Personally appeared before me this 9^th day of July 1867 Samuel S. House and having been duly sworn deposes and says

At about half past 6 o’clock p.m. on Saturday the 6^th inst. I reached my office from the country (which office is near the Court House). I saw at that time a large crowd of persons in front of my office and the Court House being addressed by a colored man. Upon inquiry soon after my arrival I learned that the speaker was Joseph E. Williams. I went to and got up on the steps of the porch in front of the Court House. Stood there some ten or fifteen minutes, the crowd seemed to be well disposed and good humored. While in that position I saw Mr. John Bliss approach the court yard crowd outside the court yard, he seemed to be in conversation with a young man of color for a few moments. The young man and Mr. Bliss separated. The former came inside the court yard and went across the square in the direction of where it is said the Loyal League holds its sessions. Mr. Bliss walked down the pavement outside the court yard. I saw him speak to several colored men who also left in the direction of the League rooms. In a few moments the drums were tapped at or near the League rooms & the party there yelled. Instantly after the yelling about one half of the crowd left the front of the court house running in the same direction that the others had gone. In a few moments the head of a procession precedent by drums entered the square and were marching across the square in the direction of the Court House. Fearing when I saw the procession that there would be trouble, I met the procession about the corner of the square and called to them to stop if they pleased, in a few moments they did partially stop. I then told them my mission was peaceable one and that I wished them to go to the steps in front of Karr’s shop, that I desired to say a few words to them. William Youngman, a col’d man, replied: they would go. We all then started in that direction. I was walking backwards with my face to the procession. We had gone a few paces when I saw Mr. Bliss in front of a squad of some ten or fifteen persons, whose gestations were excited and violent, pointing in the direction of the Court House. A pistol or pistols were fired in the air by some of the persons in front of Mr. Bliss. I heard some person in that crowd say: “Let us go for John House.” They then yelled. That portion of the procession that was with me joined those with Mr. Bliss, some eight or ten.

The col’d people on the square were very much excited and many of them quite drunk. I returned to my office and found substantially the same crowd there that I left. I left that party at the Court House quiet & orderly and found them so. On my return I saw no disposition manifested or heard any language used by any person at the Court House that was violent or sitious. The procession then marched down Main street out of my view. In a few minutes they returned to the square with Allen Williams as I then believe and still believe conducting or trying to get them out of town. Knowing that Williams was for peace I felt satisfied that he would do all in his power to preserve the peace. They passed up Main street and I saw no more of them. I was told some half hour after they left the square that they had disbanded. Feeling that there would be no further trouble I rode home our mule in the country about dark. The negroes in the procession were generally armed. Some with army guns, others with pistols and many of them seemed to be infuriated. While I was with them on the square one of them that was very drunk ran up to me trice attempting as I then believed and still believe to shoot me. I spoke to him each time kindly as well as some others near me. Up to the time that I left town I saw no harm nor conduct nor language that was calculated to provoke a breach of the peace on the part of the crowd at the Court House but all seemed disposed to convict a difficulty with the League so far as I know or believe. A short time after my return to my office from the Square I learned that my brother Jno. J. House & John C. Bliss have had some words. I learned from my brother that he saw Bliss get the crowd started to the League room or in that direction, that he called to Bliss to stop the disturbance as he Bliss commenced it. Bliss told him that he House was a “liar” whereupon House slapped him in the face.

(signed) Sam S. House

Subscribed before me this July 9^th, 1867
(signed) J. L. Burch, J. P.

John Hill

Franklin, Tenn.
July 9^th, 1867
Hill, John
Affidavit before Esquire J. L. Burch, Justice of the Peace, in regard to the riot at Franklin, Tenn. on Sat. July 6, 1867

Personally appeared before me this 9^th day of July 1867 John Hill and having been duly sworn deposes and says

My name is John Hill. I live in Franklin, Tenn. I came up to Mr. Colby’s store on the evening of Saturday the 6^th of July 1867 opposite Franklin’s door, the 3^rd house from House’s corner. I met a negro named Freeman Degrafenried who said to me that I will kill you before day. I have a good mind to do it now. My reply was do you know who you are talking to. He answered I do. I know I am talking to a Damn black son of a bitch. I knew he was put up to it and I did not wish to have any row with him. I then went up to the house of Mr. Colby’s. I stood on the block at Mr. Colby’s and saw him go down to Mr. Kaughfman’s and then came back again opposite side of the street to where I was standing and said Hill, you are a black son of a bitch. He then picked up a rock and started over towards me. Some men took hold of him and brought up the street. Seeing the whites and colored both parties Conservatives and Radicals excited, I went home being afraid of a fuss. He knew I was a Brownlow man and I do not know of any other cause why should so speak to me. I am a white citizen and have lived in Franklin about 6 years. My home is right diagonally across the square from House’s corner and I was looking towards that place when I saw the flash of a pistol and about a second afterwards a volley from some place. In a few moments after that I saw two men come out of J. H. Morton’s facing my door and come upon the square, and as they came directly in front of my house about 50 feet distant they fired right into the procession. As I passed up the street Sunday morning the 7^th inst. I met Mr. Tom Haynes and David Balch, both standing on the pavement. When I spoke to Mr. Balch Mr. Haynes said don’t speak to him anymore. I would rather kill you than to look at you you damn son of a bitch. I replied Mr. Haynes I did not speak to you, I was speaking to my friend Mr. Balch. I could see a moving about but could not see any person to know them, it being dark.

