diff --git a/Examples/Text/pg14976.txt b/Examples/Text/pg14976.txt new file mode 100644 --- /dev/null +++ b/Examples/Text/pg14976.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2592 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Mob Rule in New Orleans, by Ida B. Wells-Barnett + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: Mob Rule in New Orleans + Robert Charles and His Fight to Death, the Story of His Life, Burning + Human Beings Alive, Other Lynching Statistics + + +Author: Ida B. Wells-Barnett + +Release Date: February 8, 2005 [EBook #14976] + +Language: English + + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOB RULE IN NEW ORLEANS *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Melissa Er-Raqabi and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgpd.net. + + + + + + + + +MOB RULE IN NEW ORLEANS: +ROBERT CHARLES AND HIS FIGHT TO DEATH, +THE STORY OF HIS LIFE, +BURNING HUMAN BEINGS ALIVE, +OTHER LYNCHING STATISTICS + +BY + +IDA B. WELLS-BARNETT + +1900 + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: This pamphlet was first published in 1900 but was +subsequently reprinted. It's not apparent if the curiosities in spelling +date back to the original or were introduced later; they have been +retained as found, and the reader is left to decide. Please verify with +another source before quoting this material. Of special note are the names +Cantrell/Cantrelle, Porteous/Porteus, and Ziegel/Zeigel.] + + + + ++INTRODUCTION+ + +Immediately after the awful barbarism which disgraced the State of Georgia +in April of last year, during which time more than a dozen colored people +were put to death with unspeakable barbarity, I published a full report +showing that Sam Hose, who was burned to death during that time, never +committed a criminal assault, and that he killed his employer in +self-defense. + +Since that time I have been engaged on a work not yet finished, which I +interrupt now to tell the story of the mob in New Orleans, which, +despising all law, roamed the streets day and night, searching for colored +men and women, whom they beat, shot and killed at will. + +In the account of the New Orleans mob I have used freely the graphic +reports of the _New Orleans Times-Democrat_ and the _New Orleans +Picayune_. Both papers gave the most minute details of the week's +disorder. In their editorial comment they were at all times most urgent in +their defense of law and in the strongest terms they condemned the +infamous work of the mob. + +It is no doubt owing to the determined stand for law and order taken by +these great dailies and the courageous action taken by the best citizens +of New Orleans, who rallied to the support of the civic authorities, that +prevented a massacre of colored people awful to contemplate. + +For the accounts and illustrations taken from the above-named journals, +sincere thanks are hereby expressed. + +[Illustration] + +The publisher hereof does not attempt to moralize over the deplorable +condition of affairs shown in this publication, but simply presents the +facts in a plain, unvarnished, connected way, so that he who runs may +read. We do not believe that the American people who have encouraged such +scenes by their indifference will read unmoved these accounts of +brutality, injustice and oppression. We do not believe that the moral +conscience of the nation--that which is highest and best among us--will +always remain silent in face of such outrages, for God is not dead, and +His Spirit is not entirely driven from men's hearts. + +When this conscience wakes and speaks out in thunder tones, as it must, it +will need facts to use as a weapon against injustice, barbarism and wrong. +It is for this reason that I carefully compile, print and send forth these +facts. If the reader can do no more, he can pass this pamphlet on to +another, or send to the bureau addresses of those to whom he can order +copies mailed. + +Besides the New Orleans case, a history of burnings in this country is +given, together with a table of lynchings for the past eighteen years. +Those who would like to assist in the work of disseminating these facts, +can do so by ordering copies, which are furnished at greatly reduced +rates for gratuitous distribution. The bureau has no funds and is entirely +dependent upon contributions from friends and members in carrying on the +work. + +Ida B. Wells-Barnett +Chicago, Sept. 1, 1900 + + + + +MOB RULE IN NEW ORLEANS + + + + + ++SHOT AN OFFICER+ + +The bloodiest week which New Orleans has known since the massacre of the +Italians in 1892 was ushered in Monday, July 24, by the inexcusable and +unprovoked assault upon two colored men by police officers of New Orleans. +Fortified by the assurance born of long experience in the New Orleans +service, three policemen, Sergeant Aucoin, Officer Mora and Officer +Cantrelle, observing two colored men sitting on doorsteps on Dryades +street, between Washington Avenue and 6th Streets, determined, without a +shadow of authority, to arrest them. One of the colored men was named +Robert Charles, the other was a lad of nineteen named Leonard Pierce. The +colored men had left their homes, a few blocks distant, about an hour +prior, and had been sitting upon the doorsteps for a short time talking +together. They had not broken the peace in any way whatever, no warrant +was in the policemen's hands justifying their arrest, and no crime had +been committed of which they were the suspects. The policemen, however, +secure in the firm belief that they could do anything to a Negro that they +wished, approached the two men, and in less than three minutes from the +time they accosted them attempted to put both colored men under arrest. +The younger of the two men, Pierce, submitted to arrest, for the officer, +Cantrelle, who accosted him, put his gun in the young man's face ready to +blow his brains out if he moved. The other colored man, Charles, was made +the victim of a savage attack by Officer Mora, who used a billet and then +drew a gun and tried to kill Charles. Charles drew his gun nearly as +quickly as the policeman, and began a duel in the street, in which both +participants were shot. The policeman got the worst of the duel, and fell +helpless to the sidewalk. Charles made his escape. Cantrelle took Pierce, +his captive, to the police station, to which place Mora, the wounded +officer, was also taken, and a man hunt at once instituted for Charles, +the wounded fugitive. + +In any law-abiding community Charles would have been justified in +delivering himself up immediately to the properly constituted authorities +and asking a trial by a jury of his peers. He could have been certain that +in resisting an unwarranted arrest he had a right to defend his life, even +to the point of taking one in that defense, but Charles knew that his +arrest in New Orleans, even for defending his life, meant nothing short of +a long term in the penitentiary, and still more probable death by lynching +at the hands of a cowardly mob. He very bravely determined to protect his +life as long as he had breath in his body and strength to draw a hair +trigger on his would-be murderers. How well he was justified in that +belief is well shown by the newspaper accounts which were given of this +transaction. Without a single line of evidence to justify the assertion, +the New Orleans daily papers at once declared that both Pierce and Charles +were desperadoes, that they were contemplating a burglary and that they +began the assault upon the policemen. It is interesting to note how the +two leading papers of New Orleans, the _Picayune_ and the +_Times-Democrat_, exert themselves to justify the policemen in the +absolutely unprovoked attack upon the two colored men. As these two papers +did all in their power to give an excuse for the action of the policemen, +it is interesting to note their versions. The _Times-Democrat_ of Tuesday +morning, the twenty-fifth, says: + + Two blacks, who are desperate men, and no doubt will be proven burglars, + made it interesting and dangerous for three bluecoats on Dryades street, + between Washington Avenue and Sixth Street, the Negroes using pistols + first and dropping Patrolman Mora. But the desperate darkies did not go + free, for the taller of the two, Robinson, is badly wounded and under + cover, while Leonard Pierce is in jail. + + For a long time that particular neighborhood has been troubled with bad + Negroes, and the neighbors were complaining to the Sixth Precinct police + about them. But of late Pierce and Robinson had been camping on a door + step on the street, and the people regarded their actions as suspicious. + It got to such a point that some of the residents were afraid to go to + bed, and last night this was told Sergeant Aucoin, who was rounding up + his men. He had just picked up Officers Mora and Cantrell, on Washington + Avenue and Dryades Street, and catching a glimpse of the blacks on the + steps, he said he would go over and warn the men to get away from the + street. So the patrolmen followed, and Sergeant Aucoin asked the smaller + fellow, Pierce, if he lived there. The answer was short and impertinent, + the black saying he did not, and with that both Pierce and Robinson drew + up to their full height. + + For the moment the sergeant did not think that the Negroes meant fight, + and he was on the point of ordering them away when Robinson slipped his + pistol from his pocket. Pierce had his revolver out, too, and he fired + twice, point blank at the sergeant, and just then Robinson began + shooting at the patrolmen. In a second or so the policemen and blacks + were fighting with their revolvers, the sergeant having a duel with + Pierce, while Cantrell and Mora drew their line of fire on Robinson, who + was working his revolver for all he was worth. One of his shots took + Mora in the right hip, another caught his index finger on the right + hand, and a third struck the small finger of the left hand. Poor Mora + was done for; he could not fight any more, but Cantrell kept up his + fire, being answered by the big black. Pierce's revolver broke down, the + cartridges snapping, and he threw up his hands, begging for quarter. + + The sergeant lowered his pistol and some citizens ran over to where the + shooting was going on. One of the bullets that went at Robinson caught + him in the breast and he began running, turning out Sixth Street, with + Cantrell behind him, shooting every few steps. He was loading his + revolver again, but did not use it after the start he took, and in a + little while Officer Cantrell lost the man in the darkness. + + Pierce was made a prisoner and hurried to the Sixth Precinct police + station, where he was charged with shooting and wounding. The sergeant + sent for an ambulance, and Mora was taken to the hospital, the wound in + the hip being serious. + + A search was made for Robinson, but he could not be found, and even at 2 + o'clock this morning Captain Day, with Sergeant Aucoin and Corporals + Perrier and Trenchard, with a good squad of men, were beating the weeds + for the black. + +The _New Orleans Picayune_ of the same date described the occurrence, and +from its account one would think it was an entirely different affair. Both +of the two accounts cannot be true, and the unquestioned fact is that +neither of them sets out the facts as they occurred. Both accounts attempt +to fix the beginning of hostilities upon the colored men, but both were +compelled to admit that the colored men were sitting on the doorsteps +quietly conversing with one another when the three policemen went up and +accosted them. The _Times-Democrat_ unguardedly states that one of the two +colored men tried to run away; that Mora seized him and then drew his +billy and struck him on the head; that Charles broke away from him and +started to run, after which the shooting began. The _Picayune_, however, +declares that Pierce began the firing and that his two shots point blank +at Aucoin were the first shots of the fight. As a matter of fact, Pierce +never fired a single shot before he was covered by Aucoin's revolver. +Charles and the officers did all the shooting. The _Picayune_'s account is +as follows: + + Patrolman Mora was shot in the right hip and dangerously wounded last + night at 11:30 o'clock in Dryades Street, between Washington and Sixth, + by two Negroes, who were sitting on a door step in the neighborhood. + + The shooting of Patrolman Mora brings to memory the fact that he was one + of the partners of Patrolman Trimp, who was shot by a Negro soldier of + the United States government during the progress of the Spanish-American + war. The shooting of Mora by the Negro last night is a very simple + story. At the hour mentioned, three Negro women noticed two suspicious + men sitting on a door step in the above locality. The women saw the two + men making an apparent inspection of the building. As they told the + story, they saw the men look over the fence and examine the window + blinds, and they paid particular attention to the make-up of the + building, which was a two-story affair. About that time Sergeant J.C. + Aucoin and Officers Mora and J.D. Cantrell hove in sight. The women + hailed them and described to them the suspicious actions of the two + Negroes, who were still sitting on the step. The trio of bluecoats, on + hearing the facts, at once crossed the street and accosted the men. The + latter answered that they were waiting for a friend whom they were + expecting. Not satisfied with this answer, the sergeant asked them where + they lived, and they replied "down town," but could not designate the + locality. To other questions put by the officers the larger of the two + Negroes replied that they had been in town just three days. + + As this reply was made, the larger man sprang to his feet, and Patrolman + Mora, seeing that he was about to run away, seized him. The Negro took a + firm hold on the officer, and a scuffle ensued. Mora, noting that he was + not being assisted by his brother officers, drew his billy and struck + the Negro on the head. The blow had but little effect upon the man, for + he broke away and started down the street. When about ten feet away, the + Negro drew his revolver and opened fire on the officer, firing three or + four shots. The third shot struck Mora in the right hip, and was + subsequently found to have taken an upward course. Although badly + wounded, Mora drew his pistol and returned the fire. At his third shot + the Negro was noticed to stagger, but he did not fall. He continued his + flight. At this moment Sergeant Aucoin seized the other Negro, who + proved to be a youth, Leon Pierce. As soon as Officer Mora was shot he + sank to the sidewalk, and the other officer ran to the nearest + telephone, and sent in a call for the ambulance. Upon its arrival the + wounded officer was placed in it and conveyed to the hospital. An + examination by the house surgeon revealed the fact that the bullet had + taken an upward course. In the opinion of the surgeon the wound was a + dangerous one. + +But the best proof of the fact that the officers accosted the two colored +men and without any warrant or other justification attempted to arrest +them, and did actually seize and begin to club one of them, is shown by +Officer Mora's own statement. The officer was wounded and had every reason +in the world to make his side of the story as good as possible. His +statement was made to a _Picayune_ reporter and the same was published on +the twenty-fifth inst., and is as follows: + + I was in the neighborhood of Dryades and Washington Streets, with + Sergeant Aucoin and Officer Cantrell, when three Negro women came up and + told us that there were two suspicious-looking Negroes sitting on a step + on Dryades Street, between Washington and Sixth. We went to the place + indicated and found two Negroes. We interrogated them as to who they + were, what they were doing and how long they had been here. They replied + that they were working for some one and had been in town three days. At + about this stage the larger of the two Negroes got up and I grabbed him. + The Negro pulled, but I held fast, and he finally pulled me into the + street. Here I began using my billet, and the Negro jerked from my grasp + and ran. He then pulled a gun and fired. I pulled my gun and returned + the fire, each of us firing about three shots. I saw the Negro stumble + several times, and I thought I had shot him, but he ran away and I don't + know whether any of my shots took effect. Sergeant Aucoin in the + meantime held the other man fast. The man was about ten feet from me + when he fired, and the three Negresses who told us about the men stood + away about twenty-five feet from the shooting. + +Thus far in the proceeding the Monday night episode results in Officer +Mora lying in the station wounded in the hip; Leonard Pierce, one of the +colored men, locked up in the station, and Robert Charles, the other +colored man, a fugitive, wounded in the leg and sought for by the entire +police force of New Orleans. Not sought for, however, to be placed under +arrest and given a fair trial and punished if found guilty according to +the law of the land, but sought for by a host of enraged, vindictive and +fearless officers, who were coolly ordered to kill him on sight. This +order is shown by the _Picayune_ of the twenty-sixth inst., in which the +following statement appears: + + In talking to the sergeant about the case, the captain asked about the + Negro's fighting ability, and the sergeant answered that Charles, though + he called him Robinson then, was a desperate man, and it would be best + to shoot him before he was given a chance to draw his pistol upon any of + the officers. + +This instruction was given before anybody had been killed, and the only +evidence that Charles was a desperate man lay in the fact that he had +refused to be beaten over the head by Officer Mora for sitting on a step +quietly conversing with a friend. Charles resisted an absolutely unlawful +attack, and a gun fight followed. Both Mora and Charles were shot, but +because Mora was white and Charles was black, Charles was at once declared +to be a desperado, made an outlaw, and subsequently a price put upon his +head and the mob authorized to shoot him like a dog, on sight. + +The New Orleans _Picayune_ of Wednesday morning said: + + But he has gone, perhaps to the swamps, and the disappointment of the + bluecoats in not getting the murderer is expressed in their curses, each + man swearing that the signal to halt that will be offered Charles will + be a shot. + +In that same column of the _Picayune_ it was said: + + Hundreds of policemen were about; each corner was guarded by a squad, + commanded either by a sergeant or a corporal, and every man had the word + to shoot the Negro as soon as he was sighted. He was a desperate black + and would be given no chance to take more life. + +Legal sanction was given to the mob or any man of the mob to kill Charles +at sight by the Mayor of New Orleans, who publicly proclaimed a reward of +two hundred and fifty dollars, not for the arrest of Charles, not at all, +but the reward was offered for Charles's body, "dead or alive." The +advertisement was as follows: + + +$250 REWARD+ + + Under the authority vested in me by law, I hereby offer, in the name of + the city of New Orleans, $250 reward for the capture and delivery, dead + or alive, to the authorities of the city, the body of the Negro + murderer, + + +ROBERT CHARLES+, + + who, on Tuesday morning, July 24, shot and killed + + Police Captain John T. Day and Patrolman Peter J. Lamb, and wounded + + Patrolman August T. Mora. + + PAUL CAPDEVIELLE, Mayor + +This authority, given by the sergeant to kill Charles on sight, would have +been no news to Charles, nor to any colored man in New Orleans, who, for +any purpose whatever, even to save his life, raised his hand against a +white man. It is now, even as it was in the days of slavery, an +unpardonable sin for a Negro to resist a white man, no matter how unjust +or unprovoked the white man's attack may be. Charles knew this, and +knowing to be captured meant to be killed, he resolved to sell his life as +dearly as possible. + +The next step in the terrible tragedy occurred between 2:30 and 5 o'clock +Tuesday morning, about four hours after the affair on Dryades Street. The +man hunt, which had been inaugurated soon after Officer Mora had been +carried to the station, succeeded in running down Robert Charles, the +wounded fugitive, and located him at 2023 4th Street. It was nearly 2 +o'clock in the morning when a large detail of police surrounded the block +with the intent to kill Charles on sight. Capt. Day had charge of the +squad of police. Charles, the wounded man, was in his house when the +police arrived, fully prepared, as results afterward showed, to die in his +own home. Capt. Day started for Charles's room. As soon as Charles got +sight of him there was a flash, a report, and Day fell dead in his tracks. +In another instant Charles was standing in the door, and seeing Patrolman +Peter J. Lamb, he drew his gun, and Lamb fell dead. Two other officers, +Sergeant Aucoin and Officer Trenchard, who were in the squad, seeing their +comrades, Day and Lamb, fall dead, concluded to raise the siege, and both +disappeared into an adjoining house, where they blew out their lights so +that their cowardly carcasses could be safe from Charles's deadly aim. The +calibre of their courage is well shown by the fact that they concluded to +save themselves from any harm by remaining prisoners in that dark room +until daybreak, out of reach of Charles's deadly rifle. Sergeant Aucoin, +who had been so brave a few hours before when seeing the two colored men +sitting on the steps, talking together on Dryades Street, and supposing +that neither was armed, now showed his true calibre. Now he knew that +Charles had a gun and was brave enough to use it, so he hid himself in a +room two hours while Charles deliberately walked out of his room and into +the street after killing both Lamb and Day. It is also shown, as further +evidence of the bravery of some of New Orleans' "finest," that one of +them, seeing Capt. Day fall, ran seven blocks before he stopped, +afterwards giving the excuse that he was hunting for a patrol box. + +At daybreak the officers felt safe to renew the attack upon Charles, so +they broke into his room, only to find that--what they probably very well +knew--he had gone. It appears that he made his escape by crawling through +a hole in the ceiling to a little attic in his house. Here he found that +he could not escape except by a window which led into an alley, which had +no opening on 4th Street. He scaled the fence and was soon out of reach. + +It was now 5 o'clock Tuesday morning, and a general alarm was given. +Sergeant Aucoin and Corporal Trenchard, having received a new supply of +courage by returning daylight, renewed their effort to capture the man +that they had allowed to escape in the darkness. Citizens were called upon +to participate in the man hunt and New Orleans was soon the scene of +terrible excitement. Officers were present everywhere, and colored men +were arrested on all sides upon the pretext that they were impertinent and +"game niggers." An instance is mentioned in the _Times-Democrat_ of the +twenty-fifth and shows the treatment which unoffending colored men +received at the hands of some of the officers. This instance shows +Corporal Trenchard, who displayed such remarkable bravery on Monday night +in dodging Charles's revolver, in his true light. It shows how brave a +white man is when he has a gun attacking a Negro who is a helpless +prisoner. The account is as follows: + + The police made some arrests in the neighborhood of the killing of the + two officers. Mobs of young darkies gathered everywhere. These Negroes + talked and joked about the affair, and many of them were for starting a + race war on the spot. It was not until several of these little gangs + amalgamated and started demonstrations that the police commenced to + act. Nearly a dozen arrests were made within an hour, and everybody in + the vicinity was in a tremor of excitement. + + It was about 1 o'clock that the Negroes on Fourth Street became very + noisy, and George Meyers, who lives on Sixth Street, near Rampart, + appeared to be one of the prime movers in a little riot that was rapidly + developing. Policeman Exnicios and Sheridan placed him under arrest, and + owing to the fact that the patrol wagon had just left with a number of + prisoners, they walked him toward St. Charles Avenue in order to get a + conveyance to take him to the Sixth Precinct station. + + A huge crowd of Negroes followed the officers and their prisoners. + Between Dryades and Baronne, on Sixth, Corporal Trenchard met the trio. + He had his pistol in his hand and he came on them running. The Negroes + in the wake of the officers, and prisoner took to flight immediately. + Some disappeared through gates and some over fences and into yards, for + Trenchard, visibly excited, was waving his revolver in the air and was + threatening to shoot. He joined the officers in their walk toward St. + Charles Street, and the way he acted led the white people who were + witnessing the affair to believe that his prisoner was the wanted Negro. + At every step he would punch him or hit him with the barrel of his + pistol, and the onlookers cried, "Lynch him!" "Kill him!" and other + expressions until the spectators were thoroughly wrought up. At St. + Charles Street Trenchard desisted, and, calling an empty ice wagon, + threw the Negro into the body of the vehicle and ordered Officer + Exnicios to take him to the Sixth Precinct station. + + The ride to the station was a wild one. Exnicios had all he could do to + watch his prisoner. A gang climbed into the wagon and administered a + terrible thrashing to the black en route. It took a half hour to reach + the police station, for the mule that was drawing the wagon was not + overly fast. When the station was reached a mob of nearly 200 howling + white youths was awaiting it. The noise they made was something + terrible. Meyers was howling for mercy before he reached the ground. The + mob dragged him from the wagon, the officer with him. Then began a + torrent of abuse for the unfortunate prisoner. + + The station door was but thirty feet away, but it took Exnicios nearly + five minutes to fight his way through the mob to the door. There were no + other officers present, and the station seemed to be deserted. Neither + the doorman nor the clerk paid any attention to the noise on the + outside. As the result, the maddened crowd wrought their vengeance on + the Negro. He was punched, kicked, bruised and torn. The clothes were + ripped from his back, while his face after that few minutes was + unrecognizable. + +This was the treatment accorded and permitted to a helpless prisoner +because he was black. All day Wednesday the man hunt continued. The +excitement caused by the deaths of Day and Lamb became intense. The +officers of the law knew they were trailing a man whose aim was deadly and +whose courage they had never seen surpassed. Commenting upon the +marksmanship of the man which the paper styled a fiend, the +_Times-Democrat_ of Wednesday said: + + One of the extraordinary features of the tragedy was the marksmanship + displayed by the Negro desperado. His aim was deadly and his coolness + must have been something phenomenal. The two shots that killed Captain + Day and Patrolman Lamb struck their victims in the head, a circumstance + remarkable enough in itself, considering the suddenness and fury of the + onslaught and the darkness that reigned in the alley way. + + Later on Charles fired at Corporal Perrier, who was standing at least + seventy-five yards away. The murderer appeared at the gate, took + lightning aim along the side of the house, and sent a bullet whizzing + past the officer's ear. It was a close shave, and a few inches' + deflection would no doubt have added a fourth victim to the list. + + At the time of the affray there is good reason to believe that Charles + was seriously wounded, and at any event he had lost quantities of blood. + His situation was as critical as it is possible to imagine, yet he shot + like an expert in a target range. The circumstance shows the desperate + character of the fiend, and his terrible dexterity with weapons makes + him one of the most formidable monsters that has ever been loose upon + the community. + +Wednesday New Orleans was in the hands of a mob. Charles, still sought for +and still defending himself, had killed four policemen, and everybody knew +that he intended to die fighting. Unable to vent its vindictiveness and +bloodthirsty vengeance upon Charles, the mob turned its attention to other +colored men who happened to get in the path of its fury. Even colored +women, as has happened many times before, were assaulted and beaten and +killed by the brutal hoodlums who thronged the streets. The reign of +absolute lawlessness began about 8 o'clock Wednesday night. The mob +gathered near the Lee statue and was soon making its way to the place +where the officers had been shot by Charles. Describing the mob, the +_Times-Democrat_ of Thursday morning says: + + The gathering in the square, which numbered about 700, eventually became + in a measure quiet, and a large, lean individual, in poor attire and + with unshaven face, leaped upon a box that had been brought for the + purpose, and in a voice that under no circumstances could be heard at a + very great distance, shouted: "Gentlemen, I am the Mayor of Kenner." He + did not get a chance for some minutes to further declare himself, for + the voice of the rabble swung over his like a huge wave over a sinking + craft. He stood there, however, wildly waving his arms and demanded a + hearing, which was given him when the uneasiness of the mob was quieted + for a moment or so. + + "I am from Kenner, gentlemen, and I have come down to New Orleans + tonight to assist you in teaching the blacks a lesson. I have killed a + Negro before, and in revenge of the wrong wrought upon you and yours, I + am willing to kill again. The only way that you can teach these Niggers + a lesson and put them in their place is to go out and lynch a few of + them as an object lesson. String up a few of them, and the others will + trouble you no more. That is the only thing to do--kill them, string + them up, lynch them! I will lead you, if you will but follow. On to the + Parish Prison and lynch Pierce!" + + They bore down on the Parish Prison like an avalanche, but the avalanche + split harmlessly on the blank walls of the jail, and Remy Klock sent out + a brief message: "You can't have Pierce, and you can't get in." Up to + that time the mob had had no opposition, but Klock's answer chilled them + considerably. There was no deep-seated desperation in the crowd after + all, only, that wild lawlessness which leads to deeds of cruelty, but + not to stubborn battle. Around the corner from the prison is a row of + pawn and second-hand shops, and to these the mob took like the ducks to + the proverbial mill-pond, and the devastation they wrought upon Mr. + Fink's establishment was beautiful in its line. + + Everything from breast pins to horse pistols went into the pockets of + the crowd, and in the melee a man was shot down, while just around the + corner somebody planted a long knife in the body of a little newsboy for + no reason as yet shown. Every now and then a Negro would be flushed + somewhere in the outskirts of the crowd and left beaten to a pulp. Just + how many were roughly handled will never be known, but the unlucky + thirteen had been severely beaten and maltreated up to a late hour, a + number of those being in the Charity Hospital under the bandages and + courtplaster of the doctors. + +The first colored man to meet death at the hands of the mob was a +passenger on a street car. The mob had broken itself into fragments after +its disappointment at the jail, each fragment looking for a Negro to +kill. The bloodthirsty cruelty of one crowd is thus described by the +_Times-Democrat_: + + "We will get a Nigger down here, you bet!" was the yelling boast that + went up from a thousand throats, and for the first time the march of the + mob was directed toward the downtown sections. The words of the rioters + were prophetic, for just as Canal Street was reached a car on the + Villere line came along. + + "Stop that car!" cried half a hundred men. The advance guard, heeding + the injunction, rushed up to the slowly moving car, and several, seizing + the trolley, jerked it down. + + "Here's a Nigro!" said half a dozen men who sprang upon the car. + + The car was full of passengers at the time, among them several women. + When the trolley was pulled down and the car thrown in total darkness, + the latter began to scream, and for a moment or so it looked as if the + life of every person in the car was in peril, for some of the crowd with + demoniacal yells of "There he goes!" began to fire their weapons + indiscriminately. The passengers in the car hastily jumped to the ground + and joined the crowd, as it was evidently the safest place to be. + + "Where's that Nigger?" was the query passed along the line, and with + that the search began in earnest. The Negro, after jumping off the car, + lost himself for a few moments in the crowd, but after a brief search he + was again located. The slight delay seemed, if possible, only to whet + the desire of the bloodthirsty crowd, for the reappearance of the Negro + was the signal for a chorus of screams and pistol shots directed at the + fugitive. With the speed of a deer, the man ran straight from the corner + of Canal and Villere to Customhouse Street. The pursuers, closely + following, kept up a running fire, but notwithstanding the fact that + they were right at the Negro's heels their aim was poor and their + bullets went wide of the mark. + + The Negro, on reaching Customhouse Street, darted from the sidewalk out + into the middle of the street. This was the worst maneuver that he could + have made, as it brought him directly under the light from an arc lamp, + located on a nearby corner. When the Negro came plainly in view of the + foremost of the closely following mob they directed a volley at him. + Half a dozen pistols flashed simultaneously, and one of the bullets + evidently found its mark, for the Negro stopped short, threw up his + hands, wavered for a moment, and then started to run again. This stop, + slight as it was, proved fatal to the Negro's chances, for he had not + gotten twenty steps farther when several of the men in advance of the + others reached his side. A burly fellow, grabbing him with one hand, + dealt him a terrible blow on the head with the other. The wounded man + sank to the ground. The crowd pressed around him and began to beat him + and stamp him. The men in the rear pressed forward and those beating the + man were shoved forward. The half-dead Negro, when he was freed from his + assailants, crawled over to the gutter. The men behind, however, stopped + pushing when those in front yelled, "We've got him," and then it was + that the attack on the bleeding Negro was resumed. A vicious kick + directed at the Negro's head sent him into the gutter, and for a moment + the body sank from view beneath the muddy, slimy water. "Pull him out; + don't let him drown," was the cry, and instantly several of the men + around the half-drowned Negro bent down and drew the body out. Twisting + the body around they drew the head and shoulders up on the street, while + from the waist down the Negro's body remained under the water. As soon + as the crowd saw that the Negro was still alive they again began to beat + and kick him. Every few moments they would stop and striking matches + look into the man's face to see if he still lived. To better see if he + was dead they would stick lighted matches to his eyes. Finally, + believing he was dead they left him and started out to look for other + Negroes. Just about this time some one yelled, "He ain't dead," and the + men came back and renewed the attack. While the men were beating and + pounding the prostrate form with stones and sticks a man in the crowd + ran up, and crying, "I'll fix the d--- Negro," poked the muzzle of a + pistol almost against the body and fired. This shot must have ended the + man's life, for he lay like a stone, and realizing that they were + wasting energy in further attacks, the men left their victim lying in + the street. + +The same paper, on the same day, July 26, describes the brutal butchery of +an aged colored man early in the morning: + + Baptiste Philo, a Negro, seventy-five years of age, was a victim of mob + violence at Kerlerec and North Peters Streets about 2:30 o'clock this + morning. The old man is employed about the French Market, and was on his + way there when he was met by a crowd and desperately shot. The old man + found his way to the Third Precinct police station, where it was found + that he had received a ghastly wound in the abdomen. The ambulance was + summoned and he was conveyed to the Charity Hospital. The students + pronounced the wound fatal after a superficial examination. + +Mob rule continued Thursday, its violence increasing every hour, until 2 +p.m., when the climax seemed to be reached. The fact that colored men and +women had been made the victims of brutal mobs, chased through the +streets, killed upon the highways and butchered in their homes, did not +call the best element in New Orleans to active exertion in behalf of law +and order. The killing of a few Negroes more or less by irresponsible mobs +does not cut much figure in Louisiana. But when the reign of mob law +exerts a depressing influence upon the stock market and city securities +begin to show unsteady standing in money centers, then the strong arm of +the good white people of the South asserts itself and order is quickly +brought out of chaos. + +It was so with New Orleans on that Thursday. The better element of the +white citizens began to realize that New Orleans in the hands of a mob +would not prove a promising investment for Eastern capital, so the better +element began to stir itself, not for the purpose of punishing the +brutality against the Negroes who had been beaten, or bringing to justice +the murderers of those who had been killed, but for the purpose of saving +the city's credit. The _Times-Democrat_, upon this phase of the situation +on Friday morning says: + + When it became known later in the day that State bonds had depreciated + from a point to a point and a half on the New York market a new phase of + seriousness was manifest to the business community. Thinking men + realized that a continuance of unchecked disorder would strike a body + blow to the credit of the city and in all probability would complicate + the negotiation of the forthcoming improvement bonds. The bare thought + that such a disaster might be brought about by a few irresponsible boys, + tramps and ruffians, inflamed popular indignation to fever pitch. It was + all that was needed to bring to the aid of the authorities the active + personal cooperation of the entire better element. + +With the financial credit of the city at stake, the good citizens rushed +to the rescue, and soon the Mayor was able to mobilize a posse of 1,000 +willing men to assist the police in maintaining order, but rioting still +continued in different sections of the city. Colored men and women were +beaten, chased and shot whenever they made their appearance upon the +street. Late in the night a most despicable piece of villainy occurred on +Rousseau Street, where an aged colored woman was killed by the mob. The +_Times-Democrat_ thus describes, the murder: + + Hannah Mabry, an old Negress, was shot and desperately wounded shortly + after midnight this morning while sleeping in her home at No. 1929 + Rousseau Street. It was the work of a mob, and was evidently well + planned so far as escape was concerned, for the place was reached by + police officers, and a squad of the volunteer police within a very short + time after the reports of the shots, but not a prisoner was secured. The + square was surrounded, but the mob had scattered in several directions, + and, the darkness of the neighborhood aiding them, not one was taken. + + At the time the mob made the attack on the little house there were also + in it David Mabry, the sixty-two-year-old husband of the wounded woman; + her son, Harry Mabry; his wife, Fannie, and an infant child. The young + couple with their babe could not be found after the whole affair was + over, and they either escaped or were hustled off by the mob. A careful + search of the whole neighborhood was made, but no trace of them could be + found. + + The little place occupied by the Mabry family is an old cottage on the + swamp side of Rousseau Street. It is furnished with slat shutters to + both doors and windows. These shutters had been pulled off by the mob + and the volleys fired through the glass doors. The younger Mabrys, + father, mother and child, were asleep in the first room at the time. + Hannah Mabry and her old husband were sleeping in the next room. The old + couple occupied the same bed, and it is miraculous that the old man did + not share the fate of his spouse. + + Officer Bitterwolf, who was one of the first on the scene, said that he + was about a block and a half away with Officers Fordyce and Sweeney. + There were about twenty shots fired, and the trio raced to the cottage. + They saw twenty or thirty men running down Rousseau Street. Chase was + given and the crowd turned toward the river and scattered into several + vacant lots in the neighborhood. + + The volunteer police stationed at the Sixth Precinct had about five + blocks to run before they arrived. They also moved on the reports of the + firing, and in a remarkably short time the square was surrounded, but no + one could be taken. As they ran to the scene they were assailed on every + hand with vile epithets and the accusation of "Nigger lovers." + + Rousseau Street, where the cottage is situated, is a particularly dark + spot, and no doubt the members of the mob were well acquainted with the + neighborhood, for the officers said that they seemed to sink into the + earth, so completely and quickly did they disappear after they had + completed their work, which was complete with the firing of the volley. + + Hannah Mabry was taken to the Charity Hospital in the ambulance, where + it was found on examination that she had been shot through the right + lung, and that the wound was a particularly serious one. + + Her old husband was found in the little wrecked home well nigh + distracted with fear and grief. It was he who informed the police that + at the time of the assault the younger Mabrys occupied the front room. + As he ran about the little home as well as his feeble condition would + permit he severely lacerated his feet on the glass broken from the + windows and door. He was escorted to the Sixth Precinct station, where + he was properly cared for. He could not realize why his little family + had been so murderously attacked, and was inconsolable when his wife was + driven off in the ambulance piteously moaning in her pain. + + The search for the perpetrators of the outrage was thorough, but both + police and armed force of citizens had only their own efforts to rely + on. The residents of the neighborhood were aroused by the firing, but + they would give no help in the search and did not appear in the least + concerned over the affair. Groups were on almost every doorstep, and + some of them even jeered in a quiet way at the men who were voluntarily + attempting to capture the members of the mob. Absolutely no information + could be had from any of them, and the whole affair had the appearance + of being the work of roughs who either lived in the vicinity, or their + friends. + + ++DEATH OF CHARLES+ + +Friday witnessed the final act in the bloody drama begun by the three +police officers, Aucoin, Mora and Cantrelle. Betrayed into the hands of +the police, Charles, who had already sent two of his would-be murderers to +their death, made a last stand in a small building, 1210 Saratoga Street, +and, still defying his pursuers, fought a mob of twenty thousand people, +single-handed and alone, killing three more men, mortally wounding two +more and seriously wounding nine others. Unable to get to him in his +stronghold, the besiegers set fire to his house of refuge. While the +building was burning Charles was shooting, and every crack of his +death-dealing rifle added another victim to the price which he had placed +upon his own life. Finally, when fire and smoke became too much for flesh +and blood to stand, the long sought for fugitive appeared in the door, +rifle in hand, to charge the countless guns that were drawn upon him. +With a courage which was indescribable, he raised his gun to fire again, +but this time it failed, for a hundred shots riddled his body, and he fell +dead face fronting to the mob. This last scene in the terrible drama is +thus described in the _Times-Democrat_ of July 26: + + Early yesterday afternoon, at 3 o'clock or thereabouts, Police Sergeant + Gabriel Porteus was instructed by Chief Gaster to go to a house at No. + 1210 Saratoga Street, and search it for the fugitive murderer, Robert + Charles. A private "tip" had been received at the headquarters that the + fiend was hiding somewhere on the premises. + + Sergeant Porteus took with him Corporal John R. Lally and Officers + Zeigel and Essey. The house to which they were directed is a small, + double frame cottage, standing flush with Saratoga Street, near the + corner of Clio. It has two street entrances and two rooms on each side, + one in front and one in the rear. It belongs to the type of cheap little + dwellings commonly tenanted by Negroes. + + Sergeant Porteus left Ziegel and Essey to guard the outside and went + with Corporal Lally to the rear house, where he found Jackson and his + wife in the large room on the left. What immediately ensued is only + known by the Negroes. They say the sergeant began to question them about + their lodgers and finally asked them whether they knew anything about + Robert Charles. They strenuously denied all knowledge of his + whereabouts. + + The Negroes lied. At that very moment the hunted and desperate murderer + lay concealed not a dozen feet away. Near the rear, left-hand corner of + the room is a closet or pantry, about three feet deep, and perhaps eight + feet long. The door was open and Charles was crouching, Winchester in + hand, in the dark further end. + + Near the closet door was a bucket of water, and Jackson says that + Sergeant Porteous walked toward it to get a drink. At the next moment a + shot rang out and the brave officer fell dead. Lally was shot directly + afterward. Exactly how and where will never be known, but the + probabilities are that the black fiend sent a bullet into him before he + recovered from his surprise at the sudden onslaught. Then the murderer + dashed out of the back door and disappeared. + + The neighborhood was already agog with the tragic events of the two + preceding days, and the sound of the shots was a signal for wild and + instant excitement. In a few moments a crowd had gathered and people + were pouring in by the hundred from every point of the compass. Jackson + and his wife had fled and at first nobody knew what had happened, but + the surmise that Charles had recommenced his bloody work was on every + tongue and soon some of the bolder found their way to the house in the + rear. There the bleeding forms of the two policemen told the story. + + Lally was still breathing, and a priest was sent for to administer the + last rites. Father Fitzgerald responded, and while he was bending over + the dying man the outside throng was rushing wildly through the + surrounding yards and passageways searching for the murderer. "Where is + he?" "What has become of him?" were the questions on every lip. + + Suddenly the answer came in a shot from the room directly overhead. It + was fired through a window facing Saratoga Street, and the bullet struck + down a young man named Alfred J. Bloomfield, who was standing in the + narrow passage-way between the two houses. He fell on his knees and a + second bullet stretched him dead. + + When he fled from the closet Charles took refuge in the upper story of + the house. There are four windows on that floor, two facing toward + Saratoga Street and two toward Rampart. The murderer kicked several + breaches in the frail central partition, so he could rush from side to + side, and like a trapped beast, prepared to make his last stand. + + Nobody had dreamed that he was still in the house, and when Bloomfield + was shot there was a headlong stampede. It was some minutes before the + exact situation was understood. Then rifles and pistols began to speak, + and a hail of bullets poured against the blind frontage of the old + house. Every one hunted some coign of vantage, and many climbed to + adjacent roofs. Soon the glass of the four upper windows was shattered + by flying lead. The fusillade sounded like a battle, and the excitement + upon the streets was indescribable. + + Throughout all this hideous uproar Charles seems to have retained a + certain diabolical coolness. He kept himself mostly out of sight, but + now and then he thrust the gleaming barrel of his rifle through one of + the shattered window panes and fired at his besiegers. He worked the + weapon with incredible rapidity, discharging from three to five + cartridges each time before leaping back to a place of safety. These + replies came from all four windows indiscriminately, and showed that he + was keeping a close watch in every direction. His wonderful marksmanship + never failed him for a moment, and when he missed it was always by the + narrowest margin only. + + On the Rampart Street side of the house there are several sheds, + commanding an excellent range of the upper story. Detective Littleton, + Andrew Van Kuren of the Workhouse force and several others climbed upon + one of these and opened fire on the upper windows, shooting whenever + they could catch a glimpse of the assassin. Charles responded with his + rifle, and presently Van Kuren climbed down to find a better position. + He was crossing the end of the shed when he was killed. + + Another of Charles's bullets found its billet in the body of Frank + Evans, an ex-member of the police force. He was on the Rampart Street + side firing whenever he had an opportunity. Officer J.W. Bofill and A.S. + Leclerc were also wounded in the fusillade. + + While the events thus briefly outlined were transpiring time was a-wing, + and the cooler headed in the crowd began to realize that some quick and + desperate expedient must be adopted to insure the capture of the fiend + and to avert what might be a still greater tragedy than any yet enacted. + For nearly two hours the desperate monster had held his besiegers at + bay, darkness would soon be at hand and no one could predict what might + occur if he made a dash for liberty in the dark. + + At this critical juncture it was suggested that the house be fired. The + plan came as an inspiration, and was adopted as the only solution of the + situation. The wretched old rookery counted for nothing against the + possible continued sacrifice of human life, and steps were immediately + taken to apply the torch. The fire department had been summoned to the + scene soon after the shooting began; its officers were warned to be + ready to prevent a spread of the conflagration, and several men rushed + into the lower right-hand room and started a blaze in one corner. + + They first fired an old mattress, and soon smoke was pouring out in + dense volumes. It filled the interior of the ramshackle structure, and + it was evident that the upper story would soon become untenable. An + interval of tense excitement followed, and all eyes were strained for a + glimpse of the murderer when he emerged. + + Then came the thrilling climax. Smoked out of his den, the desperate + fiend descended the stairs and entered the lower room. Some say he + dashed into the yard, glaring around vainly for some avenue of escape; + but, however that may be, he was soon a few moments later moving about + behind the lower windows. A dozen shots were sent through the wall in + the hope of reaching him, but he escaped unscathed. Then suddenly the + door on the right was flung open and he dashed out. With head lowered + and rifle raised ready to fire on the instant, Charles dashed straight + for the rear door of the front cottage. To reach it he had to traverse a + little walk shaded by a vineclad arbor. In the back room, with a cocked + revolver in his hand, was Dr. C.A. Noiret, a young medical student, who + was aiding the citizens' posse. As he sprang through the door Charles + fired a shot, and the bullet whizzed past the doctor's head. Before it + could be repeated Noiret's pistol cracked and the murderer reeled, + turned half around and fell on his back. The doctor sent another ball + into his body as he struck the floor, and half a dozen men, swarming + into the room from the front, riddled the corpse with bullets. + + Private Adolph Anderson of the Connell Rifles was the first man to + announce the death of the wretch. He rushed to the street door, shouted + the news to the crowd, and a moment later the bleeding body was dragged + to the pavement and made the target of a score of pistols. It was shot, + kicked and beaten almost out of semblance to humanity.... + + The limp dead body was dropped at the edge of the sidewalk and from + there dragged to the muddy roadway by half a hundred hands. There in the + road more shots were fired into the body. Corporal Trenchard, a + brother-in-law of Porteus, led the shooting into the inanimate clay. + With each shot there was a cheer for the work that had been done and + curses and imprecations on the inanimate mass of riddled flesh that was + once Robert Charles. + + Cries of "Burn him! Burn him!" were heard from Clio Street all the way + to Erato Street, and it was with difficulty that the crowd was + restrained from totally destroying the wretched dead body. Some of those + who agitated burning even secured a large vessel of kerosene, which had + previously been brought to the scene for the purpose of firing Charles's + refuge, and for a time it looked as though this vengeance might be + wreaked on the body. The officers, however, restrained this move, + although they were powerless to prevent the stamping and kicking of the + body by the enraged crowd. + + After the infuriated citizens had vented their spleen on the body of the + dead Negro it was loaded into the patrol wagon. The police raised the + body of the heavy black from the ground and literally chucked it into + the space on the floor of the wagon between the seats. They threw it + with a curse hissed more than uttered and born of the bitterness which + was rankling in their breasts at the thought of Charles having taken so + wantonly the lives of four of the best of their fellow-officers. + + When the murderer's body landed in the wagon it fell in such a position + that the hideously mutilated head, kicked, stamped and crushed, hung + over the end. + + As the wagon moved off, the followers, who were protesting against its + being carried off, declaring that it should be burned, poked and struck + it with sticks, beating it into such a condition that it was utterly + impossible to tell what the man ever looked like. + + As the patrol wagon rushed through the rough street, jerking and + swaying from one side of the thoroughfare to the other, the gory, + mud-smeared head swayed and swung and jerked about in a sickening + manner, the dark blood dripping on the steps and spattering the body of + the wagon and the trousers of the policemen standing on the step. + + ++MOB BRUTALITY+ + +The brutality of the mob was further shown by the unspeakable cruelty with +which it beat, shot and stabbed to death an unoffending colored man, name +unknown, who happened to be walking on the street with no thought that he +would be set upon and killed simply because he was a colored man. The +_Times-Democrat_'s description of the outrage is as follows: + + While the fight between the Negro desperado and the citizens was in + progress yesterday afternoon at Clio and Saratoga Streets another + tragedy was being enacted downtown in the French quarter, but it was a + very one-sided affair. The object of the white man's wrath was, of + course, a Negro, but, unlike Charles, he showed no fight, but tried to + escape from the furious mob which was pursuing him, and which finally + put an end to his existence in a most cruel manner. + + The Negro, whom no one seemed to know--at any rate no one could be found + in the vicinity of the killing who could tell who he was--was walking + along the levee, as near as could be learned, when he was attacked by a + number of white longshoremen or screwmen. For what reason, if there was + any reason other than the fact that he was a Negro, could not be + learned, and immediately they pounced upon him he broke ground and + started on a desperate run for his life. + + The hunted Negro started off the levee toward the French Vegetable + Market, changed his course out the sidewalk toward Gallatin Street. The + angry, yelling mob was close at his heels, and increasing steadily as + each block was traversed. At Gallatin Street he turned up that + thoroughfare, doubled back into North Peters Street and ran into the + rear of No. 1216 of that street, which is occupied by Chris Reuter as a + commission store and residence. + + He rushed frantically through the place and out on to the gallery on the + Gallatin Street side. From this gallery he jumped to the street and fell + flat on his back on the sidewalk. Springing to his feet as soon as + possible, with a leaden, hail fired by the angry mob whistling about + him, he turned to his merciless pursuers in an appealing way, and, + throwing up one hand, told them not to shoot any more, that they could + take him as he was. + + But the hail of lead continued, and the unfortunate Negro finally + dropped to the sidewalk, mortally wounded. The mob then rushed upon him, + still continuing the fusillade, and upon reaching his body a number of + Italians, who had joined the howling mob, reached down and stabbed him + in the back and buttock with big knives. Others fired shots into his + head until his teeth were shot out, three shots having been fired into + his mouth. There were bullet wounds all over his body. + + Others who witnessed the affair declared that the man was fired at as he + was running up the stairs leading to the living apartments above the + store, and that after jumping to the sidewalk and being knocked down by + a bullet he jumped up and ran across the street, then ran back and tried + to get back into the commission store. The Italians, it is said, were + all drunk, and had been shooting firecrackers. Tiring of this, they + began shooting at Negroes, and when the unfortunate man who was killed + ran by they joined in the chase. + + No one was arrested for the shooting, the neighborhood having been + deserted by the police, who were sent up to the place where Charles was + fighting so desperately. No one could or would give the names of any of + those who had participated in the chase and the killing, nor could any + one be found who knew who the Negro was. The patrol wagon was called and + the terribly mutilated body sent to the morgue and the coroner notified. + + The murdered Negro was copper colored, about 5 feet 11 inches in height, + about 35 years of age, and was dressed in blue overalls and a brown + slouch hat. At 10:30 o'clock the vicinity of the French Market was very + quiet. Squads of special officers were patrolling the neighborhood, and + there did not seem to be any prospects of disorder. + +During the entire time the mob held the city in its hands and went about +holding up street cars and searching them, taking from them colored men to +assault, shoot and kill, chasing colored men upon the public square, +through alleys and into houses of anybody who would take them in, breaking +into the homes of defenseless colored men and women and beating aged and +decrepit men and women to death, the police and the legally constituted +authorities showed plainly where their sympathies were, for in no case +reported through the daily papers does there appear the arrest, trial and +conviction of one of the mob for any of the brutalities which occurred. +The ringleaders of the mob were at no time disguised. Men were chased, +beaten and killed by white brutes, who boasted of their crimes, and the +murderers still walk the streets of New Orleans, well known and absolutely +exempt from prosecution. Not only were they exempt from prosecution by the +police while the town was in the hands of the mob, but even now that law +and order is supposed to resume control, these men, well known, are not +now, nor ever will be, called to account for the unspeakable brutalities +of that terrible week. On the other hand, the colored men who were beaten +by the police and dragged into the station for purposes of intimidation, +were quickly called up before the courts and fined or sent to jail upon +the statement of the police. Instances of Louisiana justice as it is +dispensed in New Orleans are here quoted from the _Times-Democrat_ of July +26: + + +Justice Dealt Out to Folk Who Talked Too Much+ + + All the Negroes and whites who were arrested in the vicinity of + Tuesday's tragedy had a hard time before Recorder Hughes yesterday. Lee + Jackson was the first prisoner, and the evidence established that he + made his way to the vicinity of the crime and told his Negro friends + that he thought a good many more policemen ought to be killed. Jackson + said he was drunk when he made the remark. He was fined $25 or thirty + days. + + John Kennedy was found wandering about the street Tuesday night with an + open razor in his hand, and he was given $25 or thirty days. + + Edward McCarthy, a white man, who arrived only four days since from New + York, went to the scene of the excitement at the corner of Third and + Rampart Streets, and told the Negroes that they were as good as any + white man. This remark was made by McCarthy, as another white man said + the Negroes should be lynched. McCarthy told the recorder that he + considered a Negro as good as a white in body and soul. He was fined $25 + or thirty days. + + James Martin, Simon Montegut, Eddie McCall, Alex Washington and Henry + Turner were up for failing to move on. Martin proved that he was at the + scene to assist the police and was discharged. Montegut, being a + cripple, was also released, but the others were fined $25 or thirty days + each. + + Eddie Williams for refusing to move on was given $25 or thirty days. + + Matilda Gamble was arrested by the police for saying that two officers + were killed and it was a pity more were not shot. She was given $25 or + thirty days. + + ++INSOLENT BLACKS+ + +"Recorder Hughes received Negroes in the first recorder's office yesterday +morning in a way that they will remember for a long time, and all of them +were before the magistrate for having caused trouble through incendiary +remarks concerning the death of Captain Day and Patrolman Lamb." + +"Lee Jackson was before the recorder and was fined $25 or thirty days. He +was lippy around where the trouble happened Tuesday morning, and some +white men punched him good and hard and the police took him. Then the +recorder gave him a dose, and now he is in the parish prison." + +"John Kennedy was another black who got into trouble. He said that the +shooting of the police by Charles was a good thing, and for this he was +pounded. Patrolman Lorenzo got him and saved him from being lynched, for +the black had an open razor. He was fined $25 or thirty days." + +"Edward McCarthy, a white man, mixed up with the crowd, and an expression +of sympathy nearly cost him his head, for some whites about started for +him, administering licks and blows with fists and umbrellas. The recorder +fined him $25 or thirty days. He is from New York." + +"Then James Martin, a white man, and Simon Montegut, Eddie Call, Henry +Turner and Alex Washington were before the magistrate for having failed to +move on when the police ordered them from the square where the bluecoats +were Tuesday, waiting in the hope of catching Charles. All save Martin and +Montegut were fined." + +"Eddie Williams, a little Negro who was extremely fresh with the police, +was fined $10 or ten days." + + ++SHOCKING BRUTALITY+ + +The whole city was at the mercy of the mob and the display of brutality +was a disgrace to civilization. One instance is described in the +_Picayune_ as follows: + + A smaller party detached itself from the mob at Washington and Rampart + Streets, and started down the latter thoroughfare. One of the foremost + spied a Negro, and immediately there was a rush for the unfortunate + black man. With the sticks they had torn from fences on the line of + march the young outlaws attacked the black and clubbed him unmercifully, + acting more like demons than human beings. After being severely beaten + over the head, the Negro started to run with the whole gang at his + heels. Several revolvers were brought into play and pumped their lead at + the refugee. The Negro made rapid progress and took refuge behind the + blinds of a little cottage in Rampart Street, but he had been seen, and + the mob hauled him from his hiding place and again commenced beating + him. There were more this time, some twenty or thirty, all armed with + sticks and heavy clubs, and under their incessant blows the Negro could + not last long. He begged for mercy, and his cries were most pitiful, but + a mob has no heart, and his cries were only answered with more blows. + + "For God's sake, boss, I ain't done nothin'. Don't kill me. I swear I + ain't done nothin'." + + The white brutes turned + ++ A DEAF EAR TO THE PITYING CRIES+ + + of the black wretch and the drubbing continued. The cries subsided into + moans, and soon the black swooned away into unconsciousness. Still not + content with their heartless work, they pulled the Negro out and kicked + him into the gutter. For the time those who had beaten the black seemed + satisfied and left him groaning in the gutter, but others came up, and, + regretting that they had not had a hand in the affair, they determined + to evidence their bravery to