Note 61 — Chapter XLI · Cotton Speculations—Temper of the Mississippians.
Reading edition
The following was, however, a well-authenticated, case:
“A physician and planter, near Greenville, Mississippi, called a freedman in his employ to account for some work which he alleged he had neglected to do as directed. The freedman said he had received no such directions. The doctor told him if he dared to dispute his word he would kill him on the spot. The negro replied that he never had such directions. Thereupon the doctor, without any other provocation being alleged, drew his revolver, and the negro ran. After some little pursuit, and after discharging several shots, he killed the negro dead in the field. The murdered man’s wife interposed to save his life, when the doctor fired several shots at her, and was only prevented from a double murder by the efforts of his own mother, who, with difficulty, saved the poor woman’s life.
“Colonel Thomas, Superintendent of Freedmen, caused the arrest of the murderer. He was taken to Vicksburg and placed in military custody.”