rguson
were given to drinking habits, which brought them under accusation
before the courts for drunkenness. It was probable that they would
have been convicted; but without awaiting the tardiness of the law, a
shorter process was found.

In palliation of their hasty banishment it is claimed that anonymous
letters were sent to some of the leading white citizens, warning them
to leave the county. These letters it is asserted--not proved--must
have proceeded from Clerk Ferguson's office, although not written by
himself. The object was to intimidate those who would be most
efficient in convicting and deposing the unworthy officials.

Furthermore, there are two opposing factions of colored Baptists at
Marion, and it is surmised that one of these factions, regarding these
prominent characters as their enemies, had something to do with the
letter-writing in order to bring down wrath upon them. Still another
theory is, that the whites have only been awaiting their chance, and
taking advantage of favorable conditions, knew when and whence the
said letters would be issued. It was all arranged beforehand. At all
events, the time was very short, after the delivery of the letters,
until Winchester rifles and shot-guns were in the hands of some scores
of white citizens, and fifteen Negro men, including Lewis and
Ferguson, York Byers, a deputy sheriff and well-to-do farmer, Dr.
Stith, a successful young physician, and others, were speedily sent
across the river to Memphis.

Clerk Ferguson found himself surrounded by a squad of these brave
men, who, with rifles presented, demanded that he sign without
ceremony a resignation. He signed. Byers escaped through the swamps,
made his way to the river, and came to Memphis in a sorry plight. The
other victims were put upon the train with orders to go and never
return. Byers was to be violently dealt with, had they caught him.

Sandy S. Odom, living on his farm about six miles from Marion, I am
informed, refused to leave his home, when waited upon and ordered to
go. Said he. "All I have is here--wife, child and farm--I can't go
away." For a time his pluck seemed to be respected. His fault was that
of being a friend of the Marion officials. He had once served at
Little Rock as a legislator from his district, but, like Cincinnatus,
had since resumed the plow.

According to the latest by the Memphis Appeal, Odom has decided that
discretion is the better part of valor, and will be off for a