Description:

KLANSMEN AND AN ARMY GENERAL THREATEN BLACK TEXAS VOTERS
Content pair of Texas Reconstruction-era letters showing the undue influenced placed on black voters in the deep South by the Klan and unrepentant "rebels". The first letter, 4pp. 4to., Marlin, Falls Co., Texas, Dec. 6, 1869 is a retained copy of a letter by one William Devine, sent to Republican politician Nathan Patton with this copy kept by the U.S. Army. It reads, in part: "...The Election is over on Thursday...the freedmen began to vote the red [Republican] ticket and continued in one solid mass until they voted 300 tickets. The Rebels became alarmed. Genl [James]Shields rushed into the room where the Board was sitting he was very much Excited asked if the Board would close until he could address the colored men...Genl. Shields then called around him the worst rowdies in this county told them they must not allow the freedmen to vote the red ticket. He then made a speech to the colored men told them they must not vote the red ticket if they did they would lose their cotton and get shot down in scores because they had no protection. Judge Evans then told them in his speech that 'Ford was a thief, that he was indicted'...many of the white men drew their pistols, called on Ford to come out...then the Rowdies drew off all the freedmen except such as they forced to vote the white ticket and five of these rowdies stood at the window where the votes were polled and openly cursed and threatened...the black men were afraid to come to the window to vote...The Major spent most of his time drinking with the Rebels...Ford and I were marked for voting red...The Rebel element is as strong as ever...". The second letter, unsigned, is 8pp. 4to., Austin, Dec. 18, 1869, and appears to be a partial pencil draft of a letter to Capt. C. E. Morse, Sec'y for Civil Affairs by a member of the election board of Falls Co. writing in response to the charges made in the previous letter. In part: "...[Losing candidate Ottaway] says [Gen.] , Evans and all the forces they could raise went to work to stop the color'd voters from voting the Davis ticket, and our military not interfering let them control the remainder of the col'd vote...by threats of Rebels, Ku Klux and murderous words & threats of driving them from the farms &c just frightened and scared them to the polls [to vote] with the Hamilton ticket...as to the charges of intimidation, I have no evidence...I am disposed to disbelieve them...Col'd men might have gone home afraid to vote though they must have been very timid men...if the colored men were forced to vote against their will I saw no evidence of it..." The writer then explains that he was not present for Shields' speech, but saw no commotion following its completion, and labels the claim of pistols drawn on black voters as "nonsense". He does admit the presence of his 'private flask" but denies any drunkenness. More good content! A stunning pair of letters vividly setting forth the intense pressure of elections in the Reconstruction South.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent priority or equivalent by courier, signature required, unless otherwise instructed. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice.

May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 21.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000