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freedmen near by (name not known) who lived on the farm of Mrs. Singleton and ordered him, the freedman, to open the door - he refused to do it, and they fired several shots into the door. The freedman then put his gun through a hole in the house, fired at them, and killed a young man by the name of Jones, the son of Thomas Jones a respectable farmer of Dyer County - they then rushed to his door and attempted to brake in, he fired the second time and is reported to have wounded two others, but not certainly known. They then ran off and returned shortly afterwards with nine in their gang, but the freedman had left his house and they did not find him. Though I understand he was near enough to count them when they came back the second time. Four of these parties are known: Jones who was killed, Mcless Fielder and Baven, all the sons of farmers being within five miles of where this horrible affair took place. I understand that they defy the law & say that they will not be taken. In fact the civil law in that particular locality is a dead letter—it cannot be enforced against these counties. These depredations are not of my district, but I give you this information to let you know the reign of terror that the colored people are living under in a large scope of country. The Head Quarters of this gang of ruffians seems to be now at a small