their fellows and beat the man while he was + in the gutter, hurling rocks and stones at his black form. One + thoughtless white brute, worse even than the black slayer of the police + officers, thought to make himself a hero in the eyes of his fellows and + fired his revolver repeatedly into the helpless wretch. It was dark and + the fellow probably aimed carelessly. After firing three or four shots + he also left without knowing what extent of injury he inflicted on the + black wretch who was left lying in the gutter. + + + ++MURDER ON THE LEVEE+ + + +One part of the crowd made a raid on the tenderloin district, hoping to +find there some belated Negro for a sacrifice. They were urged on by the +white prostitutes, who applauded their murderous mission. Says an account: + + The red light district was all excitement. Women--that is, the white + women--were out on their stoops and peeping over their galleries and + through their windows and doors, shouting to the crowd to go on with + their work, and kill Negroes for them. + + "Our best wishes, boys," they encouraged; and the mob answered with + shouts, and whenever a Negro house was sighted a bombardment was started + on the doors and windows. + +No colored men were found on the streets until the mob reached Custom +House Place and Villiers Streets. Here a victim was found and brutally put +to death. The _Picayune_ description is as follows: + + Some stragglers had run a Negro into a car at the corner of Bienville + and Villere Streets. He was seeking refuge in the conveyance, and he + believed that the car would not be stopped and could speed along. But + the mob determined to stop the car, and ordered the motorman to halt. He + put on his brake. Some white men were in the car. + + "Get out, fellows," shouted several of the mob. + + "All whites fall out," was the second cry, and the poor Negro understood + that it was meant that he should stay in the car. + + He wanted to save his life. The poor fellow crawled under the seats. But + some one in the crowd saw him and yelled that he was hiding. Two or + three men climbed through the windows with their pistols; others jumped + over the motorman's board, and dozens tumbled into the rear of the car. + Big, strong hands got the Negro by the shirt. He was dragged out of the + conveyance, and was pushed to the street. Some fellow ran up and struck + him with a club. The blow was heavy, but it did not fell him, and the + Negro ran toward Canal Street, stealing along the wall of the Tulane + Medical Building. Fifty men ran after him, caught the poor fellow and + hurried him back into the crowd. Fists were aimed at him, then clubs + went upon his shoulders, and finally the black plunged into the gutter. + + A gun was fired, and the Negro, who had just gotten to his feet, dropped + again. He tried to get up, but a volley was sent after him, and in a + little while he was dead. + + The crowd looked on at the terrible work. Then the lights in the houses + of ill-fame began to light up again, and women peeped out of the blinds. + The motorman was given the order to go on. The gong clanged and the + conveyance sped out of the way. For half an hour the crowd held their + place at the corner, then the patrol wagon came and the body was picked + up and hurried to the morgue. + + Coroner Richard held an autopsy on the body of the Negro who was forced + out of car 98 of the Villere line and shot down. It was found that he + was wounded four times, the most serious wound being that which struck + him in the right side, passing through the lungs, and causing + hemorrhages, which brought about death. + + Nobody tried to identify the poor fellow and his name is unknown. + + ++A VICTIM IN THE MARKET+ + + +Soon after the murder of the man on the street car many of the same mob +marched down to the market place. There they found a colored market man +named Louis Taylor, who had gone to begin his early morning's work. He was +at once set upon by the mob and killed. The _Picayune_ account says: + + Between 1 and 2 o'clock this morning a mob of several hundred men and + boys, made up of participants in many of the earlier affairs, marched on + the French Market. Louis Taylor, a Negro vegetable carrier, who is about + thirty years of age, was sitting at the soda water stand. As soon as the + mob saw him fire was opened and the Negro took to his heels. He ran + directly into another section of the mob and any number of shots were + fired at him. He fell, face down, on the floor of the market. + + The police in the neighborhood rallied hurriedly and found the victim of + mob violence seemingly lifeless. Before they arrived the Negro had been + beaten severely about the head and body. The ambulance was summoned and + Taylor was carried to the charity hospital, where it was found that he + had been shot through the abdomen and arm. The examination was a hurried + one, but it sufficed to show that Taylor was mortally wounded. + + After shooting Taylor the members of the mob were pluming themselves on + their exploit. "The Nigger was at the soda water stand and we commenced + shooting him," said one of the rioters. "He put his hands up and ran, + and we shot until he fell. I understand that he is still alive. If he + is, he is a wonder. He was certainly shot enough to be killed." + + The members of the mob readily admitted that they had taken part in the + assaults which marked the earlier part of the evening. + + "We were up on Jackson Avenue and killed a Nigger on Villere Street. We + came down here, saw a nigger and killed him, too." This was the way they + told the story. + + "Boys, we are out of ammunition," said someone. + + "Well, we will keep on like we are, and if we can't get some before + morning, we will take it. We have got to keep this thing up, now we have + started." + + This declaration was greeted by a chorus of applauding yells, and the + crowd started up the levee. Half of the men in the crowd, and they were + all of them young, were drunk. + + Taylor, when seen at the charity hospital, was suffering greatly, and + presented a pitiable spectacle. His clothing was covered with blood, and + his face was beaten almost into a pulp. He said that he had gone to the + market to work and was quietly sitting down when the mob came and began + to fire on him. He was not aware at first that the crowd was after him. + When he saw its purpose he tried to run, but fell. He didn't know any of + the men in the crowd. There is hardly a chance that Taylor will recover. + + The police told the crowd to move on, but no attempt was made to arrest + anyone. + + ++A GRAY-HAIRED VICTIM+ + +The bloodthirsty barbarians, having tasted blood, continued their hunt and +soon ran across an old man of seventy-five years. His life had been spent +in hard work about the French market, and he was well known as an +unoffending, peaceable and industrious old man. + +But that made no difference to the mob. He was a Negro, and with a +fiendishness that was worse than that of cannibals they beat his life out. +The report says: + + There was another gang of men parading the streets in the lower part of + the city, looking for any stray Negro who might be on the streets. As + they neared the corner of Dauphine and Kerlerec, a square below + Esplanade Avenue, they came upon Baptiste Thilo, an aged Negro, who + works in the French Market. + + Thilo for years has been employed by the butchers and fish merchants to + carry baskets from the stalls to the wagons, and unload the wagons as + they arrive in the morning. He was on his way to the market, when the + mob came upon him. One of the gang struck the old Negro, and as he fell, + another in the crowd, supposed to be a young fellow, fired a shot. The + bullet entered the body just below the right nipple. + + As the Negro fell the crowd looked into his face and they discovered + then that the victim was very old. The young man who did the shooting + said: "Oh, he is an old Negro. I'm sorry that I shot him." + + This is all the old Negro received in the way of consolation. + + He was left where he fell, but later staggered to his feet and made his + way to the third precinct station. There the police summoned the + ambulance and the students pronounced the wound very dangerous. He was + carried to the hospital as rapidly as possible. + + There was no arrest. + +Just before daybreak the mob found another victim. He, too, was on his way +to market, driving a meat wagon. But little is told of his treatment, +nothing more than the following brief statement: + + At nearly 3 o'clock this morning a report was sent to the Third Precinct + station that a Negro was lying on the sidewalk at the corner of Decatur + and St. Philip. The man had been pulled off of a meat wagon and riddled + with bullets. + + When the police arrived he was insensible and apparently dying. The + ambulance students attended the Negro and pronounced the wounds fatal. + + There was nothing found which would lead to the discovery of his + identity. + + ++FUN IN GRETNA+ + +If there are any persons so deluded as to think that human life in the +South is valued any more than the life of a brute, he will be speedily +undeceived by reading the accounts of unspeakable barbarism committed by +the mob in and around New Orleans. In no other civilized country in the +world, nay, more, in no land of barbarians would it be possible to +duplicate the scenes of brutality that are reported from New Orleans. In +the heat of blind fury one might conceive how a mad mob might beat and +kill a man taken red-handed in a brutal murder. But it is almost past +belief to read that civilized white people, men who boast of their +chivalry and blue blood, actually had fun in beating, chasing and shooting +men who had no possible connection with any crime. + +But this actually happened in Gretna, a few miles from New Orleans. In its +description of the scenes of Tuesday night, the _Picayune_ mentions the +brutal chase of several colored men whom the mob sought to kill. In the +instances mentioned, the paper said: + + Gretna had its full share of excitement between 8 and 11 o'clock last + night, in connection with a report that spread through the town that a + Negro resembling the slayer of Police Captain Day, of New Orleans, had + been seen on the outskirts of the place. + + It is true that a suspicious-looking Negro was observed by the residents + of Madison and Amelia Streets lurking about the fences of that + neighborhood just after dark, and shortly before 8 o'clock John Fist, a + young white man, saw the Negro on Fourth Street. He followed the darkey + a short distance, and, coming upon Robert Moore, who is known about town + as the "black detective," Fist pointed the Negro out and Moore at once + made a move toward the stranger. The latter observed Moore making in his + direction, and, without a word, he sped in the direction of the Brooklyn + pasture, Moore following and firing several shots at him. In a few + minutes a half hundred white men, including Chief of Police Miller, + Constable Dannenhauer, Patrolman Keegan and several special officers, + all well-armed, joined in the chase, but in the darkness the Negro + escaped. + + Just as the pursuing party reached town again, two of the residents of + Lafayette Avenue, Peter Leson and Robert Henning, reported that they had + just chased and shot at a Negro, who had been seen in the yard of the + former's house. They were positive the Negro had not escaped from the + square. Their report was enough to set the appetite of the crowd on + edge, and the square was quickly surrounded, while several dozens of + men, armed with lanterns and revolvers, made a search of every yard and + under every house in the square. No Negro was found. + + The crowd of armed men was constantly swelling, and at 10 o'clock it had + reached the proportions of a small army. At 10:30 o'clock an outbound + freight train is due to pass through Gretna on the Texas and Pacific + Road, and the crowd, believing that Captain Day's slayer might be aboard + one of the cars attempting to leave the scene of his crime, resolved to + inspect the train. As the train stopped at the Madison Street crossing + the engineer was requested to pull very slowly through the town, in + order that the trucks of the cars might be examined. There was a string + of armed men on each side of the railroad track and in a few moments a + Negro was espied riding between two cars. A half dozen weapons were + pointed at him and he was ordered to come out. He sprang out with + alacrity and was pounced upon almost before he reached the ground. + Robert Moore grabbed him and pushed an ugly-looking Derringer under his + nose and the Negro threw up both hands. Constable Dannenhauer and + Patrolman Keegan took charge of him and hustled him off to jail, where + he was locked up. The Negro does not at all resemble Robert Charles, but + it was best for his sake that he was placed under lock and key. The + crowd was not in a humor to let any Negro pass muster last night. The + prisoner gave his name as Luke Wallace. + + But now came the real excitement. The train had slowed down almost to a + standstill, in the very heart of town. Somebody shouted: "There he goes, + on top of the train!" And sure enough, somebody was going. It was a + Negro, too, and he was making a bee-line for the front end of the train. + A veritable shower of bullets, shot and rifle balls greeted the flying + form, but on it sped. The locomotive had stopped in the middle of the + square between La voisier and Newton Streets, and the Negro, flying with + the speed of the wind along the top of the cars, reached the first car + of the train and jumped to the tender and then into the cab. As he did + several white men standing at the locomotive made a rush into the cab. + The Negro sprang swiftly out of the other side, on to the sidewalk. But + there were several more men, and as he realized that he was rushing + right into their arms he made a spring to leap over the fence of Mrs. + Linden's home, on the wood side of the track. Before the Negro got to + the top one white man had hold of his legs, while another rushed up, + pistol in hand. The man who was holding the darkey's legs was jostled + out of the way and the man with the pistol, standing directly beneath + the Negro, sent two bullets at him. + + There was a wild scramble, and the vision of a fleeing form in the + Linden yard, but that was the last seen of the black man. The yard was + entered and searched, and neighboring yards were also searched, but not + even the trace of blood was found. It is almost impossible to believe + that the Negro was not wounded, for the man who fired at him held the + pistol almost against the Negro's body. + + The shots brought out almost everybody--white--in town, and though there + was nothing to show for the exciting work, except the arrest of the + Negro, who doesn't answer the description of the man wanted, Gretna's + male population had its little fan and felt amply repaid for all the + trouble it was put to, and all the ammunition it wasted. + + ++BRUTALITY IN NEW ORLEANS+ + +Mob rule reigned supreme Wednesday, and the scenes that were enacted +challenge belief. How many colored men and women were abused and injured +is not known, for those who escaped were glad to make a place of refuge +and took no time to publish their troubles. The mob made no attempt to +find Charles; its only purpose was to pursue, beat and kill any colored +man or woman who happened to come in sight. Speaking editorially, the +_Picayune_ of Thursday, the twenty-sixth of July, said: + + ++ESCAPED WITH THEIR LIVES+ + +At the Charity Hospital Wednesday night more than a score of people were +treated for wounds received at the hands of the mob. Some were able to +tell of their mistreatment, and their recitals are briefly given in the +_Picayune_ as follows: + + Alex. Ruffin, who is quite seriously injured, is a Pullman car porter, a + native of Chicago. He reached New Orleans at 9:20 o'clock last night, + and after finishing his work, boarded a Henry Clay Avenue car to go to + Delachaise Street, where he has a sick son. + + "I hadn't ridden any way," said he, "when I saw a lot of white folks. + They were shouting to 'Get the Niggers.' I didn't know they were after + every colored man they saw, and sat still. Two or three men jumped on + the car and started at me. One of them hit me over the head with a + slungshot, and they started to shooting at me. I jumped out of the car + and ran, although I had done nothing. They shot me in the arm and in the + leg. I would certainly have been killed had not some gentleman taken my + part. If I had known New Orleans was so excited I would never have left + my car." + + George Morris is the name of a Negro who was badly injured by a mob + which went through the Poydras Market. Morris is employed as watchman + there. He heard the noise of the passing crowd and looked out to see + what the matter was. As soon as the mob saw him its members started + after him. + + "One man hit me over the head with a club," said George, after his + wounds had been dressed, "and somebody cut me in the back. I didn't + hardly think what was the matter at first, but when I saw they were + after me I ran for my life. I ran to the coffee stand, where I work, for + protection, but they were right after me, and somebody shot me in the + back. At last the police got me away from the crowd. Just before I was + hit a friend of mine, who was in the crowd, said, 'You had better go + home, Nigger; they're after your kind.' I didn't know then what he + meant. I found out pretty quick." + + Morris is at the hospital. He is a perfect wreck, and while he will + probably get well, he will have had a close call. + + Esther Fields is a Negro washerwoman who lives at South Claiborne and + Toledano Streets. She was at home when she heard a big noise and went + out to investigate. She ran into the arms of the mob, and was beaten + into insensibility in less time than it takes to tell it. Esther is + being treated at the charity hospital, and should be able to get about + in a few days. The majority of her bruises are about the head. + + T.P. Sanders fell at the hands of the Jackson Avenue mob. He lives at + 1927 Jackson Avenue, and was sitting in front of his home when he saw + the crowd marching out the street. He stayed to see what the excitement + was all about, and was shot in the knee and thorax and horribly beaten + about the head before the mob came to the conclusion that he had been + done for, and passed on. The ambulance was called and he was picked up + and carried to the charity hospital, where his wounds were dressed and + pronounced serious. + + Oswald McMahon is nothing more than a boy. He was shot in the leg and + afterward carried to the hospital. His injuries are very slight. + + Dan White is another charity hospital patient. He is a Negro roustabout + and was sitting in the bar room at Poydras and Franklin Streets when a + mob passed along and espied him. He was shot in the hand, and would have + been roughly dealt with had some policeman not been luckily near and + rescued him. + + In addition to the Negroes who suffered from the violence of the mob + there were several patients treated at the hospital during the night who + had been with the rioters and had been struck by stray bullets or + injured in scuffles. None of this class were hurt to any extent. They + got their wounds dressed and went out again. + + ++WAS CHARLES A DESPERADO?+ + +The press of the country has united in declaring that Robert Charles was a +desperado. As usual, when dealing with a negro, he is assumed to be guilty +because he is charged. Even the most conservative of journals refuse to +ask evidence to prove that the dead man was a criminal, and that his life +had been given over to lawbreaking. The minute that the news was flashed +across the country that he had shot a white man it was at once declared +that he was a fiend incarnate, and that when he was killed the community +would be ridden of a black-hearted desperado. The reporters of the New +Orleans papers, who were in the best position to trace the record of this +man's life, made every possible effort to find evidence to prove that he +was a villain unhung. With all the resources at their command, and +inspired by intense interest to paint him as black a villain as possible, +these reporters signally failed to disclose a single indictment which +charged Robert Charles with a crime. Because they failed to find any legal +evidence that Charles was a lawbreaker and desperado his accusers gave +full license to their imagination and distorted the facts that they had +obtained, in every way possible, to prove a course of criminality, which +the records absolutely refuse to show. + +Charles had his first encounter with the police Monday night, in which he +was shot in the street duel which was begun by the police after Officer +Mora had beaten Charles three or four times over the head with his billy +in an attempt to make an illegal arrest. In defending himself against the +combined attack of two officers with a billy and their guns upon him, +Charles shot Officer Mora and escaped. + +Early Tuesday morning Charles was traced to Dryades Street by officers who +were instructed to kill him on sight. There, again defending himself, he +shot and killed two officers. This, of course, in the eyes of the American +press, made him a desperado. The New Orleans press, in substantiating the +charges that he was a desperado, make statements which will be interesting +to examine. + +In the first place the _New Orleans Times-Democrat_, of July 25, calls +Charles a "ravisher and a daredevil." It says that from all sources that +could be searched "the testimony was cumulative that the character of the +murderer, Robert Charles, is that of a daredevil and a fiend in human +form." Then in the same article it says: + + The belongings of Robert Charles which were found in his room were a + complete index to the character of the man. Although the room and its + contents were in a state of chaos on account of the frenzied search for + clews by officers and citizens, an examination of his personal effects + revealed the mental state of the murderer and the rancor in his heart + toward the Caucasian race. Never was the adage, "A little learning is a + dangerous thing," better exemplified than in the case of the negro who + shot to death the two officers. + +His room was searched, and the evidence upon which the charge that he was +a desperado consisted of pamphlets in support of Negro emigration to +Liberia. On his mantel-piece there was found a bullet mold and an outfit +for reloading cartridges. There were also two pistol scabbards and a +bottle of cocaine. The other evidences that Charles was a desperado the +writer described as follows: + + In his room were found negro periodicals and other "race" propaganda, + most of which was in the interest of the negro's emigration to Liberia. + There were Police Gazettes strewn about his room and other papers of a + similar character. Well-worn textbooks, bearing his name written in his + own scrawling handwriting, and well-filled copybooks found in his trunk + showed that he had burnt the midnight oil, and was desirous of improving + himself intellectually in order that he might conquer the hated white + race. Much of the literature found among his chattels was of a + superlatively vituperative character, and attacked the white race in + unstinted language and asserted the equal rights of the Negro. + + Charles was evidently the local agent of the _Voice of Missions_, a + "religious" paper, published at Atlanta, as great bundles of that sheet + were found. It is edited by one Bishop Turner, and seems to be the + official organ of all haters of the white race. Its editorials are + anarchistic in the extreme, and urge upon the negro that the sooner he + realizes that he is as good as the white man the better it will be for + him. The following verses were clipped from the journal; they were + marked "till forbidden," and appeared in several successive numbers: + + + OUR SENTIMENTS + + H.M.T. + + My country, 'tis of thee, + Dear land of Africa, + Of thee we sing. + Land where our fathers died, + Land of the Negro's pride, + God's truth shall ring. + + My native country, thee, + Land of the black and free, + Thy name I love; + To see thy rocks and rills, + Thy woods and matchless hills, + Like that above. + + When all thy slanderous ghouls, + In the bosom of sheol, + Forgotten lie, + Thy monumental name shall live, + And suns thy royal brow shall gild, + Upheaved to heaven high, + O'ertopping thrones. + + There were no valuables in his room, and if he was a professional thief + he had his headquarters for storing his plunder at some other place than + his room on Fourth Street. Nothing was found in his room that could lead + to the belief that he was a thief, except fifty or more small bits of + soap. The inference was that every place he visited he took all of the + soap lying around, as all of the bits were well worn and had seen long + service on the washstand. + + His wearing apparel was little more than rags, and financially he was + evidently not in a flourishing condition. He was in no sense a skilled + workman, and his room showed, in fact, that he was nothing more than a + laborer. + + The "philosopher in the garret" was a dirty wretch, and his room, his + bedding and his clothing were nasty and filthy beyond belief. His object + in life seemed to have been the discomfiture of the white race, and to + this purpose he devoted himself with zeal. He declared himself to be a + "patriot," and wished to be the Moses of his race. + +Under the title of "The Making of a Monster," the reporter attempts to +give "something of the personality of the archfiend, Charles." Giving his +imagination full vent the writer says: + + It is only natural that the deepest interest should attach to the + personality of Robert Charles. What manner of man was this fiend + incarnate? What conditions developed him? Who were his preceptors? From + what ancestral strain, if any, did he derive his ferocious hatred of the + whites, his cunning, his brute courage, the apostolic zeal which he + displayed in spreading the propaganda of African equality? These are + questions involving one of the most remarkable psychological problems of + modern times. + +In answer to the questions which he propounds, the reporter proceeds to +admit that he did not learn anything of a very desperate nature connected +with Charles. He says: + + Although Charles was a familiar figure to scores of Negroes in New + Orleans, and they had been more or less intimately acquainted with him + for over two years, curiously little can be learned of his habits or + mode of life. Since the perpetration of his terrible series of crimes it + goes without saying that his former friends are inclined to be reticent, + but it is reasonably certain that they have very little to tell. In + regard to himself, Charles was singularly reticent for a Negro. He did + not even indulge in the usual lying about his prowess and his + adventures. This was possibly due to the knowledge that he was wanted + for a couple of murders. The man had sense enough to know that it would + be highly unwise to excite any curiosity about his past. + + When Charles first came to New Orleans he worked here and there as a day + laborer. He was employed at different times in a sawmill, on the street + gangs, as a roustabout on the levee, as a helper at the sugar works and + as a coal shoveler in the engine room of the St. Charles Hotel. At each + of the places where he worked he was known as a quiet, rather surly + fellow, who had little to say to anybody, and generally performed his + tasks in morose silence. He managed to convey the impression, however, + of being a man of more than ordinary intelligence. + + A Negro named William Butts, who drives a team on the levee and lives on + Washington Street, near Baronne, told a _Times-Democrat_ reporter + yesterday that Charles got a job about a year ago as agent for a + Liberian Immigration Society, which has headquarters at Birmingham, and + was much elated at the prospect of making a living without hard labor. + +According to the further investigations of this reporter, Charles was also +agent for Bishop Turner's _Voice of Missions_, the colored missionary +organ of the African Methodist Church, edited by H.M. Turner, of Atlanta, +Georgia. Concerning his service as agent for the _Voice of Missions_, the +reporter says: + + He secured a number of subscribers and visited them once a month to + collect the installments. In order to insure regular payments it was + necessary to keep up enthusiasm, which was prone to wane, and Charles + consequently became an active and continual preacher of the propaganda + of hatred. Whatever may have been his private sentiments at the outset, + this constant harping on one string must eventually have had a powerful + effect upon his own mind. + + Exactly how he received his remuneration is uncertain, but he told + several of his friends that he got a "big commission." Incidentally he + solicited subscribers for a Negro paper called the _Voice of the + Missions_, and when he struck a Negro who did not want to go to Africa + himself, he begged contributions for the "good of the cause." + + In the course of time Charles developed into a fanatic on the subject of + the Negro oppression and neglected business to indulge in wild tirades + whenever he could find a listener. He became more anxious to make + converts than to obtain subscribers, and the more conservative darkies + began to get afraid of him. Meanwhile he got into touch with certain + agitators in the North and made himself a distributing agent for their + literature, a great deal of which he gave away. Making money was a + secondary consideration to "the cause." + + One of the most enthusiastic advocates of the Liberian scheme is the + colored Bishop H.M. Turner, of Atlanta. Turner is a man of unusual + ability, has been over to Africa personally several times, and has made + himself conspicuous by denouncing laws which he claimed discriminated + against the blacks. Charles was one of the bishop's disciples and + evidence has been found that seems to indicate they were in + correspondence. + +This was all that the _Times-Democrat_'s reporters could find after the +most diligent search to prove that Charles was the fiend incarnate which +the press of New Orleans and elsewhere declared him to be. + +The reporters of the _New Orleans Picayune_ were no more successful than +their brethren of the _Times-Democrat_. They, too, were compelled to +substitute fiction for facts in their attempt to prove Charles a +desperado. In the issue of the twenty-sixth of July it was said that +Charles was well known in Vicksburg, and was there a consort of thieves. +They mentioned that a man named Benson Blake was killed in 1894 or 1895, +and that four Negroes were captured, and two escaped. Of the two escaped +they claim that Charles was one. The four negroes who were captured were +put in jail, and as usual, in the high state of civilization which +characterizes Mississippi, the right of the person accused of crime to an +indictment by legal process and a legal trial by jury was considered an +useless formality if the accused happened to be black. A mob went to the +jail that night, the four colored men were delivered to the mob, and all +four were hanged in the court-house yard. The reporters evidently assumed +that Charles was guilty, if, in fact, he was ever there, because the other +four men were lynched. They did not consider it was a fact of any +importance that Charles was never indicted. They called him a murderer on +general principles. + + ++DIED IN SELF-DEFENSE+ + +The life, character and death of Robert Charles challenges the thoughtful +consideration of all fair-minded people. In the frenzy of the moment, when +nearly a dozen men lay dead, the victims of his unerring and death-dealing +aim, it was natural for a prejudiced press and for citizens in private +life to denounce him as a desperado and a murderer. But sea depths are not +measured when the ocean rages, nor can absolute justice be determined +while public opinion is lashed into fury. There must be calmness to insure +correctness of judgment. The fury of the hour must abate before we can +deal justly with any man or any cause. + +That Charles was not a desperado is amply shown by the discussion in the +preceding chapter. The darkest pictures which the reporters could paint of +Charles were quoted freely, so that the public might find upon what +grounds the press declared him to be a lawbreaker. Unquestionably the +grounds are wholly insufficient. Not a line of evidence has been presented +to prove that Charles was the fiend which the first reports of the New +Orleans charge him to be. + +Nothing more should be required to establish his good reputation, for the +rule is universal that a reputation must be assumed to be good until it is +proved bad. But that rule does not apply to the Negro, for as soon as he +is suspected the public judgment immediately determines that he is guilty +of whatever crime he stands charged. For this reason, as a matter of duty +to the race, and the simple justice to the memory of Charles, an +investigation has been made of the life and character of Charles before +the fatal affray which led to his death. + +Robert Charles was not an educated man. He was a student who faithfully +investigated all the phases of oppression from which his race has +suffered. That he was a student is amply shown by the _Times-Democrat_ +report of the twenty-fifth, which says: + +"Well-worn textbooks, bearing his name written in his own scrawling +handwriting, and well-filled copy-books found in his trunk, showed that he +had burned the midnight oil, and desired to improve himself intellectually +in order that he might conquer the hated white race." From this quotation +it will be seen that he spent the hours after days of hard toil in trying +to improve himself, both in the study of textbooks and in writing. + +He knew that he was a student of a problem which required all the +intelligence that a man could command, and he was burning his midnight +oil gathering knowledge that he might better be able to come to an +intelligent solution. To his aid in the study of this problem he sought +the aid of a Christian newspaper, the _Voice of Missions_, the organ of +the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was in communication with its +editor, who is a bishop, and is known all over this country as a man of +learning, a lover of justice and the defender of law and order. Charles +could receive from Bishop Turner not a word of encouragement to be other +than an earnest, tireless and God-fearing student of the complex problems +which affected the race. + +For further help and assistance in his studies, Charles turned to an +organization which has existed and flourished for many years, at all times +managed by men of high Christian standing and absolute integrity. These +men believe and preach a doctrine that the best interests of the Negro +will be subserved by an emigration from America back to the Fatherland, +and they do all they can to spread the doctrine of emigration and to give +material assistance to those who desire to leave America and make their +future homes in Africa. This organization is known as "The International +Migration Society." It has its headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. From +this place it issues pamphlets, some of which were found, in the home of +Robert Charles, and which pamphlets the reporters of the New Orleans +papers declare to be incendiary and dangerous in their doctrine and +teaching. + +Nothing could be further from the truth. Copies of any and all of them may +be secured by writing to D.J. Flummer, who is President and in charge of +the home office in Birmingham, Alabama. Three of the pamphlets found in +Charles's room are named respectively: + +First, _Prospectus of the Liberian Colonization Society_; which pamphlet +in a few brief pages tells of the work of the society, plans, prices and +terms of transportation of colored people who choose to go to Africa. +These pages are followed by a short, conservative discussion of the Negro +question, and close with an argument that Africa furnishes the best asylum +for the oppressed Negroes in this country. + +The second pamphlet is entitled _Christian Civilization of Africa_. This +is a brief statement of the advantages of the Republic of Liberia, and an +argument in support of the superior conditions which colored people may +attain to by leaving the South and settling in Liberia. + +The third pamphlet is entitled _The Negro and Liberia_. This is a larger +document than the other two, and treats more exhaustively the question of +emigration, but from the first page to the last there is not an +incendiary line or sentence. There is not even a suggestion of violence in +all of its thirty-two pages, and not a word which could not be preached +from every pulpit in the land. + +If it is true that the workman is known by his tools, certainly no harm +could ever come from the doctrines which were preached by Charles or the +papers and pamphlets distributed by him. Nothing ever written in the +_Voice of Missions_, and nothing ever published in the pamphlets above +alluded to in the remotest way suggest that a peaceable man should turn +lawbreaker, or that any man should dye his hands in his brother's blood. + +In order to secure as far as possible positive information about the life +and character of Robert Charles, it was plain that the best course to +pursue was to communicate with those with whom he had sustained business +relations. Accordingly a letter was forwarded to Mr. D.J. Flummer, who is +president of the colonization society, in which letter he was asked to +state in reply what information he had of the life and character of Robert +Charles. The result was a very prompt letter in response, the text of +which is as follows: + + Birmingham, Ala., Aug. 21, 1900 + + Mrs. Ida B. Wells Barnett, Chicago, Ill.: + + Dear Madam--Replying to your favor of recent date requesting me to write + you giving such information as I may have concerning the life, habits + and character of Robert Charles, who recently shot and killed police + officers in New Orleans, I wish to say that my knowledge of him is only + such as I have gained from his business connection with the + International Migration Society during the past five or six years, + during which time I was president of the society. + + He having learned that the purpose of this society was to colonize the + colored people in Liberia, West Africa, and thereby lessen or destroy + the friction and prejudice existing in this country between the two + races, set about earnestly and faithfully distributing the literature + that we issued from time to time. He always appeared to be mild but + earnest in his advocacy of emigration, and never to my knowledge used + any method or means that would in the least appear unreasonable, and had + always kept within the bounds of law and order in advocating emigration. + + The work he performed for this society was all gratuitous, and + apparently prompted from his love of humanity, and desires to be + instrumental in building up a Negro Nationality in Africa. + + If he ever violated a law before the killing of the policemen, I do not + know of it. + + Yours, very truly, + + D.J. Flummer + +Besides this statement, Mr. Flummer enclosed a letter received by the +Society two days before the tragedy at New Orleans. This letter was +written by Robert Charles, and it attests his devotion to the cause of +emigration which he had espoused. Memoranda on the margin of the letter +show that the order was filled by mailing the pamphlets. It is very +probable that these were the identical pamphlets which were found by the +mob which broke into the room of Robert Charles and seized upon these +harmless documents and declared they were sufficient evidence to prove +Charles a desperado. In the light of subsequent events the letter of +Charles, which follows, sounds like a voice from the tomb: + +New Orleans, July 30,1900 + + Mr. D.J. Flummer: + + Dear Sir--I received your last pamphlets and they are all given out. I + want you to send me some more, and I enclose you the stamps. I think I + will go over in Greenville, Miss., and give my people some pamphlets + over there. + + Yours truly, + + Robert Charles + +The latest word of information comes from New Orleans from a man who knew +Charles intimately for six years. For obvious reasons, his name is +withheld. In answer to a letter sent him he answers as follows: + + New Orleans, Aug. 23, 1900 + + Mrs. Ida B. Wells-Barnett: + + Dear Madam--It affords me great pleasure to inform you as far as I know + of Robert Charles. I have been acquainted with him about six years in + this city. He never has, as I know, given any trouble to anyone. He was + quiet and a peaceful man and was very frank in speaking. He was too much + of a hero to die; few call be found to equal him. I am very sorry to + say that I do not know anything of his birthplace, nor his parents, but + enclosed find letter from his uncle, from which you may find more + information. You will also find one of the circulars in which Charles + was in possession of which was styled as a crazy document. Let me say, + until our preachers preach this document we will always be slaves. If + you can help circulate this "crazy" doctrine I would be glad to have you + do so, for I shall never rest until I get to that heaven on earth; that + is, the west coast of Africa, in Liberia. + + With best wishes to you I still remain, as always, for the good of the + race, + + ---- + +By only those whose anger and vindictiveness warp their judgment is Robert +Charles a desperado. Their word is not supported by the statement of a +single fact which justifies their judgment and no criminal record shows +that he was ever indicted for any offense, much less convicted of crime. +On the contrary, his work for many years had been with Christian people, +circulating emigration pamphlets and active as agent for a mission +publication. Men who knew him say that he was a law-abiding, quiet, +industrious, peaceable man. So he lived. + +So he lived and so he would have died had not he raised his hand to resent +unprovoked assault and unlawful arrest that fateful Monday night. That +made him an outlaw, and being a man of courage he decided to die with his +face to the foe. The white people of this country may charge that he was a +desperado, but to the people of his own race Robert Charles will always be +regarded as the hero of New Orleans. + + ++BURNING HUMAN BEINGS ALIVE + + +Not only has life been taken by mobs in the past twenty years, but the +ordinary procedure of hanging and shooting have been improved upon during +the past ten years. Fifteen human beings have been burned to death in the +different parts of the country by mobs. Men, women and children have gone +to see the sight, and all have approved the barbarous deeds done in the +high light of the civilization and Christianity of this country. + +In 1891 Ed Coy was burned to death in Texarkana, Ark. He was charged with +assaulting a white woman, and after the mob had securely tied him to a +tree, the men and boys amused themselves for some time sticking knives +into Coy's body and slicing off pieces, of flesh. When they had amused +themselves sufficiently, they poured coal oil over him and the women in +the case set fire to him. It is said that fifteen thousand people stood by +and saw him burned. This was on a Sunday night, and press reports told how +the people looked on while the Negro burned to death. + +Feb. 1, 1893, Henry Smith was burned to death in Paris, Texas. The entire +county joined in that exhibition. The district attorney himself went for +the prisoner and turned him over to the mob. He was placed upon a float +and drawn by four white horses through the principal streets of the city. +Men, women and children stood at their doors and waved their handkerchiefs +and cheered the echoes. They knew that the man was to be burned to death +because the newspaper had declared for three days previous that this would +be so. Excursions were run by all the railroads, and the mayor of the town +gave the children a holiday so that they might see the sight. + +Henry Smith was charged with having assaulted and murdered a little white +girl. He was an imbecile, and while he had killed the child, there was no +proof that he had criminally assaulted her. He was tied to a stake on a +platform which had been built ten feet high, so that everybody might see +the sight. The father and brother and uncle of the little white girl that +had been murdered was upon that platform about fifty minutes entertaining +the crowd of ten thousand persons by burning the victim's flesh with +red-hot irons. Their own newspapers told how they burned his eyes out and, +ran the red-hot iron down his throat, cooking his tongue, and how the +crowd cheered wild delight. At last, having declared themselves satisfied, +coal oil was poured over him and he was burned to death, and the mob +fought over the ashes for bones and pieces of his clothes. + +July 7, 1893, in Bardwell, Ky., C.J. Miller was burned to ashes. Since his +death this man has been found to be absolutely innocent of the murder of +the two white girls with which he was charged. But the mob would wait for +no justification. They insisted that, as they were not sure he was the +right man, they would compromise the matter by hanging him instead of +burning. Not to be outdone, they took the body down and made a huge +bonfire out of it. + +July 22, 1893, at Memphis, Tenn., the body of Lee Walker was dragged +through the street and burned before the court house. Walker had +frightened some girls in a wagon along a country road by asking them to +let him ride in their wagon. They cried out; some men working in a field +near by said it was at attempt of assault, and of course began to look for +their prey. There was never any charge of rape; the women only declared +that he attempted an assault. After he was apprehended and put in jail and +perfectly helpless, the mob dragged him out, shot him, cut him, beat him +with sticks, built a fire and burned the legs off, then took the trunk of +the body down and dragged further up the street, and at last burned it +before the court house. + +Sept. 20, 1893, at Roanoke, Va., the body of a Negro who had quarreled +with a white woman was burned in the presence of several thousand persons. +These people also wreaked their vengeance upon this helpless victim of the +mob's wrath by sticking knives into him, kicking him and beating him with +stones and otherwise mutilating him before life was extinct. + +June 11, 1898, at Knoxville, Ark., James Perry was shut up in a cabin +because he had smallpox and burned to death. He had been quarantined in +this cabin when it was declared that he had this disease and the doctor +sent for. When the physician arrived he found only a few smoldering +embers. Upon inquiry some railroad hands who were working nearby revealed +the fact that they had fastened the door of the cabin and set fire to the +cabin and burned man and hut together. + +Feb. 22, 1898, at Lake City, S.C., Postmaster Baker and his infant child +were burned to death by a mob that had set fire to his house. Mr. Baker's +crime was that he had refused to give up the post office, to which he had +been appointed by the National Government. The mob had tried to drive him +away by persecution and intimidation. Finding that all else had failed, +they went to his home in the dead of night and set fire to his house, and +as the family rushed forth they were greeted by a volley of bullets. The +father and his baby were shot through the open door and wounded so badly +that they fell back in the fire and were burned to death. The remainder of +the family, consisting of the wife and five children, escaped with their +lives from the burning house, but all of them were shot, one of the number +made a cripple for life. + +Jan. 7, 1898, two Indians were tied to a tree at Maud Post Office, Indian +Territory, and burned to death by a white mob. They were charged with +murdering a white woman. There was no proof of their guilt except the +unsupported word of the mob. Yet they were tied to a tree and slowly +roasted to death. Their names were Lewis McGeesy and Hond Martin. Since +that time these boys have been found to be absolutely innocent of the +charge. Of course that discovery is too late to be of any benefit to them, +but because they were Indians the Indian Commissioner demanded and +received from the United States Government an indemnity of $13,000. + +April 23, 1899, at Palmetto, Ga., Sam Hose was burned alive in the +presence of a throng, on Sunday afternoon. He was charged with killing a +man named Cranford, his employer, which he admitted he did because his +employer was about to shoot him. To the fact of killing the employer was +added the absolutely false charge that Hose assaulted the wife. Hose was +arrested and no trial was given him. According to the code of reasoning of +the mob, none was needed. A white man had been killed and a white woman +was said to have been assaulted. That was enough. When Hose was found he +had to die. + +The Atlanta Constitution, in speaking of the murder of Cranford, said that +the Negro who was suspected would be burned alive. Not only this, but it +offered $500 reward for his capture. After he had been apprehended, it was +publicly announced that he would be burned alive. Excursion trains were +run and bulletins were put up in the small towns. The Governor of Georgia +was in Atlanta while excursion trains were being made up to take visitors +to the burning. Many fair ladies drove out in their carriages on Sunday +afternoon to witness the torture and burning of a human being. Hose's ears +were cut off, then his toes and fingers, and passed round to the crowd. +His eyes were put out, his tongue torn out and flesh cut in strips by +knives. Finally they poured coal oil on him and burned him to death. They +dragged his half-consumed trunk out of the flames, cut it open, extracted +his heart and liver, and sold slices for ten cents each for souvenirs, all +of which was published most promptly in the daily papers of Georgia and +boasted over by the people of that section. + +Oct. 19, 1889, at Canton, Miss., Joseph Leflore was burned to death. A +house had been entered and its occupants murdered during the absence of +the husband and father. When the discovery was made, it was immediately +supposed that the crime was the work of a Negro, and the motive that of +assaulting white women. + +Bloodhounds were procured and they made a round of the village and +discovered only one colored man absent from his home. This was taken to be +proof sufficient that he was the perpetrator of the deed. When he returned +home he was apprehended, taken into the yard of the house that had been +burned down, tied to a stake, and was slowly roasted to death. + +Dec. 6, 1899, at Maysville, Ky., Wm. Coleman also was burned to death. He +was slowly roasted, first one foot and then the other, and dragged out of +the fire so that the torture might be prolonged. All of this without a +shadow of proof or scintilla of evidence that the man had committed the +crime. + +Thus have the mobs of this country taken the lives of their victims within +the past ten years. In every single instance except one these burnings +were witnessed by from two thousand to fifteen thousand people, and no one +person in all these crowds throughout the country had the courage to raise +his voice and speak out against the awful barbarism of burning human +beings to death. + +Men and women of America, are you proud of this record which the +Anglo-Saxon race has made for itself? Your silence seems to say that you +are. Your silence encourages a continuance of this sort of horror. Only by +earnest, active, united endeavor to arouse public sentiment can we hope to +put a stop to these demonstrations of American barbarism. + + ++LYNCHING RECORD+ + +The following table of lynchings has been kept year by year by the Chicago +Tribune, beginning with 1882, and shows the list of Negroes that have been +lynched during that time: + +1882, Negroes murdered by mobs 52 +1883, Negroes murdered by mobs 39 +1884, Negroes murdered by mobs 53 +1885, Negroes murdered by mobs 164 +1886, Negroes murdered by mobs 136 +1887, Negroes murdered by mobs 128 +1888, Negroes murdered by mobs 143 +1889, Negroes murdered by mobs 127 +1890, Negroes murdered by mobs 171 +1891, Negroes murdered by mobs 192 +1892, Negroes murdered by mobs 241 +1893, Negroes murdered by mobs 200 +1894, Negroes murdered by mobs 190 +1895, Negroes murdered by mobs 171 +1896, Negroes murdered by mobs 131 +1897, Negroes murdered by mobs 156 +1898, Negroes murdered by mobs 127 +1899, Negroes murdered by mobs 107 + +Of these thousands of men and women who have been put to death without +judge or jury, less than one-third of them have been even accused of +criminal assault. The world at large has accepted unquestionably the +statement that Negroes are lynched only for assaults upon white women. Of +those who were lynched from 1882 to 1891, the first ten years of the +tabulated lynching record, the charges are as follows: + +Two hundred and sixty-nine were charged with rape; 253 with murder; 44 +with robbery; 37 with incendiarism; 4 with burglary; 27 with race +prejudice; 13 quarreled with white men; 10 with making threats; 7 with +rioting; 5 with miscegenation; in 32 cases no reasons were given, the +victims were lynched on general principles. + +During the past five years the record is as follows: + +Of the 171 persons lynched in 1895 only 34 were charged with this crime. +In 1896, out of 131 persons who were lynched, only 34 were said to have +assaulted women. Of the 156 in 1897, only 32. In 1898, out of 127 persons +lynched, 24 were charged with the alleged "usual crime." In 1899, of the +107 lynchings, 16 were said to be for crimes against women. These figures, +of course, speak for themselves, and to the unprejudiced, fair-minded +person it is only necessary to read and study them in order to show that +the charge that the Negro is a moral outlaw is a false one, made for the +purpose of injuring the Negro's good name and to create public sentiment +against him. + +If public sentiment were alive, as it should be upon the subject, it would +refuse to be longer hoodwinked, and the voice of conscience would refuse +to be stilled by these false statements. If the laws of the country were +obeyed and respected by the white men of the country who charge that the +Negro has no respect for law, these things could not be, for every +individual, no matter what the charge, would have a fair trial and an +opportunity to prove his guilt or innocence before a tribunal of law. + +That is all the Negro asks--that is all the friends of law and order need +to ask, for once the law of the land is supreme, no individual who commits +crime will escape punishment. + +Individual Negroes commit crimes the same as do white men, but that the +Negro race is peculiarly given to assault upon women, is a falsehood of +the deepest dye. The tables given above show that the Negro who is saucy +to white men is lynched as well as the Negro who is charged with assault +upon women. Less than one-sixth of the lynchings last year, 1899, were +charged with rape. + +The Negro points to his record during the war in rebuttal of this false +slander. When the white women and children of the South had no protector +save only these Negroes, not one instance is known where the trust was +betrayed. It is remarkably strange that the Negro had more respect for +womanhood with the white men of the South hundreds of miles away, than +they have today, when surrounded by those who take their lives with +impunity and burn and torture, even worse than the "unspeakable Turk." + +Again, the white women of the North came South years ago, threaded the +forests, visited the cabins, taught the schools and associated only with +the Negroes whom they came to teach, and had no protectors near at hand. +They had no charge or complaint to make of the danger to themselves after +association with this class of human beings. Not once has the country been +shocked by such recitals from them as come from the women who are +surrounded by their husbands, brothers, lovers and friends. If the Negro's +nature is bestial, it certainly should have proved itself in one of these +two instances. The Negro asks only justice and an impartial consideration +of these facts. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Mob Rule in New Orleans, by Ida B. Wells-Barnett + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOB RULE IN NEW ORLEANS *** + +***** This file should be named 14976.txt or 14976.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.net/1/4/9/7/14976/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Melissa Er-Raqabi and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgpd.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.net + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/Examples/Text/pg14977.txt b/Examples/Text/pg14977.txt new file mode 100644 --- /dev/null +++ b/Examples/Text/pg14977.