The Millican Riot (August 7, 1868)

The Millican Riot.--While the Millican riot was in progress, it was continually repeated and put as a strong point, that Capt. Randlett, the Bureau Agent, was a leader of the whites. Had this been true, (we had then no cause to deny it, though we doubted it,) it would have given the whites an order of legality that they would not otherwise possess. We now present Capt. Randlett's report, clear, logical and succinct. It is an excellent report, and certainly shows that the Captain has a very clear idea of his business. He did not lead the whites, but decidedly condemns their acts, and says there is no excuse for the riot. It was bad passion and bad whisky that did it. The only blunder that Capt. Randlett seems to have made was in permitting more men to be sent for against his judgment. There were some wrongs on the side of the blacks. They ought not to have been drilling as militia. This was wrong. It would have been wiser for them n[---] to have taken arms when they were to search for the supposed dead man. But surely we cannot blame them when every white man has a small ordnance department strapped around his waist. This riot teaches a valuable lesson. It shows what direct consequences may at any moment ensure in a state of society so excited as that in which we move. That the whites were in no danger is evidenced by the fact that none were hurt, though five blacks were killed. The killing of the first freedman for [--]tering the town was murder, as was also that of Parson Brooks. T[---] riot has done incalculable injury to our State. Immigrants and capitalists will turn from us while these things continue.  If we desire prosperity, we must keep the peace. 

[Flake's Bulletin.]