. people and the whites was entirely kind and friendly in that part of the county; and that circumstance made the fact that the negroes were assembling to hold their meet- By the CHAIRMAN: ing with arms and ammunition the more surprising to the white people. Question. Did they name the white men who had directed them to come with arms? Question. When asked about bringing their arms, did they give any other reason for Ansicer. No. sir asked that: and they did not know or would not tell. The negroes, it than the one you have already suggested-that they had been ordered to bring them however, did begin to go out and leave their arms; but in the mean time information got there, do not know how, that Major Hays would not be there, and there would be Answer. The only reason they gave me, and the only reason I heard of, was that they no speaking. The negroes then began to disperse. I went to the prominent white were ordered to do it by white men. republicans there who were personal friends of mine, and told them I regretted they Question. Did they say anything about how they proposed to use their arms, or should have had their meeting broken up; that that was not the design; that these whether they proposed to used them at all’? people only wanted to prevent the negroes from committing any outrage with their Answer. They said they did not know anything about it: that they were ordered to come there. Their language was, “I was ordered to bring my arms to-day, and was 334 CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES. ALABAMA. 335 I never understood, and never inquired, the particular disguise these men appeared arms; and that if they wished to hold their meeting we would see that they should be in who murdered Boyd. protected, and should have perfect peace and quietness. But in the mean time the Question. Living in that community, and having the opportunities which your pro- white republicans there became very much irritated and provoked, and they declined fession gives you to learn of alleged occurrences of lawlessness, give us briefly your to hold the meeting at all. When these negroes were advised to go and leave their view of that organization or association, or whatever it may be, which is ordinarily known there by the name of Kn-Klux. arms outside of the town, it was reported that this old negro who formerly belonged to Answer. I have stated all that I can say on that subject, and that is, that there are, me, (Richard Burke, advised them not to do it: saying that “the white people were there with arms, and that they (the negroes) had smuch right to stay there with their in perhaps all the counties I have named. a few bad, desperate, dissipated men, who arms as the white people; that they must not give up their arms, nor leave them out hand themselves together, either to avenge real or supposed wrongs to themselves or of town.” I do not know that the old man ever said any such thing: but that was real or supposed crimes committed against society; and they accomplish what they propose to do, either disguised OF undisguised : and there the matter stops until a new the report. A few nights after that, when I was home, I heard rapid firing which ap- peared to be about a hundred yards off. and I supposed there was some trouble on occasion arises, when perhaps an entirely different set of people, in a different neigh- hand. My wife was very much frightened. I rose, and called up my servants to as- borhood. will do precisely the same thing without any concert of action with any por- certain what the matter was, what the firing was about; and they said it was over at tion of the people in other parts of the country. 1 mean by this that these men band themselves together just as they used to do in old times to administer lynch law, and Richard Burke’s who lived about one hundred yards from me. There was a path lead- that the hand exists for the time being only, not as a permanent organization. That ing from my house to his. I asked them what the firing was for. They said a party of men had gone there after another negro, who formerly belonged to me, whose name is my opinion. Question. To what extent have offenses been committed in that manner through the was Hayne Richardson, and who had refused to give up his arms at Livingston, and in the serimmage was shot by some persons whom do not know-not killed but wounded counties you have named How many persons have been victims of such proceed- ings pretty badly in the head. He said they were after Richardson, and that the firing was Answer. I know of but one person who has been assassinated in our county, He at him: that he jumped out of the window and ran away. I asked if anybody was hurt, and was informed by the servants that there was not. I sent for Richardson’s wasa negro who was formerly slave. He was a favorite with me. He was a Baptist preacher, and was greatly indulged he had his own way. He was quite an old man. wife and asked if any damage had been done: she said “no.” I was very much grati- fied and went back to bed. Next morning when my servant came in. he informed me By Mr. VAN TRUMP: that the old man, Richard Burke, was dead; had been killed about half way between Question. Give us his name his house and mine, and that he was lying on the path leading between my house and Answer. His name was Richard Burke. A short time previous to his death I was at his. I rose and went over as soon as could, and was informedthat he was lying there, Livingston, the county seat. attending to business in the probate court. While I was shot very badly in the head and elsewhere-shot all to pieces some colored friend of there the day arrived which had been appointed for the republicans to meet and make his had been there before me and spread a cloth over him. I then called up one of my their county nominations. On the evening before this day, my local law partner in servants who was in the habit of staying over at Richardson’s house, and asked him Livingston received a dispatch from my town, stating that a hundred armed negroes what be knew about it. He said he was there when these men came: that he thought had passed through Gainesville and were on the way to Livingston ; that they had there were about twenty men on horseback; that they came and hallooed : that he stopped at Gainesville and obtained quantities of ammunition. That took us all by sur- went to the door, and they directed him to open it and raise a light. They asked him prise: at least it took me by surprise. 