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4038 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Record, by Ida B. Wells-Barnett + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: The Red Record + Tabulated Statistics and Alleged Causes of Lynching in the United States + +Author: Ida B. Wells-Barnett + +Release Date: February 8, 2005 [EBook #14977] + +Language: English + + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED RECORD *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Melissa Er-Raqabi and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +The Red Record: +Tabulated Statistics and +Alleged Causes of Lynching +in the United States + +By Ida B. Wells-Barnett + + +1895 + +[Transcriber's Note: This pamphlet was first published in 1895 but was +subsequently reprinted. It's not apparent if the curiosities in spelling +date back to the original or were introduced later; they have been +retained as found, and the reader is left to decide. Please verify with +another source before quoting this material.] + + +PREFACE + +HON. FREDERICK DOUGLASS'S LETTER + +DEAR MISS WELLS: + +Let me give you thanks for your faithful paper on the lynch abomination +now generally practiced against colored people in the South. There has +been no word equal to it in convincing power. I have spoken, but my word +is feeble in comparison. You give us what you know and testify from actual +knowledge. You have dealt with the facts with cool, painstaking fidelity, +and left those naked and uncontradicted facts to speak for themselves. + +Brave woman! you have done your people and mine a service which can +neither be weighed nor measured. If the American conscience were only half +alive, if the American church and clergy were only half Christianized, if +American moral sensibility were not hardened by persistent infliction of +outrage and crime against colored people, a scream of horror, shame, and +indignation would rise to Heaven wherever your pamphlet shall be read. + +But alas! even crime has power to reproduce itself and create conditions +favorable to its own existence. It sometimes seems we are deserted by +earth and Heaven--yet we must still think, speak and work, and trust in +the power of a merciful God for final deliverance. + +Very truly and gratefully yours, +FREDERICK DOUGLASS +Cedar Hill, Anacostia, D.C. + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER 1 +The Case Stated 57 + +CHAPTER 2 +Lynch-Law Statistics 65 + +CHAPTER 3 +Lynching Imbeciles 73 + +CHAPTER 4 +Lynching of Innocent Men 84 + +CHAPTER 5 +Lynched for Anything or Nothing 93 + +CHAPTER 6 +History of Some Cases of Rape 108 + +CHAPTER 7 +The Crusade Justified 121 + +CHAPTER 8 +Miss Willard's Attitude 129 + +CHAPTER 9 +Lynching Record for 1894 139 + +CHAPTER 10 +The Remedy 147 + + + + +1 + +THE CASE STATED + + +The student of American sociology will find the year 1894 marked by a +pronounced awakening of the public conscience to a system of anarchy and +outlawry which had grown during a series of ten years to be so common, +that scenes of unusual brutality failed to have any visible effect upon +the humane sentiments of the people of our land. + +Beginning with the emancipation of the Negro, the inevitable result of +unbribled power exercised for two and a half centuries, by the white man +over the Negro, began to show itself in acts of conscienceless outlawry. +During the slave regime, the Southern white man owned the Negro body and +soul. It was to his interest to dwarf the soul and preserve the body. +Vested with unlimited power over his slave, to subject him to any and all +kinds of physical punishment, the white man was still restrained from such +punishment as tended to injure the slave by abating his physical powers +and thereby reducing his financial worth. While slaves were scourged +mercilessly, and in countless cases inhumanly treated in other respects, +still the white owner rarely permitted his anger to go so far as to take a +life, which would entail upon him a loss of several hundred dollars. The +slave was rarely killed, he was too valuable; it was easier and quite as +effective, for discipline or revenge, to sell him "Down South." + +But Emancipation came and the vested interests of the white man in the +Negro's body were lost. The white man had no right to scourge the +emancipated Negro, still less has he a right to kill him. But the Southern +white people had been educated so long in that school of practice, in +which might makes right, that they disdained to draw strict lines of +action in dealing with the Negro. In slave times the Negro was kept +subservient and submissive by the frequency and severity of the scourging, +but, with freedom, a new system of intimidation came into vogue; the Negro +was not only whipped and scourged; he was killed. + +Not all nor nearly all of the murders done by white men, during the past +thirty years in the South, have come to light, but the statistics as +gathered and preserved by white men, and which have not been questioned, +show that during these years more than ten thousand Negroes have been +killed in cold blood, without the formality of judicial trial and legal +execution. And yet, as evidence of the absolute impunity with which the +white man dares to kill a Negro, the same record shows that during all +these years, and for all these murders only three white men have been +tried, convicted, and executed. As no white man has been lynched for the +murder of colored people, these three executions are the only instances of +the death penalty being visited upon white men for murdering Negroes. + +Naturally enough the commission of these crimes began to tell upon the +public conscience, and the Southern white man, as a tribute to the +nineteenth-century civilization, was in a manner compelled to give excuses +for his barbarism. His excuses have adapted themselves to the emergency, +and are aptly outlined by that greatest of all Negroes, Frederick +Douglass, in an article of recent date, in which he shows that there have +been three distinct eras of Southern barbarism, to account for which three +distinct excuses have been made. + +The first excuse given to the civilized world for the murder of +unoffending Negroes was the necessity of the white man to repress and +stamp out alleged "race riots." For years immediately succeeding the war +there was an appalling slaughter of colored people, and the wires usually +conveyed to northern people and the world the intelligence, first, that an +insurrection was being planned by Negroes, which, a few hours later, would +prove to have been vigorously resisted by white men, and controlled with a +resulting loss of several killed and wounded. It was always a remarkable +feature in these insurrections and riots that only Negroes were killed +during the rioting, and that all the white men escaped unharmed. + +From 1865 to 1872, hundreds of colored men and women were mercilessly +murdered and the almost invariable reason assigned was that they met their +death by being alleged participants in an insurrection or riot. But this +story at last wore itself out. No insurrection ever materialized; no +Negro rioter was ever apprehended and proven guilty, and no dynamite ever +recorded the black man's protest against oppression and wrong. It was too +much to ask thoughtful people to believe this transparent story, and the +southern white people at last made up their minds that some other excuse +must be had. + +Then came the second excuse, which had its birth during the turbulent +times of reconstruction. By an amendment to the Constitution the Negro was +given the right of franchise, and, theoretically at least, his ballot +became his invaluable emblem of citizenship. In a government "of the +people, for the people, and by the people," the Negro's vote became an +important factor in all matters of state and national politics. But this +did not last long. The southern white man would not consider that the +Negro had any right which a white man was bound to respect, and the idea +of a republican form of government in the southern states grew into +general contempt. It was maintained that "This is a white man's +government," and regardless of numbers the white man should rule. "No +Negro domination" became the new legend on the sanguinary banner of the +sunny South, and under it rode the Ku Klux Klan, the Regulators, and the +lawless mobs, which for any cause chose to murder one man or a dozen as +suited their purpose best. It was a long, gory campaign; the blood chills +and the heart almost loses faith in Christianity when one thinks of Yazoo, +Hamburg, Edgefield, Copiah, and the countless massacres of defenseless +Negroes, whose only crime was the attempt to exercise their right to vote. + +But it was a bootless strife for colored people. The government which had +made the Negro a citizen found itself unable to protect him. It gave him +the right to vote, but denied him the protection which should have +maintained that right. Scourged from his home; hunted through the swamps; +hung by midnight raiders, and openly murdered in the light of day, the +Negro clung to his right of franchise with a heroism which would have +wrung admiration from the hearts of savages. He believed that in that +small white ballot there was a subtle something which stood for manhood as +well as citizenship, and thousands of brave black men went to their +graves, exemplifying the one by dying for the other. + +The white man's victory soon became complete by fraud, violence, +intimidation and murder. The franchise vouchsafed to the Negro grew to be +a "barren ideality," and regardless of numbers, the colored people found +themselves voiceless in the councils of those whose duty it was to rule. +With no longer the fear of "Negro Domination" before their eyes, the +white man's second excuse became valueless. With the Southern governments +all subverted and the Negro actually eliminated from all participation in +state and national elections, there could be no longer an excuse for +killing Negroes to prevent "Negro Domination." + +Brutality still continued; Negroes were whipped, scourged, exiled, shot +and hung whenever and wherever it pleased the white man so to treat them, +and as the civilized world with increasing persistency held the white +people of the South to account for its outlawry, the murderers invented +the third excuse--that Negroes had to be killed to avenge their assaults +upon women. There could be framed no possible excuse more harmful to the +Negro and more unanswerable if true in its sufficiency for the white man. + +Humanity abhors the assailant of womanhood, and this charge upon the Negro +at once placed him beyond the pale of human sympathy. With such unanimity, +earnestness and apparent candor was this charge made and reiterated that +the world has accepted the story that the Negro is a monster which the +Southern white man has painted him. And today, the Christian world feels, +that while lynching is a crime, and lawlessness and anarchy the certain +precursors of a nation's fall, it can not by word or deed, extend sympathy +or help to a race of outlaws, who might mistake their plea for justice and +deem it an excuse for their continued wrongs. + +The Negro has suffered much and is willing to suffer more. He recognizes +that the wrongs of two centuries can not be righted in a day, and he tries +to bear his burden with patience for today and be hopeful for tomorrow. +But there comes a time when the veriest worm will turn, and the Negro +feels today that after all the work he has done, all the sacrifices he has +made, and all the suffering he has endured, if he did not, now, defend his +name and manhood from this vile accusation, he would be unworthy even of +the contempt of mankind. It is to this charge he now feels he must make +answer. + +If the Southern people in defense of their lawlessness, would tell the +truth and admit that colored men and women are lynched for almost any +offense, from murder to a misdemeanor, there would not now be the +necessity for this defense. But when they intentionally, maliciously and +constantly belie the record and bolster up these falsehoods by the words +of legislators, preachers, governors and bishops, then the Negro must give +to the world his side of the awful story. + +A word as to the charge itself. In considering the third reason assigned +by the Southern white people for the butchery of blacks, the question must +be asked, what the white man means when he charges the black man with +rape. Does he mean the crime which the statutes of the civilized states +describe as such? Not by any means. With the Southern white man, any +mesalliance existing between a white woman and a colored man is a +sufficient foundation for the charge of rape. The Southern white man says +that it is impossible for a voluntary alliance to exist between a white +woman and a colored man, and therefore, the fact of an alliance is a proof +of force. In numerous instances where colored men have have been lynched +on the charge of rape, it was positively known at the time of lynching, +and indisputably proven after the victim's death, that the relationship +sustained between the man and woman was voluntary and clandestine, and +that in no court of law could even the charge of assault have been +successfully maintained. + +It was for the assertion of this fact, in the defense of her own race, +that the writer hereof became an exile; her property destroyed and her +return to her home forbidden under penalty of death, for writing the +following editorial which was printed in her paper, the _Free Speech,_ in +Memphis, Tenn., May 21,1892: + + Eight Negroes lynched since last issue of the _Free Speech_ one at + Little Rock, Ark., last Saturday morning where the citizens broke(?) + into the penitentiary and got their man; three near Anniston, Ala., one + near New Orleans; and three at Clarksville, Ga., the last three for + killing a white man, and five on the same old racket--the new alarm + about raping white women. The same programme of hanging, then shooting + bullets into the lifeless bodies was carried out to the letter. Nobody + in this section of the country believes the old threadbare lie that + Negro men rape white women. If Southern white men are not careful, they + will overreach themselves and public sentiment will have a reaction; a + conclusion will then be reached which will be very damaging to the moral + reputation of their women. + +But threats cannot suppress the truth, and while the Negro suffers the +soul deformity, resultant from two and a half centuries of slavery, he is +no more guilty of this vilest of all vile charges than the white man who +would blacken his name. + +During all the years of slavery, no such charge was ever made, not even +during the dark days of the rebellion, when the white man, following the +fortunes of war went to do battle for the maintenance of slavery. While +the master was away fighting to forge the fetters upon the slave, he left +his wife and children with no protectors save the Negroes themselves. And +yet during those years of trust and peril, no Negro proved recreant to his +trust and no white man returned to a home that had been dispoiled. + +Likewise during the period of alleged "insurrection," and alarming "race +riots," it never occurred to the white man, that his wife and children +were in danger of assault. Nor in the Reconstruction era, when the hue and +cry was against "Negro Domination," was there ever a thought that the +domination would ever contaminate a fireside or strike to death the virtue +of womanhood. It must appear strange indeed, to every thoughtful and +candid man, that more than a quarter of a century elapsed before the Negro +began to show signs of such infamous degeneration. + +In his remarkable apology for lynching, Bishop Haygood, of Georgia, says: +"No race, not the most savage, tolerates the rape of woman, but it may be +said without reflection upon any other people that the Southern people are +now and always have been most sensitive concerning the honor of their +women--their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters." It is not the purpose +of this defense to say one word against the white women of the South. Such +need not be said, but it is their misfortune that the chivalrous white men +of that section, in order to escape the deserved execration of the +civilized world, should shield themselves by their cowardly and infamously +false excuse, and call into question that very honor about which their +distinguished priestly apologist claims they are most sensitive. To +justify their own barbarism they assume a chivalry which they do not +possess. True chivalry respects all womanhood, and no one who reads the +record, as it is written in the faces of the million mulattoes in the +South, will for a minute conceive that the southern white man had a very +chivalrous regard for the honor due the women of his own race or respect +for the womanhood which circumstances placed in his power. That chivalry +which is "most sensitive concerning the honor of women" can hope for but +little respect from the civilized world, when it confines itself entirely +to the women who happen to be white. Virtue knows no color line, and the +chivalry which depends upon complexion of skin and texture of hair can +command no honest respect. + +When emancipation came to the Negroes, there arose in the northern part of +the United States an almost divine sentiment among the noblest, purest +and best white women of the North, who felt called to a mission to educate +and Christianize the millions of southern exslaves. From every nook and +corner of the North, brave young white women answered that call and left +their cultured homes, their happy associations and their lives of ease, +and with heroic determination went to the South to carry light and truth +to the benighted blacks. It was a heroism no less than that which calls +for volunteers for India, Africa and the Isles of the sea. To educate +their unfortunate charges; to teach them the Christian virtues and to +inspire in them the moral sentiments manifest in their own lives, these +young women braved dangers whose record reads more like fiction than fact. +They became social outlaws in the South. The peculiar sensitiveness of the +southern white men for women, never shed its protecting influence about +them. No friendly word from their own race cheered them in their work; no +hospitable doors gave them the companionship like that from which they had +come. No chivalrous white man doffed his hat in honor or respect. They +were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the +South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but +by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women. + +And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with +a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom. Threading their way through +dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, +thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly +Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, +thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a +century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home +and heart and soul. Without protection, save that which innocence gives to +every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and +suffering none. Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in +their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced +mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees." They +never complained of assaults, and no mob was ever called into existence to +avenge crimes against them. Before the world adjudges the Negro a moral +monster, a vicious assailant of womanhood and a menace to the sacred +precincts of home, the colored people ask the consideration of the silent +record of gratitude, respect, protection and devotion of the millions of +the race in the South, to the thousands of northern white women who have +served as teachers and missionaries since the war. + +The Negro may not have known what chivalry was, but he knew enough to +preserve inviolate the womanhood of the South which was entrusted to his +hands during the war. The finer sensibilities of his soul may have been +crushed out by years of slavery, but his heart was full of gratitude to +the white women of the North, who blessed his home and inspired his soul +in all these years of freedom. Faithful to his trust in both of these +instances, he should now have the impartial ear of the civilized world, +when he dares to speak for himself as against the infamy wherewith he +stands charged. + +It is his regret, that, in his own defense, he must disclose to the world +that degree of dehumanizing brutality which fixes upon America the blot of +a national crime. Whatever faults and failings other nations may have in +their dealings with their own subjects or with other people, no other +civilized nation stands condemned before the world with a series of crimes +so peculiarly national. It becomes a painful duty of the Negro to +reproduce a record which shows that a large portion of the American people +avow anarchy, condone murder and defy the contempt of civilization. These +pages are written in no spirit of vindictiveness, for all who give the +subject consideration must concede that far too serious is the condition +of that civilized government in which the spirit of unrestrained outlawry +constantly increases in violence, and casts its blight over a continually +growing area of territory. We plead not for the colored people alone, but +for all victims of the terrible injustice which puts men and women to +death without form of law. During the year 1894, there were 132 persons +executed in the United States by due form of law, while in the same year, +197 persons were put to death by mobs who gave the victims no opportunity +to make a lawful defense. No comment need be made upon a condition of +public sentiment responsible for such alarming results. + +The purpose of the pages which follow shall be to give the record which +has been made, not by colored men, but that which is the result of +compilations made by white men, of reports sent over the civilized world +by white men in the South. Out of their own mouths shall the murderers be +condemned. For a number of years the _Chicago Tribune_, admittedly one of +the leading journals of America, has made a specialty of the compilation +of statistics touching upon lynching. The data compiled by that journal +and published to the world January 1, 1894, up to the present time has not +been disputed. In order to be safe from the charge of exaggeration, the +incidents hereinafter reported have been confined to those vouched for by +the Tribune. + + + + +2 + +LYNCH-LAW STATISTICS + + +From the record published in the _Chicago Tribune_, January 1, 1894, the +following computation of lynching statistics is made referring only to the +colored victims of Lynch Law during the year 1893: + +ARSON + +Sept. 15, Paul Hill, Carrollton, Ala.; Sept. 15, Paul Archer, Carrollton, +Ala.; Sept. 15, William Archer, Carrollton, Ala.; Sept. 15, Emma Fair, +Carrollton, Ala. + + +SUSPECTED ROBBERY + +Dec. 23, unknown negro, Fannin, Miss. + + +ASSAULT + +Dec. 25, Calvin Thomas, near Brainbridge, Ga. + + +ATTEMPTED ASSAULT + +Dec. 28, Tillman Green, Columbia, La. + + +INCENDIARISM + +Jan. 26, Patrick Wells, Quincy, Fla.; Feb. 9, Frank Harrell, Dickery, +Miss.; Feb. 9, William Filder, Dickery, Miss. + + +ATTEMPTED RAPE + +Feb. 21, Richard Mays, Springville, Mo.; Aug. 14, Dug Hazleton, +Carrollton, Ga.; Sept. 1, Judge McNeil, Cadiz, Ky.; Sept. 11, Frank Smith, +Newton, Miss.; Sept. 16, William Jackson, Nevada, Mo.; Sept. 19, Riley +Gulley, Pine Apple, Ala.; Oct. 9, John Davis, Shorterville, Ala.; Nov. 8, +Robert Kennedy, Spartansburg, S.C. + + +BURGLARY + +Feb. 16, Richard Forman, Granada, Miss. + + +WIFE BEATING + +Oct. 14, David Jackson, Covington, La. + + +ATTEMPTED MURDER + +Sept. 21, Thomas Smith, Roanoke, Va. + + +ATTEMPTED ROBBERY + +Dec. 12, four unknown negroes, near Selma, Ala. + + +RACE PREJUDICE + +Jan. 30, Thomas Carr, Kosciusko, Miss.; Feb. 7, William Butler, Hickory +Creek, Texas; Aug. 27, Charles Tart, Lyons Station, Miss.; Dec. 7, Robert +Greenwood, Cross county, Ark.; July 14, Allen Butler, Lawrenceville, Ill. + + +THIEVES + +Oct. 24, two unknown negroes, Knox Point, La. + + +ALLEGED BARN BURNING + +Nov. 4, Edward Wagner, Lynchburg, Va.; Nov. 4, William Wagner, Lynchburg, +Va.; Nov. 4, Samuel Motlow, Lynchburg, Va.; Nov. 4, Eliza Motlow, +Lynchburg, Va. + + +ALLEGED MURDER + +Jan. 21, Robert Landry, St. James Parish, La.; Jan. 21, Chicken George, +St. James Parish, La.; Jan. 21, Richard Davis, St. James Parish, La.; Dec. +8, Benjamin Menter, Berlin, Ala.; Dec. 8, Robert Wilkins, Berlin, Ala.; +Dec. 8, Joseph Gevhens, Berlin, Ala. + + +ALLEGED COMPLICITY IN MURDER + +Sept. 16, Valsin Julian, Jefferson Parish, La.; Sept. 16, Basil Julian, +Jefferson Parish, La.; Sept. 16, Paul Julian, Jefferson Parish, La.; Sept. +16, John Willis, Jefferson Parish, La. + + +MURDER + +June 29, Samuel Thorp, Savannah, Ga.; June 29, George S. Riechen, +Waynesboro, Ga.; June 30, Joseph Bird, Wilberton, I.T.; July 1, James +Lamar, Darien, Ga.; July 28, Henry Miller, Dallas, Texas; July 28, Ada +Hiers, Walterboro, S.C.; July 28, Alexander Brown, Bastrop, Texas; July +30, W.G. Jamison, Quincy, Ill.; Sept. 1, John Ferguson, Lawrens, S.C.; +Sept. 1, Oscar Johnston, Berkeley, S.C.; Sept. 1, Henry Ewing, Berkeley, +S.C.; Sept. 8, William Smith, Camden, Ark.; Sept. 15, Staples Green, +Livingston, Ala.; Sept. 29, Hiram Jacobs, Mount Vernon, Ga.; Sept. 29, +Lucien Mannet, Mount Vernon, Ga.; Sept. 29, Hire Bevington, Mount Vernon, +Ga.; Sept. 29, Weldon Gordon, Mount Vernon, Ga.; Sept. 29, Parse +Strickland, Mount Vernon, Ga.; Oct. 20, William Dalton, Cartersville, Ga.; +Oct. 27, M.B. Taylor, Wise Court House, Va.; Oct. 27, Isaac Williams, +Madison, Ga.; Nov. 10, Miller Davis, Center Point, Ark.; Nov. 14, John +Johnston, Auburn, N.Y. + +Sept. 27, Calvin Stewart, Langley, S.C.; Sept. 29, Henry Coleman, Denton, +La.; Oct. 18, William Richards, Summerfield, Ga.; Oct. 18, James Dickson, +Summerfield, Ga.; Oct. 27, Edward Jenkins, Clayton county, Ga.; Nov. 9, +Henry Boggs, Fort White, Fla.; Nov. 14, three unknown negroes, Lake City +Junction, Fla.; Nov. 14, D.T. Nelson, Varney, Ark.; Nov. 29, Newton Jones, +Baxley, Ga.; Dec. 2, Lucius Holt, Concord, Ga.; Dec. 10, two unknown +negroes, Richmond, Ala.; July 12, Henry Fleming, Columbus, Miss.; July 17, +unknown negro, Briar Field, Ala.; July 18, Meredith Lewis, Roseland, La. +July 29, Edward Bill, Dresden, Tenn.; Aug. 1, Henry Reynolds, Montgomery, +Tenn.; Aug. 9, unknown negro, McCreery, Ark.; Aug. 12, unknown negro, +Brantford, Fla.; Aug. 18, Charles Walton, Morganfield, Ky; Aug. 21, +Charles Tait, near Memphis, Tenn.; Aug. 28, Leonard Taylor, New Castle, +Ky; Sept. 8, Benjamin Jackson, Quincy, Miss.; Sept. 14, John Williams, +Jackson, Tenn. + + +SELF-DEFENSE + +July 30, unknown negro, Wingo, Ky. + + +POISONING WELLS + +Aug. 18, two unknown negroes, Franklin Parish, La. + + +ALLEGED WELL POISONING + +Sept. 15, Benjamin Jackson, Jackson, Miss.; Sept. 15, Mahala Jackson, +Jackson, Miss.; Sept. 15, Louisa Carter, Jackson, Miss.; Sept. 15, W.A. +Haley, Jackson, Miss.; Sept. 16, Rufus Bigley, Jackson, Miss. + + +INSULTING WHITES + +Feb. 18, John Hughes, Moberly, Mo.; June 2, Isaac Lincoln, Fort Madison, +S.C. + + +MURDEROUS ASSAULT + +April 20, Daniel Adams, Selina, Kan. + + +NO OFFENSE + +July 21, Charles Martin, Shelby Co., Tenn.; July 30, William Steen, Paris, +Miss.; Aug. 31, unknown negro, Yarborough, Tex.; Sept. 30, unknown negro, +Houston, Tex.; Dec. 28, Mack Segars, Brantley, Ala. + + +ALLEGED RAPE + +July 7, Charles T. Miller, Bardwell, Ky.; Aug. 10, Daniel Lewis, Waycross, +Ga.; Aug. 10, James Taylor, Waycross, Ga.; Aug. 10, John Chambers, +Waycross, Ga. + + +ALLEGED STOCK POISONING + +Dec. 16, Henry G. Givens, Nebro, Ky. + + +SUSPECTED MURDER + +Dec. 23, Sloan Allen, West Mississippi. + + +SUSPICION OF RAPE + +Feb. 14, Andy Blount, Chattanooga, Tenn. + + +TURNING STATE'S EVIDENCE + +Dec. 19, William Ferguson, Adele, Ga. + + +RAPE + +Jan. 19, James Williams, Pickens Co., Ala.; Feb. 11, unknown negro, Forest +Hill, Tenn.; Feb. 26, Joseph Hayne, or Paine, Jellico, Tenn.; Nov. 1, +Abner Anthony, Hot Springs, Va.; Nov. 1, Thomas Hill, Spring Place, Ga.; +April 24, John Peterson, Denmark, S.C.; May 6, Samuel Gaillard, ----, +S.C.; May 10, Haywood Banks, or Marksdale, Columbia, S.C.; May 12, Israel +Halliway, Napoleonville, La.; May 12, unknown negro, Wytheville, Va.; May +31, John Wallace, Jefferson Springs, Ark.; June 3, Samuel Bush, Decatur, +Ill.; June 8, L.C. Dumas, Gleason, Tenn.; June 13, William Shorter, +Winchester, Va.; June 14, George Williams, near Waco, Tex.; June 24, +Daniel Edwards, Selina or Selma, Ala.; June 27, Ernest Murphy, Daleville, +Ala.; July 6, unknown negro, Poplar Head, La.; July 6, unknown negro, +Poplar Head, La.; July 12, Robert Larkin, Oscola, Tex.; July 17, Warren +Dean, Stone Creek, Ga.; July 21, unknown negro, Brantford, Fla.; July 17, +John Cotton, Connersville, Ark.; July 22, Lee Walker, New Albany, Miss.; +July 26, ---- Handy, Suansea, S.C.; July 30, William Thompson, Columbia, +S.C.; July 28, Isaac Harper, Calera, Ala.; July 30, Thomas Preston, +Columbia, S.C.; July 30, Handy Kaigler, Columbia, S.C.; Aug. 13, Monroe +Smith, Springfield, Ala.; Aug. 19, negro tramp, near Paducah, Ky.; Aug. +21, John Nilson, near Leavenworth, Kan.; Aug. 23, Jacob Davis, Green Wood, +S.C.; Sept. 2, William Arkinson, McKenney, Ky.; Sept. 16, unknown negro, +Centerville, Ala.; Sept. 16, Jessie Mitchell, Amelia C.H., Va.; Sept. 25, +Perry Bratcher, New Boston, Tex.; Oct. 9, William Lacey, Jasper, Ala.; +Oct. 22, John Gamble, Pikesville, Tenn. + + +OFFENSES CHARGED ARE AS FOLLOWS + +Rape, 39; attempted rape, 8; alleged rape, 4; suspicion of rape, 1; +murder, 44; alleged murder, 6; alleged complicity in murder, 4; murderous +assault, 1; attempted murder, 1; attempted robbery, 4; arson, 4; +incendiarism, 3; alleged stock poisoning, 1; poisoning wells, 2; alleged +poisoning wells, 5; burglary, 1; wife beating, 1; self-defense, 1; +suspected robbery, 1; assault and battery, 1; insulting whites, 2; +malpractice, 1; alleged barn burning, 4; stealing, 2; unknown offense, 4; +no offense, 1; race prejudice, 4; total, 159. + + +LYNCHINGS BY STATES + +Alabama, 25; Arkansas, 7; Florida, 7; Georgia, 24; Indian Territory, 1; +Illinois, 3; Kansas, 2; Kentucky, 8; Louisiana, 18; Mississippi, 17; +Missouri, 3; New York, 1; South Carolina, 15; Tennessee, 10; Texas, 8; +Virginia, 10. + + +RECORD FOR THE YEAR 1892 + +While it is intended that the record here presented shall include +specially the lynchings of 1893, it will not be amiss to give the record +for the year preceding. The facts contended for will always appear +manifest--that not one-third of the victims lynched were charged with +rape, and further that the charges made embraced a range of offenses from +murders to misdemeanors. + +In 1892 there were 241 persons lynched. The entire number is divided among +the following states: + +Alabama, 22; Arkansas, 25; California, 3; Florida, 11; Georgia, 17; Idaho, +8; Illinois, 1; Kansas, 3; Kentucky, 9; Louisiana, 29; Maryland, 1; +Mississippi, 16; Missouri, 6; Montana, 4; New York, 1; North Carolina, 5; +North Dakota, 1; Ohio, 3; South Carolina, 5; Tennessee, 28; Texas, 15; +Virginia, 7; West Virginia, 5; Wyoming, 9; Arizona Territory, 3; Oklahoma, +2. + +Of this number 160 were of Negro descent. Four of them were lynched in New +York, Ohio and Kansas; the remainder were murdered in the South. Five of +this number were females. The charges for which they were lynched cover a +wide range. They are as follows: + +Rape, 46; murder, 58; rioting, 3; race prejudice, 6; no cause given, 4; +incendiarism, 6; robbery, 6; assault and battery, 1; attempted rape, 11; +suspected robbery, 4; larceny, 1; self-defense, 1; insulting women, 2; +desperadoes, 6; fraud, 1; attempted murder, 2; no offense stated, boy and +girl, 2. + +In the case of the boy and girl above referred to, their father, named +Hastings, was accused of the murder of a white man; his fourteen-year-old +daughter and sixteen-year-old son were hanged and their bodies filled with +bullets, then the father was also lynched. This was in November, 1892, at +Jonesville, Louisiana. + + + + +3 + +LYNCHING IMBECILES + +_(An Arkansas Butchery)_ + + +The only excuse which capital punishment attempts to find is upon the +theory that the criminal is past the power of reformation and his life is +a constant menace to the community. If, however, he is mentally +unbalanced, irresponsible for his acts, there can be no more inhuman act +conceived of than the wilful sacrifice of his life. So thoroughly is that +principle grounded in the law, that all civilized society surrounds human +life with a safeguard, which prevents the execution of a criminal who is +insane, even if sane at the time of his criminal act. Should he become +insane after its commission the law steps in and protects him during the +period of his insanity. But Lynch Law has no such regard for human life. +Assuming for itself an absolute supremacy over the law of the land, it has +time and again dyed its hands in the blood of men who were imbeciles. Two +or three noteworthy cases will suffice to show with what inhuman ferocity +irresponsible men have been put to death by this system of injustice. + +An instance occurred during the year 1892 in Arkansas, a report of which +is given in full in the _Arkansas Democrat_, published at Little Rock, in +that state, on the eleventh day of February of that year. The paper +mentioned is perhaps one of the leading weeklies in that state and the +account given in detail has every mark of a careful and conscientious +investigation. The victims of this tragedy were a colored man, named Hamp +Biscoe, his wife and a thirteen-year-old son. Hamp Biscoe, it appears, was +a hard working, thrifty farmer, who lived near England, Arkansas, upon a +small farm with his family. The investigation of the tragedy was +conducted by a resident of Arkansas named R.B. Caries, a white man, who +furnished the account to the _Arkansas Democrat_ over his own signature. +He says the original trouble which led to the lynching was a quarrel +between Biscoe and a white man about a debt. About six years after Biscoe +preempted his land, a white man made a demand of $100 upon him for +services in showing him the land and making the sale. Biscoe denied the +service and refused to pay the demand. The white man, however, brought +suit, obtained judgment for the hundred dollars and Biscoe's farm was sold +to pay the judgment. + +The suit, judgment and subsequent legal proceedings appear to have driven +Biscoe almost crazy and brooding over his wrongs he grew to be a confirmed +imbecile. He would allow but few men, white or colored, to come upon his +place, as he suspected every stranger to be planning to steal his farm. A +week preceding the tragedy, a white man named Venable, whose farm adjoined +Biscoe's, let down the fence and proceeded to drive through Biscoe's +field. The latter saw him; grew very excited, cursed him and drove him +from his farm with bitter oaths and violent threats. Venable went away and +secured a warrant for Biscoe's arrest. This warrant was placed in the +hands of a constable named John Ford, who took a colored deputy and two +white men out to Biscoe's farm to make the arrest. When they arrived at +the house Biscoe refused to be arrested and warned them he would shoot if +they persisted in their attempt to arrest him. The warning was unheeded by +Ford, who entered upon the premises, when Biscoe, true to his word, fired +upon him. The load tore a part of his clothes from his body, one shot +going through his arm and entering his breast. After he had fallen, Ford +drew his revolver and shot Biscoe in the head and his wife through the +arm. The Negro deputy then began firing and struck Biscoe in the small of +the back. Ford's wound was not dangerous and in a few days he was able to +be around again. Biscoe, however, was so severely shot that he was unable +to stand after the firing was over. + +Two other white men hearing the exchange of shots went to the rescue of +the officers, forced open the door of Biscoe's cabin and arrested him, his +wife and thirteen-year-old son, and took them, together with a babe at the +breast, to a small frame house near the depot and put them under guard. +The subsequent proceedings were briefly told by Mr. Carlee in the columns +of the _Arkansas Democrat_ above mentioned, from whose account the +following excerpt is taken: + + It was rumored here that the Negroes were to be lynched that night, but + I do not think it was generally credited, as it was not believed that + Ford was greatly hurt and the Negro was held to be fatally injured and + crazy at that. But that night, about 8 o'clock, a party of perhaps + twelve or fifteen men, a number of whom were known to the guards, came + to the house and told the Negro guards they would take care of the + prisoners now, and for them to leave; as they did not obey at once they + were persuaded to leave with words that did not admit of delay. + + The woman began to cry and said, "You intend to kill us to get our + money." They told her to hush (she was heavy with child and had a child + at her breast) as they intended to give her a nice present. The guards + heard no more, but hastened to a Negro church near by and urged the + preacher to go up and stop the mob. A few minutes after, the shooting + began, perhaps about forty shots being fired. The white men then left + rapidly and the Negroes went to the house. Hamp Biscoe and his wife were + killed, the baby had a slight wound across the upper lip; the boy was + still alive and lived until after midnight, talking rationally and + telling who did the shooting. + + He said when they came in and shot his father, he attempted to run out + of doors and a young man shot him in the bowels and that he fell. He saw + another man shoot his mother and a taller young man, whom he did not + know, shoot his father. After they had killed them, the young man who + had shot his mother pulled off her stockings and took $220 in currency + that she had hid there. The men then came to the door where the boy was + lying and one of them turned him over and put his pistol to his breast + and shot him again. This is the story the dying boy told as near as I + can get it. It is quite singular that the guards and those who had + conversed with him were not required to testify. The woman was known to + have the money as she had exposed it that day. She also had $36 in + silver, which the plunderer of the body did not get. The Negro was + undoubtedly insane and had been for several years. The citizens of this + community condemn the murder and have no sympathy with it. The Negro was + a well-to-do farmer, but had become crazed because he was convinced some + plot had been made to steal his land and only a few days ago declared + that he expected to die in defense of his home in a short time and he + did not care how soon. The killing of a woman with the child at her + breast and in her condition, and also a young boy, was extremely brutal. + As for Hamp Biscoe he was dangerous and should long have been confined + in the insane asylum. Such were the facts as near as I can get them and + you can use them as you see fit, but I would prefer you would suppress + the names charged by the Negroes with the killing. + +Perhaps the civilized world will think, that with all these facts laid +before the public, by a writer who signs his name to his communication, in +a land where grand juries are sworn to investigate, where judges and +juries are sworn to administer the law and sheriffs are paid to execute +the decrees of the courts, and where, in fact, every instrument of +civilization is supposed to work for the common good of all citizens, that +this matter was duly investigated, the criminals apprehended and the +punishment meted out to the murderers. But this is a mistake; nothing of +the kind was done or attempted. Six months after the publication, above +referred to, an investigator, writing to find out what had been done in +the matter, received the following reply: + + OFFICE OF + S.S. GLOVER, + SHERIFF AND COLLECTOR, + LONOKE COUNTY. + + Lonoke, Ark., 9-12-1892 + + Geo. Washington, Esq., + Chicago, Ill. + + DEAR SIR:--The parties who killed Hamp Briscoe February the ninth, have + never been arrested. The parties are still in the county. It was done by + some of the citizens, and those who know will not tell. + + S.S. GLOVER, Sheriff + +Thus acts the mob with the victim of its fury, conscious that it will +never be called to an account. Not only is this true, but the moral +support of those who are chosen by the people to execute the law, is +frequently given to the support of lawlessness and mob violence. The press +and even the pulpit, in the main either by silence or open apology, have +condoned and encouraged this state of anarchy. + + +TORTURED AND BURNED IN TEXAS + +Never In the history of civilization has any Christian people stooped to +such shocking brutality and indescribable barbarism as that which +characterized the people of Paris, Texas, and adjacent communities on the +first of February, 1893. The cause of this awful outbreak of human passion +was the murder of a four-year-old child, daughter of a man named Vance. +This man, Vance, had been a police officer in Paris for years, and was +known to be a man of bad temper, overbearing manner and given to harshly +treating the prisoners under his care. He had arrested Smith and, it is +said, cruelly mistreated him. Whether or not the murder of his child was +an art of fiendish revenge, it has not been shown, but many persons who +know of the incident have suggested that the secret of the attack on the +child lay in a desire for revenge against its father. + +In the same town there lived a Negro, named Henry Smith, a well-known +character, a kind of roustabout, who was generally considered a harmless, +weak-minded fellow, not capable of doing any important work, but +sufficiently able to do chores and odd jobs around the houses of the white +people who cared to employ him. A few days before the final tragedy, this +man, Smith, was accused of murdering Myrtle Vance. The crime of murder was +of itself bad enough, and to prove that against Smith would have been +amply sufficient in Texas to have committed him to the gallows, but the +finding of the child so exasperated the father and his friends, that they +at once shamefully exaggerated the facts and declared that the babe had +been ruthlessly assaulted and then killed. The truth was bad enough, but +the white people of the community made it a point to exaggerate every +detail of the awful affair, and to inflame the public mind so that nothing +less than immediate and violent death would satisfy the populace. As a +matter of fact, the child was not brutally assaulted as the world has been +told in excuse for the awful barbarism of that day. Persons who saw the +child after its death, have stated, under the most solemn pledge to truth, +that there was no evidence of such an assault as was published at that +time, only a slight abrasion and discoloration was noticeable and that +mostly about the neck. In spite of this fact, so eminent a man as Bishop +Haygood deliberately and, it must also appear, maliciously falsified the +fact by stating that the child was torn limb from limb, or to quote his +own words, "First outraged with demoniacal cruelty and then taken by her +heels and torn asunder in the mad wantonness of gorilla ferocity." + +Nothing is farther from the truth than that statement. It is a +coldblooded, deliberate, brutal falsehood which this Christian(?) Bishop +uses to bolster up the infamous plea that the people of Paris were driven +to insanity by learning that the little child had been viciously +assaulted, choked to death, and then torn to pieces by a demon in human +form. It was a brutal murder, but no more brutal than hundreds of murders +which occur in this country, and which have been equalled every year in +fiendishness and brutality, and for which the death penalty is prescribed +by law and inflicted only after the person has been legally adjudged +guilty of the crime. Those who knew Smith, believe that Vance had at some +time given him cause to seek revenge and that this fearful crime was the +outgrowth of his attempt to avenge himself of some real or fancied wrong. +That the murderer was known as an imbecile, had no effect whatever upon +the people who thirsted for his blood. They determined to make an example +of him and proceeded to carry out their purpose with unspeakably greater +ferocity than that which characterized the half-crazy object of their +revenge. + +For a day or so after the child was found in the woods, Smith remained in +the vicinity as if nothing had happened, and when finally becoming aware +that he was suspected, he made an attempt to escape. He was apprehended, +however, not far from the scene of his crime and the news flashed across +the country that the white Christian people of Paris, Texas and the +communities thereabout had deliberately determined to lay aside all forms +of law and inaugurate an entirely new form of punishment for the murder. +They absolutely refused to make any inquiry as to the sanity or insanity +of their prisoner, but set the day and hour when in the presence of +assembled thousands they put their helpless victim to the stake, tortured +him, and then burned him to death for the delectation and satisfaction of +Christian people. + +Lest it might be charged that any description of the deeds of that day are +exaggerated, a white man's description which was published in the white +journals of this country is used. The _New York Sun_ of February 2, 1893, +contains an account, from which we make the following excerpt: + + PARIS, Tex., Feb. 1, 1893.--Henry Smith, the negro ravisher of + four-year-old Myrtle Vance, has expiated in part his awful crime by + death at the stake. Ever since the perpetration of his awful crime this + city and the entire surrounding country has been in a wild frenzy of + excitement. When the news came last night that he had been captured at + Hope, Ark., that he had been identified by B.B. Sturgeon, James T. + Hicks, and many other of the Paris searching party, the city was wild + with joy over the apprehension of the brute. Hundreds of people poured + into the city from the adjoining country and the word passed from lip + to lip that the punishment of the fiend should fit the crime that death + by fire was the penalty Smith should pay for the most atrocious murder + and terrible outrage in Texas history. Curious and sympathizing alike, + they came on train and wagons, on horse, and on foot to see if the frail + mind of a man could think of a way to sufficiently punish the + perpetrator of so terrible a crime. Whisky shops were closed, unruly + mobs were dispersed, schools were dismissed by a proclamation from the + mayor, and everything was done in a business-like manner. + + +MEETING OF CITIZENS + +About 2 o'clock Friday a mass meeting was called at the courthouse and +captains appointed to search for the child. She was found mangled beyond +recognition, covered with leaves and brush as above mentioned. As soon as +it was learned upon the recovery of the body that the crime was so +atrocious the whole town turned out in the chase. The railroads put up +bulletins offering free transportation to all who would join in the +search. Posses went in every direction, and not a stone was left unturned. +Smith was tracked to Detroit on foot, where he jumped on a freight train +and left for his old home in Hempstead county, Arkansas. To this county he +was tracked and yesterday captured at Clow, a flag station on the Arkansas +& Louisiana railway about twenty miles north of Hope. Upon being +questioned the fiend denied everything, but upon being stripped for +examination his undergarments were seen to be spattered with blood and a +part of his shirt was torn off. He was kept under heavy guard at Hope last +night, and later on confessed the crime. + +This morning he was brought through Texarkana, where 5,000 people awaited +the train, anxious to see a man who had received the fate of Ed. Coy. At +that place speeches were made by prominent Paris citizens, who asked that +the prisoner be not molested by Texarkana people, but that the guard be +allowed to deliver him up to the outraged and indignant citizens of Paris. +Along the road the train gathered strength from the various towns, the +people crowded upon the platforms and tops of coaches anxious to see the +lynching and the negro who was soon to be delivered to an infuriated mob. + + +BURNED AT THE STAKE + +Arriving here at 12 o'clock the train was met by a surging mass of +humanity 10,000 strong. The negro was placed upon a carnival float in +mockery of a king upon his throne, and, followed by an immense crowd, was +escorted through the city so that all might see the most inhuman monster +known in current history. The line of march was up Main Street to the +square, around the square down Clarksville street to Church Street, thence +to the open prairies about 300 yards from the Texas & Pacific depot. Here +Smith was placed upon a scaffold, six feet square and ten feet high, +securely bound, within the view of all beholders. Here the victim was +tortured for fifty minutes by red-hot iron brands thrust against his +quivering body. Commencing at the feet the brands were placed against him +inch by inch until they were thrust against the face. Then, being +apparently dead, kerosene was poured upon him, cottonseed hulls placed +beneath him and set on fire. In less time than it takes to relate it, the +tortured man was wafted beyond the grave to another fire, hotter and more +terrible than the one just experienced. + +Curiosity seekers have carried away already all that was left of the +memorable event, even to pieces of charcoal. The cause of the crime was +that Henry Vance when a deputy policeman, in the course of his duty was +called to arrest Henry Smith for being drunk and disorderly. The Negro was +unruly, and Vance was forced to use his club. The Negro swore vengeance, +and several times assaulted Vance. In his greed for revenge, last +Thursday, he grabbed up the little girl and committed the crime. The +father is prostrated with grief and the mother now lies at death's door, +but she has lived to see the slayer of her innocent babe suffer the most +horrible death that could be conceived. + + +TORTURE BEYOND DESCRIPTION + +Words to describe the awful torture inflicted upon Smith cannot be found. +The Negro, for a long time after starting on the journey to Paris, did not +realize his plight. At last when he was told that he must die by slow +torture he begged for protection. His agony was awful. He pleaded and +writhed in bodily and mental pain. Scarcely had the train reached Paris +than this torture commenced. His clothes were torn off piecemeal and +scattered in the crowd, people catching the shreds and putting them away +as mementos. The child's father, her brother, and two uncles then gathered +about the Negro as he lay fastened to the torture platform and thrust hot +irons into his quivering flesh. It was horrible--the man dying by slow +torture in the midst of smoke from his own burning flesh. Every groan from +the fiend, every contortion of his body was cheered by the thickly packed +crowd of 10,000 persons. The mass of beings 600 yards in diameter, the +scaffold being the center. After burning the feet and legs, the hot +irons--plenty of fresh ones being at hand--were rolled up and down Smith's +stomach, back, and arms. Then the eyes were burned out and irons were +thrust down his throat. + +The men of the Vance family having wreaked vengeance, the crowd piled all +kinds of combustible stuff around the scaffold, poured oil on it and set +it afire. The Negro rolled and tossed out of the mass, only to be pushed +back by the people nearest him. He tossed out again, and was roped and +pulled back. Hundreds of people turned away, but the vast crowd still +looked calmly on. People were here from every part of this section. They +came from Dallas, Fort Worth, Sherman, Denison, Bonham, Texarkana, Fort +Smith, Ark., and a party of fifteen came from Hempstead county, Arkansas, +where he was captured. Every train that came in was loaded to its utmost +capacity, and there were demands at many points for special trains to +bring the people here to see the unparalleled punishment for an +unparalleled crime. When the news of the burning went over the country +like wildfire, at every country town anvils boomed forth the announcement. + + +SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ASYLUM + +It may not be amiss in connection with this awful affair, in proof of our +assertion that Smith was an imbecile, to give the testimony of a +well-known colored minister, who lived at Paris, Texas, at the time of the +lynching. He was a witness of the awful scenes there enacted, and +attempted, in the name of God and humanity, to interfere in the programme. +He barely escaped with his life, was driven out of the city and became an +exile because of his actions. Reverend King was in New York about the +middle of February, and he was there interviewed for a daily paper for +that city, and we quote his account as an eye witness of the affair. Said +he: + + I was ridden out of Paris on a rail because I was the only man in Lamar + county to raise my voice against the lynching of Smith. I opposed the + illegal measures before the arrival of Henry Smith as a prisoner, and I + was warned that I might meet his fate if I was not careful; but the + sense of justice made me bold, and when I saw the poor wretch trembling + with fear, and got so near him that I could hear his teeth chatter, I + determined to stand by him to the last. + + I hated him for his crime, but two crimes do not make a virtue; and in + the brief conversation I had with Smith I was more firmly convinced than + ever that he was irresponsible. + + I had known Smith for years, and there were times when Smith was out of + his head for weeks. Two years ago I made an effort to have him put in an + asylum, but the white people were trying to fasten the murder of a young + colored girl upon him, and would not listen. For days before the murder + of the little Vance girl, Smith was out of his head and dangerous. He + had just undergone an attack of delirium tremens and was in no condition + to be allowed at large. He realized his condition, for I spoke with him + not three weeks ago, and in answer to my exhortations, he promised to + reform. The next time I saw him was on the day of his execution. + + "Drink did it! drink did it," he sobbed. Then bowing his face in his + hands, he asked: "Is it true, did I kill her? Oh, my God, my God!" For a + moment he seemed to forget the awful fate that awaited him, and his body + swayed to and fro with grief. Some one seized me by the shoulder and + hurled me back, and Smith fell writhing to the ground in terror as four + men seized his arms to drag him to the float on which he was to be + exhibited before he was finally burned at the stake. + + I followed the procession and wept aloud as I saw little children of my + own race follow the unfortunate man and taunt him with jeers. Even at + the stake, children of both sexes and colors gathered in groups, and + when the father of the murdered child raised the hissing iron with which + he was about to torture the helpless victim, the children became as + frantic as the grown people and struggled forward to obtain places of + advantage. + + It was terrible. One little tot scarcely older than little Myrtle Vance + clapped her baby hands as her father held her on his shoulders above the + heads of the people. + + "For God's sake," I shouted, "send the children home." + + "No, no," shouted a hundred maddened voices; "let them learn a lesson." + + I love children, but as I looked about the little faces distorted with + passion and the bloodshot eyes of the cruel parents who held them high + in their arms, I thanked God that I have none of my own. + + As the hot iron sank deep into poor Henry's flesh a hideous yell rent + the air, and, with a sound as terrible as the cry, of lost souls on + judgment day, 20,000 maddened people took up the victim's cry of agony + and a prolonged howl of maddened glee rent the air. + + No one was himself now. Every man, woman and child in that awful crowd + was worked up to a greater frenzy than that which actuated Smith's + horrible crime. The people were capable of any new atrocity now, and as + Smith's yells became more and more frequent, it was difficult to hold + the crowd back, so anxious were the savages to participate in the + sickening tortures. + + For half an hour I tried to pray as the beads of agony rolled down my + forehead and bathed my face. + + For an instant a hush spread over the people. I could stand no more, and + with a superhuman effort dashed through the compact mass of humanity and + stood at the foot of the burning scaffold. + + "In the name of God," I cried, "I command you to cease this torture." + + The heavy butt of a Winchester rifle descended on my head and I fell to + the ground. Rough hands seized me and angry men bore me away, and I was + thankful. + + At the outskirts of the crowd I was attacked again, and then several + men, no doubt glad to get away from the fearful place, escorted me to my + home, where I was allowed to take a small amount of clothing. A jeering + crowd gathered without, and when I appeared at the door ready hands + seized me and I was placed upon a rail, and, with curses and oaths, + taken to the railway station and placed upon a train. As the train moved + out some one thrust a roll of bills into my hand and said, "God bless + you, but it was no use." + +When asked if he should ever return to Paris, Mr. King said: "I shall +never go south again. The impressions of that awful day will stay with me +forever." + + +LYNCHING OF INNOCENT MEN + +(Lynched on Account of Relationship) + +If no other reason appealed to the sober sense of the American people to +check the growth of Lynch Law, the absolute unreliability and recklessness +of the mob in inflicting punishment for crimes done, should do so. Several +instances of this spirit have occurred in the year past. In Louisiana, +near New Orleans, in July, 1893, Roselius Julian, a colored man, shot and +killed a white judge, named Victor Estopinal. The cause of the shooting +has never been definitely ascertained. It is claimed that the Negro +resented an insult to his wife, and the killing of the white man was an +act of a Negro (who dared) to defend his home. The judge was killed in the +court house, and Julian, heavily armed, made his escape to the swamps near +the city. He has never been apprehended, nor has any information ever been +gleaned as to his whereabouts. A mob determined to secure the fugitive +murderer and burn him alive. The swamps were hunted through and through in +vain, when, being unable to wreak their revenge upon the murderer, the mob +turned its attention to his unfortunate relatives. Dispatches from New +Orleans, dated September 19, 1893, described the affair as follows: + + Posses were immediately organized and the surrounding country was + scoured, but the search was fruitless so far as the real criminal was + concerned. The mother, three brothers and two sisters of the Negro were + arrested yesterday at the Black Ridge in the rear of the city by the + police and taken to the little jail on Judge Estopinal's place about + Southport, because of the belief that they were succoring the fugitive. + + About 11 o'clock twenty-five men, some armed with rifles and shotguns, + came up to the jail. They unlocked the door and held a conference among + themselves as to what they should do. Some were in favor of hanging the + five, while others insisted that only two of the brothers should be + strung up. This was finally agreed to, and the two doomed negroes were + hurried to a pasture one hundred yards distant, and there asked to take + their last chance of saving their lives by making a confession, but the + Negroes made no reply. They were then told to kneel down and pray. One + did so, the other remained standing, but both prayed fervently. The + taller Negro was then hoisted up. The shorter Negro stood gazing at the + horrible death of his brother without flinching. Five minutes later he + was also hanged. The mob decided to take the remaining brother out to + Camp Parapet and hang him there. The other two were to be taken out and + flogged, with an order to get out of the parish in less than half an + hour. The third brother, Paul, was taken out to the camp, which is about + a mile distant in the interior, and there he was hanged to a tree. + +Another young man, who was in no way related to Julian, who perhaps did +not even know the man and who was entirely innocent of any offense in +connection therewith, was murdered by the same mob. The same paper says: + + During the search for Julian on Saturday one branch of the posse visited + the house of a Negro family in the neighborhood of Camp Parapet, and + failing to find the object of their search, tried to induce John Willis, + a young Negro, to disclose the whereabouts of Julian. He refused to do + so, or could not do so, and was kicked to death by the gang. + + +AN INDIANA CASE + +Almost equal to the ferocity of the mob which killed the three brothers, +Julian and the unoffending, John Willis, because of the murder of Judge +Estopinal, was the action of a mob near Vincennes, Ind. In this case a +wealthy colored man, named Allen Butler, who was well known in the +community, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of the entire country, +was made the victim of a mob and hung because his son had become unduly +intimate with a white girl who was a servant around his house. There was +no pretense that the facts were otherwise than as here stated. The woman +lived at Butler's house as a servant, and she and Butler's son fell in +love with each other, and later it was found that the girl was in a +delicate condition. It was claimed, but with how much truth no one has +ever been able to tell, that the father had procured an abortion, or +himself had operated on the girl, and that she had left the house to go +back to her home. It was never claimed that the father was in any way +responsible for the action of his son, but the authorities procured the +arrest of both father and son, and at the preliminary examination the +father gave bail to appear before the Grand Jury when it should convene. +On the same night, however, the mob took the matter in hand and with the +intention of hanging the son. It assembled near Sumner, while the boy, who +had been unable to give bail, was lodged in jail at Lawrenceville. As it +was impossible to reach Lawrenceville and hang the son, the leaders of the +mob concluded they would go to Butler's house and hang him. Butler was +found at his home, taken out by the mob and hung to a tree. This was in +the lawabiding state of Indiana, which furnished the United States its +last president and which claims all the honor, pride and glory of northern +civilization. None of the leaders of the mob were apprehended, and no +steps whatever were taken to bring the murderers to justice. + + +KILLED FOR HIS STEPFATHER'S CRIME + +An account has been given of the cremation of Henry Smith, at Paris, +Texas, for the murder of the infant child of a man named Vance. It would +appear that human ferocity was not sated when it vented itself upon a +human being by burning his eyes out, by thrusting a red-hot iron down his +throat, and then by burning his body to ashes. Henry Smith, the victim of +these savage orgies, was beyond all the power of torture, but a few miles +outside of Paris, some members of the community concluded that it would be +proper to kill a stepson named William Butler as a partial penalty for the +original crime. This young man, against whom no word has ever been said, +and who was in fact an orderly, peaceable boy, had been watched with the +severest scrutiny by members of the mob who believed he knew something of +the whereabouts of Smith. He declared from the very first that he did not +know where his stepfather was, which statement was well proven to be a +fact after the discovery of Smith in Arkansas, whence he had fled through +swamps and woods and unfrequented places. Yet Butler was apprehended, +placed under arrest, and on the night of February 6, taken out on Hickory +Creek, five miles southeast of Paris, and hung for his stepfather's crime. +After his body was suspended in the air, the mob filled it with bullets. + + +LYNCHED BECAUSE THE JURY ACQUITTED HIM + +The entire system of the judiciary of this country is in the hands of +white people. To this add the fact of the inherent prejudice against +colored people, and it will be clearly seen that a white jury is certain +to find a Negro prisoner guilty if there is the least evidence to warrant +such a finding. + +Meredith Lewis was arrested in Roseland, La., in July of last year. A +white jury found him not guilty of the crime of murder wherewith he stood +charged. This did not suit the mob. A few nights after the verdict was +rendered, and he declared to be innocent, a mob gathered in his vicinity +and went to his house. He was called, and suspecting nothing, went +outside. He was seized and hurried off to a convenient spot and hanged by +the neck until he was dead for the murder of a woman of which the jury had +said he was innocent. + + +LYNCHED AS A SCAPEGOAT + +Wednesday, July 5, about 10 o'clock in the morning, a terrible crime was +committed within four miles of Wickliffe, Ky. Two girls, Mary and Ruby +Ray, were found murdered a short distance from their home. The news of +this terrible cowardly murder of two helpless young girls spread like wild +fire, and searching parties scoured the territory surrounding Wickliffe +and Bardwell. Two of the searching party, the Clark brothers, saw a man +enter the Dupoyster cornfield; they got their guns and fired at the +fleeing figure, but without effect; he got away, but they said he was a +white man or nearly so. The search continued all day without effect, save +the arrest of two or three strange Negroes. A bloodhound was brought from +the penitentiary and put on the trail which he followed from the scene of +the murder to the river and into the boat of a fisherman named Gordon. +Gordon stated that he had ferried one man and only one across the river +about about half past six the evening of July 5; that his passenger sat in +front of him, and he was a white man or a very bright mulatto, who could +not be told from a white man. The bloodhound was put across the river in +the boat, and he struck a trail again at Bird's Point on the Missouri +side, ran about three hundred yards to the cottage of a white farmer named +Grant and there lay down refusing to go further. + +Thursday morning a brakesman on a freight train going out of Sikeston, +Mo., discovered a Negro stealing a ride; he ordered him off and had hot +words which terminated in a fight. The brakesman had the Negro arrested. +When arrested, between 11 and 12 o'clock, he had on a dark woolen shirt, +light pants and coat, and no vest. He had twelve dollars in paper, two +silver dollars and ninety-five cents in change; he had also four rings in +his pockets, a knife and a razor which were rusted and stained. The +Sikeston authorities immediately jumped to the conclusion that this man +was the murderer for whom the Kentuckians across the river were searching. +They telegraphed to Bardwell that their prisoner had on no coat, but wore +a blue vest and pants which would perhaps correspond with the coat found +at the scene of the murder, and that the names of the murdered girls were +in the rings found in his possession. + +As soon as this news was received, the sheriffs of Ballard and Carlisle +counties and a posse(?) of thirty well-armed and determined Kentuckians, +who had pledged their word the prisoner should be taken back to the scene +of the supposed crime, to be executed there if proved to be the guilty +man, chartered a train and at nine o'clock Thursday night started for +Sikeston. Arriving there two hours later, the sheriff at Sikeston, who had +no warrant for the prisoner's arrest and detention, delivered him into the +hands of the mob without authority for so doing, and accompanied them to +Bird's Point. The prisoner gave his name as Miller, his home at +Springfield, and said he had never been in Kentucky in his life, but the +sheriff turned him over to the mob to be taken to Wickliffe, that Frank +Gordon, the fisherman, who had put a man across the river might identify +him. + +In other words, the protection of the law was withdrawn from C.J. Miller, +and he was given to a mob by this sheriff at Sikeston, who knew that the +prisoner's life depended on one man's word. After an altercation with the +train men, who wanted another $50 for taking the train back to Bird's +Point, the crowd arrived there at three o'clock, Friday morning. Here was +anchored _The Three States_, a ferryboat plying between Wickliffe, Ky, +Cairo, Ill., and Bird's Point, Mo. This boat left Cairo at twelve o'clock, +Thursday, with nearly three hundred of Cairo's best(?) citizens and thirty +kegs of beer on board. This was consumed while the crowd and the +bloodhound waited for the prisoner. + +When the prisoner was on board _The Three States_ the dog was turned +loose, and after moving aimlessly around, followed the crowd to where +Miller sat handcuffed and there stopped. The crowd closed in on the pair +and insisted that the brute had identified him because of that action. +When the boat reached Wickliffe, Gordon, the fisherman, was called on to +say whether the prisoner was the man he ferried over the river the day of +the murder. + +[Illustration: Lynching of C.J. Miller, at Bardwell, Kentucky, July 7, +1893.] + +The sheriff of Ballard County informed him, sternly that if the prisoner +was not the man, he (the fisherman) would be held responsible as knowing +who the guilty man was. Gordon stated before, that the man he ferried +across was a white man or a bright colored man; Miller was a dark brown +skinned man, with kinky hair, "neither yellow nor black," says the _Cairo +Evening Telegram_ of Friday, July 7. The fisherman went up to Miller from +behind, looked at him without speaking for fully five minutes, then slowly +said, "Yes, that's the man I crossed over." This was about six o'clock, +Friday morning, and the crowd wished to hang Miller then and there. But +Mr. Ray, the father of the girls, insisted that he be taken to Bardwell, +the county seat of Ballard, and twelve miles inland. He said he thought a +white man committed the crime, and that he was not satisfied that was the +man. They took him to Bardwell and at ten o'clock, this same excited, +unauthorized mob undertook to determine Miller's guilt. One of the Clark +brothers who shot at a fleeing man in the Dupoyster cornfield, said the +prisoner was the same man; the other said he was not, but the testimony of +the first was accepted. A colored woman who had said she gave breakfast to +a colored man clad in a blue flannel suit the morning of the murder, said +positively that she had never seen Miller before. The gold rings found in +his possession had no names in them, as had been asserted, and Mr. Ray +said they did not belong to his daughters. Meantime a funeral pyre for the +purpose of burning Miller to death had been erected in the center of the +village. While the crowd swayed by passion was clamoring that he be burnt, +Miller stepped forward and made the following statement: "My name is +C.J. Miller. I am from Springfield, Ill.; my wife lives at 716 N. 2d +Street. I am here among you today, looked upon as one of the most brutal +men before the people. I stand here surrounded by men who are excited, men +who are not willing to let the law take its course, and as far as the +crime is concerned, I have committed no crime, and certainly no crime +gross enough to deprive me of my life and liberty to walk upon the green +earth." + +A telegram was sent to the chief of the police at Springfield, Ill., +asking if one C.J. Miller lived there. An answer in the negative was +returned. A few hours after, it was ascertained that a man named Miller, +and his wife, did live at the number the prisoner gave in his speech, but +the information came to Bardwell too late to do the prisoner any good. +Miller was taken to jail, every stitch of clothing literally torn from his +body and examined again. On the lower left side of the bosom of his shirt +was found a dark reddish spot about the size of a dime. Miller said it was +paint which he had gotten on him at Jefferson Barracks. This spot was only +on the right side, and could not be seen from the under side at all, thus +showing it had not gone through the cloth as blood or any liquid substance +would do. + +Chief-of-Police Mahaney, of Cairo, Ill., was with the prisoner, and he +took his knife and scraped at the spot, particles of which came off in his +hand. Miller told them to take his clothes to any expert, and if the spot +was shown to be blood, they might do anything they wished with him. They +took his clothes away and were gone some time. After a while they were +brought back and thrown into the cell without a word. It is needless to +say that if the spot had been found to be blood, that fact would have been +announced, and the shirt retained as evidence. Meanwhile numbers of rough, +drunken men crowded into the cell and tried to force a confession of the +deed from the prisoner's lips. He refused to talk save to reiterate his +innocence. To Mr. Mahaney, who talked seriously and kindly to him, telling +him the mob meant to burn and torture him at three o'clock, Miller said: +"Burning and torture here lasts but a little while, but if I die with a +lie on my soul, I shall be tortured forever. I am innocent." For more than +three hours, all sorts of pressure in the way of threats, abuse and +urging, was brought to bear to force him to confess to the murder and thus +justify the mob in its deed of murder. Miller remained firm; but as the +hour drew near, and the crowd became more impatient, he asked for a +priest. As none could be procured, he then asked for a Methodist minister, +who came, prayed with the doomed man, baptized him and exhorted Miller to +confess. To keep up the flagging spirits of the dense crowd around the +jail, the rumor went out more than once, that Miller had confessed. But +the solemn assurance of the minister, chief-of-police, and leading +editor--who were with Miller all along--is that this rumor is absolutely +false. + +At three o'clock the mob rushed to the jail to secure the prisoner. Mr. +Ray had changed his mind about the promised burning; he was still in doubt +as to the prisoner's guilt. He again addressed the crowd to that effect, +urging them not to burn Miller, and the mob heeded him so far, that they +compromised on hanging instead of burning, which was agreed to by Mr. Ray. +There was a loud yell, and a rush was made for the prisoner. He was +stripped naked, his clothing literally torn from his body, and his shirt +was tied around his loins. Some one declared the rope was a "white man's +death," and a log-chain, nearly a hundred feet in length, weighing over +one hundred pounds, was placed round Miller's neck and body, and he was +led and dragged through the streets of the