CCLHP: Deposition of Narrison Craig
State of Illinois
Coles County
Narrison Craig of Charleston in said county after being first duly sworn according to law on oath states that he was present at Charleston in said county on the 28th of March 1864 at the time the riot took place. The first I saw was a man called Hent OHair I believe his correct name is Henderson OHair fire his pistol several times in different directions leveling it as though shooting at persons after which he whirled and run after a soldier that was running thought the south gate of the court yard and attempted to shoot the soldier his pistol snapped and did not fire I heard the click when it snapped he then turned and run to the east of Judge Edwards office where the crowd were gathered and I afterwards saw him go off with the crowd of rioters. In regard to Jesse OHair I saw him start at a soldier the soldier meeting him and grappling another soldier ran to his assistance with a stone in his hand apparently to knock him down the three separated in an instant and my impression is that the soldiers were about to be fired on from another direction and let him go and run to save themselves. I saw another man attempt to shoot George McNutt a soldier while he was attempting to assist a wounded soldier.
Narrison Craig (signed)
Sworn to before me this April 1st 1864
W.A. Whittemore N.P.