John (x) Hill
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9^th day of July 1867
J. L. Burch, J. P.

G. T. Andrews

Franklin, Tenn.
July 9^th, 1867
Andrews, G. T.
Affidavit before Esquire J. L. Burch, Justice of the Peace, in regard to the riot at Franklin, Tenn. on Sat. July 6, 1867

As I was going home from this place on Saturday evening about seven o’clock I met a colored woman near Mr. Burch’s residence. She seemed very much excited and alarmed, so much that it drew my attention and I asked her what was the matter. She said they were going to kill her master. I told her that the disturbance was all over and she need not be alarmed. She said they swore that they would take him out and kill him. I then asked who her master was. She said John House. She also said they had gone after guns to kill him. I passed on and was called by Mrs. Burch who asked if there was going to be a riot. I told her that I thought not, that all seemed quiet when I left town. I went on about a hundred yards and when near a little framed building on the corner of Mr. Campbell’s land I saw a colored man whom I did not recognize coming up the little lane that intersects the road. At that point he was walking very fast and had a very short army gun in his hands. I wend on home and eat my supper before the firing.

Geo. T. Andrews

Sworn to and subscribed before me 9^th July 1867
J. L. Burch, J. P.

Poke Walton

Franklin, Tenn.
July 9^th, 1867
Walton, Hoke (Note: referred to as both Polk and Hoke Walton)
Affidavit before Esquire J. L. Burch, Justice of the Peace, in regard to the riot at Franklin, Tenn. on Sat. July 6, 1867

Personally appeared before me this 9^th day of July 1867 Hoke Walton and having been duly sworn deposes and says

My name is Hoke Walton. I live at Franklin, Tenn. On Saturday evening 6^th July 1867 I belong to the Union League and was acting Chief of it and we broke up after Mr. Trimble got through speaking and we were all talking and giving to each other what we thought of the speaking. I saw Joe Williams’ buggy standing on the corner of the square opposite House’s store and several shaking hands with him. He, Williams, then came on the square to Mr. Bennett’s corner of the square to where we were all assembled and he stopped there, several men shaking hands with him. Others commenced leaning on the buggy or leant on it. I stepped up to them and said Boys let him alone and they left the buggy. He drove away and was gone at least 30 minutes and as I was walking down the street I saw Joe Williams walking back alone. He came on into our crowd walking and walked strait on to the Court House, bell was rung and the crowd was asked to come and hear Joe Williams speak. When he spoke he made a remark about the Radicals. He said they were telling us fine tails merely to hold them in office, several replied to him and said yes God Damn you we ought to take you down from there. And I said to them if you do not want to hear him go away – that you can go far away out of the way so that you can not hear him.

Mr. Bliss came up at the time and asked me if I did not think it would be best to get the drum and take them away from there as he thought that from the language used might get up a row. I said yes and went away where the drums were. The drummer commenced playing the drums. Whilst the drums were beating several of the Boys came back and said Mr. John House had struck Mr. Bliss. That made the Boys mad. Several of them said Boys fall in and I said no, don’t let us have any fuss. After fussing around some time they got quiet and they turned back up the street. Several shots were fired in the air. I said to the Boys don’t do that, they then quit. Several of them desired to come back to see why Mr. House hit Mr. Bliss and I would not let them go. Mr. Cliff and Mr. Elliott said we will take them out to the grove and speak to them. They went there and Mr. Elliott spoke to them. After speaking some time and it getting dark it was concluded we would go into town. Mr. Elliott said to now retire and go home and several of them said we will march back quietly to the square before we breakup. We made a vote that we would breakup quietly. In the crowd the chief of the League having come he said (illegible) your pistols and I having taken my place in the rear saw that there were no pistols out; we brought our pistols with us because the Conservative niggers used to be fussing with us. As we passed Mr. Briggs’ corner some fellows (not in our procession) hallowed out Hurra for Etherige. Someone then said Hurra for Brownlow and we all gave three cheers. At the corner of the square someone hallowed Hurra for McFall. After the procession passed almost across the square there was a single shot fired and then our men ran. I said to them why do you run away and turned where there was a whole volley fired into us. After they ran away Bill Youngman got some of them back and said what are you running for and they then returned the fire. I have been wounded in eight different places by the volley that was fired after the first shot that was fired. I was wounded in the back and legs. I did not fire a shot. I had a pistol.

