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I regret to record the fact that several freedmen, at different times have been killed in that section of country in a mysterious manner. The citizens profess to know nothing of who commits these infamous butcheries.
The freedman Fountain, mentioned in the evidence started off through the country. I understand about the time these five Freedmen were murdered, & the horse came back a day or two after, with the saddle empty.
There is a hearsay story afloat that Alex Myers Louis Myers, & Fountain killed a man up in Bell County, & that the fifteen men came down from Bell County to take vengeance. Wm. C. Sypert, County Judge Milam County saw five men pass down from the direction of Bell County on the afternoon of the murder, & five men were seen to pass up the Belton road towards Bell County between 9 & 10 o'clock that night. 
The above statement contains all the facts that I have been able to obtain in the case, which I present for your consideration & action.
I am, &c. &c. J.L. Randall.
Sub= Asst Comr.

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