MERIDIAN.
Statement of the Reverend Representative J. Aaron Moore (Negro) – A Doubtful Story.
How He Escaped from Meridian – A Story – “And the Same He is free to Maintain.”
Before the Fire – Sees the Sheriff – At the Church – At Home – At The Examination.
The Row – The Shooting – Death of Judge Bramlette – He Walked Away – More Refugees.
Our New Officials – The Gazette Editorially says – The People of Meridian Resolve.
From the Jackson Pilot.]
J. Aaron Moore, the member of the State Legislature, residing at Meridian, and who was reported as being killed in the disturbance occurring in that place last Monday, arrived, safe and sound, excepting being prostrated with excessive walking, in Jackson, yesterday morning. We interviewed Mr. Moore at his boarding house, in the afternoon, and took down in full the following statement of the incidents connected with the affair as far as he is cognizant of the same. Moore was upon his bed and suffering considerably from exhaustion and lameness, but mentally seemed capable of taking care of himself. He said to us, that
BEFORE THE FIRE,
At about 4 o’clock on Saturday afternoon last, I was passing by the court-house in Meridian, and I heard some persons in it apparently speaking. I accordingly went up. Wm. Dennis, sometimes called Wm. Clopton, was speaking. I took a seat and listened attentively to what he had to say. I could not exactly make out what object he had in view. There were quite a number of colored citizens present. Warren Tyler was the next speaker. He read and offered some resolutions. To the best of my recollection there was nothing incendiary in them. The object seemed to be that some steps should be taken to the end that the white and colored population should get in better accord, and that there should be peace and quiet in the town. As there had been so many colored people shot it seemed necessary that something should be done. I was called upon, being a minister of the gospel, to make some remarks, and did so. The substance of what I said was that a concerted movement should be had among both white and black combined to keep out desperadoes. And I stated that the State Executive had said to me that he would give his aid and protection to the community, and further, that if the officials at the time on duty there were not ready to execute the laws, he would cause their removal and appoint men who would see that we had peace and quiet. There were a number of white men in the audience, who approved of all I said. They remarked that I was right. The meeting broke up quietly at about half-past 5 in the afternoon. This, it will be remembered, was before the fire.
In the evening the people (colored) got together and beat a drum and marched about, but it was for no evil intent. If any were armed I did not know it; I saw no arms; I then went home to my house; after supper I heard the bells ringing and the people hollering, and I went to the door and saw the town was on fire. In about one hour a friend came in and said that it was Sturges’ store that was on fire. I had gone to bed that night when Clopton, otherwise William Dennis, was reported to me as dead. Afterward it was contradicted, and I heard that he had been beaten over the head with a gun, and then had been arrested. I did not go out to the fire at all.
GOES TO SEE THE SHERIFF.
On Sunday morning Warren Tyler, Isaac Radford and I went to see the sheriff about Dennis. I asked how Dennis was getting along. The sheriff said he was doing quite well. (The fight resulting in Dennis’ arrest is reported to have taken place at the fire on Saturday night. Of that I personally know nothing.) I asked the sheriff if he considered the prisoner would be perfectly safe in his hands that night. He answered that he would, as he intended to have a guard about the place all night. I asked to have such guard composed of blacks and whites, and thought that such action on the officer’s part would show the community that there was no partiality on the part of the authorities for people of one color or the other. He thereupon told Warren Tyler to go out and bring him half a dozen or a dozen reliable colored men to act as guards.
Tyler subsequently informed me that he obeyed the order, went out and secured men, and was going with them to the Sheriff’s office Sunday night, when he met with a crowd of armed white men, somewhere between Dred. Finley’s and the court-house, and the white men said that the Sheriff had ordered them to go out and disarm every colored man they could find. Tyler says that he informed these persons that he was also acting under the same Sheriff’s orders. They replied that it made no difference, they had just received their orders and must disarm them.
AT THE CHURCH.
I was in the pulpit at the Methodist Church, ready for the evening’s service, that night about seven o’clock, when Warren Tyler came to me and said that if he were in my place he would have no services on that occasion. I answered that “we must administer the word of God.” I then took my text and commenced my sermon. In a few minutes in came Henry Kiso and said that Mr. Mosely, the Sheriff, had ordered the white people to go out and take away all the guns from the colored people. Shortly thereafter armed white men commenced marching back and forward in front of the church, confusing the congregation, and finally the meeting broke up. I was done preaching and had sat down when a colored man came in and informed me that a dozen or fifteen white men had been to my house. I said “surely they would be there for no harm, for I have done no harm to any man.”
I WENT HOME.
When I found that they had frightened my wife and little children off; my wife came back soon. Presently a neighbor came in and told me that these same white men had been at his house, demanded, and taken away his gun, and that three different squads of armed white men had been patrolling the streets all the night through.
I went to bed and slept until Monday morning.
ON MONDAY MORNING
I went to see the Sheriff, and inquired if he had given orders to take the people’s arms from them. He said, “yes, I issued an order last night to disarm every colored man.” I then said that there was such confusion about the church that the services had to be discontinued. He denied telling them to go near the church, but acknowledged that he had ordered the colored people’s arms to be taken away. I asked why? He said he “was afraid they would get up a fuss.” I then answered that if such was the case the better way would have been to have put on a guard composed of both races, and have the city patrolled all night. He informed me that the white people were going to have a meeting – of which printed notices had been posted – and invited us to attend. He wanted to see me there. It was held in the court-house. I went to the meeting, and was glad to see that there were at last hopes that the matter would be amicably arranged. I attended, but was not allowed to speak, as I desired.
