Viewing page 57 of 233

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

use any exertions to bring the murderers to justice, the cases were Stephen Lucas and Ned Holmes the former was murdered in the Spring of 1866 and thrown into a marl pit and the latter was shot dead in his field the report of the gun being heard by his wife at the house. It requires the strong and just power of the military to put a stop to these constantly occurring outrages perpetrated upon the freedmen. When James Wilson came to my office and made complaint against James Deal he was almost unable to stand up from the effects of the wounds made by the shot. his right arm and hand was swollen very badly.

Mr. Deal would feel perfectly easy and I do not think he would hesitate to shoot another negro tomorrow were it not for the military, as the only inconvenience it would put him to would be in attending the Magisterial Court County Court and Superior Court where at the latter he would be tried before a jury of white men and upon the evidence of such persons as Doc James Kilburn be found not guilty and discharged.

So far the Civil Authorities have made no enquiries about the case
I am Lieutenant
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-14 22:31:27 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-15 18:10:05 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-15 18:36:49