Records of the Assistant Commissioner for the State of Tennessee
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1869.
National Archives Microfilm Publication M999 Roll 34
"Affidavits Relating to Outrages Mar. 1866-August 1868"

Before me personally appeared Jim Butts this day and having been duly sworn deposes and says:

My name is Jim Butts, I live on the farm of Mr. Herman Wright, eight miles from Franklin on the Springfield road.

I saw three men on the morning on or about the last of August or 1^st Sunday in September 1866.

One curly haired medium size, the other two tall. I would know them if I saw them again. I don't know their names. My comrade George saw the men afterwards having Irvin Powell with them his head bleeding very badly. One of the men's names was Hester, another Martin, another Price. They are the same men as killed Irvin Powell. They told me I would have to have $500 when they came around again, but that I would now have to pay $2.72 to pay my Poll tax. They took 15 cents from my nephew George and his pocket book but there was nothing more than the 15 cents in it. They said to George that they saw me in the morning, that is how I know they are the same parties. I heard the gun fired twice.

(Sig'd) Jim (X) Butts

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 26^th day of November 1866.

(Sig'd) Michl. Walsh
Capt. V. R. C. Chief Supt.
Nashville Sub-Dist.

Witness
(Sig'd) O. M. Hamilton

Official
S. W. Groesbeck
Lieut. A. A. A. Genl.