Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1877 — Way Down in Mississippi. [ARTICLE]

Way Down in Mississippi.

Editor Union: Through your kindness I desire to say to the friends in Jasper county that after a long and laoorious journey of two weeks I arrived safely in Magnolia. F-nund Mrs. .Halstead, not near so well as when 1 left her, and she has not improved much since my return, but still we are hopeful. The excitement growing out of the derangement of matters at the Central House, together with the care and anxiety consequent upon my absence I think to he the main cause of the unfavorable change in her condition. We are now pleasantly situated to ourselves in Father Babb’s house. He is now the proprietor of ahotel in Macomb City with a good prospect of success, I was sorry to see in the last number of The Uniost thatthrough a combination of circumstances ; simultaneously occurring the editor, was led to wrong conclusions unjustly reflecting on the honor of the people of Magnolia in relation to the Central House and Father Babb, charging upon them outrageous deception in regard to the matter, etc. It was chargeable only to wantof due care and examination. The present proprietor freely ex-pressed-his fears df the conditions for success the while. Others who had anything with it only acted through motives of friendship. I write this without consulting or seeing Father Babb, but am satisfied that he casts no reflection upon others for whatever he wafi deceived in regard to the house. Moreover the “Bulldozer’’ article in the Herald, however indiscreet and inappropriate, was undoubtedly written simply to provoke discusion in regard to effecting a release from the supposed tyrranny exer» cised over the people by merchants and railroad tariffs. It was written in that fictitious style because (according to the southern version) in some localities vigil&nce committees were organized to prevent negroes from stealing cattle, hogs, etc., which organization became known as bulldozers. No such organizations exist here now or have existed heretofore.. From my standpoint here when the article appeared it never once occurred to me as being based on a reality; lint knowing the northern version of matters thought it very injudicious, at least. ; I am not yet prepared to believe' tliatj.l snj Jiving, in the .midst <rt .friends .and deAperadoe* as the

pondent. If his statement is true, i or anything like true their action i was certainly outrageous, cowardly, dastardly, fiendish, aud the people of this community would not only deplore it, but as heartily condemn and denounce the perpetrators as would you or I, at least so far as I have heard any expression. Of the real facts of the tragedy, and the causes leading thereto of course I have no better opportunity of knowing than you, but cannot do otherwise than to hope at least that it is nntrue that it waa permitted or justified by the officers ot the law or the community generally. I intend to institute inquiries and adopt means to ascertain what are the real tacts, if possible. While I never expect to form attachments so strong he're as I have for those with whom I have held unbroken kind, social and fraternal relations for nearly a quarter of a centory, still it would be urgent upon me to correct any and all misrepresentations ot those from whom I have received nothing but the kindest hospitality during my sojourn otcare and trial among them. With kindest regards all, as ever, D. T. Halstead. Magnolia Mist., May 24, 1877.