village in that condition +followed by thousands of people. He fainted from exhaustion several times, +but was supported to the platform where they first intended burning him. + +The chain was hooked around his neck, a man climbed the telegraph pole and +the other end of the chain was passed up to him and made fast to the +cross-arm. Others brought a long forked stick which Miller was made to +straddle. By this means he was raised several feet from the ground and +then let fall. The first fall broke his neck, but he was raised in this +way and let fall a second time. Numberless shots were fired into the +dangling body, for most of that crowd were heavily armed, and had been +drinking all day. + +Miller's body hung thus exposed from three to five o'clock, during which +time, several photographs of him as he hung dangling at the end of the +chain were taken, and his toes and fingers were cut off. His body was +taken down, placed on the platform, the torch applied, and in a few +moments there was nothing left of C.J. Miller save a few bones and ashes. +Thus perished another of the many victims of Lynch Law, but it is the +honest and sober belief of many who witnessed the scene that an innocent +man has been barbarously and shockingly put to death in the glare of the +nineteenth-century civilization, by those who profess to believe in +Christianity, law and order. + + + + +5 + +LYNCHED FOR ANYTHING OR NOTHING + +(_Lynched for Wife Beating_) + + +In nearly all communities wife beating is punishable with a fine, and in +no community is it made a felony. Dave Jackson, of Abita, La., was a +colored man who had beaten his wife. He had not killed her, nor seriously +wounded her, but as Louisiana lynchers had not filled out their quota of +crimes, his case was deemed of sufficient importance to apply the method +of that barbarous people. He was in the custody of the officials, but the +mob went to the jail and took him out in front of the prison and hanged +him by the neck until he was dead. This was in Nov. 1893. + + +HANGED FOR STEALING HOGS + +Details are very meagre of a lynching which occurred near Knox Point, La., +on the twenty-fourth of October, 1893. Upon one point, however, there was +no uncertainty, and that is, that the persons lynched were Negroes. It was +claimed that they had been stealing hogs, but even this claim had not been +subjected to the investigation of a court. That matter was not considered +necessary. A few of the neighbors who had lost hogs suspected these men +were responsible for their loss, and made up their minds to furnish an +example for others to be warned by. The two men were secured by a mob and +hanged. + + +LYNCHED FOR NO OFFENSE + +Perhaps the most characteristic feature of this record of lynch law for +the year 1893, is the remarkable fact that five human beings were lynched +and that the matter was considered of so little importance that the +powerful press bureaus of the country did not consider the matter of +enough importance to ascertain the causes for which they were hanged. It +tells the world, with perhaps greater emphasis than any other feature of +the record, that Lynch Law has become so common in the United States that +the finding of the dead body of a Negro, suspended between heaven and +earth to the limb of a tree, is of so slight importance that neither the +civil authorities nor press agencies consider the matter worth +investigating. July 21, in Shelby County, Tenn., a colored man by the name +of Charles Martin was lynched. July 30, at Paris, Mo., a colored man named +William Steen shared the same fate. December 28, Mack Segars was announced +to have been lynched at Brantley, Alabama. August 31, at Yarborough, +Texas, and on September 19, at Houston, a colored man was found lynched, +but so little attention was paid to the matter that not only was no record +made as to why these last two men were lynched, but even their names were +not given. The dispatches simply stated that an unknown Negro was found +lynched in each case. + +There are friends of humanity who feel their souls shrink from any +compromise with murder, but whose deep and abiding reverence for womanhood +causes them to hesitate in giving their support to this crusade against +Lynch Law, out of fear that they may encourage the miscreants whose deeds +are worse than murder. But to these friends it must appear certain that +these five men could not have been guilty of any terrible crime. They were +simply lynched by parties of men who had it in their power to kill them, +and who chose to avenge some fancied wrong by murder, rather than submit +their grievances to court. + + +LYNCHED BECAUSE THEY WERE SAUCY + +At Moberly, Mo., February 18 and at Fort Madison, S.C., June 2, both in +1892, a record was made in the line of lynching which should certainly +appeal to every humanitarian who has any regard for the sacredness of +human life. John Hughes, of Moberly, and Isaac Lincoln, of Fort Madison, +and Will Lewis in Tullahoma, Tenn., suffered death for no more serious +charge than that they "were saucy to white people." In the days of slavery +it was held to be a very serious matter for a colored person to fail to +yield the sidewalk at the demand of a white person, and it will not be +surprising to find some evidence of this intolerance existing in the days +of freedom. But the most that could be expected as a penalty for acting or +speaking saucily to a white person would be a slight physical chastisement +to make the Negro "know his place" or an arrest and fine. But Missouri, +Tennessee and South Carolina chose to make precedents in their cases and +as a result both men, after being charged with their offense and +apprehended, were taken by a mob and lynched. The civil authorities, who +in either case would have been very quick to satisfy the aggrieved white +people had they complained and brought the prisoners to court, by imposing +proper penalty upon them, did not feel it their duty to make any +investigation after the Negroes were killed. They were dead and out of the +way and as no one would be called upon to render an account for their +taking off, the matter was dismissed from the public mind. + + +LYNCHED FOR A QUARREL + +One of the most notable instances of lynching for the year 1893, occurred +about the twentieth of September. It was notable for the fact that the +mayor of the city exerted every available power to protect the victim of +the lynching from the mob. In his splendid endeavor to uphold the law, the +mayor called out the troops, and the result was a deadly fight between the +militia and mob, nine of the mob being killed. The trouble occurred at +Roanoke, Va. It is frequently claimed that lynchings occur only in +sparsely settled districts, and, in fact, it is a favorite plea of +governors and reverend apologists to couple two arrant falsehoods, stating +that lynchings occur only because of assaults upon white women, and that +these assaults occur and the lynchings follow in thinly inhabited +districts where the power of the law is entirely inadequate to meet the +emergency. This Roanoke case is a double refutation, for it not only +disproves the alleged charge that the Negro assaulted a white woman, as +was telegraphed all over the country at the time, but it also shows +conclusively that even in one of the largest cities of the old state of +Virginia, one of the original thirteen colonies, which prides itself of +being the mother of presidents, it was possible for a lynching to occur in +broad daylight under circumstances of revolting savagery. + +When the news first came from Roanoke of the contemplated lynching, it was +stated that a big burly Negro had assaulted a white woman, that he had +been apprehended and that the citizens were determined to summarily +dispose of his case. Mayor Trout was a man who believed in maintaining the +majesty of the law, and who at once gave notice that no lynching would be +permitted in Roanoke, and that the Negro, whose name was Smith, being in +the custody of the law, should be dealt with according to law; but the mob +did not pay any attention to the brave words of the mayor. It evidently +thought that it was only another case of swagger, such as frequently +characterizes lynching episodes. Mayor Trout, finding immense crowds +gathering about the city, and fearing an attempt to lynch Smith, called +out the militia and stationed them at the jail. + +It was known that the woman refused to accuse Smith of assaulting her, and +that his offense consisted in quarreling with her about the change of +money in a transaction in which he bought something from her market booth. +Both parties lost their temper, and the result was a row from which Smith +had to make his escape. At once the old cry was sounded that the woman had +been assaulted, and in a few hours all the town was wild with people +thirsting for the assailant's blood. The further incidents of that day may +well be told by a dispatch from Roanoke under date of the twenty-first of +September and published in the _Chicago Record_. It says: + + It is claimed by members of the military company that they frequently + warned the mob to keep away from the jail, under penalty of being shot. + Capt. Bird told them he was under orders to protect the prisoner whose + life the mob so eagerly sought, and come what may he would not allow him + to be taken by the mob. To this the crowd replied with hoots and + derisive jeers. The rioters appeared to become frenzied at the + determined stand taken by the men and Captain Bird, and finally a crowd + of excited men made a rush for the side door of the jail. The captain + directed his men to drive the would-be lynchers back. + + At this moment the mob opened fire on the soldiers. This appeared for a + moment to startle the captain and his men. But it was only for a moment. + Then he coolly gave the command: "Ready! aim! fire!" The company obeyed + to the instant, and poured a volley of bullets into that part of the + mob which was trying to batter down the side door of the jail. + + The rioters fell back before the fire of the militia, leaving one man + writhing in the agonies of death at the doorstep. There was a lull for a + moment. Then the word was quickly passed through the throng in front of + the jail and down the street that a man was killed. Then there was an + awful rush toward the little band of soldiers. Excited men were yelling + like demons. + + The fight became general, and ere it was ended nine men were dead and + more than forty wounded. + +This stubborn stand on behalf of law and order disconcerted the crowd and +it fell back in disorder. It did not long remain inactive but assembled +again for a second assault. Having only a small band of militia, and +knowing they would be absolutely at the mercy of the thousands who were +gathering to wreak vengeance upon them, the mayor ordered them to disperse +and go to their homes, and he himself, having been wounded, was quietly +conveyed out of the city. + +The next day the mob grew in numbers and its rage increased in its +intensity. There was no longer any doubt that Smith, innocent as he was of +any crime, would be killed, for with the mayor out of the city and the +governor of the state using no effort to control the mob, it was only a +question of a few hours when the assault would be repeated and its victim +put to death. All this happened as per programme. The description of that +morning's carnival appeared in the paper above quoted and reads as +follows: + + A squad of twenty men took the negro Smith from three policemen just + before five o'clock this morning and hanged him to a hickory limb on + Ninth Avenue, in the residence section of the city. They riddled his + body with bullets and put a placard on it saying: "This is Mayor Trout's + friend." A coroner's jury of Bismel was summoned and viewed the body and + rendered a verdict of death at the hands of unknown men. Thousands of + persons visited the scene of the lynching between daylight and eight + o'clock when the body was cut down. After the jury had completed its + work the body was placed in the hands of officers, who were unable to + keep back the mob. Three hundred men tried to drag the body through the + streets of the town, but the Rev. Dr. Campbell of the First Presbyterian + church and Capt. R.B. Moorman, with pleas and by force prevented them. + + Capt. Moorman hired a wagon and the body was put in it. It was then + conveyed to the bank of the Roanoke, about two miles from the scene of + the lynching. Here the body was dragged from the wagon by ropes for + about 200 yards and burned. Piles of dry brushwood were brought, and the + body was placed upon it, and more brushwood piled on the body, leaving + only the head bare. The whole pile was then saturated with coal oil and + a match was applied. The body was consumed within an hour. The cremation + was witnessed by several thousand people. At one time the mob threatened + to burn the Negro in Mayor Trout's yard. + +Thus did the people of Roanoke, Va., add this measure of proof to maintain +our contention that it is only necessary to charge a Negro with a crime in +order to secure his certain death. It was well known in the city before he +was killed that he had not assaulted the woman with whom he had had the +trouble, but he dared to have an altercation with a white woman, and he +must pay the penalty. For an offense which would not in any civilized +community have brought upon him a punishment greater than a fine of a few +dollars, this unfortunate Negro was hung, shot and burned. + + +SUSPECTED, INNOCENT AND LYNCHED + +Five persons, Benjamin Jackson, his wife, Mahala Jackson, his +mother-in-law, Lou Carter, Rufus Bigley, were lynched near Quincy, Miss., +the charge against them being suspicion of well poisoning. It appears from +the newspaper dispatches at that time that a family by the name of +Woodruff was taken ill in September of 1892. As a result of their illness +one or more of the family are said to have died, though that matter is not +stated definitely. It was suspected that the cause of their illness was +the existence of poison in the water, some miscreant having placed poison +in the well. Suspicion pointed to a colored man named Benjamin Jackson who +was at once arrested. With him also were arrested his wife and +mother-in-law and all were held on the same charge. + +The matter came up for judicial investigation, but as might have been +expected, the white people concluded it was unnecessary to wait the result +of the investigation--that it was preferable to hang the accused first and +try him afterward. By this method of procedure, the desired result was +always obtained--the accused was hanged. Accordingly Benjamin Jackson was +taken from the officers by a crowd of about two hundred people, while the +inquest was being held, and hanged. After the killing of Jackson, the +inquest was continued to ascertain the possible connection of the other +persons charged with the crime. Against the wife and mother-in-law of the +unfortunate man there was not the slightest evidence and the coroner's +jury was fair enough to give them their liberty. They were declared +innocent and returned to their homes. But this did not protect the women +from the demands of the Christian white people of that section of the +country. In any other land and with any other people, the fact that these +two accused persons were women would have pleaded in their favor for +protection and fair play, but that had no weight with the Mississippi +Christians nor the further fact that a jury of white men had declared them +innocent. The hanging of one victim on an unproven charge did not begin to +satisfy the mob in its bloodthirsty demands and the result was that even +after the women had been discharged, they were at once taken in charge by +a mob, which hung them by the neck until they were dead. + +Still the mob was not satisfied. During the coroner's investigation the +name of a fourth person, Rufus Bigley, was mentioned. He was acquainted +with the Jacksons and that fact, together with some testimony adduced at +the inquest, prompted the mob to decide that he should die also. Search +was at once made for him and the next day he was apprehended. He was not +given over into the hands of the civil authorities for trial nor did the +coroner's inquest find that he was guilty, but the mob was quite +sufficient in itself. After finding Bigley, he was strung up to a tree and +his body left hanging, where it was found next day. It may be remarked +here in passing that this instance of the moral degradation of the people +of Mississippi did not excite any interest in the public at large. +American Christianity heard of this awful affair and read of its details +and neither press nor pulpit gave the matter more than a passing comment. +Had it occurred in the wilds of interior Africa, there would have been an +outcry from the humane people of this country against the savagery which +would so mercilessly put men and women to death. But it was an evidence of +American civilization to be passed by unnoticed, to be denied or condoned +as the requirements of any future emergency might determine. + + +LYNCHED FOR AN ATTEMPTED ASSAULT + +With only a little more aggravation than that of Smith who quarreled at +Roanoke with the market woman, was the assault which operated as the +incentive to a most brutal lynching in Memphis, Tenn. Memphis is one of +the queen cities of the south, with a population of about seventy thousand +souls--easily one of the twenty largest, most progressive and wealthiest +cities of the United States. And yet in its streets there occurred a scene +of shocking savagery which would have disgraced the Congo. No woman was +harmed, no serious indignity suffered. Two women driving to town in a +wagon, were suddenly accosted by Lee Walker. He claimed that he demanded +something to eat. The women claimed that he attempted to assault them. +They gave such an alarm that he ran away. At once the dispatches spread +over the entire country that a big, burly Negro had brutally assaulted two +women. Crowds began to search for the alleged fiend. While hunting him +they shot another Negro dead in his tracks for refusing to stop when +ordered to do so. After a few days Lee Walker was found, and put in jail +in Memphis until the mob there was ready for him. + +The _Memphis Commercial_ of Sunday, July 23, contains a full account of +the tragedy from which the following extracts are made: + + At 12 o'clock last night, Lee Walker, who attempted to outrage Miss + Mollie McCadden, last Tuesday morning, was taken from the county jail + and hanged to a telegraph pole just north of the prison. All day rumors + were afloat that with nightfall an attack would be made upon the jail, + and as everyone anticipated that a vigorous resistance would be made, a + conflict between the mob and the authorities was feared. + + At 10 o'clock Capt. O'Haver, Sergt. Horan and several patrolmen were on + hand, but they could do nothing with the crowd. An attack by the mob was + made on the door in the south wall, and it yielded. Sheriff McLendon and + several of his men threw themselves into the breach, but two or three of + the storming party shoved by. They were seized by the police, but were + not subdued, the officers refraining from using their clubs. The entire + mob might at first have been dispersed by ten policemen who would use + their clubs, but the sheriff insisted that no violence be done. + + The mob got an iron rail and used it as a battering ram against the + lobby doors. Sheriff McLendon tried to stop them, and some one of the + mob knocked him down with a chair. Still he counseled moderation and + would not order his deputies and the police to disperse the crowd by + force. The pacific policy of the sheriff impressed the mob with the idea + that the officers were afraid, or at least would do them no harm, and + they redoubled their efforts, urged on by a big switchman. At 12 o'clock + the door of the prison was broken in with a rail. + + As soon as the rapist was brought out of the door calls were heard for a + rope; then someone shouted, "Burn him!" But there was no time to make a + fire. When Walker got into the lobby a dozen of the men began beating + and stabbing him. He was half dragged, half carried to the corner of + Front Street and the alley between Sycamore and Mill, and hung to a + telegraph pole. + + Walker made a desperate resistance. Two men entered his cell first and + ordered him to come forth. He refused, and they failing to drag him out, + others entered. He scratched and bit his assailants, wounding several of + them severely with his teeth. The mob retaliated by striking and cutting + him with fists and knives. When he reached the steps leading down to the + door he made another stand and was stabbed again and again. By the time + he reached the lobby his power to resist was gone, and he was shoved + along through the mob of yelling, cursing men and boys, who beat, spat + upon and slashed the wretch-like demon. One of the leaders of the mob + fell, and the crowd walked ruthlessly over him. He was badly hurt--a + jawbone fractured and internal injuries inflicted. After the lynching + friends took charge of him. + + The mob proceeded north on Front Street with the victim, stopping at + Sycamore Street to get a rope from a grocery. "Take him to the iron + bridge on Main Street," yelled several men. The men who had hold of the + Negro were in a hurry to finish the job, however, and when they reached + the telephone pole at the corner of Front Street and the first alley + north of Sycamore they stopped. A hastily improvised noose was slipped + over the Negro's head, and several young men mounted a pile of lumber + near the pole and threw the rope over one of the iron stepping pins. The + Negro was lifted up until his feet were three feet above the ground, the + rope was made taut, and a corpse dangled in midair. A big fellow who + helped lead the mob pulled the Negro's legs until his neck cracked. The + wretch's clothes had been torn off, and, as he swung, the man who pulled + his legs mutilated the corpse. + + One or two knife cuts, more or less, made little difference in the + appearance of the dead rapist, however, for before the rope was around + his neck his skin was cut almost to ribbons. One pistol shot was fired + while the corpse was hanging. A dozen voices protested against the use + of firearms, and there was no more shooting. The body was permitted to + hang for half an hour, then it was cut down and the rope divided among + those who lingered around the scene of the tragedy. Then it was + suggested that the corpse be burned, and it was done. The entire + performance, from the assault on the jail to the burning of the dead + Negro was witnessed by a score or so of policemen and as many deputy + sheriffs, but not a hand was lifted to stop the proceedings after the + jail door yielded. + + As the body hung to the telegraph pole, blood streaming down from the + knife wounds in his neck, his hips and lower part of his legs also + slashed with knives, the crowd hurled expletives at him, swung the body + so that it was dashed against the pole, and, so far from the ghastly + sight proving trying to the nerves, the crowd looked on with + complaisance, if not with real pleasure. The Negro died hard. The neck + was not broken, as the body was drawn up without being given a fall, and + death came by strangulation. For fully ten minutes after he was strung + up the chest heaved occasionally, and there were convulsive movements of + the limbs. Finally he was pronounced dead, and a few minutes later + Detective Richardson climbed on a pile of staves and cut the rope. The + body fell in a ghastly heap, and the crowd laughed at the sound and + crowded around the prostrate body, a few kicking the inanimate carcass. + + Detective Richardson, who is also a deputy coroner, then proceeded to + impanel the following jury of inquest: J.S. Moody, A.C. Waldran, B.J. + Childs, J.N. House, Nelson Bills, T.L. Smith, and A. Newhouse. After + viewing the body the inquest was adjourned without any testimony being + taken until 9 o'clock this morning. The jury will meet at the coroner's + office, 51 Beale Street, upstairs, and decide on a verdict. If no + witnesses are forthcoming, the jury will be able to arrive at a verdict + just the same, as all members of it saw the lynching. Then someone + raised the cry of "Burn him!" It was quickly taken up and soon resounded + from a hundred throats. Detective Richardson, for a long time, + single-handed, stood the crowd off. He talked and begged the men not to + bring disgrace on the city by burning the body, arguing that all the + vengeance possible had been wrought. + + While this was going on a small crowd was busy starting a fire in the + middle of the street. The material was handy. Some bundles of staves + were taken from the adjoining lumber yard for kindling. Heavier wood was + obtained from the same source, and coal oil from a neighboring grocery. + Then the cries of "Burn him! Burn him!" were redoubled. + + Half a dozen men seized the naked body. The crowd cheered. They marched + to the fire, and giving the body a swing, it was landed in the middle of + the fire. There was a cry for more wood, as the fire had begun to die + owing to the long delay. Willing hands procured the wood, and it was + piled up on the Negro, almost, for a time, obscuring him from view. The + head was in plain view, as also were the limbs, and one arm which stood + out high above the body, the elbow crooked, held in that position by a + stick of wood. In a few moments the hands began to swell, then came + great blisters over all the exposed parts of the body; then in places + the flesh was burned away and the bones began to show through. It was a + horrible sight, one which, perhaps, none there had ever witnessed + before. It proved too much for a large part of the crowd and the + majority of the mob left very shortly after the burning began. + + But a large number stayed, and were not a bit set back by the sight of a + human body being burned to ashes. Two or three white women, accompanied + by their escorts, pushed to the front to obtain an unobstructed view, + and looked on with astonishing coolness and nonchalance. One man and + woman brought a little girl, not over twelve years old, apparently their + daughter, to view a scene which was calculated to drive sleep from the + child's eyes for many nights, if not to produce a permanent injury to + her nervous system. The comments of the crowd were varied. Some remarked + on the efficacy of this style of cure for rapists, others rejoiced that + men's wives and daughters were now safe from this wretch. Some laughed + as the flesh cracked and blistered, and while a large number pronounced + the burning of a dead body as a useless episode, not in all that throng + was a word of sympathy heard for the wretch himself. + + The rope that was used to hang the Negro, and also that which was used + to lead him from the jail, were eagerly sought by relic hunters. They + almost fought for a chance to cut off a piece of rope, and in an + incredibly short time both ropes had disappeared and were scattered in + the pockets of the crowd in sections of from an inch to six inches long. + Others of the relic hunters remained until the ashes cooled to obtain + such ghastly relics as the teeth, nails, and bits of charred skin of the + immolated victim of his own lust. After burning the body the mob tied a + rope around the charred trunk and dragged it down Main Street to the + courthouse, where it was hanged to a center pole. The rope broke and the + corpse dropped with a thud, but it was again hoisted, the charred legs + barely touching the ground. The teeth were knocked out and the + fingernails cut off as souvenirs. The crowd made so much noise that the + police interfered. Undertaker Walsh was telephoned for, who took + charge of the body and carried it to his establishment, where it will be + prepared for burial in the potter's field today. + +[Illustration: Scene of lynching at Clanton, Alabama, August 1891.] + +[Illustration: Facsimile of back of photograph. W.R. MARTIN, Traveling +Photographer. (Handwritten: This S.O.B. was hung at Clanton Ala. Friday +Aug 21st/91 for murdering a little boy in cold blood for 35¢ in cash. He +is a good specimen of your "Black Christian hung by White Heathens" +[illegible] of the Committee.)] + +A prelude to this exhibition of nineteenth-century barbarism was the +following telegram received by the _Chicago Inter Ocean_, at 2 o'clock, +Saturday afternoon--ten hours before the lynching: + + MEMPHIS TENN., July 22, To _Inter-Ocean_, Chicago. + + Lee Walker, colored man, accused of raping white women, in jail here, + will be taken out and burned by whites tonight. Can you send Miss Ida + Wells to write it up? Answer. R.M. Martin, with _Public Ledger_. + +The _Public Ledger_ is one of the oldest evening daily papers in Memphis, +and this telegram shows that the intentions of the mob were well known +long before they were executed. The personnel of the mob is given by the +_Memphis Appeal-Avalanche_. It says, "At first it seemed as if a crowd of +roughs were the principals, but as it increased in size, men in all walks +of life figured as leaders, although the majority were young men." + +This was the punishment meted out to a Negro, charged, not with rape, but +attempted assault, and without any proof as to his guilt, for the women +were not given a chance to identify him. It was only a little less +horrible than the burning alive of Henry Smith, at Paris, Texas, February +1, 1893, or that of Edward Coy, in Texarkana, Texas, February 20, 1892. +Both were charged with assault on white women, and both were tied to the +stake and burned while yet alive, in the presence of ten thousand persons. +In the case of Coy, the white woman in the case applied the match, even +while the victim protested his innocence. + +The cut which is here given is the exact reproduction of the photograph +taken at the scene of the lynching at Clanton, Alabama, August, 1891. The +cause for which the man was hanged is given in the words of the mob which +were written on the back of the photograph, and they are also given. This +photograph was sent to Judge A.W. Tourgee, of Mayville, N.Y. + +In some of these cases the mob affects to believe in the Negro's guilt. +The world is told that the white woman in the case identifies him, or the +prisoner "confesses." But in the lynching which took place in Barnwell +County, South Carolina, April 24, 1893, the mob's victim, John Peterson, +escaped and placed himself under Governor Tillman's protection; not only +did he declare his innocence, but offered to prove an alibi, by white +witnesses. Before his witnesses could be brought, the mob arrived at the +Governor's mansion and demanded the prisoner. He was given up, and +although the white woman in the case said he was not the man, he was +hanged twenty-four hours after, and over a thousand bullets fired into his +body, on the declaration that "a crime had been committed and someone had +to hang for it." + + + + +6 + +HISTORY OF SOME CASES OF RAPE + + +It has been claimed that the Southern white women have been slandered +because, in defending the Negro race from the charge that all colored men, +who are lynched, only pay penalty for assaulting women. It is certain that +lynching mobs have not only refused to give the Negro a chance to defend +himself, but have killed their victim with a full knowledge that the +relationship of the alleged assailant with the woman who accused him, was +voluntary and clandestine. As a matter of fact, one of the prime causes of +the Lynch Law agitation has been a necessity for defending the Negro from +this awful charge against him. This defense has been necessary because the +apologists for outlawry insist that in no case has the accusing woman been +a willing consort of her paramour, who is lynched because overtaken in +wrong. It is well known, however, that such is the case. In July of this +year, 1894, John Paul Bocock, a Southern white man living in New York, and +assistant editor of the _New York Tribune_, took occasion to defy the +publication of any instance where the lynched Negro was the victim of a +white woman's falsehood. Such cases are not rare, but the press and people +conversant with the facts, almost invariably suppress them. + +The _New York Sun_ of July 30,1894, contained a synopsis of interviews +with leading congressmen and editors of the South. Speaker Crisp, of the +House of Representatives, who was recently a Judge of the Supreme Court of +Georgia, led in declaring that lynching seldom or never took place, save +for vile crime against women and children. Dr. Hass, editor of the leading +organ of the Methodist Church South, published in its columns that it was +his belief that more than three hundred women had been assaulted by Negro +men within three months. When asked to prove his charges, or give a single +case upon which his "belief" was founded, he said that he could do so, but +the details were unfit for publication. No other evidence but his "belief" +could be adduced to substantiate this grave charge, yet Bishop Haygood, in +the _Forum_ of October, 1893, quotes this "belief" in apology for +lynching, and voluntarily adds: "It is my opinion that this is an +underestimate." The "opinion" of this man, based upon a "belief," had +greater weight coming from a man who has posed as a friend to "Our Brother +in Black," and was accepted as authority. An interview of Miss Frances E. +Willard, the great apostle of temperance, the daughter of abolitionists +and a personal friend and helper of many individual colored people, has +been quoted in support of the utterance of this calumny against a weak and +defenseless race. In the _New York Voice_ of October 23, 1890, after a +tour in the South, where she was told all these things by the "best white +people," she said: "The grogshop is the Negro's center of power. Better +whisky and more of it is the rallying cry of great, dark-faced mobs. The +colored race multiplies like the locusts of Egypt. The grogshop is its +center of power. The safety of woman, of childhood, the home, is menaced +in a thousand localities at this moment, so that men dare not go beyond +the sight of their own roof-tree." + +These charges so often reiterated, have had the effect of fastening the +odium upon the race of a peculiar propensity for this foul crime. The +Negro is thus forced to a defense of his good name, and this chapter will +be devoted to the history of some of the cases where assault upon white +women by Negroes is charged. He is not the aggressor in this fight, but +the situation demands that the facts be given, and they will speak for +themselves. Of the 1,115 Negro men, women and children hanged, shot and +roasted alive from January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1894, inclusive, only +348 of that number were charged with rape. Nearly 700 of these persons +were lynched for any other reason which could be manufactured by a mob +wishing to indulge in a lynching bee. + + +A WHITE WOMAN'S FALSEHOOD + +The _Cleveland, Ohio, Gazette_, January 16, 1892, gives an account of one +of these cases of "rape." + +Mrs. J.C. Underwood, the wife of a minister of Elyria, Ohio, accused an +Afro-American of rape. She told her husband that during his absence in +1888, stumping the state for the Prohibition Party, the man came to the +kitchen door, forced his way in the house and insulted her. She tried to +drive him out with a heavy poker, but he overpowered and chloroformed her, +and when she revived her clothing was torn and she was in a horrible +condition. She did not know the man, but could identify him. She +subsequently pointed out William Offett, a married man, who was arrested, +and, being in Ohio, was granted a trial. + +The prisoner vehemently denied the charge of rape, but confessed he went +to Mrs. Underwood's residence at her invitation and was criminally +intimate with her at her request. This availed him nothing against the +sworn testimony of a minister's wife, a lady of the highest +respectability. He was found guilty, and entered the penitentiary, +December 14, 1888, for fifteen years. Sometime afterwards the woman's +remorse led her to confess to her husband that the man was innocent. These +are her words: "I met Offett at the postoffice. It was raining. He was +polite to me, and as I had several bundles in my arms he offered to carry +them home for me, which he did. He had a strange fascination for me, and I +invited him to call on me. He called, bringing chestnuts and candy for the +children. By this means we got them to leave us alone in the room. Then I +sat on his lap. He made a proposal to me and I readily consented. Why I +did so I do not know, but that I did is true. He visited me several times +after that and each time I was indiscreet. I did not care after the first +time. In fact I could not have resisted, and had no desire to resist." + +When asked by her husband why she told him she had been outraged, she +said: "I had several reasons for telling you. One was the neighbors saw +the fellow here, another was, I was afraid I had contracted a loathsome +disease, and still another was that I feared I might give birth to a Negro +baby. I hoped to save my reputation by telling you a deliberate lie." Her +husband, horrified by the confession, had Offett, who had already served +four years, released and secured a divorce. + +There have been many such cases throughout the South, with the difference +that the Southern white men in insensate fury wreak their vengeance +without intervention of law upon the Negro who consorts with their women. + + +TRIED TO MANUFACTURE AN OUTRAGE + +The _Memphis (Tenn.) Ledger_, of June 8, 1892, has the following: + + If Lillie Bailey, a rather pretty white girl, seventeen years of age, + who is now at the city hospital, would be somewhat less reserved about + her disgrace there would be some very nauseating details in the story of + her life. She is the mother of a little coon. The truth might reveal + fearful depravity or the evidence of a rank outrage. She will not + divulge the name of the man who has left such black evidence of her + disgrace, and in fact says it is a matter in which there can be no + interest to the outside world. She came to Memphis nearly three months + ago, and was taken in at the Woman's Refuge in the southern part of the + city. She remained there until a few weeks ago when the child was born. + The ladies in charge of the Refuge were horrified. The girl was at once + sent to the city hospital, where she has been since May 30. She is a + country girl. She came to Memphis from her father's farm, a short + distance from Hernando, Miss. Just when she left there she would not + say. In fact she says she came to Memphis from Arkansas, and says her + home is in that state. She is rather good looking, has blue eyes, a low + forehead and dark red hair. The ladies at the Woman's Refuge do not know + anything about the girl further than what they learned when she was an + inmate of the institution; and she would not tell much. When the child + was born an attempt was made to get the girl to reveal the name of the + Negro who had disgraced her, she obstinately refused and it was + impossible to elicit any information from her on the subject. + +Note the wording: "The truth might reveal fearful depravity or rank +outrage." If it had been a white child or if Lillie Bailey had told a +pitiful story of Negro outrage, it would have been a case of woman's +weakness or assault and she could have remained at the Woman's Refuge. But +a Negro child and to withhold its father's name and thus prevent the +killing of another Negro "rapist" was a case of "fearful depravity." Had +she revealed the father's name, he would have been lynched and his taking +off charged to an assault upon a white woman. + + +BURNED ALIVE FOR ADULTERY + +In Texarkana, Arkansas, Edward Coy was accused of assaulting a white +woman. The press dispatches of February 18, 1892, told in detail how he +was tied to a tree, the flesh cut from his body by men and boys, and after +coal oil was poured over him, the woman he had assaulted gladly set fire +to him, and 15,000 persons saw him burn to death. October 1, the _Chicago +Inter Ocean_ contained the following account of that horror from the pen +of the "Bystander" Judge Albion W. Tourgee--as the result of his +investigations: + + 1. The woman who was paraded as victim of violence was of bad character; + her husband was a drunkard and a gambler. + + 2. She was publicly reported and generally known to have been criminally + intimate with Coy for more than a year previous. + + 3. She was compelled by threats, if not by violence, to make the charge + against the victim. + + 4. When she came to apply the match Coy asked her if she would burn him + after they had "been sweethearting" so long. + + 5. A large majority of the "superior" white men prominent in the affair + are the reputed fathers of mulatto children. + + These are not pleasant facts, but they are illustrative of the vital + phase of the so-called race question, which should properly be + designated an earnest inquiry as to the best methods by which religion, + science, law and political power may be employed to excuse injustice, + barbarity and crime done to a people because of race and color. There + can be no possible belief that these people were inspired by any + consuming zeal to vindicate God's law against miscegenationists of the + most practical sort. The woman was a willing partner in the victim's + guilt, and being of the "superior" race must naturally have been more + guilty. + + +NOT IDENTIFIED BUT LYNCHED + +February 11, 1893, there occurred in Shelby County, Tennessee, the fourth +Negro lynching within fifteen months. The three first were lynched in the +city of Memphis for firing on white men in self-defense. This Negro, +Richard Neal, was lynched a few miles from the city limits, and the +following is taken from the _Memphis (Tenn.) Scimitar_: + + As the _Scimitar_ stated on Saturday the Negro, Richard Neal, who raped + Mrs. Jack White near Forest Hill, in this county, was lynched by a mob + of about 200 white citizens of the neighborhood. Sheriff McLendon, + accompanied by Deputies Perkins, App and Harvey and a _Scimitar_ + reporter, arrived on the scene of the execution about 3:30 in the + afternoon. The body was suspended from the first limb of a post oak tree + by a new quarter-inch grass rope. A hangman's knot, evidently tied by an + expert, fitted snugly under the left ear of the corpse, and a new hame + string pinioned the victim's arms behind him. His legs were not tied. + The body was perfectly limber when the Sheriff's posse cut it down and + retained enough heat to warm the feet of Deputy Perkins, whose road cart + was converted into a hearse. On arriving with the body at Forest Hill + the Sheriff made a bargain with a stalwart young man with a blonde + mustache and deep blue eyes, who told the _Scimitar_ reporter that he + was the leader of the mob, to haul the body to Germantown for $3. + + When within half-a-mile of Germantown the Sheriff and posse were + overtaken by Squire McDonald of Collierville, who had come down to hold + the inquest. The Squire had his jury with him, and it was agreed for the + convenience of all parties that he should proceed with the corpse to + Germantown and conduct the inquiry as to the cause of death. He did so, + and a verdict of death from hanging by parties unknown was returned in + due form. + + The execution of Neal was done deliberately and by the best people of + the Collierville, Germantown and Forest Hill neighborhoods, without + passion or exhibition of anger. + + He was arrested on Friday about ten o'clock, by Constable Bob Cash, who + carried him before Mrs. White. She said: "I think he is the man. I am + almost certain of it. If he isn't the man he is exactly like him." + + The Negro's coat was torn also, and there were other circumstances + against him. The committee returned and made its report, and the + chairman put the question of guilt or innocence to a vote. + + All who thought the proof strong enough to warrant execution were + invited to cross over to the other side of the road. Everybody but four + or five negroes crossed over. + + The committee then placed Neal on a mule with his arms tied behind him, + and proceeded to the scene of the crime, followed by the mob. The rope, + with a noose already prepared, was tied to the limb nearest the spot + where the unpardonable sin was committed, and the doomed man's mule was + brought to a standstill beneath it. + + Then Neal confessed. He said he was the right man, but denied that he + used force or threats to accomplish his purpose. It was a matter of + purchase, he claimed, and said the price paid was twenty-five cents. He + warned the colored men present to beware of white women and resist + temptation, for to yield to their blandishments or to the passions of + men, meant death. + + While he was speaking, Mrs. White came from her home and calling + Constable Cash to one side, asked if he could not save the Negro's life. + The reply was, "No," and Mrs. White returned to the house. + + When all was in readiness, the husband of Neal's victim leaped upon the + mule's back and adjusted the rope around the Negro's neck. No cap was + used, and Neal showed no fear, nor did he beg for mercy. The mule was + struck with a whip and bounded out from under Neal, leaving him + suspended in the air with his feet about three feet from the ground. + + +DELIVERED TO THE MOB BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE + +John Peterson, near Denmark, S.C., was suspected of rape, but escaped, +went to Columbia, and placed himself under Gov. Tillman's protection, +declaring he too could prove an alibi by white witnesses. A white reporter +hearing his declaration volunteered to find these witnesses, and +telegraphed the governor that he would be in Columbia with them on Monday. +In the meantime the mob at Denmark, learning Peterson's whereabouts, went +to the governor and demanded the prisoner. Gov. Tillman, who had during +his canvass for reelection the year before, declared that he would lead a +mob to lynch a Negro that assaulted a white woman, gave Peterson up to the +mob. He was taken back to Denmark, and the white girl in the case as +positively declared that he was not the man. But the verdict of the mob +was that "the crime had been committed and somebody had to hang for it, +and if he, Peterson, was not guilty of that he was of some other crime," +and he was hung, and his body riddled with 1,000 bullets. + + +LYNCHED AS A WARNING + +Alabama furnishes a case in point. A colored man named Daniel Edwards, +lived near Selma, Alabama, and worked for a family of a farmer near that +place. This resulted in an intimacy between the young man and a daughter +of the householder, which finally developed in the disgrace of the girl. +After the birth of the child, the mother disclosed the fact that Edwards +was its father. The relationship had been sustained for more than a year, +and yet this colored man was apprehended, thrown into jail from whence he +was taken by a mob of one hundred neighbors and hung to a tree and his +body riddled with bullets. A dispatch which describes the lynching, ends +as follows. "Upon his back was found pinned this morning the following: +'Warning to all Negroes that are too intimate with white girls. This the +work of one hundred best citizens of the South Side.'" + +There can be no doubt from the announcement made by this "one hundred best +citizens" that they understood full well the character of the relationship +which existed between Edwards and the girl, but when the dispatches were +sent out, describing the affair, it was claimed that Edwards was lynched +for rape. + + +SUPPRESSING THE TRUTH + +In a county in Mississippi during the month of July the Associated Press +dispatches sent out a report that the sheriff's eight-year-old daughter +had been assaulted by a big, black, burly brute who had been promptly +lynched. The facts which have since been investigated show that the girl +was more than eighteen years old and that she was discovered by her father +in this young man's room who was a servant on the place. But these facts +the Associated Press has not given to the world, nor did the same agency +acquaint the world with the fact that a Negro youth who was lynched in +Tuscumbia, Ala., the same year on the same charge told the white girl who +accused him before the mob, that he had met her in the woods often by +appointment. There is a young mulatto in one of the State prisons of the +South today who is there by charge of a young white woman to screen +herself. He is a college graduate and had been corresponding with, and +clandestinely visiting her until he was surprised and run out of her room +en deshabille by her father. He was put in prison in another town to save +his life from the mob and his lawyer advised that it were better to save +his life by pleading guilty to charges made and being sentenced for years, +than to attempt a defense by exhibiting the letters written him by this +girl. In the latter event, the mob would surely murder him, while there +was a chance for his life by adopting the former course. Names, places and +dates are not given for the same reason. + +The excuse has come to be so safe, it is not surprising that a +Philadelphia girl, beautiful and well educated, and of good family, should +make a confession published in all the daily papers of that city October, +1894, that she had been stealing for some time, and that to cover one of +her thefts, she had said she had been bound and gagged in her father's +house by a colored man, and money stolen therefrom by him. Had this been +done in many localities, it would only have been necessary for her to +"identify" the first Negro in that vicinity, to have brought about another +lynching bee. + + +A VILE SLANDER WITH SCANT RETRACTION + +The following published in the _Cleveland (Ohio) Leader_ of Oct. 23, 1894, +only emphasizes our demand that a fair trial shall be given those accused +of crime, and the protection of the law be extended until time for a +defense be granted. + + The sensational story sent out last night from Hicksville that a Negro + had outraged a little four-year-old girl proves to be a base canard. The + correspondents who went into the details should have taken the pains to + investigate, and the officials should have known more of the matter + before they gave out such grossly exaggerated information. + + The Negro, Charles O'Neil, had been working for a couple of women and, + it seems, had worked all winter without being remunerated. There is a + little girl, and the girl's mother and grandmother evidently started the + story with idea of frightening the Negro out of the country and thus + balancing accounts. The town was considerably wrought up and for a time + things looked serious. The accused had a preliminary hearing today and + not an iota of evidence was produced to indicate that such a crime had + been committed, or that he had even attempted such an outrage. The + village marshal was frightened nearly out of his wits and did little to + quiet the excitement last night. + + The affair was an outrage on the Negro, at the expense of innocent + childhood, a brainless fabrication from start to finish. + +The original story was sent throughout this country and England, but the +_Cleveland Leader_, so far as known, is the only journal which has +published these facts in refutation of the slander so often published +against the race. Not only is it true that many of the alleged cases of +rape against the Negro, are like the foregoing, but the same crime +committed by white men against Negro women and girls, is never punished by +mob or the law. A leading journal in South Carolina openly said some +months ago that "it is not the same thing for a white man to assault a +colored woman as for a colored man to assault a white woman, because the +colored woman had no finer feelings nor virtue to be outraged!" Yet +colored women have always had far more reason to complain of white men in +this respect than ever white women have had of Negroes. + + +ILLINOIS HAS A LYNCHING + +In the month of June, 1893, the proud commonwealth of Illinois joined the +ranks of Lynching States. Illinois, which gave to the world the immortal +heroes, Lincoln, Grant and Logan, trailed its banner of justice in the +dust--dyed its hands red in the blood of a man not proven guilty of crime. + +June 3,1893, the country about Decatur, one of the largest cities of the +state was startled with the cry that a white woman had been assaulted by a +colored tramp. Three days later a colored man named Samuel Bush was +arrested and put in jail. A white man testified that Bush, on the day of +the assault, asked him where he could get a drink and he pointed to the +house where the farmer's wife was subsequently said to have been +assaulted. Bush said he went to the well but did not go near the house, +and did not assault the woman. After he was arrested the alleged victim +did not see him to identify him--he was presumed to be guilty. + +The citizens determined to kill him. The mob gathered, went to the jail, +met with no resistance, took the suspected man, dragged him out tearing +every stitch of clothing from his body, then hanged him to a telegraph +pole. The grand jury refused to indict the lynchers though the names of +over twenty persons who were leaders in the mob were well known. In fact +twenty-two persons were indicted, but the grand jurors and the prosecuting +attorney disagreed as to the form of the indictments, which caused the +jurors to change their minds. All indictments were reconsidered and the +matter was dropped. Not one of the dozens of men prominent in that murder +have suffered a whit more inconvenience for the butchery of that man, than +they would have suffered for shooting a dog. + + +COLOR LINE JUSTICE + +In Baltimore, Maryland, a gang of white ruffians assaulted a respectable +colored girl who was out walking with a young man of her own race. They +held her escort and outraged the girl. It was a deed dastardly enough to +arouse Southern blood, which gives its horror of rape as excuse for +lawlessness, but she was a colored woman. The case went to the courts and +they were acquitted. + +In Nashville, Tennessee, there was a white man, Pat Hanifan, who outraged +a little colored girl, and from the physical injuries received she was +ruined for life. He was jailed for six months, discharged, and is now a +detective in that city. In the same city, last May, a white man outraged a +colored girl in a drug store. He was arrested and released on bail at the +trial. It was rumored that five hundred colored men had organized to lynch +him. Two hundred and fifty white citizens armed themselves with +Winchesters and guarded him. A cannon was placed in front of his home, and +the Buchanan Rifles (State Militia) ordered to the scene for his +protection. The colored mob did not show up. Only two weeks before, Eph. +Grizzard, who had only been charged with rape upon a white woman, had been +taken from the jail, with Governor Buchanan and the police and militia +standing by, dragged through the streets in broad daylight, knives plunged +into him at every step, and with every fiendish cruelty that a frenzied +mob could devise, he was at last swung out on the bridge with hands cut to +pieces as he tried to climb up the stanchions. A naked, bloody example of +the bloodthirstiness of the nineteenth-century civilization of the Athens +of the South! No cannon nor military were called out in his defense. He +dared to visit a white woman. + +At the very moment when these civilized whites were announcing their +determination "to protect their wives and daughters," by murdering +Grizzard, a white man was in the same jail for raping eight-year-old +Maggie Reese, a colored girl. He was not harmed. The "honor" of grown +women who were glad enough to be supported by the Grizzard boys and Ed. +Coy, as long as the liaison was not known, needed protection; they were +white. The outrage upon helpless childhood needed no avenging in this +case; she was black. + +A white man in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, two months after inflicted +such injuries upon another colored girl that she died. He was not +punished, but an attempt was made in the same town in the month of June to +lynch a colored man who visited a white woman. + +In Memphis, Tennessee, in the month of June, Ellerton L. Dorr, who is the +husband of Russell Hancock's widow, was arrested for attempted rape on +Mattie Cole, a neighbor's cook; he was only prevented from accomplishing +his purpose by the appearance of Mattie's employer. Dorr's friends say he +was drunk and, not responsible for his actions. The grand jury refused to +indict him and he was discharged. + +In Tallahassee, Florida, a colored girl, Charlotte Gilliam, was assaulted +by white men. Her father went to have a warrant for their arrest issued, +but the judge refused to issue it. + +In Bowling Green, Virginia, Moses Christopher, a colored lad, was charged +with assault, September 10. He was indicted, tried, convicted and +sentenced to death in one day. In the same state at Danville, two weeks +before--August 29, Thomas J. Penn, a white man, committed a criminal +assault upon Lina Hanna, a twelve-year-old colored girl, but he has not +been tried, certainly not killed either by the law or the mob. + +In Surrey county, Virginia, C.L. Brock, a white man, criminally assaulted +a ten-year-old colored girl, and threatened to kill her if she told. +Notwithstanding, she confessed to her aunt, Mrs. Alice Bates, and the +white brute added further crime by killing Mrs. Bates when she upbraided +him about his crime upon her niece. He emptied the contents of his +revolver into her body as she lay. Brock has never been apprehended, and +no effort has been made to do so by the legal authorities. + +But even when punishment is meted out by law to white villians for this +horrible crime, it is seldom or never that capital punishment is invoked. +Two cases just clipped from the daily papers will suffice to show how this +crime is punished when committed by white offenders and black. + +LOUISVILLE, KY., October 19.