TYLER AND MOORE ARRESTED.
Subsequently, Warren Tyler and I were engaged in talking to Joshua Smith, the postmaster, when Sheriff Mosely rushed up and said that Tyler and I must consider ourselves under arrest. I asked what I had done, when he said I need not feel uneasy, that all was right, I would not be hurt. I insisted that I should know why I had been arrested. He said, “for the speaking had last Saturday.” He added, “I am told you made a good speech.” And Mr. Smith said, “Yes, it was a lovely speech, to the effect that he wanted all – white and black – to go together like brothers.”
He then went with me to the meeting alluded to. Mr. W. W. Shearer desired that I should speak, but I could not get a hearing. Some resolutions were passed, the purport of which was that the Governor was to be memorialized. Some dissented, and wanted to take the government into their own hands. The object seemed to be to put the Mayor out of office, with all other Republican officers, and put in those of their own choice. I suppose there were two hundred white persons present.
AT THE EXAMINATION,
where I arrived at about 3 p.m., Judge Bramlette was presiding. The charge of making speeches on Saturday was being examined; the defendants were Warren Tyler, Wm. Clopton, alias Dennis, and myself. Mr. Ford, the prosecuting attorney, asked what I had to say. I said I was not guilty and did not know anything of it. I needed no attorney, for I had done nothing. The witnesses were then examined. They seemed to agree that Tyler and Clopton had made flaming speeches, but that mine was on the side of peace and good order. Afterward came the conduct of Warren Tyler at the fire on Saturday night. Clopton asked if they were trying him for what he did Saturday night. The prosecuting attorney said, “for all.”
Dennis, alias Clopton, averred that he was drunk that night, and could not tell what he had said or done himself. Several witnesses were sworn. Mr. Brantly, a white man, gave his testimony. At this time all the colored policemen were called in. The mayor had been in the room, but only remained a few minutes. The prosecuting attorney asked Brantley what he had heard Warren Tyler say on the street that (Monday) morning. He answered that he was passing along the street when he heard “this boy here” (he didn’t know his name) say that “the Democrats were getting frightened.” This was in answer to a question some one had asked Tyler as to the meaning of the notices of the meeting, which had been posted near. Brantly testified that he called Tyler a d—-d liar, and that he had a great mind to shoot him down or blow his brains out on the spot. At this, Tyler said he desired Brantly to keep the floor for a moment, until he could go out and get two men who would impeach his (Brantly’s) testimony. Brantly replied: “What did you say?” Tyler repeated his remark, when Brantly caught up the hickory-stick of the city marshal, from a table near, and with it started for Tyler. The last I remember of it, Tyler was retreating backward toward the Sheriff’s room. I heard several say: “Shoot him!” “Shoot him!” I had just got behind
JUDGE BRAMLETTE,
when I heard the shot, and the Judge fell to the floor. I fell with him, he falling directly upon my left shoulder. I was not hit, but the blood from Judge Bramlette covered my clothing and arm. The firing became general. I can not say who fired the shot at Judge Bramlette. I was at the time of the mind that it had been aimed at me and hit him. There was soon firing all over the room. I heard the Marshal shout out for the firing to cease, as the Magistrate was killed. I saw that he was dead and remained quiet. When the crowd was dispersed I looked up and saw Clopton also dead. Deputy Sheriff Belt was nigh, with a pistol in his hand, and I sought his protection. He averred that he could not protect anybody. Soon thereafter I picked up my hat and
WALKED AWAY
covered with blood, and everybody supposed that I was mortally wounded. I only told one person that I was not hurt. I reached home, told my wife she must take care of the children and herself, gave her what money I had, and left. I only went about three quarters of a mile when I sent a friend back. He soon returned to tell me that one hundred men were at my house looking for me. I there got down on my knees and prayed the good Lord to aid me to escape. I traveled all that night, and until two o’clock Tuesday morning, when I reached a friend’s house. I stayed there all that day. Another friend came there and told me that my home and all I had in it, with the church, was burnt up, but I learned nothing of my wife and children until to-day. I prayed me for the help of the Lord. On Wednesday I had the train flagged at Turner Hill, but am thankful that it did not stop, as I learn that there were a number of armed men on it, looking for me. Then I left that place and traveled on foot day and night, and got here this morning at nine o’clock.
MORE REFUGEES.
On the train from Meridian, yesterday afternoon, came two additional refugees from the reign of terror supposed to be prevailing in that locality. One of these was the wife of the policeman Elik Joseph, who is still unheard from, but supposed to be safe, lying out in the woods, somewhere, awaiting a safe opportunity to get to Jackson. The other is Jake Batey, a baker, residing, until recently, in Meridian, and who is severely wounded, having been shot through the breast, shoulder and forearm. He states that he was taken out of the bakery at three o’clock last Tuesday morning by one Frank Lindy, who accused him of having taken his pistol from him on Monday previous. A crowd of men beat him with sticks as he went toward the depot. Thinks he was struck four hundred blows, and is badly bruised. These men subsequently released Batey, but one of them shot him as he was leaving, when the others fired also. He made his escape, however, hiding in the bush, and got upon the train yesterday, which, as stated, brought him here. It is supposed that there are several more yet to arrive.