(signed) Polk (x) Walton

Sworn to and subscribed before me July 9^th, 1867
(signed) J. L. Burch, J. P.

Elliott, W. Y.

Franklin, Tenn.
July 8^th, 1867
Elliott, W. Y.
Affidavit before Esquire J. L. Burch, Justice of the Peace, in regard to the riot at Franklin, Tenn. on Sat. July 6, 1867

Personally appeared before me this 8^th day of July 1867 W. Y. Elliott who being duly sworn deposes and says

My name is W. Y. Elliott. I live in Murfreesboro, Tenn. On Saturday evening the 6^th July 1867 about 5 or 6 o’clock the procession having passed the hotel at which I was stopping, at the insistence of some friends and my own feelings, I addressed them some few remarks by which I succeeded in quieting them sufficiently so to be heard in order to prevent any disturbance and still further allay the excitement. I induced them to come to the grove about 600 yards distant. In proceeding there I met several parties who seemed to be leaders and thought if I could speak to them I could controll the whole party. In this crowd there were several muskets which I ordered to be stacked and proceeded to address them in conciliatory remarks. After the expiration of about an hour I found that I had them quiet sufficiently to adjourn with security. They promised me to march quietly to the court square and disband the procession. They then left the grounds. This was the last I know of the case. I am candidate to represent this district in the State Senate. The excitement appeared to me to have arisen from the appearance of Joe Williams (col.)(con.) in the town.

(signed) W. Y. Elliott

Sworn to and subscribed before me 8^th July 1867
(signed) J. L. Burch, J. P.

William Davis

Franklin, Tenn.
July 8^th, 1867
Davis, William
Affidavit before Esquire J. L. Burch, Justice of the Peace, in regard to the riot at Franklin, Tenn. on Mon. July 6, 1867

Personally appeared before me this 8^th day of July 1867 William Davis and having been duly sworn deposes and says

My name is William Davis. I live about 2 miles from Franklin, Tenn. Was at the speaking and the procession at Franklin, Tenn. on July 6^th, 1867. I was in the rear of the column as it marched down to the square. When passing Mr. House’s corner I heard firing form that place – heard no shots from any other place. The colored men fired back after they had been fired on. The morning of the 7^th inst. I met Mr. Mayberry as I was coming up the street with my hand in a sling from being wounded the night before. He said where was you. I said I was in the W. S. crowd. Then he said my damn throat ought to have been cut from ear to ear. Then I asked him what for. Then he said don’t give my no more of your jaw. Then left him, after about an hour I met him again and he said that he was going to make a mob and kill every Radical nigger from the cradle up.

I had no arms nor do I know any of the parties who had.

William (x) Davis (col.)

Sworn to and subscribed before me 8^th July 1867
(signed) J. L. Burch, J. P.

Bostick, Burrell

Franklin, Tenn.
July 8^th, 1867
Bostick, Burrell
Affidavit before Esquire J. L. Burch, Justice of the Peace, in regard to the riot at Franklin, Tenn. on Sat. July 6, 1867

Personally appeared before me this 8^th day of July 1867 Burrell Bostick and having been duly sworn deposes and says

My name is Burrell Bostick. I live at Widow Bostick’s about one mile from Franklin, Tenn. I was at the speaking and in the procession on the 6^th of July 1867 at Franklin, Tenn. I was with the crowd at the Court House when Joe Williams was speaking. Mr. Bliss told the (col.) people to leave the Court House and not to kick up a disturbance and let him speak his opinions. We then left the Court House and went across the square and got our drums and walked across the square. Mr. John L. House met us on the square. He, Mr. House, went up to Mr. Bliss on the square and hit with his fist on the face – after that was over we marched on to the grove to hear the speaking. After the speaking was over we came back to the square marching in procession. I was in the front at the head of the column. When I heard the first shot fired I turned as well as all the others that were near me. The shot was fired from Mr. House’s corner. About 30 of mixed white and colored were in that crowd. On the opposite side of the square I saw and heard several shots fired. I saw some shots also fired out of the Court House windows (the upper windows) also saw shots fired out of the windows of Mr. Bennett’s house. After the first round was fired the (col.) people returned the fire. The names of the colored men that fired were Bob Caruthers, Bundy Caruthers and myself. Mr. House said is Mr. Cody shot – someone answered yes. Mr. House said he is the first man fired and then got shot. Mr. House was in command. He told his men to fall back and load. They then got back and loaded and came back again and Mr. House told them to go straight for the flag – we were carrying a United States flag – he then said to the men go up brave, that he would make them remember taking a banner with Fort Pillow on it. I was wounded in the head.

(signed) Burrell (x) Bostick

Sworn and subscribed before me 8^th July 1867
(signed) J. L. Burch, J. P.