--Smith Young, colored, was today sentenced to +be hanged. Young criminally assaulted a six-year-old child about six +months ago. + +Jacques Blucher, the Pontiac Frenchman who was arrested at that place for +a criminal assault on his daughter Fanny on July 29 last, pleaded nolo +contendere when placed on trial at East Greenwich, near Providence, R.I., +Tuesday, and was sentenced to five years in State Prison. + +Charles Wilson was convicted of assault upon seven-year-old Mamie Keys in +Philadelphia, in October, and sentenced to ten years in prison. He was +white. Indianapolis courts sentenced a white man in September to eight +years in prison for assault upon a twelve-year-old white girl. + +April 24, 1893, a lynching was set for Denmark, S.C., on the charge of +rape. A white girl accused a Negro of assault, and the mob was about to +lynch him. A few hours before the lynching three reputable white men rode +into the town and solemnly testified that the accused Negro was at work +with them 25 miles away on the day and at the hour the crime had been +committed. He was accordingly set free. A white person's word is taken as +absolutely for as against a Negro. + + + + +7 + +THE CRUSADE JUSTIFIED + +_(Appeal from America to the World_) + + +It has been urged in criticism of the movement appealing to the English +people for sympathy and support in our crusade against Lynch Law that our +action was unpatriotic, vindictive and useless. It is not a part of the +plan of this pamphlet to make any defense for that crusade nor to indict +any apology for the motives which led to the presentation of the facts of +American lynchings to the world at large. To those who are not willfully +blind and unjustly critical, the record of more than a thousand lynchings +in ten years is enough to justify any peaceable movement tending to +ameliorate the conditions which led to this unprecedented slaughter of +human beings. + +If America would not hear the cry of men, women and children whose dying +groans ascended to heaven praying for relief, not only for them but for +others who might soon be treated as they, then certainly no fair-minded +person can charge disloyalty to those who make an appeal to the +civilization of the world for such sympathy and help as it is possible to +extend. If stating the facts of these lynchings, as they appeared from +time to time in the white newspapers of America--the news gathered by +white correspondents, compiled by white press bureaus and disseminated +among white people--shows any vindictiveness, then the mind which so +charges is not amenable to argument. + +But it is the desire of this pamphlet to urge that the crusade started and +thus far continued has not been useless, but has been blessed with the +most salutary results. The many evidences of the good results can not here +be mentioned, but the thoughtful student of the situation can himself +find ample proof. There need not here be mentioned the fact that for the +first time since lynching began, has there been any occasion for the +governors of the several states to speak out in reference to these crimes +against law and order. + +No matter how heinous the act of the lynchers may have been, it was +discussed only for a day or so and then dismissed from the attention of +the public. In one or two instances the governor has called attention to +the crime, but the civil processes entirely failed to bring the murderers +to justice. Since the crusade against lynching was started, however, +governors of states, newspapers, senators and representatives and bishops +of churches have all been compelled to take cognizance of the prevalence +of this crime and to speak in one way or another in the defense of the +charge against this barbarism in the United States. This has not been +because there was any latent spirit of justice voluntarily asserting +itself, especially in those who do the lynching, but because the entire +American people now feel, both North and South, that they are objects in +the gaze of the civilized world and that for every lynching humanity asks +that America render its account to civilization and itself. + + +AWFUL BARBARISM IGNORED + +Much has been said during the months of September and October of 1894 +about the lynching of six colered men who on suspicion of incendiarism +were made the victims of a most barbarous massacre. + +They were arrested, one by one, by officers of the law; they were +handcuffed and chained together and by the officers of the law loaded in a +wagon and deliberately driven into an ambush where a mob of lynchers +awaited them. At the time and upon the chosen spot, in the darkness of the +night and far removed from the habitation of any human soul, the wagon was +halted and the mob fired upon the six manacled men, shooting them to death +as no humane person would have shot dogs. Chained together as they were, +in their awful struggles after the first volley, the victims tumbled out +of the wagon upon the ground and there in the mud, struggling in their +death throes, the victims were made the target of the murderous shotguns, +which fired into the writhing, struggling, dying mass of humanity, until +every spark of life was gone. Then the officers of the law who had them in +charge, drove away to give the alarm and to tell the world that they had +been waylaid and their prisoners forcibly taken from them and killed. + +It has been claimed that the prompt, vigorous and highly commendable steps +of the governor of the State of Tennessee and the judge having +jurisdiction over the crime, and of the citizens of Memphis generally, was +the natural revolt of the humane conscience in that section of the +country, and the determination of honest and honorable men to rid the +community of such men as those who were guilty of this terrible massacre. +It has further been claimed that this vigorous uprising of the people and +this most commendably prompt action of the civil authorities, is ample +proof that the American people will not tolerate the lynching of innocent +men, and that in cases where brutal lynchings have not been promptly dealt +with, the crimes on the part of the victims were such as to put them +outside the pale of humanity and that the world considered their death a +necessary sacrifice for the good of all. + +But this line of argument can in no possible way be truthfully sustained. +The lynching of the six men in 1894, barbarous as it was, was in no way +more barbarous than took nothing more than a passing notice. It was only +the other lynchings which preceded it, and of which the public fact that +the attention of the civilized world has been called to lynching in +America which made the people of Tennessee feel the absolute necessity for +a prompt, vigorous and just arraignment of all the murderers connected +with that crime. Lynching is no longer "Our Problem," it is the problem of +the civilized world, and Tennessee could not afford to refuse the legal +measures which Christianity demands shall be used for the punishment of +crime. + + +MEMPHIS THEN AND NOW + +Only two years prior to the massacre of the six men near Memphis, that +same city took part in a massacre in every way as bloody and brutal as +that of September last. It was the murder of three young colored men and +who were known to be among the most honorable, reliable, worthy and +peaceable colored citizens of the community. All of them were engaged in +the mercantile business, being members of a corporation which conducted a +large grocery store, and one of the three being a letter carrier in the +employ of the government. These three men were arrested for resisting an +attack of a mob upon their store, in which melee none of the assailants, +who had armed themselves for their devilish deeds by securing court +processes, were killed or even seriously injured. But these three men were +put in jail, and on three or four nights after their incarceration a mob +of less than a dozen men, by collusion with the civil authorities, entered +the jail, took the three men from the custody of the law and shot them to +death. Memphis knew of this awful crime, knew then and knows today who the +men were who committed it, and yet not the first step was ever taken to +apprehend the guilty wretches who walk the streets today with the brand of +murder upon their foreheads, but as safe from harm as the most upright +citizen of that community. Memphis would have been just as calm and +complacent and self-satisfied over the murder of the six colored men in +1894 as it was over these three colored men in 1892, had it not recognized +the fact that to escape the brand of barbarism it had not only to speak +its denunciation but to act vigorously in vindication of its name. + + +AN ALABAMA HORROR IGNORED + +A further instance of this absolute disregard of every principle of +justice and the indifference to the barbarism of Lynch Law may be cited +here, and is furnished by white residents in the city of Carrolton, +Alabama. Several cases of arson had been discovered, and in their search +for the guilty parties, suspicion was found to rest upon three men and a +woman. The four suspects were Paul Hill, Paul Archer, William Archer, his +brother, and a woman named Emma Fair. The prisoners were apprehended, +earnestly asserted their innocence, but went to jail without making any +resistance. They claimed that they could easily prove their innocence upon +trial. + +One would suspect that the civilization which defends itself against the +barbarisms of Lynch Law by stating that it lynches human beings only when +they are guilty of awful attacks upon women and children, would have been +very careful to have given these four prisoners, who were simply charged +with arson, a fair trial, to which they were entitled upon every principle +of law and humanity. Especially would this seem to be the case when if is +considered that one of the prisoners charged was a woman, and if the +nineteenth century has shown any advancement upon any lines of human +action, it is preeminently shown in its reverence, respect and protection +of its womanhood. But the people of Alabama failed to have any regard for +womanhood whatever. + +The three men and the woman were put in jail to await trial. A few days +later it was rumored that they were to be subjects of Lynch Law, and, sure +enough, at night a mob of lynchers went to the jail, not to avenge any +awful crime against womanhood, but to kill four people who had been +suspected of setting a house on fire. They were caged in their cells, +helpless and defenseless; they were at the mercy of civilized white +Americans, who, armed with shotguns, were there to maintain the majesty of +American law. And most effectively was their duty done by these splendid +representatives of Governor Fishback's brave and honorable white +southerners, who resent "outside interference." They lined themselves up +in the most effective manner and poured volley after volley into the +bodies of their helpless, pleading victims, who in their bolted prison +cells could do nothing but suffer and die. Then these lynchers went +quietly away and the bodies of the woman and three men were taken out and +buried with as little ceremony as men would bury hogs. + +No one will say that the massacre near Memphis in 1894 was any worse than +this bloody crime of Alabama in 1892. The details of this shocking affair +were given to the public by the press, but public sentiment was not moved +to action in the least; it was only a matter of a day's notice and then +went to swell the list of murders which stand charged against the noble, +Christian people of Alabama. + + +AMERICA AWAKENED + +But there is now an awakened conscience throughout the land, and Lynch Law +can not flourish in the future as it has in the past. The close of the +year 1894 witnessed an aroused interest, an assertative humane principle +which must tend to the extirpation of that crime. The awful butchery last +mentioned failed to excite more than a passing comment In 1894, but far +different is it today. Gov. Jones, of Alabama, in 1893 dared to speak out +against the rule of the mob in no uncertain terms. His address indicated a +most helpful result of the present agitation. In face of the many denials +of the outrages on the one hand and apologies for lynchers on the other, +Gov. Jones admits the awful lawlessness charged and refuses to join in +the infamous plea made to condone the crime. No stronger nor more +effective words have been said than those following from Gov. Jones. + + While the ability of the state to deal with open revolts against the + supremacy of its laws has been ably demonstrated, I regret that + deplorable acts of violence have been perpetrated, in at least four + instances, within the past two years by mobs, whose sudden work and + quick dispersions rendered it impossible to protect their victims. + Within the past two years nine prisoners, who were either in jail or in + the custody of the officers, have been taken from them without + resistance, and put to death. There was doubt of the guilt of the + defendants in most of these cases, and few of them were charged with + capital offenses. None of them involved the crime of rape. The largest + rewards allowed by law were offered for the apprehension of the + offenders, and officers were charged to a vigilant performance of their + duties, and aided in some instances by the services of skilled + detectives; but not a single arrest has been made and the grand juries + in these counties have returned no bills of indictment. This would + indicate either that local public sentiment approved these acts of + violence or was too weak to punish them, or that the officers charged + with that duty were in some way lacking in their performance. The evil + cannot be cured or remedied by silence as to its existence. Unchecked, + it will continue until it becomes a reproach to our good name, and a + menace to our prosperity and peace; and it behooves you to exhaust all + remedies within your power to find better preventives for such crimes. + + +A FRIENDLY WARNING + +From England comes a friendly voice which must give to every patriotic +citizen food for earnese thought. Writing from London, to the _Chicago +Inter Ocean_, Nov. 25, 1894, the distinguished compiler of our last +census, Hon. Robert P. Porter, gives the American people a most +interesting review of the antilynching crusade in England, submitting +editorial opinions from all sections of England and Scotland, showing the +consensus of British opinion on this subject. It hardly need be said, that +without exception, the current of English thought deprecates the rule of +mob law, and the conscience of England is shocked by the revelation made +during the present crusade. In his letter Mr. Porter says: + + While some English journals have joined certain American journals in + ridiculing the well-meaning people who have formed the antilynching + committee, there is a deep under current on this subject which is + injuring the Southern States far more than those who have not been drawn + into the question of English investment for the South as I have can + surmise. This feeling is by no means all sentiment. An Englishman whose + word and active cooperation could send a million sterling to any + legitimate Southern enterprise said the other day: "I will not invest a + farthing in States where these horrors occur. I have no particular + sympathy with the antilynching committee, but such outrages indicate to + my mind that where life is held to be of such little value there is even + less assurance that the laws will protect property. As I understand it + the States, not the national government, control in such matters, and + where those laws are strongest there is the best field for British + capital." + +Probably the most bitter attack on the antilynching committee has come +from the _London Times_. Those Southern Governors who had their bombastic +letters published in the _Times_, with favorable editorial comment, may +have had their laugh at the antilynchers here too soon. A few days ago, in +commenting on an interesting communication from Richard H. Edmonds, editor +of the _Manufacturer's Record_, setting forth the industrial advantages of +the Southern States, which was published in its columns, the _Times_ says: + + Without in any way countenancing the impertinence of "antilynching" + committee, we may say that a state of things in which the killing of + Negroes by bloodthirsty mobs is an incident of not unfrequent occurrence + is not conducive to success in industry. Its existence, however, is a + serious obstacle to the success of the South in industry; for even now + Negro labor, which means at best inefficient labor, must be largely + relied on there, and its efficiency must be still further diminished by + spasmodic terrorism. + + Those interested in the development of the resources of the Southern + States, and no one in proportion to his means has shown more faith in + the progress of the South than the writer of this article, must take + hold of this matter earnestly and intelligently. Sneering at the + antilynching committee will do no good. Back of them, in fact, if not in + form, is the public opinion of Great Britain. Even the _Times_ cannot + deny this. It may not be generally known in the United States, but while + the Southern and some of the Northern newspapers are making a target of + Miss Wells, the young colored woman who started this English movement, + and cracking their jokes at the expense of Miss Florence Balgarnie, who, + as honorable secretary, conducts the committee's correspondence, the + strongest sort of sentiment is really at the back of the movement. Here + we have crystallized every phase of political opinion. Extreme Unionists + like the Duke of Argyll and advanced home rulers such as Justin + McCarthy; Thomas Burt, the labor leader; Herbert Burrows, the Socialist, + and Tom Mann, representing all phases of the Labor party, are + cooperating with conservatives like Sir T. Eldon Gorst. But the real + strength of this committee is not visible to the casual observer. As a + matter of fact it represents many of the leading and most powerful + British journals. A.E. Fletcher is editor of the _London Daily + Chronicle_; P.W. Clayden is prominent in the counsels of the _London + Daily News_; Professor James Stuart is Gladstone's great friend and + editor of the _London Star_, William Byles is editor and proprietor of + the _Bradford Observer_, Sir Hugh Gilzen Reid is a leading Birmingham + editor; in short, this committee has secured if not the leading editors, + certainly important and warm friends, representing the Manchester + Guardian, the _Leeds Mercury_, the _Plymouth Western News, Newcastle + Leader_, the _London Daily Graphic_, the _Westminster Gazette_, the + _London Echo_, a host of minor papers all over the kingdom, and + practically the entire religious press of the kingdom. + + The greatest victory for the antilynchers comes this morning in the + publication in the _London Times_ of William Lloyd Garrison's letter. + This letter will have immense effect here. It may have been printed in + full in the United States, but nevertheless I will quote a paragraph + which will strengthen the antilynchers greatly in their crusade here: + + A year ago the South derided and resented Northern protests; today it + listens, explains and apologizes for its uncovered cruelties. Surely a + great triumph for a little woman to accomplish! It is the power of truth + simply and unreservedly spoken, for her language was inadequate to + describe the horrors exposed. + +If the Southern states are wise, and I say this with the earnestness of a +friend and one who has built a home in the mountain regions of the South +and thrown his lot in with them, they will not only listen, but stop +lawlessness of all kinds. If they do, and thus secure the confidence of +Englishmen, we may in the next decade realize some of the hopes for the +new South we have so fondly cherished. + + + + +8 + +MISS WILLARD'S ATTITUDE + + +No class of American citizens stands in greater need of the humane and +thoughtful consideration of all sections of our country than do the +colored people, nor does any class exceed us in the measure of grateful +regard for acts of kindly interest in our behalf. It is, therefore, to us, +a matter of keen regret that a Christian organization, so large and +influential as the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, should refuse to +give its sympathy and support to our oppressed people who ask no further +favor than the promotion of public sentiment which shall guarantee to +every person accused of crime the safeguard of a fair and impartial trial, +and protection from butchery by brutal mobs. Accustomed as we are to the +indifference and apathy of Christian people, we would bear this instance +of ill fortune in silence, had not Miss Willard gone out of her way to +antagonize the cause so dear to our hearts by including in her Annual +Address to the W.C.T.U. Convention at Cleveland, November 5, 1894, a +studied, unjust and wholly unwarranted attack upon our work. + +In her address Miss Willard said: + + The zeal for her race of Miss Ida B. Wells, a bright young colored + woman, has, it seems to me, clouded her perception as to who were her + friends and well-wishers in all high-minded and legitimate efforts to + banish the abomination of lynching and torture from the land of the free + and the home of the brave. It is my firm belief that in the statements + made by Miss Wells concerning white women having taken the initiative + in nameless acts between the races she has put an imputation upon half + the white race in this country that is unjust, and, save in the rarest + exceptional instances, wholly without foundation. This is the unanimous + opinion of the most disinterested and observant leaders of opinion whom + I have consulted on the subject, and I do not fear to say that the + laudable efforts she is making are greatly handicapped by statements of + this kind, nor to urge her as a friend and well-wisher to banish from + her vocabulary all such allusions as a source of weakness to the cause + she has at heart. + +This paragraph, brief as it is, contains two statements which have not the +slightest foundation in fact. At no time, nor in any place, have I made +statements "concerning white women having taken the initiative in nameless +acts between the races." Further, at no time, or place nor under any +circumstance, have I directly or inferentially "put an imputation upon +half the white race in this country" and I challenge this "friend and +well-wisher" to give proof of the truth of her charge. Miss Willard +protests against lynching in one paragraph and then, in the next, +deliberately misrepresents my position in order that she may criticise a +movement, whose only purpose is to protect our oppressed race from +vindictive slander and Lynch Law. + +What I have said and what I now repeat--in answer to her first charge--is, +that colored men have been lynched for assault upon women, when the facts +were plain that the relationship between the victim lynched and the +alleged victim of his assault was voluntary, clandestine and illicit. For +that very reason we maintain, that, in every section of our land, the +accused should have a fair, impartial trial, so that a man who is colored +shall not be hanged for an offense, which, if he were white, would not be +adjudged a crime. Facts cited in another chapter--"History of Some Cases +of Rape"--amply maintain this position. The publication of these facts in +defense of the good name of the race casts no "imputation upon half the +white race in this country" and no such imputation can be inferred except +by persons deliberately determined to be unjust. + +But this is not the only injury which this cause has suffered at the hands +of our "friend and well-wisher." It has been said that the Women's +Christian Temperance Union, the most powerful organization of women in +America, was misrepresented by me while I was in England. Miss Willard was +in England at the time and knowing that no such misrepresentation came to +her notice, she has permitted that impression to become fixed and +widespread, when a word from her would have made the facts plain. + +I never at any time or place or in any way misrepresented that +organization. When asked what concerted action had been taken by churches +and great moral agencies in America to put down Lynch Law, I was compelled +in truth to say that no such action had occurred, that pulpit, press and +moral agencies in the main were silent and for reasons known to +themselves, ignored the awful conditions which to the English people +appeared so abhorent. Then the question was asked what the great moral +reformers like Miss Frances Willard and Mr. Moody had done to suppress +Lynch Law and again I answered nothing. That Mr. Moody had never said a +word against lynching in any of his trips to the South, or in the North +either, so far as was known, and that Miss Willard's only public utterance +on the situation had condoned lynching and other unjust practices of the +South against the Negro. When proof of these statements was demanded, I +sent a letter containing a copy of the _New York Voice_, Oct. 23,1890, in +which appeared Miss Willard's own words of wholesale slander against the +colored race and condonation of Southern white people's outrages against +us. My letter in part reads as follows: + + But Miss Willard, the great temperance leader, went even further in + putting the seal of her approval upon the southerners' method of dealing + with the Negro. In October, 1890, the Women's Christian Temperance Union + held its national meeting at Atlanta, Georgia. It was the first time in + the history of the organization that it had gone south for a national + meeting, and met the southerners in their own homes. They were welcomed + with open arms. The governor of the state and the legislature gave + special audiences in the halls of state legislation to the temperance + workers. They set out to capture the northerners to their way of seeing + things, and without troubling to hear the Negro side of the question, + these temperance people accepted the white man's story of the problem + with which he had to deal. State organizers were appointed that year, + who had gone through the southern states since then, but in obedience to + southern prejudices have confined their work to white persons only. It + is only after Negroes are in prison for crimes that efforts of these + temperance women are exerted without regard to "race, color, or previous + condition." No "ounce of prevention" is used in their case; they are + black, and if these women went among the Negroes for this work, the + whites would not receive them. Except here and there, are found no + temperance workers of the Negro race; "the great dark-faced mobs" are + left the easy prey of the saloonkeepers. + + There was pending in the National Congress at this time a Federal + Election Bill, the object being to give the National Government control + of the national elections in the several states. Had this bill become a + law, the Negro, whose vote has been systematically suppressed since 1875 + in the southern states, would have had the protection of the National + Government, and his vote counted. The South would have been no longer + "solid"; the Southerners saw that the balance of power which they + unlawfully held in the House of Representatives and the Electoral + College, based on the Negro population, would be wrested from them. So + they nick-named the pending elections law the "Force Bill"--probably + because it would force them to disgorge their ill-gotten political + gains--and defeated it. While it was being discussed, the question was + submitted to Miss Willard: "What do you think of the race problem and + the Force Bill?" + + Said Miss Willard: "Now, as to the 'race problem' in its minified, + current meaning, I am a true lover of the southern people--have spoken + and worked in, perhaps, 200 of their towns and cities; have been taken + into their love and confidence at scores of hospitable firesides; have + heard them pour out their hearts in the splendid frankness of their + impetuous natures. And I have said to them at such times: 'When I go + North there will be wafted to you no word from pen or voice that is not + loyal to what we are saying here and now.' Going South, a woman, a + temperance woman, and a Northern temperance woman--three great barriers + to their good will yonder--I was received by them with a confidence that + was one of the most delightful surprises of my life. I think we have + wronged the South, though we did not mean to do so. The reason was, in + part, that we had irreparably wronged ourselves by putting no safeguards + on the ballot box at the North that would sift out alien illiterates. + They rule our cities today; the saloon is their palace, and the toddy + stick their sceptre. It is not fair that they should vote, nor is it + fair that a plantation Negro, who can neither read nor write, whose + ideas are bounded by the fence of his own field and the price of his own + mule, should be entrusted with the ballot. We ought to have put an + educational test upon that ballot from the first. The Anglo-Saxon race + will never submit to be dominated by the Negro so long as his altitude + reaches no higher than the personal liberty of the saloon, and the power + of appreciating the amount of liquor that a dollar will buy. New England + would no more submit to this than South Carolina. 'Better whisky and + more of it' has been the rallying cry of great dark-faced mobs in the + Southern localities where local option was snowed under by the colored + vote. Temperance has no enemy like that, for it is unreasoning and + unreasonable. Tonight it promises in a great congregation to vote for + temperance at the polls tomorrow; but tomorrow twenty-five cents changes + that vote in favor of the liquor-seller. + + "I pity the southerners, and I believe the great mass of them are as + conscientious and kindly intentioned toward the colored man as an equal + number of white church-members of the North. Would-be demagogues lead + the colored people to destruction. Half-drunken white roughs murder them + at the polls, or intimidate them so that they do not vote. But the + better class of people must not be blamed for this, and a more + thoroughly American population than the Christian people of the South + does not exist. They have the traditions, the kindness, the probity, the + courage of our forefathers. The problem on their hands is immeasurable. + The colored race multiplies like the locusts of Egypt. The grog-shop is + its center of power. 'The safety of woman, of childhood, of the home, is + menaced in a thousand localities at this moment, so that the men dare + not go beyond the sight of their own roof-tree.' How little we know of + all this, seated in comfort and affluence here at the North, descanting + upon the rights of every man to cast one vote and have it fairly + counted; that well-worn shibboleth invoked once more to dodge a living + issue. + + "The fact is that illiterate colored men will not vote at the South + until the white population chooses to have them do so; and under similar + conditions they would not at the North." Here we have Miss Willard's + words in full, condoning fraud, violence, murder, at the ballot box; + rapine, shooting, hanging and burning; for all these things are done and + being done now by the Southern white people. She does not stop there, + but goes a step further to aid them in blackening the good name of an + entire race, as shown by the sentences quoted in the paragraph above. + These utterances, for which the colored people have never forgiven Miss + Willard, and which Frederick Douglass has denounced as false, are to be + found in full in the Voice of October 23,1890, a temperance organ + published at New York City. + +This letter appeared in the May number of _Fraternity_, the organ of the +first Anti-Lynching society of Great Britain. When Lady Henry Somerset +learned through Miss Florence Balgarnie that this letter had been +published she informed me that if the interview was published she would +take steps to let the public know that my statements must be received with +caution. As I had no money to pay the printer to suppress the edition +which was already published and these ladies did not care to do so, the +May number of _Fraternity_ was sent to its subscribers as usual. Three +days later there appeared in the daily _Westminster Gazette_ an +"interview" with Miss Willard, written by Lady Henry Somerset, which was +so subtly unjust in its wording that I was forced to reply in my own +defense. In that reply I made only statements which, like those concerning +Miss Willard's _Voice_ interview, have not been and cannot be denied. It +was as follows: + + LADY HENRY SOMERSET'S INTERVIEW WITH MISS WILLARD + + To the Editor of the _Westminster Gazette_: Sir--The interview published + in your columns today hardly merits a reply, because of the indifference + to suffering manifested. Two ladies are represented sitting under a tree + at Reigate, and, after some preliminary remarks on the terrible subject + of lynching, Miss Willard laughingly replies by cracking a joke. And the + concluding sentence of the interview shows the object is not to + determine how best they may help the Negro who is being hanged, shot and + burned, but "to guard Miss Willard's reputation." + + With me it is not myself nor my reputation, but the life of my people, + which is at stake, and I affirm that this is the first time to my + knowledge that Miss Willard has said a single word in denunciation of + lynching or demand for law. The year 1890, the one in which the + interview appears, had a larger lynching record than any previous year, + and the number and territory have increased, to say nothing of the human + beings burnt alive. + + If so earnest as she would have the English public believe her to be, + why was she silent when five minutes were given me to speak last June at + Princes' Hall, and in Holborn Town Hall this May? I should say it was as + President of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of America she is + timid, because all these unions in the South emphasize the hatred of the + Negro by excluding him. There is not a single colored woman admitted to + the Southern W.C.T.U., but still Miss Willard blames the Negro for the + defeat of Prohibition in the South. Miss Willard quotes from + _Fraternity_, but forgets to add my immediate recognition of her + presence on the platform at Holborn Town Hall, when, amidst many other + resolutions on temperance and other subjects in which she is interested, + time was granted to carry an anti-lynching resolution. I was so thankful + for this crumb of her speechless presence that I hurried off to the + editor of _Fraternity_ and added a postscript to my article blazoning + forth that fact. + + Any statements I have made concerning Miss Willard are confirmed by the + Hon. Frederick Douglass (late United States minister to Hayti) in a + speech delivered by him in Washington in January of this year, which has + since been published in a pamphlet. The fact is, Miss Willard is no + better or worse than the great bulk of white Americans on the Negro + questions. They are all afraid to speak out, and it is only British + public opinion which will move them, as I am thankful to see it has + already begun to move Miss Willard. I am, etc., + + May 21 + + IDA B. WELLS + +Unable to deny the truth of these assertions, the charge has been made +that I have attacked Miss Willard and misrepresented the W.C.T.U. If to +state facts is misrepresentation, then I plead guilty to the charge. + +I said then and repeat now, that in all the ten terrible years of +shooting, hanging and burning of men, women and children in America, the +Women's Christian Temperance Union never suggested one plan or made one +move to prevent those awful crimes. If this statement is untrue the +records of that organization would disprove it before the ink is dry. It +is clearly an issue of fact and in all fairness this charge of +misrepresentation should either be substantiated or withdrawn. + +It is not necessary, however, to make any representation concerning the +W.C.T.U. and the lynching question. The record of that organization speaks +for itself. During all the years prior to the agitation begun against +Lynch Law, in which years men, women and children were scourged, hanged, +shot and burned, the W.C.T.U. had no word, either of pity or protest; its +great heart, which concerns itself about humanity the world over, was, +toward our cause, pulseless as a stone. Let those who deny this speak by +the record. Not until after the first British campaign, in 1893, was even +a resolution passed by the body which is the self-constituted guardian for +"God, home and native land." + +Nor need we go back to other years. The annual session of that +organization held in Cleveland in November, 1894, made a record which +confirms and emphasizes the silence charged against it. At that session, +earnest efforts were made to secure the adoption of a resolution of +protest against lynching. At that very time two men were being tried for +the murder of six colored men who were arrested on charge of barn burning, +chained together, and on pretense of being taken to jail, were driven into +the woods where they were ambushed and all six shot to death. The six +widows of the butchered men had just finished the most pathetic recital +ever heard in any court room, and the mute appeal of twenty-seven orphans +for justice touched the stoutest hearts. Only two weeks prior to the +session, Gov. Jones of Alabama, in his last message to the retiring state +legislature, cited the fact that in the two years just past, nine colored +men had been taken from the legal authorities by lynching mobs and +butchered in cold blood--and not one of these victims was even charged +with an assault upon womanhood. + +It was thought that this great organization, in face of these facts, would +not hesitate to place itself on record in a resolution of protest against +this awful brutality towards colored people. Miss Willard gave assurance +that such a resolution would be adopted, and that assurance was relied on. +The record of the session shows in what good faith that assurance was +kept. After recommending an expression against Lynch Law, the President +attacked the antilynching movement, deliberately misrepresenting my +position, and in her annual address, charging me with a statement I never +made. + +Further than that, when the committee on resolutions reported their work, +not a word was said against lynching. In the interest of the cause I +smothered the resentment. I felt because of the unwarranted and unjust +attack of the President, and labored with members to secure an expression +of some kind, tending to abate the awful slaughter of my race. A +resolution against lynching was introduced by Mrs. Fessenden and read, and +then that great Christian body, which in its resolutions had expressed +itself in opposition to the social amusement of card playing, athletic +sports and promiscuous dancing; had protested against the licensing of +saloons, inveighed against tobacco, pledged its allegiance to the +Prohibition party, and thanked the Populist party in Kansas, the +Republican party in California and the Democratic party in the South, +wholly ignored the seven millions of colored people of this country whose +plea was for a word of sympathy and support for the movement in their +behalf. The resolution was not adopted, and the convention adjourned. + +In the _Union Signal_ Dec. 6, 1894, among the resolutions is found this +one: + + Resolved, That the National W.C.T.U, which has for years counted among + its departments that of peace and arbitration, is utterly opposed to all + lawless acts in any and all parts of our common lands and it urges these + principles upon the public, praying that the time may speedily come + when no human being shall be condemned without due process of law; and + when the unspeakable outrages which have so often provoked such + lawlessness shall be banished from the world, and childhood, maidenhood + and womanhood shall no more be the victims of atrocities worse than + death. + +This is not the resolution offered by Mrs. Fessenden. She offered the one +passed last year by the W.C.T.U. which was a strong unequivocal +denunciation of lynching. But she was told by the chairman of the +committee on resolutions, Mrs. Rounds, that there was already a lynching +resolution in the hands of the committee. Mrs. Fessenden yielded the floor +on that assurance, and no resolution of any kind against lynching was +submitted and none was voted upon, not even the one above, taken from the +columns of the _Union Signal_, the organ of the national W.C.T.U! + +Even the wording of this resolution which was printed by the W.C.T.U., +reiterates the false and unjust charge which has been so often made as an +excuse for lynchers. Statistics show that less than one-third of the +lynching victims are hanged, shot and burned alive for "unspeakable +outrages against womanhood, maidenhood and childhood;" and that nearly a +thousand, including women and children, have been lynched upon any pretext +whatsoever; and that all have met death upon the unsupported word of white +men and women. Despite these facts this resolution which was printed, +cloaks an apology for lawlessness, in the same paragraph which affects to +condemn it, where it speaks of "the unspeakable outrages which have so +often provoked such lawlessness." + +Miss Willard told me the day before the resolutions were offered that the +Southern women present had held a caucus that day. This was after I, as +fraternal delegate from the Woman's Mite Missionary Society of the A.M.E. +Church at Cleveland, O., had been introduced to tender its greetings. In +so doing I expressed the hope of the colored women that the W.C.T.U. would +place itself on record as opposed to lynching which robbed them of +husbands, fathers, brothers and sons and in many cases of women as well. +No note was made either in the daily papers or the _Union Signal_ of that +introduction and greeting, although every other incident of that morning +was published. The failure to submit a lynching resolution and the wording +of the one above appears to have been the result of that Southern caucus. + +On the same day I had a private talk with Miss Willard and told her she +had been unjust to me and the cause in her annual address, and asked that +she correct the statement that I had misrepresented the W.C.T.U, or that I +had "put an imputation on one-half the white race in this country." She +said that somebody in England told her it was a pity that I attacked the +white women of America. "Oh," said I, "then you went out of your way to +prejudice me and my cause in your annual address, not upon what you had +heard me say, but what somebody had told you I said?" Her reply was that I +must not blame her for her rhetorical expressions--that I had my way of +expressing things and she had hers. I told her I most assuredly did blame +her when those expressions were calculated to do such harm. I waited for +an honest an unequivocal retraction of her statements based on "hearsay." +Not a word of retraction or explanation was said in the convention and I +remained misrepresented before that body through her connivance and +consent. + +The editorial notes in the _Union Signal_, Dec. 6, 1894, however, contains +the following: + + In her repudiation of the charges brought by Miss Ida Wells against + white women as having taken the initiative in nameless crimes between + the races, Miss Willard said in her annual address that this statement + "put an unjust imputation upon half the white race." But as this + expression has been misunderstood she desires to declare that she did + not intend a literal interpretation to be given to the language used, + but employed it to express a tendency that might ensue in public thought + as a result of utterances so sweeping as some that have been made by + Miss Wells. + +Because this explanation is as unjust as the original offense, I am forced +in self-defense to submit this account of differences. I desire no quarrel +with the W.C.T.U., but my love for the truth is greater than my regard for +an alleged friend who, through ignorance or design misrepresents in the +most harmful way the cause of a long suffering race, and then unable to +maintain the truth of her attack excuses herself as it were by the wave of +the hand, declaring that "she did not intend a literal interpretation to +be given to the language used." When the lives of men, women and children +are at stake, when the inhuman butchers of innocents attempt to justify +their barbarism by fastening upon a whole race the obloque of the most +infamous of crimes, it is little less than criminal to apologize for the +butchers today and tomorrow to repudiate the apology by declaring it a +figure of speech. + + + + +9 + +LYNCHING RECORD FOR 1894 + + + +The following tables are based on statistics taken from the columns of the +_Chicago Tribune_, Jan. 1, 1895. They are a valuable appendix to the +foregoing pages. They show, among other things, that in Louisiana, April +23-28, eight Negroes were lynched because one white man was killed by the +Negro, the latter acting in self defense. Only seven of them are given in +the list. + +Near Memphis, Tenn., six Negroes were lynched--this time charged with +burning barns. A trial of the indicted resulted in an acquittal, although +it was shown on trial that the lynching was prearranged for them. Six +widows and twenty-seven orphans are indebted to this mob for their +condition, and this lynching swells the number to eleven Negroes lynched +in and about Memphis since March 9, 1892. + +In Brooks County, Ga., Dec. 23, while this Christian country was preparing +for Christmas celebration, seven Negroes were lynched in twenty-four hours +because they refused, or were unable to tell the whereabouts of a colored +man named Pike, who killed a white man. The wives and daughters of these +lynched men were horribly and brutally outraged by the murderers of their +husbands and fathers. But the mob has not been punished and again women +and children are robbed of their protectors whose blood cries unavenged to +Heaven and humanity. Georgia heads the list of lynching states. + + +MURDER + +Jan. 9, Samuel Smith, Greenville, Ala., Jan. 11, Sherman Wagoner, +Mitchell, Ind.; Jan. 12, Roscoe Parker, West Union, Ohio; Feb. 7, Henry +Bruce, Gulch Co., Ark.; March 5, Sylvester Rhodes, Collins, Ga.; March 15, +Richard Puryea, Stroudsburg, Pa.; March 29, Oliver Jackson, Montgomery, +Ala.; March 30, ---- Saybrick, Fisher's Ferry, Miss.; April 14, William +Lewis, Lanison, Ala.; April 23, Jefferson Luggle, Cherokee, Kan.; April +23, Samuel Slaugate, Tallulah, La.; April 23, Thomas Claxton, Tallulah, +La.; April 23, David Hawkins, Tallulah, La.; April 27, Thel Claxton, +Tallulah, La.; April 27, Comp Claxton, Tallulah, La.; April 27, Scot +Harvey, Tallulah, La.; April 27, Jerry McCly, Tallulah, La.; May 17, Henry +Scott, Jefferson, Tex.; May 15, Coat Williams, Pine Grove, Fla.; June 2, +Jefferson Crawford, Bethesda, S.C.; June 4, Thondo Underwood, Monroe, La.; +June 8, Isaac Kemp, Cape Charles, Va.; June 13, Lon Hall, Sweethouse, +Tex.; June 13, Bascom Cook, Sweethouse, Tex.; June 15, Luke Thomas, +Biloxi, Miss.; June 29, John Williams, Sulphur, Tex.; June 29, Ulysses +Hayden, Monett, Mo.; July 6, ---- Hood, Amite, Miss.; July 7, James Bell, +Charlotte, Tenn.; Sept. 2, Henderson Hollander, Elkhorn, W. Va.; Sept. 14, +Robert Williams, Concordia Parish, La.; Sept. 22, Luke Washington, Meghee, +Ark.; Sept. 22, Richard Washington, Meghee, Ark.; Sept. 22, Henry +Crobyson, Meghee, Ark.; Nov. 10, Lawrence Younger, Lloyd, Va.; Dec. 17, +unknown Negro, Williamston, S.C.; Dec. 23, Samuel Taylor, Brooks County, +Ga.; Dec. 23, Charles Frazier, Brooks County, Ga.; Dec. 23, Samuel Pike, +Brooks County, Ga.; Dec. 22, Harry Sherard, Brooks County, Ga.; Dec. 23, +unknown Negro, Brooks County, Ga.; Dec. 23, unknown Negro, Brooks County, +Ga.; Dec. 23, unknown Negro, Brooks County, Ga.; Dec. 26, Daniel McDonald, +Winston County, Miss.; Dec. 23, William Carter, Winston County, Miss. + + +RAPE + +Jan. 17, John Buckner, Valley Park, Mo.; Jan. 21, M.G. Cambell, Jellico +Mines, Ky.; Jan. 27, unknown, Verona, Mo.; Feb. 11, Henry McCreeg, near +Pioneer, Tenn.; April 6, Daniel Ahren, Greensboro, Ga.; April 15, Seymour +Newland, Rushsylvania, Ohio; April 26, Robert Evarts, Jamaica, Ga.; April +27, James Robinson, Manassas, Va.; April 27, Benjamin White, Manassas, +Va.; May 15, Nim Young, Ocala, Fla.; May 22, unknown, Miller County, Ga.; +June 13, unknown, Blackshear, Ga.; June 18, Owen Opliltree, Forsyth, Ga.; +June 22, Henry Capus, Magnolia, Ark.; June 26, Caleb Godly, Bowling Green, +Ky.; June 28, Fayette Franklin, Mitchell, Ga.; July 2, Joseph Johnson, +Hiller's Creek, Mo.; July 6, Lewis Bankhead, Cooper, Ala.; July 16, Marion +Howard, Scottsville, Ky.; July 20, William Griffith, Woodville, Tex.; Aug. +12, William Nershbread, Rossville, Tenn.; Aug. 14, Marshall Boston, +Frankfort, Ky; Sept. 19, David Gooseby, Atlanta, Ga.; Oct. 15, Willis +Griffey, Princeton, Ky; Nov. 8, Lee Lawrence, Jasper County, Ga.; Nov. 10, +Needham Smith, Tipton County, Tenn.; Nov. 14, Robert Mosely, Dolinite, +Ala.; Dec. 4, William Jackson, Ocala, Fla.; Dec. 18, unknown, Marion +County, Fla. + + +UNKNOWN OFFENSES + +March 6, Lamsen Gregory, Bell's Depot, Tenn.; March 6, unknown woman, near +Marche, Ark.; April 14, Alfred Brenn, Calhoun, Ga.; June 8, Harry Gill, +West Lancaster, S.C.; Nov. 23, unknown, Landrum, S.C.; Dec. 5, Mrs. Teddy +Arthur, Lincoln County, W. Va. + + +DESPERADO + +Jan. 14, Charles Willis, Ocala, Fla. + + +SUSPECTED INCENDIARISM + +Jan. 18, unknown, Bayou Sarah, La. + + +SUSPECTED ARSON + +June 14, J.H. Dave, Monroe, La. + + +ENTICING SERVANT AWAY + +Feb. 10, ---- Collins, Athens, Ga. + + +TRAIN WRECKING + +Feb. 10, Jesse Dillingham, Smokeyville, Tex. + + +HIGHWAY ROBBERY + +June 3, unknown, Dublin, Ga. + + +INCENDIARISM + +Nov. 8, Gabe Nalls, Blackford, Ky.; Nov. 8, Ulysses Nails, Blackford, Ky. + + +ARSON + +Dec. 20, James Allen, Brownsville, Tex. + + +ASSAULT + +Dec. 23, George King, New Orleans, La. + + +NO OFFENSE + +Dec. 28, Scott Sherman, Morehouse Parish, La. + + +BURGLARY + +May 29, Henry Smith, Clinton, Miss.; May 29, William James, Clinton, +Miss. + + +ALLEGED RAPE + +June 4, Ready Murdock, Yazoo, Miss. + + +ATTEMPTED RAPE + +July 14, unknown Negro, Biloxi, Miss.; July 26, Vance McClure, New Iberia, +La.; July 26, William Tyler, Carlisle, Ky.; Sept. 14, James Smith, Stark, +Fla.; Oct. 8, Henry Gibson, Fairfield, Tex.; Oct. 20, ---- Williams, Upper +Marlboro, Md.; June 9, Lewis Williams, Hewett Springs, Miss.; June 28, +George Linton, Brookhaven, Miss.; June 28, Edward White, Hudson, Ala.; +July 6, George Pond, Fulton, Miss.; July 7, Augustus Pond, Tupelo, Miss. + + +RACE PREJUDICE + +June 10, Mark Jacobs, Bienville, La.; July 24, unknown woman, Sampson +County, Miss. + + +INTRODUCING SMALLPOX + +June 10, James Perry, Knoxville, Ark. + + +KIDNAPPING + +March 2, Lentige, Harland County, Ky. + + +CONSPIRACY + +May 29, J.T. Burgis, Palatka, Fla. + + +HORSE STEALING + +June 20, Archie Haynes, Mason County, Ky.; June 20, Burt Haynes, Mason +County, Ky.; June 20, William Haynes, Mason County, Ky. + + +WRITING LETTER TO WHITE WOMAN + +May 9, unknown Negro, West Texas. + + +GIVING INFORMATION + +July 12, James Nelson, Abbeyville, S.C. + + +STEALING + +Jan. 5, Alfred Davis, Live Oak County, Ark. + + +LARCENY + +April 18, Henry Montgomery, Lewisburg, Tenn. + + +POLITICAL CAUSES + +July 19, John Brownlee, Oxford, Ala. + + +CONJURING + +July 20, Allen Myers, Rankin County, Miss. + + +ATTEMPTED MURDER + +June 1, Frank Ballard, Jackson, Tenn. + + +ALLEGED MURDER + +April 5, Negro, near Selma, Ala.; April 5, Negro, near Selma, Ala. + + +WITHOUT CAUSE + +May 17, Samuel Wood, Gates City, Va. + + +BARN BURNING + +April 22, Thomas Black, Tuscumbia, Ala.; April 22, John Williams, +Tuscumbia, Ala.; April 22, Toney Johnson, Tuscumbia, Ala.; July 14, +William Bell, Dixon, Tenn.; Sept. 1, Daniel Hawkins, Millington, Tenn.; +Sept. 1, Robert Haynes, Millington, Tenn.; Sept. 1, Warner Williams, +Millington, Tenn.; Sept. 1, Edward Hall, Millington, Tenn.; Sept. 1, John +Haynes, Millington, Tenn.; Sept. 1, Graham White, Millington, Tenn. + + +ASKING WHITE WOMAN TO MARRY HIM + +May 23, William Brooks, Galesline, Ark. + + +OFFENSES CHARGED FOR LYNCHING + +Suspected arson, 2; stealing, 1; political causes, 1; murder, 45; rape, +29; desperado, 1; suspected incendiarism, 1; train wrecking, 1; enticing +servant away, 1; kidnapping, 1; unknown offense, 6; larceny, 1; barn +burning, 10; writing letters to a white woman, 1; without cause, 1; +burglary, 1; asking white woman to marry, 1; conspiracy, 1; attempted +murder, 1; horse stealing, 3; highway robbery, 1; alleged rape, 1; +attempted rape, 11; race prejudice, 2; introducing smallpox, 1; giving +information, 1; conjuring, 1; incendiarism, 2; arson, 1; assault, 1; no +offense, 1; alleged murder, 2; total (colored), 134. + + +LYNCHING STATES + +Mississippi, 15; Arkansas, 8; Virginia, 5; Tennessee, 15; Alabama, 12; +Kentucky, 12; Texas, 9; Georgia, 19; South Carolina, 5; Florida, 7; +Louisiana, 15; Missouri, 4; Ohio, 2; Maryland, 1; West Virginia, 2; +Indiana, 1; Kansas, 1; Pennsylvania, 1. + + +LYNCHING BY THE MONTH + +January, 11; February, 17; March, 8; April, 36; May, 16; June, 31; July, +21; August, 4; September, 17; October, 7; November, 9; December, 20; total +colored and white, 197. + + +WOMEN LYNCHED + +July 24, unknown woman, race prejudice, Sampson County, Miss.; March 6, +unknown, woman, unknown offense, Marche, Ark.; Dec. 5, Mrs. Teddy Arthur, +unknown cause, Lincoln County, W. Va. + + + + +10 + +THE REMEDY + + +It is a well-established principle of law that every wrong has a remedy. +Herein rests our respect for law. The Negro does not claim that all of the +one thousand black men, women and children, who have been hanged, shot and +burned alive during the past ten years, were innocent of the charges made +against them. We have associated too long with the white man not to have +copied his vices as well as his virtues. But we do insist that the +punishment is not the same for both classes of criminals. In lynching, +opportunity is not given the Negro to defend himself against the +unsupported accusations of white men and women. The word of the accuser is +held to be true and the excited bloodthirsty mob demands that the rule of +law be reversed and instead of proving the accused to be guilty, the +victim of their hate and revenge must prove himself innocent. No evidence +he can offer will satisfy the mob; he is bound hand and foot and swung +into eternity. Then to excuse its infamy, the mob almost invariably +reports the monstrous falsehood that its victim made a full confession +before he was hanged. + +With all military, legal and political power in their hands, only two of +the lynching States have attempted a check by exercising the power which +is theirs. Mayor Trout, of Roanoke, Virginia, called out the militia in +1893, to protect a Negro prisoner, and in so doing nine men were killed +and a number wounded. Then the mayor and militia withdrew, left the Negro +to his fate and he was promptly lynched. The business men realized the +blow to the town's were given light sentences, the highest being one of +twelve financial interests, called the mayor home, the grand jury +indicted and prosecuted the ringleaders of the mob. They months in State +prison. The day he arrived at the penitentiary, he was pardoned by the +governor of the State. + +The only other real attempt made by the authorities to protect a prisoner +of the law, and which was more successful, was that of Gov. McKinley, of +Ohio, who sent the militia to Washington Courthouse, O., in October, 1894, +and five men were killed and twenty wounded in maintaining the principle +that the law must be upheld. + +In South Carolina, in April, 1893, Gov. Tillman aided the mob by yielding +up to be killed, a prisoner of the law, who had voluntarily placed himself +under the Governor's protection. Public sentiment by its representatives +has encouraged Lynch Law, and upon the revolution of this sentiment we +must depend for its abolition. + +Therefore, we demand a fair trial by law for those accused of crime, and +punishment by law after honest conviction. No maudlin sympathy for +criminals is solicited, but we do ask that the law shall punish all alike. +We earnestly desire those that control the forces which make public +sentiment to join with us in the demand. Surely the humanitarian spirit of +this country which reaches out to denounce the treatment of the Russian +Jews, the Armenian Christians, the laboring poor of Europe, the Siberian +exiles and the native women of India--will not longer refuse to lift its +voice on this subject. If it were known that the cannibals or the savage +Indians had burned three human beings alive in the past two years, the +whole of Christendom would be roused, to devise ways and means to put a +stop to it. Can you remain silent and inactive when such things are done +in our own community and country? Is your duty to humanity in the United +States less binding? + +What can you do, reader, to prevent lynching, to thwart anarchy and +promote law and order throughout our land? + +1st. You can help disseminate the facts contained in this book by bringing +them to the knowledge of every one with whom you come in contact, to the +end that public sentiment may be revolutionized. Let the facts speak for +themselves, with you as a medium. + +2d. You can be instrumental in having churches, missionary societies, +Y.M.C.A.'s, W.C.T.U.'s and all Christian and moral forces in connection +with your religious and social life, pass resolutions of condemnation and +protest every time a lynching takes place; and see that they axe sent to +the place where these outrages occur. + +3d. Bring to the intelligent consideration of Southern people the refusal +of capital to invest where lawlessness and mob violence hold sway. Many +labor organizations have declared by resolution that they would avoid +lynch infested localities as they would the pestilence when seeking new +homes. If the South wishes to build up its waste places quickly, there is +no better way than to uphold the majesty of the law by enforcing obedience +to the same, and meting out the same punishment to all classes of +criminals, white as well as black. "Equality before the law," must become +a fact as well as a theory before America is truly the "land of the free +and the home of the brave." + +4th. Think and act on independent lines in this behalf, remembering that +after all, it is the white man's civilization and the white man's +government which are on trial. This crusade will determine whether that +civilization can maintain itself by itself, or whether anarchy shall +prevail; Whether this Nation shall write itself down a success at self +government, or in deepest humiliation admit its failure complete; whether +the precepts and theories of Christianity are professed and practiced by +American white people as Golden Rules of thought and action, or adopted as +a system of morals to be preached to, heathen until they attain to the +intelligence which needs the system of Lynch Law. + +5th. Congressman Blair offered a resolution in the House of +Representatives, August, 1894. The organized life of the country can +speedily make this a law by sending resolutions to Congress indorsing Mr. +Blair's bill and asking Congress to create the commission. In no better +way can the question be settled, and the Negro does not fear the issue. +The following is the resolution: + + Resolved, By the House of Representatives and Senate in congress + assembled, That the committee on labor be instructed to investigate and + report the number, location and date of all alleged assaults by males + upon females throughout the country during the ten years last preceding + the passing of this joint resolution, for or on account of which + organized but unlawful violence has been inflicted or attempted to be + inflicted. Also to ascertain and report all facts of organized but + unlawful violence to the person, with the attendant facts and + circumstances, which have been inflicted upon accused persons alleged to + have been guilty of crimes punishable by due process of law which have + taken place in any part of the country within the ten years last + preceding the passage of this resolution. Such investigation shall be + made by the usual methods and agencies of the Department of Labor, and + report made to Congress as soon as the work can be satisfactorily done, + and the sum of $25,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is + hereby appropriated to pay the expenses out of any money in the treasury + not otherwise appropriated. + +The belief has been constantly expressed in England that in the United +States, which has produced Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Henry Ward Beecher, James +Russell Lowell, John G. Whittier and Abraham Lincoln there must be those +of their descendants who would take hold of the work of inaugurating an +era of law and order. The colored people of this country who have been +loyal to the flag believe the same, and strong in that belief have begun +this crusade. To those who still feel they have no obligation in the +matter, we commend the following lines of Lowell on "Freedom." + + Men! whose boast it is that ye + Come of fathers brave and free, + If there breathe on earth a slave + Are ye truly free and brave? + If ye do not feel the chain, + When it works a brother's pain, + Are ye not base slaves indeed, + Slaves unworthy to be freed? + + Women! who shall one day bear + Sons to breathe New England air, + If ye hear without a blush, + Deeds to make the roused blood rush + Like red lava through your veins, + For your sisters now in chains,-- + Answer! are ye fit to be + Mothers of the brave and free? + + Is true freedom but to break + Fetters for our own dear sake, + And, with leathern hearts, forget + That we owe mankind a debt? + No! true freedom is to share + All the chains our brothers wear, + And, with heart and hand, to be + Earnest to make others free! + + There are slaves who fear to speak + For the fallen and the weak; + They are slaves who will not choose + Hatred, scoffing, and abuse, + Rather than in silence shrink + From the truth they needs must think; + They are slaves who dare not be + In the right with two or three. + + +A FIELD FOR PRACTICAL WORK + +The very frequent inquiry made after my lectures by interested friends is +"What can I do to help the cause?" The answer always is: "Tell the world +the facts." When the Christian world knows the alarming growth and extent +of outlawry in our land, some means will be found to stop it. + +The object of this publication is to tell the facts, and friends of the +cause can lend a helping hand by aiding in the distribution of these +books. When I present our cause to a minister, editor, lecturer, or +representative of any moral agency, the first demand is for facts and +figures. Plainly, I can not then hand out a book with a twenty-five-cent +tariff on the information contained. This would be only a new method in +the book agents' art. In all such cases it is a pleasure to submit this +book for investigation, with the certain assurance of gaining a friend to +the cause. + +There are many agencies which may be enlisted in our cause by the general +circulation of the facts herein contained. The preachers, teachers, +editors and humanitarians of the white race, at home and abroad, must have +facts laid before them, and it is our duty to supply these facts. The +Central Anti-Lynching League, Room 9, 128 Clark St., Chicago, has +established a Free Distribution Fund, the work of which can be promoted by +all who are interested in this work. + +Antilynching leagues, societies and individuals can order books from this +fund at agents' rates. The books will be sent to their order, or, if +desired, will be distributed by the League among those whose cooperative +aid we so greatly need. The writer hereof assures prompt distribution of +books according to order, and public acknowledgment of all orders through +the public press. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Record, by Ida B. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.net + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/Examples/Text/pg15398.txt b/Examples/Text/pg15398.txt new file mode 100644 --- /dev/null +++ b/Examples/Text/pg15398.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5796 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Life and Adventures of +Henry Bibb, an American Slave, Written by Himself, by Henry Bibb + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, an American Slave, Written by Himself + +Author: Henry Bibb + +Release Date: March 17, 2005 [EBook #15398] + +Language: English + + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE AND *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Richard J. Shiffer and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + + + +NARRATIVE + +OF THE + +LIFE AND ADVENTURES + +OF + +HENRY BIBB, + +AN AMERICAN SLAVE, + +WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. + + +WITH + +AN INTRODUCTION + +BY LUCIUS C. MATLACK. + + +NEW YORK: +PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR; 5 SPRUCE STREET. + +1849 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +From the most obnoxious substances we often see spring forth, +beautiful and fragrant, flowers of every hue, to regale the eye, and +perfume the air. Thus, frequently, are results originated which are +wholly unlike the cause that gave them birth. An illustration of this +truth is afforded by the history of American Slavery. + +Naturally and necessarily, the enemy of literature, it has become the +prolific theme of much that is profound in argument, sublime in +poetry, and thrilling in narrative. From the soil of slavery itself +have sprung forth some of the most brilliant productions, whose +logical levers will ultimately upheave and overthrow the system. +Gushing fountains of poetic thought, have started from beneath the rod +of violence, that will long continue to slake the feverish thirst of +humanity outraged, until swelling to a flood it shall rush with +wasting violence over the ill-gotten heritage of the oppressor. +Startling incidents authenticated, far excelling fiction in their +touching pathos, from the pen of self-emancipated slaves, do now +exhibit slavery in such revolting aspects, as to secure the +execrations of all good men, and become a monument more enduring than +marble, in testimony strong as sacred writ against it. + +Of the class last named, is the narrative of the life of Henry Bibb, +which is equally distinguished as a revolting portrait of the hideous +slave system, a thrilling narrative of individual suffering, and a +triumphant vindication of the slave's manhood and mental dignity. And +all this is associated with unmistakable traces of originality and +truthfulness. + +To many, the elevated style, purity of diction, and easy flow of +language, frequently exhibited, will appear unaccountable and +contradictory, in view of his want of early mental culture. But to the +thousands who have listened with delight to his speeches on +anniversary and other occasions, these same traits will be noted as +unequivocal evidence of originality. Very few men present in their +written composition, so perfect a transcript of their style as is +exhibited by Mr. Bibb. + +Moreover, the writer of this introduction is well acquainted with his +handwriting and style. The entire manuscript I have examined and +prepared for the press. Many of the closing pages of it were written +by Mr. Bibb in my office. And the whole is preserved for inspection +now. An examination of it will show that no alteration of sentiment, +language or style, was necessary to make it what it now is, in the +hands of the reader. The work of preparation for the press was that of +orthography and punctuation merely, an arrangement of the chapters, +and a table of contents--little more than falls to the lot of +publishers generally. + +The fidelity of the narrative is sustained by the most satisfactory +and ample testimony. Time has proved its claims to truth. Thorough +investigation has sifted and analysed every essential fact alleged, +and demonstrated clearly that this thrilling and eloquent narrative, +though stranger than fiction, is undoubtedly true. + +It is only necessary to present the following documents to the reader, +to sustain this declaration. For convenience of reference, and that +they may be more easily understood, the letters will be inserted +consecutively, with explanations following the last. + +The best preface to these letters, is the report of a committee +appointed to investigate the truth of Mr. Bibb's narrative as he has +delivered it in public for years past. + + + REPORT + + OF THE UNDERSIGNED, COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE DETROIT + LIBERTY ASSOCIATION TO INVESTIGATE THE TRUTH OF THE + NARRATIVE OF HENRY BIBB, A FUGITIVE FROM SLAVERY, AND REPORT + THEREON: + + Mr. Bibb has addressed several assemblies in Michigan, and + his narrative is generally known. Some of his hearers, among + whom were Liberty men, felt doubt as to the truth of his + statements. Respect for their scruples and the obligation of + duty to the public induced the formation of the present + Committee. + + The Committee entered on the duty confided to them, resolved + on a searching scrutiny, and an unreserved publication of + its result. Mr. Bibb acquiesced in the inquiry with a + praiseworthy spirit. He attended before the Committee and + gave willing aid to its object. He was subjected to a + rigorous examination. Facts--dates--persons--and localities + were demanded and cheerfully furnished. Proper + inquiry--either by letter, or personally, or through the + medium of friends was then made from _every_ person, and in + _every_ quarter likely to elucidate the truth. In fact no + test for its ascertainment, known to the sense or experience + of the Committee, was omitted. The result was the collection + of a large body of testimony from very diversified quarters. + Slave owners, slave dealers, fugitives from slavery, + political friends and political foes contributed to a mass + of testimony, every part of which pointed to a common + conclusion--the undoubted truth of Mr. Bibb's statements. + + In the Committee's opinion no individual can substantiate + the events of his life by testimony more conclusive and + harmonious than is now before them in confirmation of Mr. + Bibb. The main facts of his narrative, and many of the minor + ones are corroborated beyond all question. No inconsistency + has been disclosed nor anything revealed to create + suspicion. The Committee have no hesitation in declaring + their conviction that Mr. Bibb is amply sustained, and is + entitled to public confidence and high esteem. + + The bulk of testimony precludes its publication, but it is + in the Committee's hands for the inspection of any + applicant. + + A.L. PORTER, + C.H. STEWART, + SILAS M. HOLMES. + Committee. + + DETROIT, _April 22, 1845_. + + * * * * * + +From the bulk of testimony obtained, a part only is here introduced. +The remainder fully corroborates and strengthens that. + + [No. 1. An Extract] DAWN MILLS, FEB. 19th, 1845. + + CHARLES H. STEWART, ESQ. + MY DEAR BROTHER: + + Your kind communication of the 13th came to hand yesterday. + I have made inquiries respecting Henry Bibb which may be of + service to you. Mr. Wm. Harrison, to whom you alluded in + your letter, is here. He is a respectable and worthy man--a + man of piety. I have just had an interview with him this + evening. He testifies, that he was well acquainted with + Henry Bibb in Trimble County, Ky., and that he sent a letter + to him by Thomas Henson, and got one in return from him. He + says that Bibb came out to Canada some three years ago, and + went back to get his wife up, but was betrayed at Cincinnati + by a colored man--that he was taken to Louisville but got + away--was taken again and lodged in jail, and sold off to + New Orleans, or he, (Harrison,) understood that he was taken + to New Orleans. He testifies that Bibb is a Methodist man, + and says that two persons who came on with him last Summer, + knew Bibb. One of these, Simpson Young, is now at Malden. + * * * + + Very respectfully, thy friend, + HIRAM WILSON. + + * * * * * + + [No. 2.] BEDFORD, TRIMBLE CO., KENTUCKY. + _March 4, 1845_. + + SIR:--Your letter under date of the 13th ult., is now before + me, making some inquiry about a person supposed to be a + fugitive from the South, "who is lecturing to your religious + community on Slavery and the South." + + I am pleased to inform you that I have it in my power to + give you the information you desire. The person spoken of by + you I have no doubt is Walton, a yellow man, who once + belonged to my father, William Gatewood. He was purchased by + him from John Sibly, and by John Sibly of his brother Albert + G. Sibly, and Albert G. Sibly became possessed of him by his + marriage with Judge David White's daughter, he being born + Judge White's slave. + + The boy Walton at the time he belonged to John Sibly, + married a slave of my father's, a mulatto girl, and sometime + afterwards solicited him to buy him; the old man after much + importuning from Walton, consented to do so, and accordingly + paid Sibly eight hundred and fifty dollars. He did not buy + him because he needed him, but from the fact that he had a + wife there, and Walton on his part promising every thing + that my father could desire. + + It was not long, however, before Walton became indolent and + neglectful of his duty; and in addition to this, he was + guilty, as the old man thought, of worse offences. He + watched his conduct more strictly, and found he was guilty + of disposing of articles from the farm for his own use, and + pocketing the money. + + He actually caught him one day stealing wheat--he had + conveyed one sack full to a neighbor and whilst he was + delivering the other my father caught him in the very act. + + He confessed his guilt and promised to do better for the + future--and on his making promises of this kind my father + was disposed to keep him still, not wishing to part him from + his wife, for whom he professed to entertain the strongest + affection. When the Christmas Holidays came on, the old man, + as is usual in this country, gave his negroes a week + Holiday. Walton, instead of regaling himself by going about + visiting his colored friends, took up his line of march for + her Britanic Majesty's dominions. + + He was gone about two years I think, when I heard of him in + Cincinnati; I repaired thither, with some few friends to aid + me, and succeeded in securing him. + + He was taken to Louisville, and on the next morning after + our arrival there, he escaped, almost from before our face, + while we were on the street before the Tavern. He succeeded + in eluding our pursuit, and again reached Canada in safety. + + Nothing daunted he returned, after a lapse of some twelve or + eighteen months, with the intention, as I have since + learned, of conducting off his wife and eight or ten more + slaves to Canada. + + I got news of his whereabouts, and succeeded in recapturing + him. I took him to Louisville and together with his wife and + child, (she going along with him at her owner's request,) + sold him. He was taken from thence to New Orleans--and from + hence to Red River, Arkansas--and the next news I had of him + he was again wending his way to Canada, and I suppose now is + at or near Detroit. + + In relation to his character, it was the general opinion + here that he was a notorious liar, and a rogue. These + things I can procure any number of respectable witnesses to + prove. + + In proof of it, he says his mother belonged to James Bibb, + which is a lie, there not having been such a man about here, + much less brother of Secretary Bibb. He says that Bibb's + daughter married A.G. Sibly, when the fact is Sibly married + Judge David White's daughter, and his mother belonged to + White also and is now here, free. + + So you will perceive he is guilty of lying for no effect, + and what might it not be supposed he would do where he could + effect anything by it. + + I have been more tedious than I should have been, but being + anxious to give you his rascally conduct in full, must be my + apology. You are at liberty to publish this letter, or make + any use you see proper of it. If you do publish it, let me + have a paper containing the publication--at any rate let me + hear from you again. + + Respectfully yours, &c, + SILAS GATEWOOD. + + TO C.H. STEWART, ESQ. + + * * * * * + + [No. 3. An Extract.] CINCINNATI, _March 10, 1845_. + + MY DEAR SIR:--Mrs. Path, Nickens and Woodson did not see + Bibb on his first visit, in 1837, when he staid with Job + Dundy, but were subsequently told of it by Bibb. They first + saw him in May, 1838. Mrs. Path remembers this date because + it was the month in which she removed from Broadway to + Harrison street, and Bibb assisted her to remove. Mrs. + Path's garden adjoined Dundy's back yard. While engaged in + digging up flowers, she was addressed by Bibb, who was + staying with Dundy, and who offered to dig them up for her. + She hired him to do it. Mrs. Dundy shortly after called over + and told Mrs. Path that he was a slave. After that Mrs. Path + took him into her house and concealed him. While concealed, + he astonished his good protectress by his ingenuity in + bottoming chairs with cane. When the furniture was removed, + Bibb insisted on helping, and was, after some remonstrances, + permitted. At the house on Harrison street, he was employed + for several days in digging a cellar, and was so employed + when seized on Saturday afternoon by the constables. He + held frequent conversations with Mrs. Path and others, in + which he gave them the same account which he has given you. + + On Saturday afternoon, two noted slave-catching constables, + E.V. Brooks and O'Neil, surprised Bibb as he was digging in + the cellar. Bibb sprang for the fence and gained the top of + it, where he was seized and dragged back. They took him + immediately before William Doty, a Justice of infamous + notoriety as an accomplice of kidnappers, proved property, + paid charges and took him away. + + His distressed friends were surprised by his re-appearance + in a few days after, the Wednesday following, as they think. + He reached the house of Dr. Woods, (a colored man since + deceased,) before day-break, and staid until dusk. Mrs. + Path, John Woodson and others made up about twelve dollars + for him. Woodson accompanied him out of town a mile and bid + him "God speed." He has never been here since. Woodson and + Clark saw him at Detroit two years ago. + + Yours truly, + WILLIAM BIRNEY. + + * * * * * + + [No. 4.] LOUISVILLE, _March 14, 1845_. + + MR. STEWART.