1 had no idea that there was to be any assem- if he had a lantern. He said he had: and he raised a light. They carried him out to bling with arms. The white people did not meet there with arms, and I did not sup- the gate, and put him under guard with his lantern, and they went in search of Hayne pose the colored people would do so either. Very soon after that a dispatch was re- Richardson, and old man Burke. ceived from Captain Johnson, think, who commanded a steamboat on the Tombigbee, Question. Whom had they carried out to the gate that in passing up the river to Demopolis he had seen groups of negroes on the banks Answer. My servant, who was holding the lantern. Only two er three got down to of the river-all with said they were going to Livingston to attend the go in search of the men they were after: and while he was there he raised his lantern, meeting next day that they had been ordered to attend with their arms. Very soon so that he saw the face of every man distinetly; and he said not one of them was dis- after that a dispatch was received there from Eutaw that Major Hays had engaged pas- guised, and that. although he was very well acquainted in that part of the country, he sage for one hundred negroes to Livingston the next day. Well that produced a great had never seen one of those men before. The citizens were very much excited. The deal of excitement there: And the citizens sent out messengers through the county to mayor of the town had an inquest called to examine everybody, white and black, that notify the white people that there was likely to be trouble the next day they sent was-likely to know anything about it, except this man. Hayne Richardson, who had the information that had been received by these telegrams. The result was that the concealed himself or fled from the State. He has never been there since He was the next morning the white people, old and young, came in with their pistols and double- only person likely to know anything about it who was not examined as a witness: and barreled guns; and the negroes came in from every direction with their guns and pis- they got no clue whatever. I heard that about daylight the next morning a party of tols. This old negro of whom I spoke was a leader: he was a member of the legisla- three or four or five men were seen going in one direction. and as many in another ture: and this meeting was for the purpose of nominating candidates for the county. direction, and as many in another-not as many as ten in any one company-all going Knowing him to be a man of influence I went to him and told him, “Richard, this in the direction of the Mississippi State line. That is all we have ever been able to thing will never do. You see how these people are excited. If the colored people come find out about that. here with arms, as the white men are here with arms, we shall have a difficulty. I am Question. How long was that after the meeting authorized to assure you that you may hold your meeting here and make as many Answer. I do not think it was more than a week, if that much. speeches as you please ; and you will not only be permitted to do it. but you will be Question. Were they white men whom your servant saw protected in doing I said to him, Go and tell your friends to around town and Answer. He said they were all white men. call a meeting. went to several of the prominent republicans and colored men, and Question. Had there been any act of violence committed or threatened against the advised them to do the same thing. Some of them were ignorant people, and said they colored people before the time of that meeting, when they came there with their had been ordered to do this by some white men; that they had received orders that arms? they were to go there with arms. What these negroes stated about being ordered to Answer. None whatever that I heard of. The state of feeling between the colored go there with arms excited the white people a good deal. people and the whites was entirely kind and friendly in that part of the county; and that circumstance made the fact that the negroes were assembling to hold their meet- By the CHAIRMAN: ing with arms and ammunition the more surprising to the white people. Question. Did they name the white men who had directed them to come with arms? Question. When asked about bringing their arms, did they give any other reason for Ansicer. No. sir asked that: and they did not know or would not tell. The negroes, it than the one you have already suggested-that they had been ordered to bring them however, did begin to go out and leave their arms; but in the mean time information got there, do not know how, that Major Hays would not be there, and there would be Answer. The only reason they gave me, and the only reason I heard of, was that they no speaking. The negroes then began to disperse. I went to the prominent white were ordered to do it by white men. republicans there who were personal friends of mine, and told them I regretted they Question. Did they say anything about how they proposed to use their arms, or should have had their meeting broken up; that that was not the design; that these whether they proposed to used them at all’? people only wanted to prevent the negroes from committing any outrage with their Answer. They said they did not know anything about it: that they were ordered to come there. Their language was, “I was ordered to bring my arms to-day, and was