Letter from H. W. Lewis to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; October 29, 1875

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Letter from H. W. Lewis to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; October 29, 1875

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People

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933 Lewis, H. W.Rhodes, Travis

Events

Crime Crime--Assassination Crime--Murder Political elections Political elections--Mississippi Voting Voting--Disenfranchisement

Military Units

United States. Army

Organizations

Mississippi--Executive Department Political Parties Political Parties--Democratic Party (U.S.)Political Parties--Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Businesses

Railroads and Railroad Companies

Occupations

Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Sheriffs Secretaries

Places

Mississippi--Clay County Mississippi--Lowndes County. Columbus

Page 1

Columbus Miss Oct 29—1875

Hon A Ames.
Governor of Miss

Dear Sir

Every thing in this and adjoining counties is up to fever heat The 24 pound cannon thunders forth every night The brass band accompanies the Democratic speakers together with about 50 hotheaded young men assassination and blood shed are openly encouraged. Our voters are very much overawed and we fear we cannot get out more than one half of them If troops could be sent here [isseu?] a "corporal guard" it would act like magic and we would sweep every thing in this part of the state

^{Folio I} As it is it looks as though we should lose everything Colfax county is thoroughly under the heel of ruffianism & will be lost by the Republicans The mere of a ~~party~~ company of Federal Soldiers up the ~~the~~Rail Road would have a salutary effect and go like wild fire through the county adjacent and bring the intimidated voters to the polls but if a dozen were stationed in each county—even without instructions

Page 2

I would encourage our Friends sufficiently to enable us to carry every thing before us We fear many outrages in this county or some parts of it—on Election day If any thing can be done I know you will do it If not we shall ^{Folio II} do the best we can and try to meet the issue bravely

Very Truly Yours

H W Lewis

Page 3

Copy No 34

Executive Office
State of Miss
Lowndes

From H. W. Lewis Sheriff
Add—Columbus Miss
Date October 29—1875
Rec'd—_" 31
Ans— Nov 1 _{" "}

Subject

Politics up to fever heat Assinantion & Blood shed openly encouraged. Voters very much "over awed" fear that not more than one half be can be got out Troops would act like magic even a corporal gaurd

Adelbert Ames
Governor

Travis Rhodes
Private Secy