--Yours of the 1st came to hand on the 13th + inst. You wished me to inform you what became of a boy that + was in the work-house in the fall of '39. The boy you allude + to went by the name of Walton; he had ran away from Kentucky + some time before, and returned for his wife--was caught and + sold to Garrison; he was taken to Louisiana, I think--he was + sold on Red River to a planter. As Garrison is absent in the + City of New Orleans at this time, I cannot inform you who he + was sold to. Garrison will be in Louisville some time this + Spring; if you wish me, I will inquire of Garrison and + inform you to whom he was sold, and where his master lives + at this time. + + Yours, + W. PORTER. + + * * * * * + + [No. 5.] BEDFORD, TRIMBLE COUNTY, KY. + C.H. STEWART, ESQ., + + SIR.--I received your note on the 16th inst., and in + accordance with it I write you these lines. You stated that + you would wish to know something about Walton H. Bibb, and + whether he had a wife and child, and whether they were sold + to New Orleans. Sir, before I answer these inquiries, I + should like to know who Charles H. Stewart is, and why you + should make these inquiries of me, and how you knew who I + was, as you are a stranger to me and I must be to you. In + your next if you will tell me the intention of your + inquiries, I will give you a full history of the whole case. + + I have a boy in your county by the name of King, a large man + and very black; if you are acquainted with him, give him my + compliments, and tell him I am well, and all of his friends. + W.H. Bibb is acquainted with him. + + I wait your answer. + + Your most obedient, + W.H. GATEWOOD. + + _March 17, 1845_. + + * * * * * + + [No. 6.] BEDFORD, KENTUCKY, _April 6th, 1845_. + MR. CHARLES H. STEWART. + + SIR:--Yours of the 1st March is before me, inquiring if one + Walton Bibb, a colored man, escaped from me at Louisville, + Ky., in the Spring of 1839. To that inquiry I answer, he + did. The particulars are these: He ran off from William + Gatewood some time in 1838 I think, and was heard of in + Cincinnati. Myself and some others went there and took him, + and took him to Louisville for sale, by the directions of + his master. While there he made his escape and was gone some + time, I think about one year or longer. He came back it was + said, to get his wife and child, so report says. He was + again taken by his owner; he together with his wife and + child was taken to Louisville and sold to a man who traded + in negroes, and was taken by him to New Orleans and sold + with his wife and child to some man up Red River, so I was + informed by the man who sold him. He then ran off and left + his wife and child and got back, it seems, to your country. + I can say for Gatewood he was a good master, and treated him + well. Gatewood bought him from a Mr. Sibly, who was going + to send him down the river. Walton, to my knowledge, + influenced Gatewood to buy him, and promised if he would, + never to disobey him or run off. Who he belongs to now, I do + not know. I know Gatewood sold his wife and child at a great + sacrifice, to satisfy him. If any other information is + necessary I will give it, if required. You will please write + me again what he is trying to do in your country, or what he + wishes the inquiry from me for. + + Yours, truly, + DANIEL S. LANE. + + * * * * * + +These letters need little comment. Their testimony combined is most +harmonious and conclusive. Look at the points established. + +1. Hiram Wilson gives the testimony of reputable men now in Canada, +who knew Henry Bibb as a slave in Kentucky. + +2. Silas Gatewood, with a peculiar relish, fills three pages of +foolscap, "being anxious to give his rascally conduct in full," as he +says. But he vaults over the saddle and lands on the other side. His +testimony is invaluable as an endorsement of Mr. Bibb's truthfulness. +He illustrates all the essential facts of this narrative. He also +labors to prove him deceitful and a liar. + +Deceit in a slave, is only a slight reflex of the stupendous fraud +practised by his master. And its indulgence has far more logic in its +favor, than the ablest plea ever written for slave holding, under ever +such peculiar circumstances. The attempt to prove Mr. Bibb in the lie, +is a signal failure, as he never affirmed what Gatewood denies. With +this offset, the letter under notice is a triumphant vindication of +one, whom he thought there by to injure sadly. As Mr. Bibb has most +happily acknowledged the wheat, (see page 130,) I pass the charge of +stealing by referring to the logic there used, which will be deemed +convincing. + +3. William Birney, Esq., attests the facts of Mr. Bibb's arrest in +Cincinnati, and the subsequent escape, as narrated by him, from the +declaration of eye witnesses. + +4. W. Porter, Jailor, states that Bibb was in the work-house at +Louisville, held and sold afterwards to the persons and at the places +named in this volume. + +5. W.H. Gatewood, with much Southern dignity, will answer no +questions, but shows his relation to these matters by naming +"King"--saying, "W.H. Bibb is acquainted with him," and promising "a +full history of the case." + +6. Daniel S. Lane, with remarkable straight-forwardness and stupidity, +tells all he knows, and then wants to know what they ask him for. The +writer will answer that question. He wanted to prove by two or more +witnesses, the truth of his own statements; which has most surely been +accomplished. + +Having thus presented an array of testimony sustaining the facts +alleged in this narrative, the introduction will be concluded by +introducing a letter signed by respectable men of Detroit, and +endorsed by Judge Wilkins, showing the high esteem in which Mr. Bibb +is held by those who know him well where he makes his home. Their +testimony expresses their present regard as well as an opinion of his +past character. It is introduced here with the greatest satisfaction, +as the writer is assured, from an intimate acquaintance with Henry +Bibb, that all who know him hereafter will entertain the same +sentiments toward him: + + * * * * * + + DETROIT, _March 10, 1845_. + + The undersigned have pleasure in recommending Henry Bibb to + the kindness and confidence of Anti-slavery friends in every + State. He has resided among us for some years. His + deportment, his conduct, and his Christian course have won + our esteem and affection. The narrative of his sufferings + and more early life has been thoroughly investigated by a + Committee appointed for the purpose. They sought evidence + respecting it in every proper quarter, and their report + attested its undoubted truth. In this conclusion we all + cordially unite. + + H. Bibb has for some years publicly made this narrative to + assemblies, whose number cannot be told; it has commanded + public attention in this State, and provoked inquiry. + Occasionally too we see persons from the South, who knew him + in early years, yet not a word or fact worthy of impairing + its truth has reached us; but on the contrary, every thing + tended to its corroboration. + + Mr. Bibb's Anti-slavery efforts in this State have produced + incalculable benefit. The Lord has blessed him into an + instrument of great power. He has labored much, and for very + inadequate compensation. Lucrative offers for other quarters + did not tempt him to a more profitable field. His sincerity + and disinterestedness are therefore beyond suspicion. + + We bid him "God-speed," on his route. We bespeak for him + every kind consideration. * * * * + + H. HALLOCK, + President of the Detroit Lib. Association. + CULLEN BROWN, _VICE-PRESIDENT_. + S.M. HOLMES, _SECRETARY_. + J.D. BALDWIN, + CHARLES H. STEWART, + MARTIN WILSON, + WILLIAM BARNUM. + + DETROIT, Nov. 11, 1845. + + The undersigned, cheerfully concurs with Mr. Hallock and + others in their friendly recommendation of Mr. Henry Bibb. + The undersigned has known him for many months in the Sabbath + School in this City, partly under his charge, and can + certify to his correct deportment, and commend him to the + sympathies of Christian benevolence. + + ROSS WILKINS. + + * * * * * + + The task now performed, in preparing for the press and + introducing to the public the narrative of Henry Bibb, has + been one of the most pleasant ever required at my hands. And + I conclude it with an expression of the hope that it may + afford interest to the reader, support to the author in his + efforts against slavery, and be instrumental in advancing + the great work of emancipation in this country. + + LUCIUS C. MATLACK. + + NEW YORK CITY, _July 1st, 1849_. + + + + +AUTHOR'S PREFACE. + + +This work has been written during irregular intervals, while I have +been travelling and laboring for the emancipation of my enslaved +countrymen. The reader will remember that I make no pretension to +literature; for I can truly say, that I have been educated in the +school of adversity, whips, and chains. Experience and observation +have been my principal teachers, with the exception of three weeks +schooling which I have had the good fortune to receive since my escape +from the "grave yard of the mind," or the dark prison of human +bondage. And nothing but untiring perseverance has enabled me to +prepare this volume for the public eye; and I trust by the aid of +Divine Providence to be able to make it intelligible and instructive. +I thank God for the blessings of Liberty--the contrast is truly great +between freedom and slavery. To be changed from a chattel to a human +being, is no light matter, though the process with myself practically +was very simple. And if I could reach the ears of every slave to-day, +throughout the whole continent of America, I would teach the same +lesson, I would sound it in the ears of every hereditary bondman, +"break your chains and fly for freedom!" + +It may be asked why I have written this work, when there has been so +much already written and published of the same character from other +fugitives? And, why publish it after having told it publicly all +through New England and the Western States to multiplied thousands? + +My answer is, that in no place have I given orally the detail of my +narrative; and some of the most interesting events of my life have +never reached the public ear. Moreover, it was at the request of many +friends of down-trodden humanity, that I have undertaken to write the +following sketch, that light and truth might be spread on the sin and +evils of slavery as far as possible. I also wanted to leave my humble +testimony on record against this man-destroying system, to be read by +succeeding generations when my body shall lie mouldering in the dust. + +But I would not attempt by any sophistry to misrepresent slavery in +order to prove its dreadful wickedness. For, I presume there are none +who may read this narrative through, whether Christians or +slaveholders, males or females, but what will admit it to be a system +of the most high-handed oppression and tyranny that ever was tolerated +by an enlightened nation. + + HENRY BIBB + + + + +NARRATIVE + +OF THE + +LIFE OF HENRY BIBB + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_Sketch of my Parentage.--Early separation from my Mother.--Hard +Fare.--First Experiments at running away.--Earnest longing for +Freedom.--Abhorrent nature of Slavery._ + + +I was born May 1815, of a slave mother, in Shelby County, Kentucky, +and was claimed as the property of David White Esq. He came into +possession of my mother long before I was born. I was brought up in +the Counties of Shelby, Henry, Oldham, and Trimble. Or, more correctly +speaking, in the above counties, I may safely say, I was _flogged up_; +for where I should have received moral, mental, and religious +instruction, I received stripes without number, the object of which +was to degrade and keep me in subordination. I can truly say, that I +drank deeply of the bitter cup of suffering and woe. I have been +dragged down to the lowest depths of human degradation and +wretchedness, by Slaveholders. + +My mother was known by the name of Milldred Jackson. She is the mother +of seven slaves only, all being sons, of whom I am the eldest. She was +also so fortunate or unfortunate, as to have some of what is called +the slaveholding blood flowing in her veins. I know not how much; but +not enough to prevent her children though fathered by slaveholders, +from being bought and sold in the slave markets of the South. It is +almost impossible for slaves to give a correct account of their male +parentage. All that I know about it is, that my mother informed me +that my fathers name was JAMES BIBB. He was doubtless one of the +present Bibb family of Kentucky; but I have no personal knowledge of +him at all, for he died before my recollection. + +The first time I was separated from my mother, I was young and small. +I knew nothing of my condition then as a slave. I was living with Mr. +White, whose wife died and left him a widower with one little girl, +who was said to be the legitimate owner of my mother, and all her +children. This girl was also my playmate when we were children. + +I was taken away from my mother, and hired out to labor for various +persons, eight or ten years in succession; and all my wages were +expended for the education of Harriet White, my playmate. It was then +my sorrows and sufferings commenced. It was then I first commenced +seeing and feeling that I was a wretched slave, compelled to work +under the lash without wages, and often without clothes enough to hide +my nakedness. I have often worked without half enough to eat, both +late and early, by day and by night. I have often laid my wearied +limbs down at night to rest upon a dirt floor, or a bench, without any +covering at all, because I had no where else to rest my wearied body, +after having worked hard all the day. I have also been compelled in +early life, to go at the bidding of a tyrant, through all kinds of +weather, hot or cold, wet or dry, and without shoes frequently, until +the month of December, with my bare feet on the cold frosty ground, +cracked open and bleeding as I walked. Reader, believe me when I say, +that no tongue, nor pen ever has or can express the horrors of +American Slavery. Consequently I despair in finding language to +express adequately the deep feeling of my soul, as I contemplate the +past history of my life. But although I have suffered much from the +lash, and for want of food and raiment; I confess that it was no +disadvantage to be passed through the hands of so many families, as +the only source of information that I had to enlighten my mind, +consisted in what I could see and hear from others. Slaves were not +allowed books, pen, ink, nor paper, to improve their minds. But it +seems to me now, that I was particularly observing, and apt to retain +what came under my observation. But more especially, all that I heard +about liberty and freedom to the slaves, I never forgot. Among other +good trades I learned the art of running away to perfection. I made a +regular business of it, and never gave it up, until I had broken the +bands of slavery, and landed myself safely in Canada, where I was +regarded as a man, and not as a thing. + +The first time in my life that I ran away, was for ill treatment, in +1835. I was living with a Mr. Vires, in the village of Newcastle. His +wife was a very cross woman. She was every day flogging me, boxing, +pulling my ears, and scolding, so that I dreaded to enter the room +where she was. This first started me to running away from them. I was +often gone several days before I was caught. They would abuse me for +going off, but it did no good. The next time they flogged me, I was +off again; but after awhile they got sick of their bargain, and +returned me back into the hands of my owners. By this time Mr. White +had married his second wife. She was what I call a tyrant. I lived +with her several months, but she kept me almost half of my time in the +woods, running from under the bloody lash. While I was at home she +kept me all the time rubbing furniture, washing, scrubbing the floors; +and when I was not doing this, she would often seat herself in a large +rocking chair, with two pillows about her, and would make me rock her, +and keep off the flies. She was too lazy to scratch her own head, and +would often make me scratch and comb it for her. She would at other +times lie on her bed, in warm weather, and make me fan her while she +slept, scratch and rub her feet; but after awhile she got sick of me, +and preferred a maiden servant to do such business. I was then hired +out again; but by this time I had become much better skilled in +running away, and would make calculation to avoid detection, by taking +with me a bridle. If any body should see me in the woods, as they +have, and asked "what are you doing here sir! you are a runaway!"--I +said, "no, sir, I am looking for our old mare;" at other times, +"looking for our cows." For such excuses I was let pass. In fact, the +only weapon of self defence that I could use successfully, was that of +deception. It is useless for a poor helpless slave, to resist a white +man in a slaveholding State. Public opinion and the law is against +him; and resistance in many cases is death to the slave, while the law +declares, that he shall submit or die. + +The circumstances in which I was then placed, gave me a longing desire +to be free. It kindled a fire of liberty within my breast which has +never yet been quenched. This seemed to be a part of my nature; it was +first revealed to me by the inevitable laws of nature's God. I could +see that the All-wise Creator, had made man a free, moral, intelligent +and accountable being; capable of knowing good and evil. And I +believed then, as I believe now, that every man has a right to wages +for his labor; a right to his own wife and children; a right to +liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and a right to worship God +according to the dictates of his own conscience. But here, in the +light of these truths, I was a slave, a prisoner for life; I could +possess nothing, nor acquire anything but what must belong to my +keeper. No one can imagine my feelings in my reflecting moments, but +he who has himself been a slave. Oh! I have often wept over my +condition, while sauntering through the forest, to escape cruel +punishment. + + "No arm to protect me from tyrants aggression; + No parents to cheer me when laden with grief. + Man may picture the bounds of the rocks and the rivers, + The hills and the valleys, the lakes and the ocean, + But the horrors of slavery, he never can trace." + +The term slave to this day sounds with terror to my soul,--a word too +obnoxious to speak--a system too intolerable to be endured. I know +this from long and sad experience. I now feel as if I had just been +aroused from sleep, and looking back with quickened perception at the +state of torment from whence I fled. I was there held and claimed as a +slave; as such I was subjected to the will and power of my keeper, in +all respects whatsoever. That the slave is a human being, no one can +deny. It is his lot to be exposed in common with other men, to the +calamities of sickness, death, and the misfortunes incident to life. +But unlike other men, he is denied the consolation of struggling +against external difficulties, such as destroy the life, liberty, and +happiness of himself and family. A slave may be bought and sold in the +market like an ox. He is liable to be sold off to a distant land from +his family. He is bound in chains hand and foot; and his sufferings +are aggravated a hundred fold, by the terrible thought, that he is not +allowed to struggle against misfortune, corporeal punishment, insults, +and outrages committed upon himself and family; and he is not allowed +to help himself, to resist or escape the blow, which he sees impending +over him. + +This idea of utter helplessness, in perpetual bondage, is the more +distressing, as there is no period even with the remotest generation +when it shall terminate. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_A fruitless effort for education.--The Sabbath among +Slaves.--Degrading amusements.--Why religion is rejected.--Condition +of poor white people.--Superstition among slaves.--Education +forbidden_. + + +In 1833, I had some very serious religious impressions, and there was +quite a number of slaves in that neighborhood, who felt very desirous +to be taught to read the Bible. There was a Miss Davis, a poor white +girl, who offered to teach a Sabbath School for the slaves, +notwithstanding public opinion and the law was opposed to it. Books +were furnished and she commenced the school; but the news soon got to +our owners that she was teaching us to read. This caused quite an +excitement in the neighborhood. Patrols[1] were appointed to go and +break it up the next Sabbath. They were determined that we should not +have a Sabbath School in operation. For slaves this was called an +incendiary movement. + +The Sabbath is not regarded by a large number of the slaves as a day +of rest. They have no schools to go to; no moral nor religious +instruction at all in many localities where there are hundreds of +slaves. Hence they resort to some kind of amusement. Those who make no +profession of religion, resort to the woods in large numbers on that +day to gamble, fight, get drunk, and break the Sabbath. This is often +encouraged by slaveholders. When they wish to have a little sport of +that kind, they go among the slaves and give them whiskey, to see them +dance, "pat juber," sing and play on the banjo. Then get them to +wrestling, fighting, jumping, running foot races, and butting each +other like sheep. This is urged on by giving them whiskey; making bets +on them; laying chips on one slave's head, and daring another to tip +it off with his hand; and if he tipped it off, it would be called an +insult, and cause a fight. Before fighting, the parties choose their +seconds to stand by them while fighting; a ring or a circle is formed +to fight in, and no one is allowed to enter the ring while they are +fighting, but their seconds, and the white gentlemen. They are not +allowed to fight a duel, nor to use weapons of any kind. The blows are +made by kicking, knocking, and butting with their heads; they grab +each other by their ears, and jam their heads together like sheep. If +they are likely to hurt each other very bad, their masters would rap +them with their walking canes, and make them stop. After fighting, +they make friends, shake hands, and take a dram together, and there is +no more of it. + +But this is all principally for want of moral instruction. This is +where they have no Sabbath Schools; no one to read the Bible to them; +no one to preach the gospel who is competent to expound the +Scriptures, except slaveholders. And the slaves, with but few +exceptions, have no confidence at all in their preaching, because they +preach a pro-slavery doctrine. They say, "Servants be obedient to your +masters;--and he that knoweth his master's will and doeth it not, +shall be beaten with many stripes;--" means that God will send them to +hell, if they disobey their masters. This kind of preaching has driven +thousands into infidelity. They view themselves as suffering unjustly +under the lash, without friends, without protection of law or gospel, +and the green eyed monster tyranny staring them in the face. They know +that they are destined to die in that wretched condition, unless they +are delivered by the arm of Omnipotence. And they cannot believe or +trust in such a religion, as above named. + +The poor and loafering class of whites, are about on a par in point of +morals with the slaves at the South. They are generally ignorant, +intemperate, licentious, and profane. They associate much with the +slaves; are often found gambling together on the Sabbath; encouraging +slaves to steal from their owners, and sell to them, corn, wheat, +sheep, chickens, or any thing of the kind which they can well conceal. +For such offences there is no law to reach a slave but lynch law. But +if both parties are caught in the act by a white person, the slave is +punished with the lash, while the white man is often punished with +both lynch and common law. But there is another class of poor white +people in the South, who, I think would be glad to see slavery +abolished in self defence; they despise the institution because it is +impoverishing and degrading to them and their children. + +The slave holders are generally rich, aristocratic, overbearing; and +they look with utter contempt upon a poor laboring man, who earns his +bread by the "sweat of his brow," whether he be moral or immoral, +honest or dishonest. No matter whether he is white or black; if he +performs manual labor for a livelihood, he is looked upon as being +inferior to a slaveholder, and but little better off than the slave, +who toils without wages under the lash. It is true, that the +slaveholder, and non-slaveholder, are living under the same laws in +the same State. But the one is rich, the other is poor; one is +educated, the other is uneducated; one has houses, land and influence, +the other has none. This being the case, that class of the +non-slaveholders would be glad to see slavery abolished, but they dare +not speak it aloud. + +There is much superstition among the slaves. Many of them believe in +what they call "conjuration," tricking, and witchcraft; and some of +them pretend to understand the art, and say that by it they can +prevent their masters from exercising their will over their slaves. +Such are often applied to by others, to give them power to prevent +their masters from flogging them. The remedy is most generally some +kind of bitter root; they are directed to chew it and spit towards +their masters when they are angry with their slaves. At other times +they prepare certain kinds of powders, to sprinkle about their masters +dwellings. This is all done for the purpose of defending themselves in +some peaceable manner, although I am satisfied that there is no virtue +at all in it. I have tried it to perfection when I was a slave at the +South. I was then a young man, full of life and vigor, and was very +fond of visiting our neighbors slaves, but had no time to visit only +Sundays, when I could get a permit to go, or after night, when I could +slip off without being seen. If it was found out, the next morning I +was called up to give an account of myself for going off without +permission; and would very often get a flogging for it. + +I got myself into a scrape at a certain time, by going off in this +way, and I expected to be severely punished for it. I had a strong +notion of running off, to escape being flogged, but was advised by a +friend to go to one of those conjurers, who could prevent me from +being flogged. I went and informed him of the difficulty. He said if I +would pay him a small sum, he would prevent my being flogged. After I +had paid him, he mixed up some alum, salt and other stuff into a +powder, and said I must sprinkle it about my master, if he should +offer to strike me; this would prevent him. He also gave me some kind +of bitter root to chew, and spit towards him, which would certainly +prevent my being flogged. According to order I used his remedy, and +for some cause I was let pass without being flogged that time. + +I had then great faith in conjuration and witchcraft. I was led to +believe that I could do almost as I pleased, without being flogged. So +on the next Sabbath my conjuration was fully tested by my going off, +and staying away until Monday morning, without permission. When I +returned home, my master declared that he would punish me for going +off; but I did not believe that he could do it while I had this root +and dust; and as he approached me, I commenced talking saucy to him. +But he soon convinced me that there was no virtue in them. He became +so enraged at me for saucing him, that he grasped a handful of +switches and punished me severely, in spite of all my roots and +powders. + +But there was another old slave in that neighborhood, who professed to +understand all about conjuration, and I thought I would try his skill. +He told me that the first one was only a quack, and if I would only +pay him a certain amount in cash, that he would tell me how to prevent +any person from striking me. After I had paid him his charge, he told +me to go to the cow-pen after night, and get some fresh cow manure, +and mix it with red pepper and white people's hair, all to be put into +a pot over the fire, and scorched until it could be ground into snuff. +I was then to sprinkle it about my master's bed-room, in his hat and +boots, and it would prevent him from ever abusing me in any way. After +I got it all ready prepared, the smallest pinch of it scattered over a +room, was enough to make a horse sneeze from the strength of it; but +it did no good. I tried it to my satisfaction. It was my business to +make fires in my master's chamber, night and morning. Whenever I could +get a chance, I sprinkled a little of this dust about the linen of the +bed, where they would breathe it on retiring. This was to act upon +them as what is called a kind of love powder, to change their +sentiments of anger, to those of love, towards me, but this all +proved to be vain imagination. The old man had my money, and I was +treated no better for it. + +One night when I went in to make a fire, I availed myself of the +opportunity of sprinkling a very heavy charge of this powder about my +master's bed. Soon after their going to bed, they began to cough and +sneeze. Being close around the house, watching and listening, to know +what the effect would be, I heard them ask each other what in the +world it could be, that made them cough and sneeze so. All the while, +I was trembling with fear, expecting every moment I should be called +and asked if I knew any thing about it. After this, for fear they +might find me out in my dangerous experiments upon them, I had to give +them up, for the time being. I was then convinced that running away +was the most effectual way by which a slave could escape cruel +punishment. + +As all the instrumentalities which I as a slave, could bring to bear +upon the system, had utterly failed to palliate my sufferings, all +hope and consolation fled. I must be a slave for life, and suffer +under the lash or die. The influence which this had only tended to +make me more unhappy. I resolved that I would be free if running away +could make me so. I had heard that Canada was a land of liberty, +somewhere in the North; and every wave of trouble that rolled across +my breast, caused me to think more and more about Canada, and liberty. +But more especially after having been flogged, I have fled to the +highest hills of the forest, pressing my way to the North for refuge; +but the river Ohio was my limit. To me it was an impassable gulf. I +had no rod wherewith to smite the stream, and thereby divide the +waters. I had no Moses to go before me and lead the way from bondage +to a promised land. Yet I was in a far worse state than Egyptian +bondage; for they had houses and land; I had none; they had oxen and +sheep; I had none; they had a wise counsel, to tell them what to do, +and where to go, and even to go with them; I had none. I was +surrounded by opposition on every hand. My friends were few and far +between. I have often felt when running away as if I had scarcely a +friend on earth. + +Sometimes standing on the Ohio River bluff, looking over on a free +State, and as far north as my eyes could see, I have eagerly gazed +upon the blue sky of the free North, which at times constrained me to +cry out from the depths of my soul, Oh! Canada, sweet land of +rest--Oh! when shall I get there! Oh, that I had the wings of a dove, +that I might soar away to where there is no slavery; no clanking of +chains, no captives, no lacerating of backs, no parting of husbands +and wives; and where man ceases to be the property of his fellow man. +These thoughts have revolved in my mind a thousand times. I have stood +upon the lofty banks of the river Ohio, gazing upon the splendid +steamboats, wafted with all their magnificence up and down the river, +and I thought of the fishes of the water, the fowls of the air, the +wild beasts of the forest, all appeared to be free, to go just where +they pleased, and I was an unhappy slave! + +But my attention was gradually turned in a measure from this subject, +by being introduced into the society of young women. This for the time +being took my attention from running away, as waiting on the girls +appeared to be perfectly congenial to my nature. I wanted to be well +thought of by them, and would go to great lengths to gain their +affection. I had been taught by the old superstitious slaves, to +believe in conjuration, and it was hard for me to give up the notion, +for all I had been deceived by them. One of these conjurers, for a +small sum agreed to teach me to make any girl love me that I wished. +After I had paid him, he told me to get a bull frog, and take a +certain bone out of the frog, dry it, and when I got a chance I must +step up to any girl whom I wished to make love me, and scratch her +somewhere on her naked skin with this bone, and she would be certain +to love me, and would follow me in spite of herself; no matter who she +might be engaged to, nor who she might be walking with. + +So I got me a bone for a certain girl, whom I knew to be under the +influence of another young man. I happened to meet her in the company +of her lover, one Sunday evening, walking out; so when I got a chance, +I fetched her a tremendous rasp across her neck with this bone, which +made her jump. But in place of making her love me, it only made her +angry with me. She felt more like running after me to retaliate on me +for thus abusing her, than she felt like loving me. After I found +there was no virtue in the bone of a frog, I thought I would try some +other way to carry out my object. I then sought another counsellor +among the old superstitious influential slaves; one who professed to +be a great friend of mine, told me to get a lock of hair from the head +of any girl, and wear it in my shoes: this would cause her to love me +above all other persons. As there was another girl whose affections I +was anxious to gain, but could not succeed, I thought, without trying +the experiment of this hair. I slipped off one night to see the girl, +and asked her for a lock of her hair; but she refused to give it. +Believing that my success depended greatly upon this bunch of hair, I +was bent on having a lock before I left that night let it cost what it +might. As it was time for me to start home in order to get any sleep +that night, I grasped hold of a lock of her hair, which caused her to +screech, but I never let go until I had pulled it out. This of course +made the girl mad with me, and I accomplished nothing but gained her +displeasure. + +Such are the superstitious notions of the great masses of southern +slaves. It is given to them by tradition, and can never be erased, +while the doors of education are bolted and barred against them. But +there is a prohibition by law, of mental and religious instruction. +The state of Georgia, by an act of 1770, declared "that it shall not +be lawful for any number of free negroes, molattoes or mestinos, or +even slaves in company with white persons, to meet together for the +purpose of mental instruction, either before the rising of the sun or +after the going down of the same." 2d Brevard's Digest, 254-5. Similar +laws exist in most of the slave States, and patrols are sent out after +night and on the Sabbath day to enforce them. They go through their +respective towns to prevent slaves from meeting for religious worship +or mental instruction. + +This is the regulation and law of American Slavery, as sanctioned by +the Government of the United States, and without which it could not +exist. And almost the whole moral, political, and religious power of +the nation are in favor of slavery and aggression, and against liberty +and justice. I only judge by their actions, which speak louder than +words. Slaveholders are put into the highest offices in the gift of +the people in both Church and State, thereby making slaveholding +popular and reputable. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Police peculiar to the South. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_My Courtship and Marriage.--Change of owner.--My first born.--Its +sufferings.--My wife abused.--My own anguish._ + + +The circumstances of my courtship and marriage, I consider to be among +the most remarkable events of my life while a slave. To think that +after I had determined to carry out the great idea which is so +universally and practically acknowledged among all the civilized +nations of the earth, that I would be free or die, I suffered myself +to be turned aside by the fascinating charms of a female, who +gradually won my attention from an object so high as that of liberty; +and an object which I held paramount to all others. + +But when I had arrived at the age of eighteen, which was in the year +of 1833, it was my lot to be introduced to the favor of a mulatto +slave girl named Malinda, who lived in Oldham County, Kentucky, about +four miles from the residence of my owner. Malinda was a medium sized +girl, graceful in her walk, of an extraordinary make, and active in +business. Her skin was of a smooth texture, red cheeks, with dark and +penetrating eyes. She moved in the highest circle[2] of slaves, and +free people of color. She was also one of the best singers I ever +heard, and was much esteemed by all who knew her, for her benevolence, +talent and industry. In fact, I considered Malinda to be equalled by +few, and surpassed by none, for the above qualities, all things +considered. + +It is truly marvellous to see how sudden a man's mind can be changed +by the charms and influence of a female. The first two or three visits +that I paid this dear girl, I had no intention of courting or marrying +her, for I was aware that such a step would greatly obstruct my way to +the land of liberty. I only visited Malinda because I liked her +company, as a highly interesting girl. But in spite of myself, before +I was aware of it, I was deeply in love; and what made this passion so +effectual and almost irresistable, I became satisfied that it was +reciprocal. There was a union of feeling, and every visit made the +impression stronger and stronger. One or two other young men were +paying attention to Malinda, at the same time; one of whom her mother +was anxious to have her marry. This of course gave me a fair +opportunity of testing Malinda's sincerity. I had just about +opposition enough to make the subject interesting. That Malinda loved +me above all others on earth, no one could deny. I could read it by +the warm reception with which the dear girl always met me, and treated +me in her mother's house. I could read it by the warm and affectionate +shake of the hand, and gentle smile upon her lovely cheek. I could +read it by her always giving me the preference of her company; by her +pressing invitations to visit even in opposition to her mother's will. +I could read it in the language of her bright and sparkling eye, +penciled by the unchangable finger of nature, that spake but could not +lie. These strong temptations gradually diverted my attention from my +actual condition and from liberty, though not entirely. + +But oh! that I had only then been enabled to have seen as I do now, or +to have read the following slave code, which is but a stereotyped law +of American slavery. It would have saved me I think from having to +lament that I was a husband and am the father of slaves who are still +left to linger out their days in hopeless bondage. The laws of +Kentucky, my native State, with Maryland and Virginia, which are said +to be the mildest slave States in the Union, noted for their humanity, +Christianity and democracy, declare that "Any slave, for rambling in +the night, or riding horseback without leave, or running away, may be +punished by whipping, cropping and branding in the cheek, or +otherwise, not rendering him unfit for labor." "Any slave convicted of +petty larceny, murder, or wilfully burning of dwelling houses, may be +sentenced to have his right hand cut off; to be hanged in the usual +manner, or the head severed from the body, the body divided into four +quarters, and head and quarters stuck up in the most public place in +the county, where such act was committed." + +At the time I joined my wife in holy wedlock, I was ignorant of these +ungodly laws; I knew not that I was propogating victims for this kind +of torture and cruelty. Malinda's mother was free, and lived in +Bedford, about a quarter of a mile from her daughter; and we often met +and passed off the time pleasantly. Agreeable to promise, on one +Saturday evening, I called to see Malinda, at her mother's residence, +with an intention of letting her know my mind upon the subject of +marriage. It was a very bright moonlight night; the dear girl was +standing in the door, anxiously waiting my arrival. As I approached +the door she caught my hand with an affectionate smile, and bid me +welcome to her mother's fire-side. After having broached the subject +of marriage, I informed her of the difficulties which I conceived to +be in the way of our marriage, and that I could never engage myself to +marry any girl only on certain conditions; near as I can recollect the +substance of our conversation upon the subject, it was, that I was +religiously inclined; that I intended to try to comply with the +requisitions of the gospel, both theoretically and practically through +life. Also that I was decided on becoming a freeman before I died; and +that I expected to get free by running away, and going to Canada, +under the British Government. Agreement on those two cardinal +questions I made my test for marriage. + +I said, "I never will give my heart nor hand to any girl in marriage, +until I first know her sentiments upon the all-important subjects of +Religion and Liberty. No matter how well I might love her nor how +great the sacrifice in carrying out these God-given principles. And I +here pledge myself from this course never to be shaken while a single +pulsation of my heart shall continue to throb for Liberty." With this +idea Malinda appeared to be well pleased, and with a smile she looked +me in the face and said, "I have long entertained the same views, and +this has been one of the greatest reasons why I have not felt inclined +to enter the married state while a slave; I have always felt a desire +to be free; I have long cherished a hope that I should yet be free, +either by purchase or running away. In regard to the subject of +Religion, I have always felt that it was a good thing, and something +that I would seek for at some future period." After I found that +Malinda was right upon these all important questions, and that she +truly loved me well enough to make me an affectionate wife, I made +proposals for marriage. She very modestly declined answering the +question then, considering it to be one of a grave character, and +upon which our future destiny greatly depended. And notwithstanding +she confessed that I had her entire affections, she must have some +time to consider the matter. To this I of course consented, and was to +meet her on the next Saturday night to decide the question. But for +some cause I failed to come, and the next week she sent for me, and on +the Sunday evening following I called on her again; she welcomed me +with all the kindness of an affectionate lover, and seated me by her +side. We soon broached the old subject of marriage, and entered upon a +conditional contract of matrimony, viz: that we would marry if our +minds should not change within one year; that after marriage we would +change our former course and live a pious life; and that we would +embrace the earliest opportunity of running away to Canada for our +liberty. Clasping each other by the hand, pledging our sacred honor +that we would be true, we called on high heaven to witness the +rectitude of our purpose. There was nothing that could be more binding +upon us as slaves than this; for marriage among American slaves, is +disregarded by the laws of this country. It is counted a mere +temporary matter; it is a union which may be continued or broken off, +with or without the consent of a slaveholder, whether he is a priest +or a libertine. + +There is no legal marriage among the slaves of the South; I never saw +nor heard of such a thing in my life, and I have been through seven of +the slave states. A slave marrying according to law, is a thing +unknown in the history of American Slavery. And be it known to the +disgrace of our country that every slaveholder, who is the keeper of a +number of slaves of both sexes, is also the keeper of a house or +houses of ill-fame. Licentious white men, can and do, enter at night +or day the lodging places of slaves; break up the bonds of affection +in families; destroy all their domestic and social union for life; and +the laws of the country afford them no protection. Will any man count, +if they can be counted, the churches of Maryland, Kentucky, and +Virginia, which have slaves connected with them, living in an open +state of adultery, never having been married according to the laws of +the State, and yet regular members of these various denominations, but +more especially the Baptist and Methodist churches? And I hazard +nothing in saying, that this state of things exists to a very wide +extent in the above states. + +I am happy to state that many fugitive slaves, who have been enabled +by the aid of an over-ruling providence to escape to the free North +with those whom they claim as their wives, notwithstanding all their +ignorance and superstition, are not at all disposed to live together +like brutes, as they have been compelled to do in slaveholding +Churches. But as soon as they get free from slavery they go before +some anti-slavery clergyman, and have the solemn ceremony of marriage +performed according to the laws of the country. And if they profess +religion, and have been baptized by a slaveholding minister, they +repudiate it after becoming free, and are re-baptized by a man who is +worthy of doing it according to the gospel rule. + +The time and place of my marriage, I consider one of the most trying +of my life. I was opposed by friends and foes; my mother opposed me +because she thought I was too young, and marrying she thought would +involve me in trouble and difficulty. My mother-in-law opposed me, +because she wanted her daughter to marry a slave who belonged to a +very rich man living near by, and who was well known to be the son of +his master. She thought no doubt that his master or father might +chance to set him free before he died, which would enable him to do a +better part by her daughter than I could! and there was no prospect +then of my ever being free. But his master has neither died nor yet +set his son free, who is now about forty years of age, toiling under +the lash, waiting and hoping that his master may die and will him to +be free. + +The young men were opposed to our marriage for the same reason that +Paddy opposed a match when the clergyman was about to pronounce the +marriage ceremony of a young couple. He said "if there be any present +who have any objections to this couple being joined together in holy +wedlock, let them speak now, or hold their peace henceforth." At this +time Paddy sprang to his feet and said, "Sir, I object to this." Every +eye was fixed upon him. "What is your objection?" said the clergyman. +"Faith," replied Paddy, "Sir I want her myself." + +The man to whom I belonged was opposed, because he feared my taking +off from his farm some of the fruits of my own labor for Malinda to +eat, in the shape of pigs, chickens, or turkeys, and would count it +not robbery. So we formed a resolution, that if we were prevented from +joining in wedlock, that we would run away, and strike for Canada, let +the consequences be what they might. But we had one consolation; +Malinda's master was very much in favor of the match, but entirely +upon selfish principles. When I went to ask his permission to marry +Malinda, his answer was in the affirmative with but one condition +which I consider to be too vulgar to be written in this book. Our +marriage took place one night during the Christmas holydays; at which +time we had quite a festival given us. All appeared to be wide awake, +and we had quite a jolly time at my wedding party. And notwithstanding +our marriage was without license or sanction of law, we believed it to +be honorable before God, and the bed undefiled. Our Christmas holydays +were spent in matrimonial visiting among our friends, while it should +have been spent in running away to Canada, for our liberty. But +freedom was little thought of by us, for several months after +marriage. I often look back to that period even now as one of the most +happy seasons of my life; notwithstanding all the contaminating and +heart-rendering features with which the horrid system of slavery is +marked, and must carry with it to its final grave, yet I still look +back to that season with sweet remembrance and pleasure, that yet hath +power to charm and drive back dull cares which have been accumulated +by a thousand painful recollections of slavery. Malinda was to me an +affectionate wife. She was with me in the darkest hours of adversity. +She was with me in sorrow, and joy, in fasting and feasting, in trial +and persecution, in sickness and health, in sunshine and in shade. + +Some months after our marriage, the unfeeling master to whom I +belonged, sold his farm with the view of moving his slaves to the +State of Missouri, regardless of the separation of husbands and wives +forever; but for fear of my resuming my old practice of running away, +if he should have forced me to leave my wife, by my repeated requests, +he was constrained to sell me to his brother, who lived within seven +miles of Wm. Gatewood, who then held Malinda as his property. I was +permitted to visit her only on Saturday nights, after my work was +done, and I had to be at home before sunrise on Monday mornings or +take a flogging. He proved to be so oppressive, and so unreasonable in +punishing his victims, that I soon found that I should have to run +away in self-defence. But he soon began to take the hint, and sold me +to Wm. Gatewood the owner of Malinda. With my new residence I confess +that I was much dissatisfied. Not that Gatewood was a more cruel +master than my former owner--not that I was opposed to living with +Malinda, who was then the centre and object of my affections--but to +live where I must be eye witness to her insults, scourgings and +abuses, such as are common to be inflicted upon slaves, was more than +I could bear. If my wife must be exposed to the insults and licentious +passions of wicked slavedrivers and overseers; if she must bear the +stripes of the lash laid on by an unmerciful tyrant; if this is to be +done with impunity, which is frequently done by slaveholders and their +abettors, Heaven forbid that I should be compelled to witness the +sight. + +Not many months after I took up my residence on Wm. Gatewood's +plantation, Malinda made me a father. The dear little daughter was +called Mary Frances. She was nurtured and caressed by her mother and +father, until she was large enough to creep over the floor after her +parents, and climb up by a chair before I felt it to be my duty to +leave my family and go into a foreign country for a season. Malinda's +business was to labor out in the field the greater part of her time, +and there was no one to take care of poor little Frances, while her +mother was toiling in the field. She was left at the house to creep +under the feet of an unmerciful old mistress, whom I have known to +slap with her hand the face of little Frances, for crying after her +mother, until her little face was left black and blue. I recollect +that Malinda and myself came from the field one summer's day at noon, +and poor little Frances came creeping to her mother smiling, but with +large tear drops standing in her dear little eyes, sobbing and trying +to tell her mother that she had been abused, but was not able to utter +a word. Her little face was bruised black with the whole print of Mrs. +Gatewood's hand. This print was plainly to be seen for eight days +after it was done. But oh! this darling child was a slave; born of a +slave mother. Who can imagine what could be the feelings of a father +and mother, when looking upon their infant child whipped and tortured +with impunity, and they placed in a situation where they could afford +it no protection. But we were all claimed and held as property; the +father and mother were slaves! + +On this same plantation I was compelled to stand and see my wife +shamefully scourged and abused by her master; and the manner in which +this was done, was so violently and inhumanly committed upon the +person of a female, that I despair in finding decent language to +describe the bloody act of cruelty. My happiness or pleasure was then +all blasted; for it was sometimes a pleasure to be with my little +family even in slavery. I loved them as my wife and child. Little +Frances was a pretty child; she was quiet, playful, bright, and +interesting. She had a keen black eye, and the very image of her +mother was stamped upon her cheek; but I could never look upon the +dear child without being filled with sorrow and fearful apprehensions, +of being separated by slaveholders, because she was a slave, regarded +as property. And unfortunately for me, I am the father of a slave, a +word too obnoxious to be spoken by a fugitive slave. It calls fresh to +my mind the separation of husband and wife; of stripping, tying up and +flogging; of tearing children from their parents, and selling them on +the auction block. It calls to mind female virtue trampled under foot +with impunity. But oh! when I remember that my daughter, my only +child, is still there, destined to share the fate of all these +calamities, it is too much to bear. If ever there was any one act of +my life while a slave, that I have to lament over, it is that of being +a father and a husband of slaves. I have the satisfaction of knowing +that I am only the father of one slave. She is bone of my bone, and +flesh of my flesh; poor unfortunate child. She was the first and shall +be the last slave that ever I will father, for chains and slavery on +this earth. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[2] The distinction among slaves is as marked, as the classes of +society are in any aristocratic community. Some refusing to associate +with others whom they deem beneath them in point of character, color, +condition, or the superior importance of their respective masters. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_My first adventure for liberty.--Parting Scene.--Journey up the +river.--Safe arrival in Cincinnati.--Journey to Canada.--Suffering +from cold and hunger.--Denied food and shelter by some.--One noble +exception.--Subsequent success.--Arrival at Perrysburgh.--I obtained +employment through the winter.--My return to Kentucky to get my +family._ + + +In the fall or winter of 1837 I formed a resolution that I would +escape, if possible, to Canada, for my Liberty. I commenced from that +hour making preparations for the dangerous experiment of breaking the +chains that bound me as a slave. My preparation for this voyage +consisted in the accumulation of a little money, perhaps not exceeding +two dollars and fifty cents, and a suit which I had never been seen or +known to wear before; this last was to avoid detection. + +On the twenty-fifth of December, 1837, my long anticipated time had +arrived when I was to put into operation my former resolution, which +was to bolt for Liberty or consent to die a Slave. I acted upon the +former, although I confess it to be one of the most self-denying acts +of my whole life, to take leave of an affectionate wife, who stood +before me on my departure, with dear little Frances in her arms, and +with tears of sorrow in her eyes as she bid me a long farewell. It +required all the moral courage that I was master of to suppress my +feelings while taking leave of my little family. + +Had Malinda known my intention at that time, it would not have been +possible for me to have got away, and I might have this day been a +slave. Notwithstanding every inducement was held out to me to run away +if I would be free, and the voice of liberty was thundering in my very +soul, "Be free, oh, man! be free," I was struggling against a thousand +obstacles which had clustered around my mind to bind my wounded spirit +still in the dark prison of mental degradation. My strong attachments +to friends and relatives, with all the love of home and birth-place +which is so natural among the human family, twined about my heart and +were hard to break away from. And withal, the fear of being pursued +with guns and blood-hounds, and of being killed, or captured and +taken to the extreme South, to linger out my days in hopeless bondage +on some cotton or sugar plantation, all combined to deter me. But I +had counted the cost, and was fully prepared to make the sacrifice. +The time for fulfilling my pledge was then at hand. I must forsake +friends and neighbors, wife and child, or consent to live and die a +slave. + +By the permission of my keeper, I started out to work for myself on +Christmas. I went to the Ohio River, which was but a short distance +from Bedford. My excuse for wanting to go there was to get work. High +wages were offered for hands to work in a slaughter-house. But in +place of my going to work there, according to promise, when I arrived +at the river I managed to find a conveyance to cross over into a free +state. I was landed in the village of Madison, Indiana, where +steamboats were landing every day and night, passing up and down the +river, which afforded me a good opportunity of getting a boat passage +to Cincinnati. My anticipation being worked up to the highest pitch, +no sooner was the curtain of night dropped over the village, than I +secreted myself where no one could see me, and changed my suit ready +for the passage. Soon I heard the welcome sound of a Steamboat coming +up the river Ohio, which was soon to waft me beyond the limits of the +human slave markets of Kentucky. When the boat had landed at Madison, +notwithstanding my strong desire to get off, my heart trembled within +me in view of the great danger to which I was exposed in taking +passage on board of a Southern Steamboat; hence before I took passage, +I kneeled down before the Great I Am, and prayed for his aid and +protection, which He bountifully bestowed even beyond my expectation; +for I felt myself to be unworthy. I then stept boldly on the deck of +this splendid swift-running Steamer, bound for the city of Cincinnati. +This being the first voyage that I had ever taken on board of a +Steamboat, I was filled with fear and excitement, knowing that I was +surrounded by the vilest enemies of God and man, liable to be seized +and bound hand and foot, by any white man, and taken back into +captivity. But I crowded myself back from the light among the deck +passengers, where it would be difficult to distinguish me from a white +man. Every time during the night that the mate came round with a +light after the hands, I was afraid he would see I was a colored man, +and take me up; hence I kept from the light as much as possible. Some +men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil; but +this was not the case with myself; it was to avoid detection in doing +right. This was one of the instances of my adventures that my affinity +with the Anglo-Saxon race, and even slaveholders, worked well for my +escape. But no thanks to them for it. While in their midst they have +not only robbed me of my labor and liberty, but they have almost +entirely robbed me of my dark complexion. Being so near the color of a +slaveholder, they could not, or did not find me out that night among +the white passengers. There was one of the deck hands on board called +out on his watch, whose hammock was swinging up near by me. I asked +him if he would let me lie in it. He said if I would pay him +twenty-five cents that I might lie in it until day. I readily paid him +the price and got into the hammock. No one could see my face to know +whether I was white or colored, while I was in the hammock; but I +never closed my eyes for sleep that night. I had often heard of +explosions on board of Steamboats; and every time the boat landed, and +blowed off steam, I was afraid the boilers had bursted and we should +all be killed; but I lived through the night amid the many dangers to +which I was exposed. I still maintained my position in the hammock, +until the next morning about 8 o'clock, when I heard the passengers +saying the boat was near Cincinnati; and by this time I supposed that +the attention of the people would be turned to the city, and I might +pass off unnoticed. + +There were no questions asked me while on board the boat. The boat +landed about 9 o'clock in the morning in Cincinnati, and I waited +until after most of the passengers had gone off of the boat; I then +walked as gracefully up street as if I was not running away, until I +had got pretty well up Broadway. My object was to go to Canada, but +having no knowledge of the road, it was necessary for me to make some +inquiry before I left the city. I was afraid to ask a white person, +and I could see no colored person to ask. But fortunately for me I +found a company of little boys at play in the street, and through +these little boys, by asking them indirect questions, I found the +residence of a colored man. + +"Boys, can you tell me where that old colored man lives who saws wood, +and works at jobs around the streets?" + +"What is his name?" said one of the boys. + +"I forget." + +"Is it old Job Dundy?" + +"Is Dundy a colored man?