Legal document from William S. Patton; March, 1871

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Legal document from William S. Patton; March, 1871

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People

Hewson, H. F.Johnson, Henry Joice, Mrs. Unknown Leachman, Robert Lee, Issac Mayson, Henry Moore, Aaron Murphy, W. W.Patton, William S.Taylor, J. T.White, Marion

Events

Crime Crime--Arson Crime--Murder Crime--Riots Crime--Shooting

Organizations and Businesses

Churches Courthouses Judicial Districts Judicial Districts--6th (Miss.)Jury Mississippi. Executive Department Phoenix Hotel (Lauderdale County, Miss.)Railroad

Occupations

Judges Provost Marshals Secretaries

Places

Alabama Georgia Lauderdale County (Miss.)Meridian (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

African Americans Christians Christians--Baptists Historically free and newly freed African Americans

Vital Statistics

Death

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State of Mississippi
Lauderdale County

Personally ap=peared before the undersigned Robt Leachman Judge 6 Judicial District of Mississippi of which the County of Lauderdale is a part. W. S. Patton who being duly sworn deposes & says about 4 o'clock the morning of the 7^th of March 1871, I was on Sidney St between the Phoenix Hotel & the building occupied as the Court House for the County of Lauderdale. while there I was approached by a man unknown ^to me^ He remarked to me: Are you Genl Patton or you are Genl Patton do not recollect the exact expression. I answered in the affirmative. He then remarked: You are City Marshal. I replied yes, as I am. He then Said I know you but you dont know me. I am a Georgian as from Georgia, but now from Alabama. I will leave on the train that goes out in about one half of an hour. If you will go

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across the Rail Road in a pine thicket back of a little [Store house, you will find three dead Negroes. We parted. when light enough we Started to search for the dead Negroes. On the way I got J. T. Taylor & W. W. Murphy ^& others^ to go with me. The three bodies were found in the pine thicket back of Mrs Joices house. They were the bodies of Marion White, Isaac Lee, & the other Said to be the body of Henry Johnson. The body of Marion White was lying on its face. Shot in the breast with buck shot. As I thought that of Isaac Lee ^lying on its face^ in the head. I suppose with Single ball. The other Said to be Henry Johnson being on its face shot in the head with single ball as I suppose. The bodies were recognized by their respective wives. I summoned a Jury of Inquest. Inquest was held & verdict rendered. The bodies were then placed upon a dray & carried to their respect^ive^ homes, or at least I so ordered

W^m. S. Patton

Sworn to & subscribed before me this the 21^st day of March 1871

Robt Leachman
Judge 6^th Judicial District Mississippi

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Affidavit of W^m S. Patton
Marshal City Meridian

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State of Mississippi
Lauderdale County

Personally appeared before the undersigned Robt Leachman Judge 6^th Judicial District of Mississippi of which the County of Lauderdale is a part, Henry Mayson who being duly sworn depose & says. I was at my house near Aaron Moore's house when it was burnt on the night of the 6^th of March 1871. I saw a crowd of white men going towards the house of Aaron Moore before it was burnt. They were armed. They were there about 7 o'clock, went away & come back about 8 o'clock. The fire occurred about two hours after they left the last time. Know nothing of the origin of the fire. I was sitting in my house & saw a couple of men go down to where Aaron Moore's house was burnt, & get some fire & set fire to the Baptist Church. Saw their faces when the fire lit up. They were white men, but did not recognize them. Saw a crowd of white men come over from

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behind a hill near by after the church commenced burning. The two men who had fired the Church joined them. They staid until the Church commenced burning—cannot tell who were in the crowd. My wife was with me at that time. I did not see any one do any violence to anybody that evening & night.

Harry ^his X mark^ Mayson

Sworn & subscribed before me this the 21^st day of March 1871

Robt Leachman
Judge 6^th Judicial District Mississippi

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Affadivit of Harry Mayson

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PRECIS.
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No'. [gap]

Executive Office,
State of Mississippi,
County of Lauderdale

From [gap]
Address [gap]
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Affidavits of from Meridian

Affidavit of W S. Patton & Harry Mason Concerning the Riot

Alcorn, J. L. (James Lusk), 1816-1894|JAMES L. ALCORN]],
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.