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shore. Some of them have been compelled already to leave their homes and crops to save their lives. This band is going about nightly disarming all colored people-and they not only take arms, but money wherever found and valuables of every kind; if any resistance is made, they are shot at and cruelly beat. Some few of the civil officers show a desire to have the parties arrested and brought to justice, but are backward about doing anything, fearing in case they are not convicted, their own lives and property would be endangered, others if they are not interested in the matter give it their sanction by remaining silent, and not trying to prevent it. Should they be tried before civil court they would not be convicted, as in my opinion it would be impossible to find a jury who would convict a white man on the evidence of colored men. Arms have been taken from not less than one hundred and twenty five persons at an average cost of $15

Transcription Notes:
02-29-24, reopened and reviewed transcript against the source material, corrected one word, resolved the remaining question mark. --------------------------------------------- Assuredly there are errors in the transcription. I typed the wording understood. Hopefully, this will lead to more searchable material. ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-29 20:01:27 Corrected and filled in missing words. This was not ready for review, with too many ?'s. Please review the TC instructions for proper methodology for indicating words you are unsure of [[?]], rather than ...