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"That is the very man I am looking for; will you show me where he +lives?" + +"Yes," said the little boy, and pointed me out the house. + +Mr. D. invited me in, and I found him to be a true friend. He asked me +if I was a slave from Kentucky, and if I ever intended to go back into +slavery? Not knowing yet whether he was truly in favor of slaves +running away, I told him that I had just come over to spend my +christmas holydays, and that I was going back. His reply was, "my son, +I would never go back if I was in your place; you have a right to your +liberty." I then asked him how I should get my freedom? He referred me +to Canada, over which waved freedom's flag, defended by the British +Government, upon whose soil there cannot be the foot print of a slave. + +He then commenced telling me of the facilities for my escape to +Canada; of the Abolitionists; of the Abolition Societies, and of their +fidelity to the cause of suffering humanity. This was the first time +in my life that ever I had heard of such people being in existence as +the Abolitionists. I supposed that they were a different race of +people. He conducted me to the house of one of these warm-hearted +friends of God and the slave. I found him willing to aid a poor +fugitive on his way to Canada, even to the dividing of the last cent, +or morsel of bread if necessary. + +These kind friends gave me something to eat and started me on my way +to Canada, with a recommendation to a friend on my way. This was the +commencement of what was called the under ground rail road to Canada. +I walked with bold courage, trusting in the arm of Omnipotence; guided +by the unchangable North Star by night, and inspired by an elevated +thought that I was fleeing from a land of slavery and oppression, +bidding farewell to handcuffs, whips, thumb-screws and chains. + +I travelled on until I had arrived at the place where I was directed +to call on an Abolitionist, but I made no stop: so great were my fears +of being pursued by the pro-slavery hunting dogs of the South. I +prosecuted my journey vigorously for nearly forty-eight hours without +food or rest, struggling against external difficulties such as no one +can imagine who has never experienced the same: not knowing what +moment I might be captured while travelling among strangers, through +cold and fear, breasting the north winds, being thinly clad, pelted by +the snow storms through the dark hours of the night and not a house in +which I could enter to shelter me from the storm. + +The second night from Cincinnati, about midnight, I thought that I +should freeze; my shoes were worn through, and my feet were exposed to +the bare ground. I approached a house on the road-side, knocked at the +door, and asked admission to their fire, but was refused. I went to +the next house, and was refused the privilege of their fire-side, to +prevent my freezing. This I thought was hard treatment among the human +family. But-- + + "Behind a frowning Providence there was a smiling face," + +which soon shed beams of light upon unworthy me. + +The next morning I was still found struggling on my way faint, hungry, +lame, and rest-broken. I could see people taking breakfast from the +road-side, but I did not dare to enter their houses to get my +breakfast, for neither love nor money. In passing a low cottage, I saw +the breakfast table spread with all its bounties, and I could see no +male person about the house; the temptation for food was greater than +I could resist. + +I saw a lady about the table, and I thought that if she was ever so +much disposed to take me up, that she would have to catch and hold me, +and that would have been impossible. I stepped up to the door with my +hat off, and asked her if she would be good enough to sell me a +sixpence worth of bread and meat. She cut off a piece and brought it +to me; I thanked her for it, and handed her the pay, but instead of +receiving it, she burst into tears, and said "never mind the money," +but gently turned away bidding me go on my journey. This was +altogether unexpected to me: I had found a friend in the time of need +among strangers, and nothing could be more cheering in the day of +trouble than this. When I left that place I started with bolder +courage. The next night I put up at a tavern, and continued stopping +at public houses until my means were about gone. When I got to the +Black Swamp in the county of Wood, Ohio, I stopped one night at a +hotel, after travelling all day through mud and snow; but I soon found +that I should not be able to pay my bill. This was about the time that +the "wild-cat banks" were in a flourishing state, and "shin +plasters"[3] in abundance; they would charge a dollar for one night's +lodging. + +After I had found out this, I slipped out of the bar room into the +kitchen where the landlady was getting supper; as she had quite a +number of travellers to cook for that night, I told her if she would +accept my services, I would assist her in getting supper; that I was a +cook. She very readily accepted the offer, and I went to work. + +She was very much pleased with my work, and the next morning I helped +her to get breakfast. She then wanted to hire me for all winter, but I +refused for fear I might be pursued. My excuse to her was that I had a +brother living in Detroit, whom I was going to see on some important +business, and after I got that business attended to, I would come back +and work for them all winter. + +When I started the second morning they paid me fifty cents beside my +board, with the understanding that I was to return; but I have not +gone back yet. + +I arrived the next morning in the village of Perrysburgh, where I +found quite a settlement of colored people, many of whom were fugitive +slaves. I made my case known to them and they sympathized with me. I +was a stranger, and they took me in and persuaded me to spend the +winter in Perrysburgh, where I could get employment and go to Canada +the next spring, in a steamboat which run from Perrysburgh, if I +thought it proper so to do. + +I got a job of chopping wood during that winter which enabled me to +purchase myself a suit, and after paying my board the next spring, I +had saved fifteen dollars in cash. My intention was to go back to +Kentucky after my wife. + +When I got ready to start, which was about the first of May, my +friends all persuaded me not to go, but to get some other person to +go, for fear I might be caught and sold off from my family into +slavery forever. But I could not refrain from going back myself, +believing that I could accomplish it better than a stranger. + +The money that I had would not pass in the South, and for the purpose +of getting it off to a good advantage, I took a steamboat passage to +Detroit, Michigan, and there I spent all my money for dry goods, to +peddle out on my way back through the State of Ohio. I also purchased +myself a pair of false whiskers to put on when I got back to Kentucky, +to prevent any one from knowing me after night, should they see me. I +then started back after my little family. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[3] Nickname for temporary paper money. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_My safe arrival at Kentucky.--Surprise and delight to find my +family.--Plan for their escape projected.--Return to Cincinnati.--My +betrayal by traitors.--Imprisonment in Covington, Kentucky.--Return to +slavery.--Infamous proposal of the slave catchers.--My reply._ + + +I succeeded very well in selling out my goods, and when I arrived in +Cincinnati, I called on some of my friends who had aided me on my +first escape. They also opposed me in going back only for my own good. +But it has ever been characteristic of me to persevere in what I +undertake. + +I took a Steamboat passage which would bring me to where I should want +to land about dark, so as to give me a chance to find my family during +the night if possible. The boat landed me at the proper place, and at +the proper time accordingly. This landing was about six miles from +Bedford, where my mother and wife lived, but with different families. +My mother was the cook at a tavern, in Bedford. When I approached the +house where mother was living, I remembered where she slept in the +kitchen; her bed was near the window. + +It was a bright moonlight night, and in looking through the kitchen +window, I saw a person lying in bed about where my mother had formerly +slept. I rapped on the glass which awakened the person, in whom I +recognised my dear mother, but she knew me not, as I was dressed in +disguise with my false whiskers on; but she came to the window and +asked who I was and what I wanted. But when I took off my false +whiskers, and spoke to her, she knew my voice, and quickly sprang to +the door, clasping my hand, exclaiming, "Oh! is this my son," drawing +me into the room, where I was so fortunate as to find Malinda, and +little Frances, my wife and child, whom I had left to find the fair +climes of liberty, and whom I was then seeking to rescue from +perpetual slavery. + +They never expected to see me again in this life. I am entirely unable +to describe what my feelings were at that time. It was almost like the +return of the prodigal son. There was weeping and rejoicing. They were +filled with surprise and fear; with sadness and joy. The sensation of +joy at that moment flashed like lightning over my afflicted mind, +mingled with a thousand dreadful apprehensions, that none but a heart +wounded slave father and husband like myself can possibly imagine. +After talking the matter over, we decided it was not best to start +with my family that night, as it was very uncertain whether we should +get a boat passage immediately. And in case of failure, if Malinda +should get back even before day-light the next morning, it would have +excited suspicion against her, as it was not customary for slaves to +leave home at that stage of the week without permission. Hence we +thought it would be the most effectual way for her to escape, to start +on Saturday night; this being a night on which the slaves of Kentucky +are permitted to visit around among their friends, and are often +allowed to stay until the afternoon on Sabbath day. + +I gave Malinda money to pay her passage on board of a Steamboat to +Cincinnati, as it was not safe for me to wait for her until Saturday +night; but she was to meet me in Cincinnati, if possible, the next +Sunday. Her father was to go with her to the Ohio River on Saturday +night, and if a boat passed up during the night she was to get on +board at Madison, and come to Cincinnati. If she should fail in +getting off that night, she was to try it the next Saturday night. +This was the understanding when we separated. This we thought was the +best plan for her escape, as there had been so much excitement caused +by my running away. + +The owners of my wife were very much afraid that she would follow me; +and to prevent her they had told her and other slaves that I had been +persuaded off by the Abolitionists, who had promised to set me free, +but had sold me off to New Orleans. They told the slaves to beware of +the abolitionists, that their object was to decoy off slaves and then +sell them off in New Orleans. Some of them believed this, and others +believed it not; and the owners of my wife were more watchful over her +than they had ever been before as she was unbelieving. + +This was in the month of June, 1838. I left Malinda on a bright but +lonesome Wednesday night. When I arrived at the river Ohio, I found a +small craft chained to a tree, in which I ferried myself across the +stream. + +I succeeded in getting a Steamboat passage back to Cincinnati, where I +put up with one of my abolition friends who knew that I had gone after +my family, and who appeared to be much surprised to see me again. I +was soon visited by several friends who knew of my having gone back +after my family. They wished to know why I had not brought my family +with me; but after they understood the plan, and that my family was +expected to be in Cincinnati within a few days, they thought it the +best and safest plan for us to take a stage passage out to Lake Erie. +But being short of money, I was not able to pay my passage in the +stage, even if it would have prevented me from being caught by the +slave hunters of Cincinnati, or save me from being taken back into +bondage for life. + +These friends proposed helping me by subscription; I accepted their +kind offer, but in going among friends to solicit aid for me, they +happened to get among traitors, and kidnappers, both white and colored +men, who made their living by that kind of business. Several persons +called on me and made me small donations, and among them two white men +came in professing to be my friends. They told me not to be afraid of +them, they were abolitionists. They asked me a great many questions. +They wanted to know if I needed any help? and they wanted to know if +it could be possible that a man so near white as myself could be a +slave? Could it be possible that men would make slaves of their own +children? They expressed great sympathy for me, and gave me fifty +cents each; by this they gained my confidence. They asked my master's +name; where he lived, &c. After which they left the room, bidding me +God speed. These traitors, or land pirates, took passage on board of +the first Steamboat down the river, in search of my owners. When they +found them, they got a reward of three hundred dollars offered for the +re-capture of this "stray" which they had so long and faithfully been +hunting, by day and by night, by land and by water, with dogs and with +guns, but all without success. This being the last and only chance for +dragging me back into hopeless bondage, time and money was no object +when they saw a prospect of my being re-taken. + +Mr. Gatewood got two of his slaveholding neighbors to go with him to +Cincinnati, for the purpose of swearing to anything which might be +necessary to change me back into property. They came on to Cincinnati, +and with but little effort they soon rallied a mob of ruffians who +were willing to become the watch-dogs of slaveholders, for a dram, in +connection with a few slavehunting petty constables. + +While I was waiting the arrival of my family, I got a job of digging a +cellar for the good lady where I was stopping, and while I was digging +under the house, all at once I heard a man enter the house; another +stept up to the cellar door to where I was at work; he looked in and +saw me with my coat off at work. He then rapped over the cellar door +on the house side, to notify the one who had entered the house to look +for me that I was in the cellar. This strange conduct soon excited +suspicion so strong in me, that I could not stay in the cellar and +started to come out, but the man who stood by the door, rapped again +on the house side, for the other to come to his aid, and told me to +stop. I attempted to pass out by him, and he caught hold of me, and +drew a pistol, swearing if I did not stop he would shoot me down. By +this time I knew that I was betrayed. + +I asked him what crime I had committed that I should be murdered. + +"I will let you know, very soon," said he. + +By this time there were others coming to his aid, and I could see no +way by which I could possibly escape the jaws of that hell upon earth. + +All my flattering prospects of enjoying my own fire-side, with my +little family, were then blasted and gone; and I must bid farewell to +friends and freedom forever. + +In vain did I look to the infamous laws of the Commonwealth of Ohio, +for that protection against violence and outrage, that even the vilest +criminal with a white skin might enjoy. But oh! the dreadful thought, +that after all my sacrifice and struggling to rescue my family from +the hands of the oppressor; that I should be dragged back into cruel +bondage to suffer the penalty of a tyrant's law, to endure stripes and +imprisonment, and to be shut out from all moral as well as +intellectual improvement, and linger out almost a living death. + +When I saw a crowd of blood-thirsty, unprincipled slave hunters +rushing upon me armed with weapons of death, it was no use for me to +undertake to fight my way through against such fearful odds. + +But I broke away from the man who stood by with his pistol drawn to +shoot me if I should resist, and reached the fence and attempted to +jump over it before I was overtaken; but the fence being very high I +was caught by my legs before I got over. + +I kicked and struggled with all my might to get away, but without +success. I kicked a new cloth coat off of his back, while he was +holding on to my leg. I kicked another in his eye; but they never let +me go until they got more help. By this time, there was a crowd on the +out side of the fence with clubs to beat me back. Finally, they +succeeded in dragging me from the fence and overpowered me by numbers +and choked me almost to death. + +These ruffians dragged me through the streets of Cincinnati, to what +was called a justice office. But it was more like an office of +injustice. + +When I entered the room I was introduced to three slaveholders, one of +whom was a son of Wm. Gatewood, who claimed me as his property. They +pretended to be very glad to see me. + +They asked me if I did not want to see my wife and child; but I made +no reply to any thing that was said until I was delivered up as a +slave. After they were asked a few questions by the court, the old +pro-slavery squire very gravely pronounced me to be the property of +Mr. Gatewood. + +The office being crowded with spectators, many of whom were colored +persons, Mr. G. was afraid to keep me in Cincinnati, two or three +hours even, until a steamboat got ready to leave for the South. So +they took me across the river, and locked me up in Covington jail, for +safe keeping. This was the first time in my life that I had been put +into a jail. It was truly distressing to my feelings to be locked up +in a cold dungeon for no crime. The jailor not being at home, his wife +had to act in his place. After my owners had gone back to Cincinnati, +the jailor's wife, in company with another female, came into the jail +and talked with me very friendly. + +I told them all about my situation, and these ladies said they hoped +that I might get away again, and went so far as to tell me if I should +be kept in the jail that night, there was a hole under the wall of the +jail where a prisoner had got out. It was only filled up with loose +dirt, they said, and I might scratch it out and clear myself. + +This I thought was a kind word from an unexpected friend: I had power +to have taken the key from those ladies, in spite of them, and have +cleared myself; but knowing that they would have to suffer perhaps for +letting me get away, I thought I would wait until after dark, at which +time I should try to make my escape, if they should not take me out +before that time. But within two or three hours, they came after me, +and conducted me on board of a boat, on which we all took passage down +to Louisville. I was not confined in any way, but was well guarded by +five men, three of whom were slaveholders, and the two young men from +Cincinnati, who had betrayed me. + +After the boat had got fairly under way, with these vile men standing +around me on the upper deck of the boat, and she under full speed +carrying me back into a land of torment, I could see no possible way +of escape. Yet, while I was permitted to gaze on the beauties of +nature, on free soil, as I passed down the river, things looked to me +uncommonly pleasant: The green trees and wild flowers of the forest; +the ripening harvest fields waving with the gentle breezes of Heaven; +and the honest farmers tilling their soil and living by their own +toil. These things seem to light upon my vision with a peculiar charm. +I was conscious of what must be my fate; a wretched victim for Slavery +without limit; to be sold like an ox, into hopeless bondage, and to be +worked under the flesh devouring lash during life, without wages. + +This was to me an awful thought; every time the boat run near the +shore, I was tempted to leap from the deck down into the water, with a +hope of making my escape. Such was then my feeling. + +But on a moment's reflection, reason with her warning voice overcame +this passion by pointing out the dreadful consequences of one's +committing suicide. And this I thought would have a very striking +resemblance to the act, and I declined putting into practice this +dangerous experiment, though the temptation was great. + +These kidnapping gentlemen, seeing that I was much dissatisfied, +commenced talking to me, by saying that I must not be cast down; they +were going to take me back home to live with my family, if I would +promise not to run away again. + +To this I agreed, and told them that this was all that I could ask, +and more than I had expected. + +But they were not satisfied with having recaptured me, because they +had lost other slaves and supposed that I knew their whereabouts; and +truly I did. They wanted me to tell them; but before telling I wanted +them to tell who it was that had betrayed me into their hands. They +said that I was betrayed by two colored men in Cincinnati, whose names +they were backward in telling, because their business in connection +with themselves was to betray and catch fugitive slaves for the reward +offered. They undertook to justify the act by saying if they had not +betrayed me, that somebody else would, and if I would tell them where +they could catch a number of other runaway slaves, they would pay for +me and set me free, and would then take me in as one of the Club. They +said I would soon make money enough to buy my wife and child out of +slavery. + +But I replied, "No, gentlemen, I cannot commit or do an act of that +kind, even if it were in my power so to do. I know that I am now in +the power of a master who can sell me from my family for life, or +punish me for the crime of running away, just as he pleases: I know +that I am a prisoner for life, and have no way of extricating myself; +and I also know that I have been deceived and betrayed by men who +professed to be my best friends; but can all this justify me in +becoming a traitor to others? Can I do that which I complain of others +for doing unto me? Never, I trust, while a single pulsation of my +heart continues to beat, can I consent to betray a fellow man like +myself back into bondage, who has escaped. Dear as I love my wife and +little child, and as much as I should like to enjoy freedom and +happiness with them, I am unwilling to bring this about by betraying +and destroying the liberty and happiness of others who have never +offended me!" + +I then asked them again if they would do me the kindness to tell me +who it was betrayed me into their hands at Cincinnati? They agreed to +tell me with the understanding that I was to tell where there was +living, a family of slaves at the North, who had run away from Mr. +King of Kentucky. I should not have agreed to this, but I knew the +slaves were in Canada, where it was not possible for them to be +captured. After they had told me the names of the persons who betrayed +me, and how it was done, then I told them their slaves were in Canada, +doing well. The two white men were Constables, who claimed the right +of taking up any strange colored person as a slave; while the two +colored kidnappers, under the pretext of being abolitionists, would +find out all the fugitives they could, and inform these Constables for +which they got a part of the reward, after they had found out where +the slaves were from, the name of his master, &c. By the agency of +these colored men, they were seized by a band of white ruffians, +locked up in jail, and their master sent for. These colored +kidnappers, with the Constables, were getting rich by betraying +fugitive slaves. This was told to me by one of the Constables, while +they were all standing around trying to induce me to engage in the +same business for the sake of regaining my own liberty, and that of my +wife and child. But my answer even there, under the most trying +circumstances, surrounded by the strongest enemies of God and man, was +most emphatically in the negative. "Let my punishment be what it may, +either with the lash or by selling me away from my friends and home; +let my destiny be what you please, I can never engage in this business +for the sake of getting free." + +They said I should not be sold nor punished with the lash for what I +had done, but I should be carried back to Bedford, to live with my +wife. Yet when the boat got to where we should have landed, she wafted +by without making any stop. I felt awful in view of never seeing my +family again; they asked what was the matter? what made me look so +cast down? I informed them that I knew I was to be sold in the +Louisville slave market, or in New Orleans, and I never expected to +see my family again. But they tried to pacify me by promising not to +sell me to a slave trader who would take me off to New Orleans; +cautioning me at the same time not to let it be known that I had been +a runaway. This would very much lessen the value of me in market. They +would not punish me by putting irons on my limbs, but would give me a +good name, and sell me to some gentleman in Louisville for a house +servant. They thought I would soon make money enough to buy myself, +and would not part with me if they could get along without. But I had +cost them so much in advertising and looking for me, that they were +involved by it. In the first place they paid eight hundred and fifty +dollars for me; and when I first run away, they paid one hundred for +advertising and looking after me; and now they had to pay about forty +dollars, expenses travelling to and from Cincinnati, in addition to +the three hundred dollars reward; and they were not able to pay the +reward without selling me. + +I knew then the only alternative left for me to extricate myself was +to use deception, which is the most effectual defence a slave can use. +I pretended to be satisfied for the purpose of getting an opportunity +of giving them the slip. + +But oh, the distress of mind, the lamentable thought that I should +never again see the face nor hear the gentle voice of my nearest and +dearest friends in this life. I could imagine what must be my fate +from my peculiar situation. To be sold to the highest bidder, and then +wear the chains of slavery down to the grave. The day star of liberty +which had once cheered and gladdened my heart in freedom's land, had +then hidden itself from my vision, and the dark and dismal frown of +slavery had obscured the sunshine of freedom from me, as they supposed +for all time to come. + +But the understanding between us was, I was not to be tied, chained, +nor flogged; for if they should take me into the city handcuffed and +guarded by five men the question might be asked what crime I had +committed? And if it should be known that I had been a runaway to +Canada, it would lessen the value of me at least one hundred dollars. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_Arrival at Louisville, Ky.--Efforts to sell me.--Fortunate escape +from the man-stealers in the public street.--I return to Bedford, +Ky.--The rescue of my family again attempted.--I started alone +expecting them to follow.--After waiting some months I resolve to go +back again to Kentucky._ + + +When the boat arrived at Louisville, the day being too far spent for +them to dispose of me, they had to put up at a Hotel. When we left the +boat, they were afraid of my bolting from them in the street, and to +prevent this they took hold of my arms, one on each side of me, +gallanting me up to the hotel with as much propriety as if I had been +a white lady. This was to deceive the people, and prevent my getting +away from them. + +They called for a bed-room to which I was conducted and locked within. +That night three of them lodged in the same room to guard me. They +locked the door and put the key under the head of their bed. I could +see no possible way for my escape without jumping out of a high three +story house window. + +It was almost impossible for me to sleep that night in my peculiar +situation. I passed the night in prayer to our Heavenly Father, asking +that He would open to me even the smallest chance for escape. + +The next morning after they had taken breakfast, four of them left me +in the care of Dan Lane. He was what might be called one of the watch +dogs of Kentucky. There was nothing too mean for him to do. He never +blushed to rob a slave mother of her children, no matter how young or +small. He was also celebrated for slave selling, kidnapping, and negro +hunting. He was well known in that region by the slaves as well as the +slaveholders, to have all the qualifications necessary for his +business. He was a drunkard, a gambler, a profligate, and a +slaveholder. + +While the other four were looking around through the city for a +purchaser, Dan was guarding me with his bowie knife and pistols. After +a while the others came in with two persons to buy me, but on seeing +me they remarked that they thought I would run away, and asked me if I +had ever run away. Dan sprang to his feet and answered the question +for me, by telling one of the most palpable falsehoods that ever came +from the lips of a slaveholder. He declared that I had never run away +in my life! + +Fortunately for me, Dan, while the others were away, became unwell; +and from taking salts, or from some other cause, was compelled to +leave his room. Off he started to the horse stable which was located +on one of the most public streets of Louisville, and of course I had +to accompany him. He gallanted me into the stable by the arm, and +placed himself back in one of the horses stalls and ordered me to +stand by until he was ready to come out. + +At this time a thousand thoughts were flashing through my mind with +regard to the propriety of trying the springs of my heels, which +nature had so well adapted for taking the body out of danger, even in +the most extraordinary emergencies. I thought in the attempt to get +away by running, if I should not succeed, it could make my condition +no worse, for they could but sell me and this they were then trying to +do. These thoughts impelled me to keep edging towards the door, though +very cautiously. Dan kept looking around after me as if he was not +satisfied at my getting so near to the door. But the last I saw of him +in the stable was just as he turned his eyes from me; I nerved myself +with all the moral courage I could command and bolted for the door, +perhaps with the fleetness of a much frightened deer, who never looks +behind in time of peril. Dan was left in the stable to make ready for +the race, or jump out into the street half dressed, and thereby +disgrace himself before the public eye. + +It would be impossible for me to set forth the speed with which I run +to avoid my adversary; I succeeded in turning a corner before Dan got +sight of me, and by fast running, turning corners, and jumping high +fences, I was enabled to effect my escape. + +In running so swiftly through the public streets, I thought it would +be a safer course to leave the public way, and as quick as thought I +spied a high board fence by the way and attempted to leap over it. The +top board broke and down I came into a hen-coop which stood by the +fence. The dogs barked, and the hens flew and cackled so, that I +feared it would lead to my detection before I could get out of the +yard. + +The reader can only imagine how great must have been the excited state +of my mind while exposed to such extraordinary peril and danger on +every side. In danger of being seized by a savage dog, which sprang at +me when I fell into the hen-coop; in danger of being apprehended by +the tenants of the lot; in danger of being shot or wounded by any one +who might have attempted to stop me, a runaway slave; and in danger on +the other hand of being overtaken and getting in conflict with my +adversary. With these fearful apprehensions, caution dictated me not +to proceed far by day-light in this slaveholding city. + +At this moment every nerve and muscle of my whole system was in full +stretch; and every facility of the mind brought into action striving +to save myself from being re-captured. I dared not go to the forest, +knowing that I might be tracked by blood-hounds, and overtaken. I was +so fortunate as to find a hiding place in the city which seemed to be +pointed out by the finger of Providence. After running across lots, +turning corners, and shunning my fellow men, as if they were wild +ferocious beasts. I found a hiding place in a pile of boards or +scantling, where I kept concealed during that day. + +No tongue nor pen can describe the dreadful apprehensions under which +I labored for the space of ten or twelve hours. My hiding place +happened to be between two workshops, where there were men at work +within six or eight feet of me. I could imagine that I heard them +talking about me, and at other times thought I heard the footsteps of +Daniel Lane in close pursuit. But I retained my position there until 9 +or 10 o'clock at night, without being discovered; after which I +attempted to find my way out, which was exceedingly difficult. The +night being very dark, in a strange city, among slaveholders and slave +hunters, to me it was like a person entering a wilderness among wolves +and vipers, blindfolded. I was compelled from necessity to enter this +place for refuge under the most extraordinary state of excitement, +without regard to its geographical position. I found myself surrounded +with a large block of buildings, which comprised a whole square, +built up mostly on three sides, so that I could see no way to pass out +without exposing myself perhaps to the gaze of patrols, or slave +catchers. + +In wandering around through the dark, I happened to find a calf in a +back yard, which was bawling after the cow; the cow was also lowing in +another direction, as if they were trying to find each other. A +thought struck me that there must be an outlet somewhere about, where +the cow and calf were trying to meet. I started in the direction where +I heard the lowing of the cow, and I found an arch or tunnel extending +between two large brick buildings, where I could see nothing of the +cow but her eyes, shining like balls of fire through the dark tunnel, +between the walls, through which I passed to where she stood. When I +entered the streets I found them well lighted up. My heart was +gladdened to know there was another chance for my escape. No bird ever +let out of a cage felt more like flying, than I felt like running. + +Before I left the city, I chanced to find by the way, an old man of +color. Supposing him to be a friend, I ventured to make known my +situation, and asked him if he would get me a bite to eat. The old man +most cheerfully complied with my request. I was then about forty miles +from the residence of Wm. Gatewood, where my wife, whom I sought to +rescue from slavery, was living. This was also in the direction it was +necessary for me to travel in order to get back to the free North. +Knowing that the slave catchers would most likely be watching the +public highway for me, to avoid them I made my way over the rocky +hills, woods and plantations, back to Bedford. + +I travelled all that night, guided on my way by the shining stars of +heaven alone. The next morning just before the break of day, I came +right to a large plantation, about which I secreted myself, until the +darkness of the next night began to disappear. The morning larks +commenced to chirp and sing merrily--pretty soon I heard the whip +crack, and the voice of the ploughman driving in the corn field. About +breakfast time, I heard the sound of a horn; saw a number of slaves in +the field with a white man, who I supposed to be their overseer. He +started to the house before the slaves, which gave me an opportunity +to get the attention of one of the slaves, whom I met at the fence, +before he started to his breakfast, and made known to him my wants and +distresses. I also requested him to bring me a piece of bread if he +could when he came back to the field. + +The hospitable slave complied with my request. He came back to the +field before his fellow laborers, and brought me something to eat, and +as an equivolent for his kindness, I instructed him with regard to +liberty, Canada, the way of escape, and the facilities by the way. He +pledged his word that himself and others would be in Canada, in less +than six months from that day. This closed our interview, and we +separated. I concealed myself in the forest until about sunset, before +I pursued my journey; and the second night from Louisville, I arrived +again in the neighborhood of Bedford, where my little family were held +in bondage, whom I so earnestly strove to rescue. + +I concealed myself by the aid of a friend in that neighborhood, +intending again to make my escape with my family. + +This confidential friend then carried a message to Malinda, requesting +her to meet me on one side of the village. + +We met under the most fearful apprehensions, for my pursuers had +returned from Louisville, with the lamentable story that I was gone, +and yet they were compelled to pay three hundred dollars to the +Cincinnati slave catchers for re-capturing me there. + +Daniel Lane's account of my escape from him, looked so unreasonable to +slaveholders, that many of them charged him with selling me and +keeping the money; while others believed that I had got away from him, +and was then in the neighborhood, trying to take off my wife and +child, which was true. Lane declared that in less than five minutes +after I run out of the stable in Louisville, he had over twenty men +running and looking in every direction after me; but all without +success. They could hear nothing of me. They had turned over several +tons of hay in a large loft, in search, and I was not to be found +there. Dan imputed my escape to my godliness! He said that I must have +gone up in a chariot of fire, for I went off by flying; and that he +should never again have any thing to do with a praying negro. + +Great excitement prevailed in Bedford, and many were out watching for +me at the time Malinda was relating to me these facts. The excitement +was then so great among the slaveholders--who were anxious to have me +re-captured as a means of discouraging other slaves from running +away--that time and money were no object while there was the least +prospect of their success. I therefore declined making an effort just +at that time to escape with my little family. Malinda managed to get +me into the house of a friend that night, in the village, where I kept +concealed several days seeking an opportunity to escape with Malinda +and Frances to Canada. + +But for some time Malinda was watched so very closely by white and by +colored persons, both day and night, that it was not possible for us +to escape together. They well knew that my little family was the only +object of attraction that ever had or ever would induce me to come +back and risk my liberty over the threshold of slavery--therefore this +point was well guarded by the watch dogs of slavery, and I was +compelled again to forsake my wife for a season, or surrender, which +was suicidal to the cause of freedom, in my judgment. + +The next day after my arrival in Bedford, Daniel Lane came to the very +house wherein I was concealed and talked in my hearing to the family +about my escape from him out of the stable in Louisville. He was near +enough for me to have laid my hands on his head while in that +house--and the intimidation which this produced on me was more than I +could bear. I was also aware of the great temptation of the reward +offered to white or colored persons for my apprehension; I was exposed +to other calamities which rendered it altogether unsafe for me to stay +longer under that roof. + +One morning about 2 o'clock, I took leave of my little family and +started for Canada. This was almost like tearing off the limbs from my +body. When we were about to separate, Malinda clasped my hand +exclaiming, "oh my soul! my heart is almost broken at the thought of +this dangerous separation. This may be the last time we shall ever see +each other's faces in this life, which will destroy all my future +prospects of life and happiness forever." At this time the poor +unhappy woman burst into tears and wept loudly; and my eyes were not +dry. We separated with the understanding that she was to wait until +the excitement was all over; after which she was to meet me at a +certain place in the State of Ohio; which would not be longer than two +months from that time. + +I succeeded that night in getting a steamboat conveyance back to +Cincinnati, or within ten miles of the city. I was apprehensive that +there were slave-hunters in Cincinnati, watching the arrival of every +boat up the river, expecting to catch me; and the boat landing to take +in wood ten miles below the city, I got off and walked into +Cincinnati, to avoid detection. + +On my arrival at the house of a friend, I heard that the two young men +who betrayed me for the three hundred dollars had returned and were +watching for me. One of my friends in whom they had great confidence, +called on the traitors, after he had talked with me, and asked them +what they had done with me. Their reply was that I had given them the +slip, and that they were glad of it, because they believed that I was +a good man, and if they could see me on my way to Canada, they would +give me money to aid me on my escape. My friend assured them that if +they would give any thing to aid me on my way, much or little, if they +would put the same into his hands, he would give it to me that night, +or return it to them the next morning. + +They then wanted to know where I was and whether I was in the city; +but he would not tell them, but one of them gave him one dollar for +me, promising that if I was in the city, and he would let him know the +next morning, he would give me ten dollars. + +But I never waited for the ten dollars. I received one dollar of the +amount which they got for betraying me, and started that night for the +north. Their excuse for betraying me, was, that catching runaways was +their business, and if they had not done it somebody else would, but +since they had got the reward they were glad that I had made my +escape. + +Having travelled the road several times from Cincinnati to Lake Erie, +I travelled through without much fear or difficulty. My friends in +Perrysburgh, who knew that I had gone back into the very jaws of +slavery after my family, were much surprised at my return, for they +had heard that I was re-captured. + +After I had waited three months for the arrival of Malinda, and she +came not, it caused me to be one of the most unhappy fugitives that +ever left the South. I had waited eight or nine months without hearing +from my family. I felt it to be my duty, as a husband and father, to +make one more effort. I felt as if I could not give them up to be +sacrificed on the "bloody altar of slavery." I felt as if love, duty, +humanity and justice, required that I should go back, putting my trust +in the God of Liberty for success. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +_My safe return to Kentucky.--The perils I encountered there.--Again +betrayed, and taken by a mob; ironed and imprisoned.--Narrow escape +from death.--Life in a slave prison._ + + +I prepared myself for the journey before named, and started back in +the month of July, 1839. + +My intention was, to let no person know my business until I returned +back to the North. I went to Cincinnati, and got a passage down on +board of a boat just as I did the first time, without any misfortune +or delay. I called on my mother, and the raising of a dead body from +the grave could not have been more surprising to any one than my +arrival was to her, on that sad summer's night. She was not able to +suppress her feelings. When I entered the room, there was but one +other person in the house with my mother, and this was a little slave +girl who was asleep when I entered. The impulsive feeling which is +ever ready to act itself out at the return of a long absent friend, +was more than my bereaved mother could suppress. And unfortunately for +me, the loud shouts of joy at that late hour of the night, awakened +the little slave girl, who afterwards betrayed me. She kept perfectly +still, and never let either of us know that she was awake, in order +that she might hear our conversation and report it. Mother informed me +where my family was living, and that she would see them the next day, +and would make arrangements for us to meet the next night at that +house after the people in the village had gone to bed. I then went off +and concealed myself during the next day, and according to promise +came back the next night about eleven o'clock. + +When I got near the house, moving very cautiously, filled with fearful +apprehensions, I saw several men walking around the house as if they +were looking for some person. I went back and waited about one hour, +before I returned, and the number of men had increased. They were +still to be seen lurking about this house, with dogs following them. +This strange movement frightened me off again, and I never returned +until after midnight, at which time I slipped up to the window, and +rapped for my mother, who sprang to it and informed me that I was +betrayed by the girl who overheard our conversation the night before. +She thought that if I could keep out of the way for a few days, the +white people would think that this girl was mistaken, or had lied. She +had told her old mistress that I was there that night, and had made a +plot with my mother to get my wife and child there the next night, and +that I was going to take them off to Canada. + +I went off to a friend of mine, who rendered me all the aid that one +slave could render another, under the circumstances. Thank God he is +now free from slavery, and is doing well. He was a messenger for me to +my wife and mother, until at the suggestion of my mother, I changed an +old friend for a new one, who betrayed me for the sum of five dollars. + +We had set the time when we were to start for Canada, which was to be +on the next Saturday night. My mother had an old friend whom she +thought was true, and she got him to conceal me in a barn, not over +two miles from the village. This man brought provisions to me, sent by +my mother, and would tell me the news which was in circulation about +me, among the citizens. But the poor fellow was not able to withstand +the temptation of money. + +My owners had about given me up, and thought the report of the slave +girl was false; but they had offered a little reward among the slaves +for my apprehension. The night before I was betrayed, I met with my +mother and wife, and we had set up nearly all night plotting to start +on the next Saturday night. I hid myself away in the flax in the barn, +and being much rest broken I slept until the next morning about 9 +o'clock. Then I was awakened by a mob of blood thirsty slaveholders, +who had come armed with all the implements of death, with a +determination to reduce me again to a life of slavery, or murder me on +the spot. + +When I looked up and saw that I was surrounded, they were exclaiming +at the top of their voices, "shoot him down! shoot him down!" "If he +offers to run, or to resist, kill him!" + +I saw it was no use then for me to make any resistance, as I should be +murdered. I felt confident that I had been betrayed by a slave, and +all my flattering prospects of rescuing my family were gone for ever, +and the grim monster slavery with all its horrors was staring me in +the face. + +I surrendered myself to this hostile mob at once. The first thing +done, after they had laid violent hands on me, was to bind my hands +behind me with a cord, and rob me of all I possessed. + +In searching my pockets, they found my certificate from the Methodist +E. Church, which had been given me by my classleader, testifying to my +worthiness as a member of that church. And what made the matter look +more disgraceful to me, many of this mob were members of the M.E. +Church, and they were the persons who took away my church ticket, and +then robbed me also of fourteen dollars in cash, a silver watch for +which I paid ten dollars, a pocket knife for which I paid seventy-five +cents, and a Bible for which I paid sixty-two and one half cents. All +this they tyrannically robbed me of, and yet my owner, Wm. Gatewood, +was a regular member of the same church to which I belonged. + +He then had me taken to a blacksmith's shop, and most wickedly had my +limbs bound with heavy irons, and then had my body locked within the +cold dungeon walls of the Bedford jail, to be sold to a Southern slave +trader. + +My heart was filled with grief--my eyes were filled with tears. I +could see no way of escape. I could hear no voice of consolation. +Slaveholders were coming to the dungeon window in great numbers to ask +me questions. Some were rejoicing--some swearing, and others saying +that I ought to be hung; while others were in favor of sending both me +and my wife to New Orleans. They supposed that I had informed her all +about the facilities for slaves to escape to Canada, and that she +would tell other slaves after I was gone; hence we must all be sent +off to where we could neither escape ourselves, nor instruct others +the way. + +In the afternoon of the same day Malinda was permitted to visit the +prison wherein I was locked, but was not permitted to enter the door. +When she looked through the dungeon grates and saw my sad situation, +which was caused by my repeated adventures to rescue her and my little +daughter from the grasp of slavery, it was more than she could bear +without bursting in tears. She plead for admission into the cold +dungeon where I was confined, but without success. With manacled +limbs; with wounded spirit; with sympathising tears and with bleeding +heart, I intreated Malinda to weep not for me, for it only added to my +grief, which was greater than I could bear. + +I have often suffered from the sting of the cruel slave driver's lash +on my quivering flesh--I have suffered from corporeal punishment in +its various forms--I have mingled my sorrows with those that were +bereaved by the ungodly soul drivers--and I also know what it is to +shed the sympathetic tear at the grave of a departed friend; but all +this is but a mere trifle compared with my sufferings from then to the +end of six months subsequent. + +The second night while I was in jail, two slaves came to the dungeon +grates about the dead hour of night, and called me to the grates to +have some conversation about Canada, and the facilities for getting +there. They knew that I had travelled over the road, and they were +determined to run away and go where they could be free. I of course +took great pleasure in giving them directions how and where to go, and +they started in less than a week from that time and got clear to +Canada. I have seen them both since I came back to the north myself. +They were known by the names of King and Jack. + +The third day I was brought out of the prison to be carried off with +my little family to the Louisville slave market. My hands were +fastened together with heavy irons, and two men to guard me with +loaded rifles, one of whom led the horse upon which I rode. My wife +and child were set upon another nag. After we were all ready to start +my old master thought I was not quite safe enough, and ordered one of +the boys to bring him a bed cord from the store. He then tied my feet +together under the horse, declaring that if I flew off this time, I +should fly off with the horse. + +Many tears were shed on that occasion by our friends and relatives, +who saw us dragged off in irons to be sold in the human flesh market. +No tongue could express the deep anguish of my soul when I saw the +silent tear drops streaming down the sable cheeks of an aged slave +mother, at my departure; and that too, caused by a black hearted +traitor who was himself a slave: + + "I love the man with a feeling soul. + Whose passions are deep and strong; + Whose cords, when touched with a kindred power, + Will vibrate loud and long: + + "The man whose word is bond and law-- + Who ne'er for gold or power, + Would kiss the hand that would stab the heart + In adversity's trying hour." + + "I love the man who delights to help + The panting, struggling poor: + The man that will open his heart, + Nor close against the fugitive at his door. + + "Oh give me a heart that will firmly stand, + When the storm of affliction shall lower-- + A hand that will never shrink, if grasped, + In misfortune's darkest hour." + +As we approached the city of Louisville, we attracted much attention, +my being tied and handcuffed, and a person leading the horse upon +which I rode. The horse appeared to be much frightened at the +appearance of things in the city, being young and skittish. A carriage +passing by jammed against the nag, which caused him to break from the +man who was leading him, and in his fright throw me off backwards. My +hands being confined with irons, and my feet tied under the horse with +a rope, I had no power to help myself. I fell back off of the horse +and could not extricate myself from this dreadful condition; the horse +kicked with all his might while I was tied so close to his rump that +he could only strike me with his legs by kicking. + +The breath was kicked out of my body, but my bones were not broken. No +one who saw my situation would have given five dollars for me. It was +thought by all that I was dead and would never come to life again. +When the horse was caught the cords were cut from my limbs, and I was +rubbed with whiskey, camphor, &c, which brought me to life again. + +Many bystanders expressed sympathy for me in my deplorable condition, +and contempt for the tyrant who tied me to the young horse. + +I was then driven through the streets of the city with my little +family on foot, to jail, wherein I was locked with handcuffs yet on. A +physician was then sent for, who doctored me several days before I was +well enough to be sold in market. + +The jail was one of the most disagreeable places I ever was confined +in. It was not only disagreeable on account of the filth and dirt of +the most disagreeable kind; but there were bed-bugs, fleas, lice and +musquitoes in abundance, to contend with. At night we had to lie down +on the floor in this filth. Our food was very scanty, and of the most +inferior quality. No gentleman's dog would eat what we were compelled +to eat or starve. + +I had not been in this prison many days before Madison Garrison, the +soul driver, bought me and my family to sell again in the New Orleans +slave market. He was buying up slaves to take to New Orleans. So he +took me and my little family to the work-house, to be kept under lock +and key at work until he had bought up as many as he wished to take +off to the South. + +The work-house of Louisville was a very large brick building, built on +the plan of a jail or State's prison, with many apartments to it, +divided off into cells wherein prisoners were locked up after night. +The upper apartments were occupied by females, principally. This +prison was enclosed by a high stone wall, upon which stood watchmen +with loaded guns to guard the prisoners from breaking out, and on +either side there were large iron gates. + +When Garrison conducted me with my family to the prison in which we +were to be confined until he was ready to take us to New Orleans, I +was shocked at the horrid sight of the prisoners on entering the yard. +When the large iron gate or door was thrown open to receive us, it was +astonishing to see so many whites as well as colored men loaded down +with irons, at hard labor, under the supervision of overseers. + +Some were sawing stone, some cutting stone, and others breaking stone. +The first impression which was made on my mind when I entered this +place of punishment, made me think of hell, with all its terrors of +torment; such as "weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth," which was +then the idea that I had of the infernal regions from oral +instruction. And I doubt whether there can be a better picture of it +drawn, than may be sketched from an American slave prison. + +In this prison almost every prisoner had a heavy log chain riveted +about his leg. It would indeed be astonishing to a Christian man to +stand in that prison one half hour and hear and see the contaminating +influences of Southern slavery on the body and mind of man--you may +there find almost every variety of character to look on. Some singing, +some crying, some praying, and others swearing. The people of color +who were in there were slaves, there without crime, but for safe +keeping, while the whites were some of the most abandoned characters +living. The keeper took me up to the anvil block and fastened a chain +about my leg, which I had to drag after me both day and night during +three months. My labor was sawing stone; my food was coarse corn bread +and beef shanks and cows heads with pot liquor, and a very scanty +allowance of that. + +I have often seen the meat spoiled when brought to us, covered with +flies and fly blows, and even worms crawling over it, when we were +compelled to eat it, or go without any at all. It was all spread out +on a long table in separate plates; and at the sound of a bell, every +one would take his plate, asking no questions. After hastily eating, +we were hurried back to our work, each man dragging a heavy log chain +after him to his work. + +About a half hour before night they were commanded to stop work, take +a bite to eat, and then be locked up in a small cell until the next +morning after sunrise. The prisoners were locked in, two together. My +bed was a cold stone floor with but little bedding! My visitors were +bed-bugs and musquitoes. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_Character of my prison companions.--Jail breaking +contemplated.--Defeat of our plan.--My wife and child +removed.--Disgraceful proposal to her, and cruel punishment.--Our +departure in a coffle for New Orleans.--Events of our journey._ + + +Most of the inmates of this prison I have described, were white men +who had been sentenced there by the law, for depredations committed by +them. There was in that prison, gamblers, drunkards, thieves, robbers, +adulterers, and even murderers. There were also in the female +department, harlots, pick-pockets, and adulteresses. In such company, +and under such influences, where there was constant swearing, lying, +cheating, and stealing, it was almost impossible for a virtuous person +to avoid pollution, or to maintain their virtue. No place or places in +this country can be better calculated to inculcate vice of every kind +than a Southern work house or house of correction. + +After a profligate, thief, or a robber, has learned all that they can +out of the prison, they might go in one of those prisons and learn +something more--they might properly be called robber colleges; and if +slaveholders understood this they would never let their slaves enter +them. No man would give much for a slave who had been kept long in one +of these prisons. + +I have often heard them telling each other how they robbed houses, and +persons on the high way, by knocking them down, and would rob them, +pick their pockets, and leave them half dead. Others would tell of +stealing horses, cattle, sheep, and slaves; and when they would be +sometimes apprehended, by the aid of their friends, they would break +jail. But they could most generally find enough to swear them clear of +any kind of villany. They seemed to take great delight in telling of +their exploits in robbery. There was a regular combination of them who +had determined to resist law, wherever they went, to carry out their +purposes. + +In conversing with myself, they learned that I was notorious for +running away, and professed sympathy for me. They thought that I +might yet get to Canada, and be free, and suggested a plan by which I +might accomplish it; and one way was, to learn to read and write, so +that I might write myself a pass ticket, to go just where I pleased, +when I was taken out of the prison; and they taught me secretly all +they could while in the prison. + +But there was another plan which they suggested to me to get away from +slavery; that was to break out of the prison and leave my family. I +consented to engage in this plot, but not to leave my family. + +By my conduct in the prison, after having been there several weeks, I +had gained the confidence of the keeper, and the turnkey. So much so, +that when I wanted water or anything of the kind, they would open my +door and hand it in to me. One of the turnkeys was an old colored man, +who swept and cleaned up the cells, supplied the prisoners with water, +&c. + +On Sundays in the afternoon, the watchmen of the prison were most +generally off, and this old slave, whose name was Stephen, had the +prisoners to attend to. The white prisoners formed a plot to break out +on Sunday in the afternoon, by making me the agent to get the prison +keys from old Stephen. + +I was to prepare a stone that would weigh about one pound, tie it up +in a rag, and keep it in my pocket to strike poor old Stephen with, +when he should open my cell door. But this I would not consent to do, +without he should undertake to betray me. + +I gave old Stephen one shilling to buy me a water melon, which he was +to bring to me in the afternoon. All the prisoners were to be ready to +strike, just as soon as I opened their doors. When Stephen opened my +door to hand me the melon, I was to grasp him by the collar, raise the +stone over his head, and say to him, that if he made any alarm that I +should knock him down with the stone. But if he would be quiet he +should not be hurt. I was then to take all the keys from him, and lock +him up in the cell--take a chisel and cut the chain from my own leg, +then unlock all the cells below, and let out the other prisoners, who +were all to cut off their chains. We were then to go and let out old +Stephen, and make him go off with us. We were to form a line and march +to the front gate of the prison with a sledge hammer, and break it +open, and if we should be discovered, and there should be any out-cry, +we were all to run and raise the alarm of fire, so as to avoid +detection. But while we were all listening for Stephen to open the +door with the melon, he came and reported that he could not get one, +and handed me back the money through the window. All were +disappointed, and nothing done. I looked upon it as being a fortunate +thing for me, for it was certainly a very dangerous experiment for a +slave, and they could never get me to consent to be the leader in that +matter again. + +A few days after, another plot was concocted to to break prison, but +it was betrayed by one of the party, which resulted in the most cruel +punishment to the prisoners concerned in it; and I felt thankful that +my name was not connected with it. They were not only flogged, but +they were kept on bread and water alone, for many days. A few days +after we were put in this prison, Garrison came and took my wife and +child out, I knew not for what purpose, nor to what place, but after +the absence of several days I supposed that he had sold them. But one +morning, the outside door was thrown open, and Malinda thrust in by +the ruthless hand of Garrison, whose voice was pouring forth the most +bitter oaths and abusive language that could be dealt out to a female; +while her heart-rending shrieks and sobbing, was truly melting to the +soul of a father and husband. + +The language of Malinda was, "Oh! my dear little child is gone? What +shall I do? my child is gone." This most distressing sound struck a +sympathetic chord through all the prison among the prisoners. I was +not permitted to go to my wife and inquire what had become of little +Frances. I never expected to see her again, for I supposed that she +was sold. + +That night, however, I had a short interview with my much abused wife, +who told me the secret. She said that Garrison had taken her to a +private house where he kept female slaves for the basest purposes. It +was a resort for slave trading profligates and soul drivers, who were +interested in the same business. + +Soon after she arrived at this place, Garrison gave her to understand +what he brought her there for, and made a most disgraceful assault on +her virtue, which she promptly repeled; and for which Garrison +punished her with the lash, threatening her that if she did not submit +that he would sell her child. The next day he made the same attempt, +which she resisted, declaring that she would not submit to it; and +again he tied her up and flogged her until her garments were stained +with blood. + +He then sent our child off to another part of the city, and said he +meant to sell it, and that she should never see it again. He then +drove Malinda before him to the work-house, swearing by his Maker that +she should submit to him or die. I have already described her entrance +in the prison. + +Two days after this he came again and took Malinda out of the prison. +It was several weeks before I saw her again, and learned that he had +not sold her or the child. At the same time he was buying up other +slaves to take to New Orleans. At the expiration of three months he +was ready to start with us for the New Orleans slave market, but we +never knew when we were to go, until the hour had arrived for our +departure. + +One Sabbath morning Garrison entered the prison and commanded that our +limbs should be made ready for the coffles. They called us up to an +anvill block, and the heavy log chains which we had been wearing on +our legs during three months, were cut off. I had been in the prison +over three months; but he had other slaves who had not been there so +long. The hand-cuffs were then put on to our wrists. We were coupled +together two and two--the right hand of one to the left hand of +another, and a long chain to connect us together. + +The other prisoners appeared to be sorry to see us start off in this +way. We marched off to the river Ohio, to take passage on board of the +steamboat Water Witch. But this was at a very low time of water, in +the fall of 1839. The boat got aground, and did not get off that +night; and Garrison had to watch us all night to keep any from getting +away. He also had a very large savage dog, which was trained up to +catch runaway slaves. + +We were more than six weeks getting to the city of New Orleans, in +consequence of low water. We were shifted on to several boats before +we arrived at the mouth of the river Ohio. But we got but very little +rest at night. As all were chained together night and day, it was +impossible to sleep, being annoyed by the bustle and crowd of the +passengers on board; by the terrible thought that we were destined to +be sold in market as sheep or oxen; and annoyed by the galling chains +that cramped our wearied limbs on the tedious voyage. But I had +several opportunities to have run away from Garrison before we got to +the mouth of the Ohio river. While they were shifting us from one boat +to another, my hands were some times loosed, until they got us all on +board--and I know that I should have broke away had it not been for +the sake of my wife and child who was with me. I could see no chance +to get them off, and I could not leave them in that condition--and +Garrison was not so much afraid of my running away from him while he +held on to my family, for he knew from the great sacrifices which I +had made to rescue them from slavery, that my attachment was too +strong to run off and leave them in his hands, while there was the +least hope of ever getting them away with me. