Viewing page 72 of 275

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

The State of Mississippi}
Pike County             }

Personally appeared before Chas K Lyster Esqr a  Justice of the Peace in and for the State and county, aforesaid. E.P. Forniquet, attorney at Law, who being duly sworn upon his oath doth say, that on or about the 15th instant Thomas Bates a Freedman, then working days work upon the place the affiant resides, came to affiant and stated that Noble Lea had left a paper with his Wife something about his going to Magnolia to be tried, that he did not know what it meant, or what crime he had committed, and that Lea refused to give him any information upon the subject. Tom inquired what he was to do.  Affiant directed Tom to bring the paper & affiant would see what was intended and what Tom was directed to do. Tom said he would bring the paper when he came to work the next morning.

On the morning of the 16th before Affiant was out of bed, two of Toms children came and informed Affiant that Lea & others had come to Toms house in the night and taken him under guard to the house of Lea. Affiant being interested in Tom and believing that he was badly treated, Affiant rode over to see about the matter. When Affiant reached Lea's fence Tom was sitting upon the gallery and George Lea, Farmer & Jenkins standing near him. Affiant enquired for Noble Lea & was answered that Lea was not at home having gone to [[?]] to get a horse to take him to Magnolia. Affiant then asked for the papers, citation or writing which authorized