Letter from Sheriff William A. Alcorn of Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; September 15, 1875

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Letter from Sheriff William A. Alcorn of Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; September 15, 1875

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People

Alcorn, W. A.Allen, William Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933 Freerson, Unknown Rhodes, Travis

Events

Crime Crime--Lynching Crime--Shooting Crime--Threat Criminal Procedure Criminal Procedure--Arrest Mass racial violence Political elections Political elections--Mississippi Voting Voting--Disenfranchisement Voting--Voter registration

Organizations

Clubs and Secret Societies Clubs and Secret Societies--Democratic Club Mississippi--Executive Department

Businesses

Retail Stores

Occupations

Judges Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Sheriffs Secretaries

Places

Mississippi--Coahoma County Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Tallahatchie County. Charleston

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African Americans

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Disease and illness

Page 1

Charleston Sept 15th 1875
Tallahatchie Co.

His Excellency
Adelbert Ames.
Gov State of Mississippi
Jackson

Sir

I feel it my duty to acquaint you with the deplorable state of affairs at present existing in my county and will endeavor to evidense my statements as much as possible, during the registrations at Freersons store on the 9th. Inst. Three colored men registered as voters of Tallahatchie Co. After their registration their right to do so was questioned by the Democratic Club and at their instance an affidavit a writ was issued for the approhension ⁶⁵ of said Colored men by a magistrate of the beat and six men of the Democrat-ic club were deputed to execute the writ notwithstanding a deputy sheriff was on the ground—the deputation pursued the three colored men into Coahoma County. and according to their own statement fired no less than 15 shots at them without effect and besides committed other illegal and outrageous acts upon citzens of Coahoma County irrespective of Color.

Page 2

The party returned and reported to the Deputy Sheriff that a large body of armed negroes were advancing on Tallahatchie Co. with the avowed intentions of securing those ⁶⁸ who had participated in these outrages and insisting upon their punishment This was the succeeding day (10th) and the deputy sheriff was given the writ by the party appointed to execute it with the re-quest he would serve it and endeavor to keep back the advancing Col_d men bring to informality in the writ the Deputy could not act upon it & besides many obsta-cles were therein in the way to prevent his freedom of action in the case.

However having persisted in his efforts to secure harmony after an interview with the shff of Coahoma Co. The men of Coahoma ⁶⁹ were dispersed through his efforts.

On returning the Deputy met the white citizens of this and adjoining counties to the numbers of five hundred, armed on the way to repel any attack & to force their way into Coahoma County and "kill every negro in 20 miles square."

It was at this the time that the armed bands of whites entered the town, confined to my bed and totally uninformed of the difficulty on hand.

Page 3

But immediately visited the chairman of the democratic committee and insisted of his accompanying me to the scene of difficulty which after hestitation he ⁷⁰ agreed to do and accompanied by only two special deputies and the chairman of said committee at the head of almost 300 men on Monday last we proceeded to Freerson's store at which place we met my deputy returning from Coahoma Co. He, the deupty, assured us of the success of his efforts in quieting all disturb-ances, the deputy was met with jeers and threats of their determination not to return without blood. The prudent advice of some of the leaders prevailed and the body returned to Charleston but not to ⁷¹ disband and we even now as attend-ance on the barbecue armed, many with guns and nearly all with pistols. They threaten to carry the election at all hazards and have gone so far as to threaten the lives of the parties here in office.

I am helpless to preserve good order or even to defend the lives of any threatened and must earnestly request the assistance of the government and that very speedily as all order is overthrown and a riot may ⁸⁵ occur at any moment

Very truly W. A. Alcorn
Sheff

Page 4

Copy 76

Executive Office
State of Miss
County of Tallahatchie

From William Allen
Add Charleston Miss
Dated Sept 15 1875
Recd Sept 21 1875

Subject

Report of the sheriff as to white leive proceed-ings in said County
[Full?] particulars

Adelbert Ames
Governor

Travis Rhodes
Private Secy