archieclement
Colonel
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2011
- Location
- mo
was reading some reconstruction records the other day and came across this Report of murders and outrages in Millican, Texas , found it interesting based on the amount of detail provided
notice the
"December 8th, 1865 - John Echols, citizen of Burleson Co., shot and killed a freedman in his employ named "Kit." From the evidence on file it appears that the said Mr. Echols had the night previously beaten the wife of the freedman Kit and in the morning without any provocation I can see killed the boy Kit."
The same site then provides links to actual testimonies in the case.
Testimony of Phoebe Jones, Freedwoman, in relation to the killing of her son "Kit" by his former master John Echols
John Echols, Voluntary statement of facts in relation to his killing a freedman named "Kit"
Testimony of Harriet Echols, Freedwoman, in relation to the killing of her husband "Kit" by his former master John Echols
Testimony of Osborn King and William Jones, Freedmen, in relation to the killing of "Kit" by his former master John Echols
Testimony of Daniel Tasker, Freedman, in relation to the killing of "Kit" by his former master John Echols
Testimony of Caleb Wright and Buck Munson, Freedmen, in relation to the killing of "Kit" by his former master John Echols
Recommendation of John Echols by his neighbors
Both Kits mom and wife who were the last to see him before the confrontation, seem sympathetic to Echols, and testify Kit had a knife in his headband, and that it was found under him, as if it had been pulled substantiating Echols story. Haven't been able to find an outcome to the case, but find the "and in the morning without any provocation I can see killed the boy Kit." in the first report seems somewhat an odd conclusion based on the testimonies provided.
In reading it, one obviously cant but wonder if the ex-slave testimony had been coerced previously, but wouldn't to convict someone still require evidence and testimony other then that supporting the defendant?
notice the
"December 8th, 1865 - John Echols, citizen of Burleson Co., shot and killed a freedman in his employ named "Kit." From the evidence on file it appears that the said Mr. Echols had the night previously beaten the wife of the freedman Kit and in the morning without any provocation I can see killed the boy Kit."
The same site then provides links to actual testimonies in the case.
Testimony of Phoebe Jones, Freedwoman, in relation to the killing of her son "Kit" by his former master John Echols
John Echols, Voluntary statement of facts in relation to his killing a freedman named "Kit"
Testimony of Harriet Echols, Freedwoman, in relation to the killing of her husband "Kit" by his former master John Echols
Testimony of Osborn King and William Jones, Freedmen, in relation to the killing of "Kit" by his former master John Echols
Testimony of Daniel Tasker, Freedman, in relation to the killing of "Kit" by his former master John Echols
Testimony of Caleb Wright and Buck Munson, Freedmen, in relation to the killing of "Kit" by his former master John Echols
Recommendation of John Echols by his neighbors
Both Kits mom and wife who were the last to see him before the confrontation, seem sympathetic to Echols, and testify Kit had a knife in his headband, and that it was found under him, as if it had been pulled substantiating Echols story. Haven't been able to find an outcome to the case, but find the "and in the morning without any provocation I can see killed the boy Kit." in the first report seems somewhat an odd conclusion based on the testimonies provided.
In reading it, one obviously cant but wonder if the ex-slave testimony had been coerced previously, but wouldn't to convict someone still require evidence and testimony other then that supporting the defendant?
Last edited:
Thread Medic
Bringing the