In many sections such measures were enough, and Democrats were ordinarily chosen at the polls.
Where the negroes were in a larger majority, stronger measures were adopted.

Around election time armed bands of whites would sometimes patrol the roads wearing some special badge or garment.

Men would gallop past the houses of negroes at night, firing guns or pistols into the air and occasionally into the roofs of the houses.

Negroes talking politics were occasionally visited and warned--sometimes with physical violence--to keep silent.

On election day determined men with rifles or shotguns, ostensibly intending to go hunting after they had voted, gathered around the polls.