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +_Our arrival and examination at Vicksburg.--An account of slave +sales.--Cruel punishment with the paddle.--Attempts to sell myself by +Garrison's direction.--Amusing interview with a slave buyer.--Deacon +Whitfield's examination.--He purchases the family.--Character of the +Deacon._ + + +When we arrived at the city of Vicksburg, he intended to sell a +portion of his slaves there, and stopped for three weeks trying to +sell. But he met with very poor success. + +We had there to pass through an examination or inspection by a city +officer, whose business it was to inspect slave property that was +brought to that market for sale. He examined our backs to see if we +had been much scarred by the lash. He examined our limbs, to see +whether we were inferior. + +As it is hard to tell the ages of slaves, they look in their mouths at +their teeth, and prick up the skin on the back of their hands, and if +the person is very far advanced in life, when the skin is pricked up, +the pucker will stand so many seconds on the back of the hand. + +But the most rigorous examinations of slaves by those slave +inspectors, is on the mental capacity. If they are found to be very +intelligent, this is pronounced the most objectionable of all other +qualities connected with the life of a slave. In fact, it undermines +the whole fabric of his chattelhood; it prepares for what slaveholders +are pleased to pronounce the unpardonable sin when committed by a +slave. It lays the foundation for running away, and going to Canada. +They also see in it a love for freedom, patriotism, insurrection, +bloodshed, and exterminating war against American slavery. + +Hence they are very careful to inquire whether a slave who is for sale +can read or write. This question has been asked me often by slave +traders, and cotton planters, while I was there for market. After +conversing with me, they have sworn by their Maker, that they would +not have me among their negroes; and that they saw the devil in my +eye; I would run away, &c. + +I have frequently been asked also, if I had ever run away; but +Garrison would generally answer this question for me in the negative. +He could have sold my little family without any trouble, for the sum +of one thousand dollars. But for fear he might not get me off at so +great an advantage, as the people did not like my appearance, he could +do better by selling us all together. They all wanted my wife, while +but very few wanted me. He asked for me and my family twenty-five +hundred dollars, but was not able to get us off at that price. + +He tried to speculate on my Christian character. He tried to make it +appear that I was so pious and honest that I would not runaway for ill +treatment; which was a gross mistake, for I never had religion enough +to keep me from running away from slavery in my life. + +But we were taken from Vicksburgh, to the city of New Orleans, were we +were to be sold at any rate. We were taken to a trader's yard or a +slave prison on the corner of St. Joseph street. This was a common +resort for slave traders, and planters who wanted to buy slaves; and +all classes of slaves were kept there for sale, to be sold in private +or public--young or old, males or females, children or parents, +husbands or wives. + +Every day at 10 o'clock they were exposed for sale. They had to be in +trim for showing themselves to the public for sale. Every one's head +had to be combed, and their faces washed, and those who were inclined +to look dark and rough, were compelled to wash in greasy dish water, +in order to make them look slick and lively. + +When spectators would come in the yard, the slaves were ordered out to +form a line. They were made to stand up straight, and look as +sprightly as they could; and when they were asked a question, they had +to answer it as promptly as they could, and try to induce the +spectators to buy them. If they failed to do this, they were severely +paddled after the spectators were gone. The object for using the +paddle in the place of a lash was, to conceal the marks which would be +made by the flogging. And the object for flogging under such +circumstances, is to make the slaves anxious to be sold. + +The paddle is made of a piece of hickory timber, about one inch thick, +three inches in width, and about eighteen inches in length. The part +which is applied to the flesh is bored full of quarter inch auger +holes; and every time this is applied to the flesh of the victim, the +blood gushes through the holes of the paddle, or a blister makes its +appearance. The persons who are thus flogged, are always stripped +naked, and their hands tied together. They are then bent over double, +their knees are forced between their elbows, and a stick is put +through between the elbows and the bend of the legs, in order to hold +the victim in that position, while the paddle is applied to those +parts of the body which would not be so likely to be seen by those who +wanted to buy slaves. + +I was kept in this prison for several months, and no one would buy me +for fear I would run away. One day while I was in this prison, +Garrison got mad with my wife, and took her off in one of the rooms, +with his paddle in hand, swearing that he would paddle her; and I +could afford her no protection at all, while the strong arm of the +law, public opinion and custom, were all against me. I have often +heard Garrison say, that he had rather paddle a female, than eat when +he was hungry--that it was music for him to hear them scream, and to +see their blood run. + +After the lapse of several months, he found that he could not dispose +of my person to a good advantage, while he kept me in that prison +confined among the other slaves. I do not speak with vanity when I say +the contrast was so great between myself and ordinary slaves, from the +fact that I had enjoyed superior advantages, to which I have already +referred. They have their slaves classed off and numbered. + +Garrison came to me one day and informed me that I might go out +through the city and find myself a master. I was to go to the Hotels, +boarding houses, &c.--tell them that my wife was a good cook, +wash-woman, &c,--and that I was a good dining room servant, carriage +driver, or porter--and in this way I might find some gentleman who +would buy us both; and that this was the only hope of our being sold +together. + +But before starting me out, he dressed me up in a suit of his old +clothes, so as to make me look respectable, and I was so much better +dressed than usual that I felt quite gay. He would not allow my wife +to go out with me however, for fear we might get away. I was out every +day for several weeks, three or four hours in each day, trying to +find a new master, but without success. + +Many of the old French inhabitants have taken slaves for their wives, +in this city, and their own children for their servants. Such commonly +are called Creoles. They are better treated than other slaves, and I +resembled this class in appearance so much that the French did not +want me. Many of them set their mulatto children free, and make +slaveholders of them. + +At length one day I heard that there was a gentleman in the city from +the State of Tennessee, to buy slaves. He had brought down two rafts +of lumber for market, and I thought if I could get him to buy me with +my family, and take us to Tennessee, from there, I would stand a +better opportunity to run away again and get to Canada, than I would +from the extreme South. + +So I brushed up myself and walked down to the river's bank, where the +man was pointed out to me standing on board of his raft, I approached +him, and after passing the usual compliments I said: + +"Sir, I understand that you wish to purchase a lot of servants and I +have called to know if it is so." + +He smiled and appeared to be much pleased at my visit on such laudable +business, supposing me to be a slave trader. He commenced rubbing his +hands together, and replied by saying: "Yes sir, I am glad to see you. +It is a part of my business here to buy slaves, and if I could get you +to take my lumber in part pay I should like to buy four or five of +your slaves at any rate. What kind of slaves have you, sir?" + +After I found that he took me to be a slave trader I knew that it +would be of no use for me to tell him that I was myself a slave +looking for a master, for he would have doubtless brought up the same +objection that others had brought up,--that I was too white; and that +they were afraid that I could read and write; and would never serve as +a slave, but run away. My reply to the question respecting the quality +of my slaves was, that I did not think his lumber would suit me--that +I must have the cash for my negroes, and turned on my heel and left +him! + +I returned to the prison and informed my wife of the fact that I had +been taken to be a slaveholder. She thought that in addition to my +light complexion my being dressed up in Garrison's old slave trading +clothes might have caused the man to think that I was a slave trader, +and she was afraid that we should yet be separated if I should not +succeed in finding some body to buy us. + +Every day to us was a day of trouble, and every night brought new and +fearful apprehensions that the golden link which binds together +husband and wife might be broken by the heartless tyrant before the +light of another day. + +Deep has been the anguish of my soul when looking over my little +family during the silent hours of the night, knowing the great danger +of our being sold off at auction the next day and parted forever. That +this might not come to pass, many have been the tears and prayers +which I have offered up to the God of Israel that we might be +preserved. + +While waiting here to be disposed of, I heard of one Francis +Whitfield, a cotton planter, who wanted to buy slaves. He was +represented to be a very pious soul, being a deacon of a Baptist +church. As the regulations, as well as public opinion generally, were +against slaves meeting for religious worship, I thought it would give +me a better opportunity to attend to my religious duties should I fall +into the hands of this deacon. + +So I called on him and tried to show to the best advantage, for the +purpose of inducing him to buy me and my family. When I approached +him, I felt much pleased at his external appearance--I addressed him +in the following words as well as I can remember: + +"Sir, I understand you are desirous of purchasing slaves?" + +With a very pleasant smile, he replied, "Yes, I do want to buy some, +are you for sale?" + +"Yes sir, with my wife and one child." + +Garrison had given me a note to show wherever I went, that I was for +sale, speaking of my wife and child, giving us a very good character +of course--and I handed him the note. + +After reading it over he remarked, "I have a few questions to ask you, +and if you will tell me the truth like a good boy, perhaps I may buy +you with your family. In the first place, my boy, you are a little too +near white. I want you to tell me now whether you can read or write?" + +My reply was in the negative. + +"Now I want you to tell me whether you have run away? Don't tell me no +stories now, like a good fellow, and perhaps I may buy you." + +But as I was not under oath to tell him the whole truth, I only gave +him a part of it, by telling him that I had run away once. + +He appeared to be pleased at that, but cautioned me to tell him the +truth, and asked me how long I stayed away, when I run off? + +I told him that I was gone a month. + +He assented to this by a bow of his head, and making a long grunt +saying, "That's right, tell me the truth like a good boy." + +The whole truth was that I had been off in the state of Ohio, and +other free states, and even to Canada; besides this I was notorious +for running away, from my boyhood. + +I never told him that I had been a runaway longer than one +month--neither did I tell him that I had not run away more than once +in my life; for these questions he never asked me. + +I afterwards found him to be one of the basest hypocrites that I ever +saw. He looked like a saint--talked like the best of slave holding +Christians, and acted at home like the devil. + +When he saw my wife and child, he concluded to buy us. He paid for me +twelve hundred dollars, and one thousand for my wife and child. He +also bought several other slaves at the same time, and took home with +him. His residence was in the parish of Claiborn, fifty miles up from +the mouth of Red River. + +When we arrived there, we found his slaves poor, ragged, stupid, and +half-starved. The food he allowed them per week, was one peck of corn +for each grown person, one pound of pork, and sometimes a quart of +molasses. This was all that they were allowed, and if they got more +they stole it. + +He had one of the most cruel overseers to be found in that section of +country. He weighed and measured out to them, their week's allowance +of food every Sabbath morning. The overseer's horn was sounded two +hours before daylight for them in the morning, in order that they +should be ready for work before daylight. They were worked from +daylight until after dark, without stopping but one half hour to eat +or rest, which was at noon. And at the busy season of the year, they +were compelled to work just as hard on the Sabbath, as on any other +day. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +_Cruel treatment on Whitfield's farm--Exposure of the children--Mode +of extorting extra labor--Neglect of the sick--Strange medicine +used--Death of our second child._ + + +My first impressions when I arrived on the Deacon's farm, were that he +was far more like what the people call the devil, than he was like a +deacon. Not many days after my arrival there, I heard the Deacon tell +one of the slave girls, that he had bought her for a wife for his boy +Stephen, which office he compelled her fully to perform against her +will. This he enforced by a threat. At first the poor girl neglected +to do this, having no sort of affection for the man--but she was +finally forced to it by an application of the driver's lash, as +threatened by the Deacon. + +The next thing I observed was that he made the slave driver strip his +own wife, and flog her for not doing just as her master had ordered. +He had a white overseer, and a colored man for a driver, whose +business it was to watch and drive the slaves in the field, and do the +flogging according to the orders of the overseer. + +Next a mulatto girl who waited about the house, on her mistress, +displeased her, for which the Deacon stripped and tied her up. He then +handed me the lash and ordered me to put it on--but I told him I never +had done the like, and hoped he would not compel me to do it. He then +informed me that I was to be his overseer, and that he had bought me +for that purpose. He was paying a man eight hundred dollars a year to +oversee, and he believed I was competent to do the same business, and +if I would do it up right he would put nothing harder on me to do; and +if I knew not how to flog a slave, he would set me an example by which +I might be governed. He then commenced on this poor girl, and gave her +two hundred lashes before he had her untied. + +After giving her fifty lashes, he stopped and lectured her a while, +asking her if she thought that she could obey her mistress, &c. She +promised to do all in her power to please him and her mistress, if he +would have mercy on her. But this plea was all vain. He commenced on +her again; and this flogging was carried on in the most inhuman manner +until she had received two hundred stripes on her naked quivering +flesh, tied up and exposed to the public gaze of all. And this was the +example that I was to copy after. + +He then compelled me to wash her back off with strong salt brine, +before she was untied, which was so revolting to my feelings, that I +could not refrain from shedding tears. + +For some cause he never called on me again to flog a slave. I presume +he saw that I was not savage enough. The above were about the first +items of the Deacon's conduct which struck me with peculiar disgust. + +After having enjoyed the blessings of civil and religious liberty for +a season, to be dragged into that horrible place with my family, to +linger out my existence without the aid of religious societies, or the +light of revelation, was more than I could endure. I really felt as if +I had got into one of the darkest corners of the earth. I thought I +was almost out of humanity's reach, and should never again have the +pleasure of hearing the gospel sound, as I could see no way by which I +could extricate myself; yet I never omitted to pray for deliverance. I +had faith to believe that the Lord could see our wrongs and hear our +cries. + +I was not used quite as bad as the regular field hands, as the greater +part of my time was spent working about the house; and my wife was the +cook. + +This country was full of pine timber, and every slave had to prepare a +light wood torch, over night, made of pine knots, to meet the overseer +with, before daylight in the morning. Each person had to have his +torch lit, and come with it in his hand to the gin house, before the +overseer and driver, so as to be ready to go to the cotton field by +the time they could see to pick out cotton. These lights looked +beautiful at a distance. + +The object of blowing the horn for them two hours before day, was, +that they should get their bite to eat, before they went to the field, +that they need not stop to eat but once during the day. Another object +was, to do up their flogging which had been omitted over night. I have +often heard the sound of the slave driver's lash on the backs, of the +slaves and their heart-rending shrieks, which were enough to melt the +heart of humanity, even among the most barbarous nations of the +earth. + +But the Deacon would keep no overseer on his plantation, who neglected +to perform this every morning. I have heard him say that he was no +better pleased than when he could hear the overseer's loud complaining +voice, long before daylight in the morning, and the sound of the +driver's lash among the toiling slaves. + +This was a very warm climate, abounding with musquitoes, galinippers +and other insects which were exceedingly annoying to the poor slaves +by night and day, at their quarters and in the field. But more +especially to their helpless little children, which they had to carry +with them to the cotton fields, where they had to set on the damp +ground alone from morning till night, exposed to the scorching rays of +the sun, liable to be bitten by poisonous rattle snakes which are +plenty in that section of the country, or to be devoured by large +alligators, which are often seen creeping through the cotton fields +going from swamp to swamp seeking their prey. + +The cotton planters generally, never allow a slave mother time to go +to the house, or quarter during the day to nurse her child; hence they +have to carry them to the cotton fields and tie them in the shade of a +tree, or in clusters of high weeds about in the fields, where they can +go to them at noon, when they are allowed to stop work for one half +hour. This is the reason why so very few slave children are raised on +these cotton plantations, the mothers have no time to take care of +them--and they are often found dead in the field and in the quarter +for want of the care of their mothers. But I never was eye witness to +a case of this kind but have heard many narrated by my slave brothers +and sisters, some of which occurred on the deacon's plantation. + +Their plan of getting large quantities of cotton picked is not only to +extort it from them by the lash, but hold out an inducement and +deceive them by giving small prizes. For example; the overseer will +offer something worth one or two dollars to any slave who will pick +out the most cotton in one day, dividing the hands off in three +classes and offering a prize to the one who will pick out the most +cotton in each of the classes. By this means they are all interested +in trying to get the prize. + +After making them try it over several times and weighing what cotton +they pick every night, the overseer can tell just how much every hand +can pick. He then gives the present to those that pick the most +cotton, and then if they do not pick just as much afterward they are +flogged. + +I have known the slaves to be so much fatigued from labor that they +could scarcely get to their lodging places from the field at night. +And then they would have to prepare something to eat before they could +lie down to rest. Their corn they had to grind on a hand mill for +bread stuff, or pound it in a mortar; and by the time they would get +their suppers it would be midnight; then they would herd down all +together and take but two or three hours rest, before the overseer's +horn called them up again to prepare for the field. + +At the time of sickness among slaves they had but very little +attention. The master was to be the judge of their sickness, but never +had studied the medical profession. He always pronounced a slave who +said he was sick, a liar and a hypocrite; said there was nothing the +matter, and he only wanted to keep from work. + +His remedy was most generally strong red pepper tea, boiled till it +was red. He would make them drink a pint cup full of it at one dose. +If he should not get better very soon after it, the dose was repeated. +If that should not accomplish the object for which it was given, or +have the desired effect, a pot or kettle was then put over the fire +with a large quantity of chimney soot, which was boiled down until it +was as strong as the juice of tobacco, and the poor sick slave was +compelled to drink a quart of it. + +This would operate on the system like salts, or castor oil. But if the +slave should not be very ill, he would rather work as long as he could +stand up, than to take this dreadful medicine. + +If it should be a very valuable slave, sometimes a physician was sent +for and something done to save him. But no special aid is afforded the +suffering slave even in the last trying hour, when he is called to +grapple with the grim monster death. He has no Bible, no family altar, +no minister to address to him the consolations of the gospel, before +he launches into the spirit world. As to the burial of slaves, but +very little more care is taken of their dead bodies than if they were +dumb beasts. + +My wife was very sick while we were both living with the Deacon. We +expected every day would be her last. While she was sick, we lost our +second child, and I was compelled to dig my own child's grave and bury +it myself without even a box to put it in. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +_I attend a prayer meeting.--Punishment therefor threatened.--I +attempt to escape alone.--My return to take my family.--Our +sufferings.--Dreadful attack of wolves.--Our recapture._ + + +Some months after Malinda had recovered from her sickness, I got +permission from the Deacon, on one Sabbath day, to attend a prayer +meeting, on a neighboring plantation, with a few old superannuated +slaves, although this was contrary to the custom of the country--for +slaves were not allowed to assemble for religious worship. Being more +numerous than the whites there was fear of rebellion, and the +overpowering of their oppressors in order to obtain freedom. + +But this gentleman on whose plantation I attended the meeting was not +a Deacon nor a professor of religion. He was not afraid of a few old +Christian slaves rising up to kill their master because he allowed +them to worship God on the Sabbath day. + +We had a very good meeting, although our exercises were not conducted +in accordance with an enlightened Christianity; for we had no +Bible--no intelligent leader--but a conscience, prompted by our own +reason, constrained us to worship God the Creator of all things. + +When I returned home from meeting I told the other slaves what a good +time we had at our meeting, and requested them to go with me to +meeting there on the next Sabbath. As no slave was allowed to go from +the plantation on a visit without a written pass from his master, on +the next Sabbath several of us went to the Deacon, to get permission +to attend that prayer meeting; but he refused to let any go. I thought +I would slip off and attend the meeting and get back before he would +miss me, and would not know that I had been to the meeting. + +When I returned home from the meeting as I approached the house I saw +Malinda, standing out at the fence looking in the direction in which I +was expected to return. She hailed my approach, not with joy, but with +grief. She was weeping under great distress of mind, but it was hard +for me to extort from her the reason why she wept. She finally +informed me that her master had found out that I had violated his law, +and I should suffer the penalty, which was five hundred lashes, on my +naked back. + +I asked her how he knew that I had gone? + +She said I had not long been gone before he called for me and I was +not to be found. He then sent the overseer on horseback to the place +where we were to meet to see if I was there. But when the overseer got +to the place, the meeting was over and I had gone back home, but had +gone a nearer route through the woods and the overseer happened not to +meet me. He heard that I had been there and hurried back home before +me and told the Deacon, who ordered him to take me on the next +morning, strip off my clothes, drive down four stakes in the ground +and fasten my limbs to them; then strike me five hundred lashes for +going to the prayer meeting. This was what distressed my poor +companion. She thought it was more than I could bear, and that it +would be the death of me. I concluded then to run away--but she +thought they would catch me with the blood hounds by their taking my +track. But to avoid them I thought I would ride off on one of the +Deacon's mules. She thought if I did, they would sell me. + +"No matter, I will try it," said I, "let the consequences be what they +may. The matter can be no worse than it now is." So I tackled up the +Deacon's best mule with his saddle, &c., and started that night and +went off eight or ten miles from home. But I found the mule to be +rather troublesome, and was like to betray me by braying, especially +when he would see cattle, horses, or any thing of the kind in the +woods. + +The second night from home I camped in a cane break down in the Red +river swamp not a great way off from the road, perhaps not twenty +rods, exposed to wild ferocious beasts which were numerous in that +section of country. On that night about the middle of the night the +mule heard the sound of horses feet on the road, and he commenced +stamping and trying to break away. As the horses seemed to come +nearer, the mule commenced trying to bray, and it was all that I could +do to prevent him from making a loud bray there in the woods, which +would have betrayed me. + +I supposed that it was the overseer out with the dogs looking for me, +and I found afterwards that I was not mistaken. As soon as the people +had passed by, I mounted the mule and took him home to prevent his +betraying me. When I got near by home I stripped off the tackling and +turned the mule loose. I then slipt up to the cabin wherein my wife +laid and found her awake, much distressed about me. She informed me +that they were then out looking for me, and that the Deacon was bent +on flogging me nearly to death, and then selling me off from my +family. This was truly heart-rending to my poor wife; the thought of +our being torn apart in a strange land after having been sold away +from all her friends and relations, was more than she could bear. + +The Deacon had declared that I should not only suffer for the crime of +attending a prayer meeting without his permission, and for running +away, but for the awful crime of stealing a jackass, which was death +by the law when committed by a negro. + +But I well knew that I was regarded as property, and so was the ass; +and I thought if one piece of property took off another, there could +be no law violated in the act; no more sin committed in this than if +one jackass had rode off another. + +But after consultation with my wife I concluded to take her and my +little daughter with me and they would be guilty of the same crime +that I was, so far as running away was concerned; and if the Deacon +sold one he might sell us all, and perhaps to the same person. + +So we started off with our child that night, and made our way down to +the Red river swamps among the buzzing insects and wild beasts of the +forest. We wandered about in the wilderness for eight or ten days +before we were apprehended, striving to make our way from slavery; but +it was all in vain. Our food was parched corn, with wild fruit such as +pawpaws, percimmons, grapes, &c. We did at one time chance to find a +sweet potato patch where we got a few potatoes; but most of the time, +while we were out, we were lost. We wanted to cross the Red river but +could find no conveyance to cross in. + +I recollect one day of finding a crooked tree which bent over the +river or over one fork of the river, where it was divided by an +island. I should think that the tree was at least twenty feet from +the surface of the water. I picked up my little child, and my wife +followed me, saying, "if we perish let us all perish together in the +stream." We succeeded in crossing over. I often look back to that +dangerous event even now with astonishment, and wonder how I could +have run such a risk. What would induce me to run the same risk now? +What could induce me now to leave home and friends and go to the wild +forest and lay out on the cold ground night after night without +covering, and live on parched corn? + +What would induce me to take my family and go into the Red river +swamps of Louisiana among the snakes and alligators, with all the +liabilities of being destroyed by them, hunted down with blood hounds, +or lay myself liable to be shot down like the wild beasts of the +forest? Nothing I say, nothing but the strongest love of liberty, +humanity, and justice to myself and family, would induce me to run +such a risk again. + +When we crossed over on the tree we supposed that we had crossed over +the main body of the river, but we had not proceeded far on our +journey before we found that we were on an Island surrounded by water +on either side. We made our bed that night in a pile of dry leaves +which had fallen from off the trees. We were much rest-broken, +wearied from hunger and travelling through briers, swamps and +cane-brakes--consequently we soon fell asleep after lying down. About +the dead hour of the night I was aroused by the awful howling of a +gang of blood-thirsty wolves, which had found us out and surrounded us +as their prey, there in the dark wilderness many miles from any house +or settlement. + +My dear little child was so dreadfully alarmed that she screamed +loudly with fear--my wife trembling like a leaf on a tree, at the +thought of being devoured there in the wilderness by ferocious wolves. + +The wolves kept howling, and were near enough for us to see their +glaring eyes, and hear their chattering teeth. I then thought that the +hour of death for us was at hand; that we should not live to see the +light of another day; for there was no way for our escape. My little +family were looking up to me for protection, but I could afford them +none. And while I was offering up my prayers to that God who never +forsakes those in the hour of danger who trust in him, I thought of +Deacon Whitfield; I thought of his profession, and doubted his piety. +I thought of his hand-cuffs, of his whips, of his chains, of his +stocks, of his thumb-screws, of his slave driver and overseer, and of +his religion; I also thought of his opposition to prayer meetings, and +of his five hundred lashes promised me for attending a prayer meeting. +I thought of God, I thought of the devil, I thought of hell; and I +thought of heaven, and wondered whether I should ever see the Deacon +there. And I calculated that if heaven was made up of such Deacons, or +such persons, it could not be filled with love to all mankind, and +with glory and eternal happiness, as we know it is from the truth of +the Bible. + +The reader may perhaps think me tedious on this topic, but indeed it +is one of so much interest to me, that I find myself entirely unable +to describe what my own feelings were at that time. I was so much +excited by the fierce howling of the savage wolves, and the frightful +screams of my little family, that I thought of the future; I thought +of the past; I thought the time of my departure had come at last. + +My impression is, that all these thoughts and thousands of others, +flashed through my mind, while I was surrounded by those wolves. But +it seemed to be the will of a merciful providence, that our lives +should be spared, and that we should not be destroyed by them. + +I had no weapon of defence but a long bowie knife which I had slipped +from the Deacon. It was a very splendid blade, about two feet in +length, and about two inches in width. This used to be a part of his +armor of defence while walking about the plantation among his slaves. + +The plan which I took to expel the wolves was a very dangerous one, +but it proved effectual. While they were advancing to me, prancing and +accumulating in number, apparently of all sizes and grades, who had +come to the feast, I thought just at this time, that there was no +alternative left but for me to make a charge with my bowie knife. I +well knew from the action of the wolves, that if I made no farther +resistance, they would soon destroy us, and if I made a break at them, +the matter could be no worse. I thought if I must die, I would die +striving to protect my little family from destruction, die striving +to escape from slavery. My wife took a club in one hand, and her child +in the other, while I rushed forth with my bowie knife in hand, to +fight off the savage wolves. I made one desperate charge at them, and +at the same time making a loud yell at the top of my voice, that +caused them to retreat and scatter, which was equivalent to a victory +on our part. Our prayers were answered, and our lives spared through +the night. We slept no more that night, and the next morning there +were no wolves to be seen or heard, and we resolved not to stay on +that island another night. + +We travelled up and down the river side trying to find a place where +we could cross. Finally we found a lot of drift wood clogged together, +extending across the stream at a narrow place in the river, upon which +we crossed over. But we had not yet surmounted our greatest +difficulty. We had to meet one which was far more formidable than the +first. Not many days after I had to face the Deacon. + +We had been wandering about through the cane brakes, bushes, and +briers, for several days, when we heard the yelping of blood hounds, a +great way off, but they seemed to come nearer and nearer to us. We +thought after awhile that they must be on our track; we listened +attentively at the approach. We knew it was no use for us to undertake +to escape from them, and as they drew nigh, we heard the voice of a +man hissing on the dogs. + +After awhile we saw the hounds coming in full speed on our track, and +the soul drivers close after them on horse back, yelling like tigers, +as they came in sight. The shrill yelling of the savage blood hounds +as they drew nigh made the woods echo. + +The first impulse was to run to escape the approaching danger of +ferocious dogs, and blood thirsty slave hunters, who were so rapidly +approaching me with loaded muskets and bowie knives, with a +determination to kill or capture me and my family. I started to run +with my little daughter in my arms, but stumbled and fell down and +scratched the arm of little Frances with a brier, so that it bled very +much; but the dear child never cried, for she seemed to know the +danger to which we were exposed. + +But we soon found that it was no use for us to run. The dogs were +soon at our heels, and we were compelled to stop, or be torn to pieces +by them. By this time, the soul drivers came charging up on their +horses, commanding us to stand still or they would shoot us down. + +Of course I surrendered up for the sake of my family. The most abusive +terms to be found in the English language were poured forth on us with +bitter oaths. They tied my hands behind me, and drove us home before +them, to suffer the penalty of a slaveholder's broken law. + +As we drew nigh the plantation my heart grew faint. I was aware that +we should have to suffer almost death for running off. I was filled +with dreadful apprehensions at the thought of meeting a professed +follower of Christ, whom I knew to be a hypocrite! No tongue, no pen +can ever describe what my feelings were at that time. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +_My sad condition before Whitfield.--My terrible +punishment.--Incidents of a former attempt to escape--Jack at a farm +house.--Six pigs and a turkey.--Our surprise and arrest._ + + +The reader may perhaps imagine what must have been my feelings when I +found myself surrounded on the island with my little family, at +midnight, by a gang of savage wolves. This was one of those trying +emergencies in my life when there was apparently but one step between +us and the grave. But I had no cords wrapped about my limbs to prevent +my struggling against the impending danger to which I was then +exposed. I was not denied the consolation of resisting in self +defence, as was now the case. There was no Deacon standing before me, +with a loaded rifle, swearing that I should submit to the torturing +lash, or be shot down like a dumb beast. + +I felt that my chance was by far better among the howling wolves in +the Red river swamp, than before Deacon Whitfield, on the cotton +plantation. I was brought before him as a criminal before a bar, +without counsel, to be tried and condemned by a tyrant's law. My arms +were bound with a cord, my spirit broken, and my little family +standing by weeping. I was not allowed to plead my own cause, and +there was no one to utter a word in my behalf. + +He ordered that the field hands should be called together to witness +my punishment, that it might serve as a caution to them never to +attend a prayer meeting, or runaway as I had, lest they should receive +the same punishment. + +At the sound of the overseer's horn, all the slaves came forward and +witnessed my punishment. My clothing was stripped off and I was +compelled to lie down on the ground with my face to the earth. Four +stakes were driven in the ground, to which my hands and feet were +tied. Then the overseer stood over me with the lash and laid it on +according to the Deacon's order. Fifty lashes were laid on before +stopping. I was then lectured with reference to my going to prayer +meeting without his orders, and running away to escape flogging. + +While I suffered under this dreadful torture, I prayed, and wept, and +implored mercy at the hand of slavery, but found none. After I was +marked from my neck to my heels, the Deacon took the gory lash, and +said he thought there was a spot on my back yet where he could put in +a few more. He wanted to give me something to remember him by, he +said. + +After I was flogged almost to death in this way, a paddle was brought +forward and eight or ten blows given me with it, which was by far +worse than the lash. My wounds were then washed with salt brine, after +which I was let up. A description of such paddles I have already given +in another page. I was so badly punished that I was not able to work +for several days. After being flogged as described, they took me off +several miles to a shop and had a heavy iron collar riveted on my neck +with prongs extending above my head, on the end of which there was a +small bell. I was not able to reach the bell with my hand. This heavy +load of iron I was compelled to wear for six weeks. I never was +allowed to lie in the same house with my family again while I was the +slave of Whitfield. I either had to sleep with my feet in the stocks, +or be chained with a large log chain to a log over night, with no bed +or bedding to rest my wearied limbs on, after toiling all day in the +cotton field. I suffered almost death while kept in this confinement; +and he had ordered the overseer never to let me loose again; saying +that I thought of getting free by running off, but no negro should +ever get away from him alive. + +I have omitted to state that this was the second time I had run away +from him; while I was gone the first time, he extorted from my wife +the fact that I had been in the habit of running away, before we left +Kentucky; that I had been to Canada, and that I was trying to learn +the art of reading and writing. All this was against me. + +It is true that I was striving to learn myself to write. I was a kind +of a house servant and was frequently sent off on errands, but never +without a written pass; and on Sundays I have sometimes got permission +to visit our neighbor's slaves, and I have often tried to write myself +a pass. + +Whenever I got hold of an old letter that had been thrown away, or a +piece of white paper, I would save it to write on. I have often gone +off in the woods and spent the greater part of the day alone, trying +to learn to write myself a pass, by writing on the backs of old +letters; copying after the pass that had been written by Whitfield; by +so doing I got the use of the pen and could form letters as well as I +can now, but knew not what they were. + +The Deacon had an old slave by the name of Jack whom he bought about +the time that he bought me. Jack was born in the State of Virginia. He +had some idea of freedom; had often run away, but was very ignorant; +knew not where to go for refuge; but understood all about providing +something to eat when unjustly deprived of it. + +So for ill treatment, we concluded to take a tramp together. I was to +be the pilot, while Jack was to carry the baggage and keep us in +provisions. Before we started, I managed to get hold of a suit of +clothes the Deacon possessed, with his gun, ammunition and bowie +knife. We also procured a blanket, a joint of meat, and some bread. + +We started in a northern direction, being bound for the city of Little +Rock, State of Arkansas. We travelled by night and laid by in the day, +being guided by the unchangeable North Star; but at length, our +provisions gave out, and it was Jack's place to get more. We came in +sight of a large plantation one morning, where we saw people of color, +and Jack said he could get something there, among the slaves, that +night, for us to eat. So we concealed ourselves, in sight of this +plantation, until about bed time, when we saw the lights extinguished. + +During the day we saw a female slave passing from the dwelling house +to the kitchen as if she was the cook; the house being about three +rods from the landlord's dwelling. After we supposed the whites were +all asleep, Jack slipped up softly to the kitchen to try his luck with +the cook, to see if he could get any thing from her to eat. + +I would remark that the domestic slaves are often found to be traitors +to their own people, for the purpose of gaining favor with their +masters; and they are encouraged and trained up by them to report +every plot they know of being formed about stealing any thing, or +running away, or any thing of the kind; and for which they are paid. +This is one of the principal causes of the slaves being divided among +themselves, and without which they could not be held in bondage one +year, and perhaps not half that time. + +I now proceed to describe the unsuccessful attempt of poor Jack to +obtain something from the female slave to satisfy hunger. The +planter's house was situated on an elevated spot on the side of a +hill. The fencing about the house and garden was very crookedly laid +up with rails. The night was rather dark and rainy, and Jack left me +with the understanding that I was to stay at a certain place until he +returned. I cautioned him before he left me to be very careful--and +after he started, I left the place where he was to find me when he +returned, for fear something might happen which might lead to my +detection, should I remain at that spot. So I left it and went off +where I could see the house, and that place too. + +Jack had not long been gone, before I heard a great noise; a man, +crying out with a loud voice, "Catch him! Catch him!" and hissing the +dogs on, and they were close after Jack. The next thing I saw, was +Jack running for life, and an old white man after him, with a gun, and +his dogs. The fence being on sidling ground, and wet with the rain, +when Jack run against it he knocked down several panels of it and +fell, tumbling over and over to the foot of the hill; but soon +recovered and ran to where he had left me; but I was gone. The dogs +were still after him. + +There happened to be quite a thicket of small oak shrubs and bushes in +the direction he ran. I think he might have been heard running and +straddling bushes a quarter of a mile! The poor fellow hurt himself +considerably in straddling over bushes in that way, in making his +escape. + +Finally the dogs relaxed their chase and poor Jack and myself again +met in the thick forest. He said when he rapped on the cook-house +door, the colored woman came to the door. He asked her if she would +let him have a bite of bread if she had it, that he was a poor hungry +absconding slave. But she made no reply to what he said but +immediately sounded the alarm by calling loudly after her master, +saying, "here is a runaway negro!" Jack said that he was going to +knock her down but her master was out within one moment, and he had to +run for his life. + +As soon as we got our eyes fixed on the North Star again, we started +on our way. We travelled on a few miles and came to another large +plantation, where Jack was determined to get something to eat. He +left me at a certain place while he went up to the house to find +something if possible. + +He was gone some time before he returned, but when I saw him coming, +he appeared to be very heavy loaded with a bag of something. We walked +off pretty fast until we got some distance in the woods. Jack then +stopped and opened his bag in which he had six small pigs. I asked him +how he got them without making any noise; and he said that he found a +bed of hogs, in which there were the pigs with their mother. While the +pigs were sucking he crawled up to them without being discovered by +the sow, and took them by their necks one after another, and choked +them to death, and slipped them into his bag! + +We intended to travel on all that night and lay by the next day in the +forest and cook up our pigs. We fell into a large road leading on the +direction which we were travelling, and had not proceeded over three +miles before I found a white hat lying in the road before me. Jack +being a little behind me I stopped until he camp up, and showed it to +him. He picked it up. We looked a few steps farther and saw a man +lying by the way, either asleep or intoxicated, as we supposed. + +I told Jack not to take the hat, but he would not obey me. He had only +a piece of a hat himself, which he left in exchange for the other. We +travelled on about five miles farther, and in passing a house +discovered a large turkey sitting on the fence, which temptation was +greater than Jack could resist. Notwithstanding he had six very nice +fat little pigs on his back, he stepped up and took the turkey off the +fence. + +By this time it was getting near day-light and we left the road and +went off a mile or so among the hills of the forest, where we struck +camp for the day. We then picked our turkey, dressed our pigs, and +cooked two of them. We got the hair off by singeing them over the +fire, and after we had eaten all we wanted, one of us slept while the +other watched. We had flint, punk, and powder to strike fire with. A +little after dark the next night, we started on our way. + +Buy about ten o'clock that night just as we were passing through a +thick skirt of woods, five men sprang out before us with fire-arms, +swearing if we moved another step, they would shoot us down; and each +man having a gun drawn up for shooting we had no chance to make any +defence, and surrendered sooner than run the risk of being killed. + +They had been lying in wait for us there, for several hours. They had +seen a reward out, for notices were put up in the most public places, +that fifty dollars would be paid for me, dead or alive, if I should +not return home within so many days. And the reader will remember that +neither Jack nor myself was able to read the advertisement. It was of +very little consequence with the slave catchers, whether they killed +us or took us alive, for the reward was the same to them. + +After we were taken and tied, one of the men declared to me that he +would have shot me dead just as sure as he lived, if I had moved one +step after they commanded us to stop. He had his gun levelled at my +breast, already cocked, and his finger on the trigger. The way they +came to find us out was from the circumstance of Jack's taking the +man's hat in connection with the advertisement. The man whose hat was +taken was drunk; and the next morning when he came to look for his hat +it was gone and Jack's old hat lying in the place of it; and in +looking round he saw the tracks of two persons in the dust, who had +passed during the night, and one of them having but three toes on one +foot. He followed these tracks until they came to a large mud pond in +a lane on one side of which a person might pass dry shod; but the man +with three toes on one foot had plunged through the mud. This led the +man to think there must be runaway slaves, and from out of that +neighborhood; for all persons in that settlement knew which side of +that mud hole to go. He then got others to go with him, and they +followed us until our track left the road. They supposed that we had +gone off in the woods to lay by until night, after which we should +pursue our course. + +After we were captured they took us off several miles to where one of +them lived, and kept us over night. One of our pigs was cooked for us +to eat that night; and the turkey the next morning. But we were both +tied that night with our hands behind us, and our feet were also tied. +The doors were locked, and a bedstead was set against the front door, +and two men slept in it to prevent our getting out in the night. They +said that they knew how to catch runaway negroes, and how to keep them +after they were caught. + +They remarked that after they found we had stopped to lay by until +night, and they saw from our tracks what direction we were travelling, +they went about ten miles on that direction, and hid by the road side +until we came up that night. That night after all had got fast to +sleep, I thought I would try to get out, and I should have succeeded, +if I could have moved the bed from the door. I managed to untie myself +and crawled under the bed which was placed at the door, and strove to +remove it, but in so doing I awakened the men and they got up and +confined me again, and watched me until day light, each with a gun in +hand. + +The next morning they started with us back to Deacon Whitfield's +plantation; but when they got within ten miles of where he lived they +stopped at a public house to stay over night; and who should we meet +there but the Deacon, who was then out looking for me. + +The reader may well imagine how I felt to meet him. I had almost as +soon come in contact with Satan himself. He had two long poles or +sticks of wood brought in to confine us to. I was compelled to lie on +my back across one of those sticks with my arms out, and have them +lashed fast to the log with a cord. My feet were also tied to the +other, and there I had to lie all that night with my back across this +stick of wood, and my feet and hands tied. I suffered that night under +the most excruciating pain. From the tight binding of the cord the +circulation of the blood in my arms and feet was almost entirely +stopped. If the night had been much longer I must have died in that +confinement. + +The next morning we were taken back to the Deacon's farm, and both +flogged for going off, and set to work. But there was some allowance +made for me on account of my being young. They said that they knew old +Jack had persuaded me off, or I never would have gone. And the +Deacon's wife begged that I might be favored some, for that time, as +Jack had influenced me, so as to bring up my old habits of running +away that I had entirely given up. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +_I am sold to gamblers.--They try to purchase my family.--Our parting +scene.--My good usage.--I am sold to an Indian.--His confidence in my +integrity manifested._ + + +The reader will remember that this brings me back to the time the +Deacon had ordered me to be kept in confinement until he got a chance +to sell me, and that no negro should ever get away from him and live. +Some days after this we were all out at the gin house ginning cotton, +which was situated on the road side, and there came along a company of +men, fifteen or twenty in number, who were Southern sportsmen. Their +attention was attracted by the load of iron which was fastened about +my neck with a bell attached. They stopped and asked the Deacon what +that bell was put on my neck for? and he said it was to keep me from +running away, &c. + +They remarked that I looked as if I might be a smart negro, and asked +if he wanted to sell me. The reply was, yes. They then got off their +horses and struck a bargain with him for me. They bought me at a +reduced price for speculation. + +After they had purchased me, I asked the privilege of going to the +house to take leave of my family before I left, which was granted by +the sportsmen. But the Deacon said I should never again step my foot +inside of his yard; and advised the sportsmen not to take the irons +from my neck until they had sold me; that if they gave me the least +chance I would run away from them, as I did from him. So I was +compelled to mount a horse and go off with them as I supposed, never +again to meet my family in this life. + +We had not proceeded far before they informed me that they had bought +me to sell again, and if they kept the irons on me it would be +detrimental to the sale, and that they would therefore take off the +irons and dress me up like a man, and throw away the old rubbish which +I then had on; and they would sell me to some one who would treat me +better than Deacon Whitfield. After they had cut off the irons and +dressed me up, they crossed over Red River into Texas, where they +spent some time horse racing and gambling; and although they were +wicked black legs of the basest character, it is but due to them to +say, that they used me far better than ever the Deacon did. They gave +me plenty to eat and put nothing hard on me to do. They expressed much +sympathy for me in my bereavement; and almost every day they gave me +money more or less, and by my activity in waiting on them, and upright +conduct, I got into the good graces of them all, but they could not +get any person to buy me on account of the amount of intelligence +which they supposed me to have; for many of them thought that I could +read and write. When they left Texas, they intended to go to the +Indian Territory west of the Mississippi, to attend a great horse race +which was to take place. Not being much out of their way to go past +Deacon Whitfield's again, I prevailed on them to call on him for the +purpose of trying to purchase my wife and child; and I promised them +that if they would buy my wife and child, I would get some person to +purchase us from them. So they tried to grant my request by calling on +the Deacon, and trying to make the purchase. As we approached the +Deacon's plantation, my heart was filled with a thousand painful and +fearful apprehensions. I had the fullest confidence in the blacklegs +with whom I travelled, believing that they would do according to +promise, and go to the fullest extent of their ability to restore +peace and consolation to a bereaved family--to re-unite husband and +wife, parent and child, who had long been severed by slavery through +the agency of Deacon Whitfield. But I knew his determination in +relation to myself, and I feared his wicked opposition to a +restoration of myself and little family, which he had divided, and +soon found that my fears were not without foundation. + +When we rode up and walked into his yard, the Deacon came out and +spoke to all but myself; and not finding me in tattered rags as a +substitute for clothes, nor having an iron collar or bell about my +neck, as was the case when he sold me, he appeared to be much +displeased. + +"What did you bring that negro back here for?" said he. + +"We have come to try to buy his wife and child; for we can find no one +who is willing to buy him alone; and we will either buy or sell so +that the family may be together," said they. + +While this conversation was going on, my poor bereaved wife, who +never expected to see me again in this life, spied me and came rushing +to me through the crowd, throwing her arms about my neck exclaiming in +the most sympathetic tones, "Oh! my dear husband! I never expected to +see you again!" The poor woman was bathed with tears of sorrow and +grief. But no sooner had she reached me, than the Deacon peremptorily +commanded her to go to her work. This she did not obey, but prayed +that her master would not separate us again, as she was there alone, +far from friends and relations whom she should never meet again. And +now to take away her husband, her last and only true friend, would be +like taking her life! + +But such appeals made no impression on the unfeeling Deacon's heart. +While he was storming with abusive language, and even using the gory +lash with hellish vengeance to separate husband and wife, I could see +the sympathetic teardrop, stealing its way down the cheek of the +profligate and black-leg, whose object it now was to bind up the +broken heart of a wife, and restore to the arms of a bereaved husband, +his companion. + +They were disgusted at the conduct of Whitfield and cried out shame, +even in his presence. They told him that they would give a thousand +dollars for my wife and child, or any thing in reason. But no! he +would sooner see me to the devil than indulge or gratify me after my +having run away from him; and if they did not remove me from his +presence very soon, he said he should make them suffer for it. + +But all this, and even the gory lash had yet failed to break the grasp +of poor Malinda, whose prospect of connubial, social, and future +happiness was all at stake. When the dear woman saw there was no help +for us, and that we should soon be separated forever, in the name of +Deacon Whitfield, and American slavery to meet no more as husband and +wife, parent and child--the last and loudest appeal was made on our +knees. We appealed to the God of justice and to the sacred ties of +humanity; but this was all in vain. The louder we prayed the harder he +whipped, amid the most heart-rending shrieks from the poor slave +mother and child, as little Frances stood by, sobbing at the abuse +inflicted on her mother. + +"Oh! how shall I give my husband the parting hand never to meet +again? This will surely break my heart," were her parting words. + +I can never describe to the reader the awful reality of that +separation--for it was enough to chill the blood and stir up the +deepest feelings of revenge in the hearts of slaveholding black-legs, +who as they stood by, were threatening, some weeping, some swearing +and others declaring vengeance against such treatment being inflicted +on a human being. As we left the plantation, as far as we could see +and hear, the Deacon was still laying on the gory lash, trying to +prevent poor Malinda from weeping over the loss of her departed +husband, who was then, by the hellish laws of slavery, to her, +theoretically and practically dead. One of the black-legs exclaimed +that hell was full of just such Deacon's as Whitfield. This occurred +in December, 1840. I have never seen Malinda, since that period. I +never expect to see her again. + +The sportsmen to whom I was sold, showed their sympathy for me not +only by word but by deeds. They said that they had made the most +liberal offer to Whitfield, to buy or sell for the sole purpose of +reuniting husband and wife. But he stood out against it--they felt +sorry for me. They said they had bought me to speculate on, and were +not able to lose what they had paid for me. But they would make a +bargain with me, if I was willing, and would lay a plan, by which I +might yet get free. If I would use my influence so as to get some +person to buy me while traveling about with them, they would give me a +portion of the money for which they sold me, and they would also give +me directions by which I might yet run away and go to Canada. + +This offer I accepted, and the plot was made. They advised me to act +very stupid in language and thought, but in business I must be spry; +and that I must persuade men to buy me, and promise them that I would +be smart. + +We passed through the State of Arkansas and stopped at many places, +horse-racing and gambling. My business was to drive a wagon in which +they carried their gambling apparatus, clothing, &c. I had also to +black boots and attend to horses. We stopped at Fayettville, where +they almost lost me, betting on a horse race. + +They went from thence to the Indian Territory, among the Cherokee +Indians, to attend the great races which were to take place there. +During the races there was a very wealthy half Indian of that tribe, +who became much attached to me, and had some notion of buying me, +after hearing that I was for sale, being a slaveholder. The idea +struck me rather favorable, for several reasons. First, I thought I +should stand a better chance to get away from an Indian than from a +white man. Second, he wanted me only for a kind of a body servant to +wait on him--and in this case I knew that I should fare better than I +should in the field. And my owners also told me that it would be an +easy place to get away from. I took their advice for fear I might not +get another chance so good as that, and prevailed on the man to buy +me. He paid them nine hundred dollars, in gold and silver, for me. I +saw the money counted out. + +After the purchase was made, the sportsmen got me off to one side, and +according to promise they gave me a part of the money, and directions +how to get from there to Canada. They also advised me how to act until +I got a good chance to run away. I was to embrace the earliest +opportunity of getting away, before they should become acquainted with +me. I was never to let it be known where I was from, nor where I was +born. I was to act quite stupid and ignorant. And when I started I was +to go up the boundary line, between the Indian Territory and the +States of Arkansas and Missouri, and this would fetch me out on the +Missouri river, near Jefferson city, the capital of Missouri. I was to +travel at first by night, and to lay by in daylight, until I got out +of danger. + +The same afternoon that the Indian bought me, he started with me to +his residence, which was fifty or sixty miles distant. And so great +was his confidence in me, that he intrusted me to carry his money. The +amount must have been at least five hundred dollars, which was all in +gold and silver; and when we stopped over night the money and horses +were all left in my charge. + +It would have been a very easy matter for me to have taken one of the +best horses, with the money, and run off. And the temptation was truly +great to a man like myself, who was watching for the earliest +opportunity to escape; and I felt confident that I should never have a +better opportunity to escape full handed than then. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +_Character of my Indian Master.--Slavery among the Indians less +cruel.--Indian carousal.--Enfeebled health of my Indian Master.--His +death.--My escape.--Adventure in a wigwam.--Successful progress toward +liberty._ + + +The next morning I went home with my new master; and by the way it is +only doing justice to the dead to say, that he was the most +reasonable, and humane slaveholder that I have ever belonged to. He +was the last man that pretended to claim property in my person; and +although I have freely given the names and residences of all others +who have held me as a slave, for prudential reasons I shall omit +giving the name of this individual. + +He was the owner of a large plantation and quite a number of slaves. +He raised corn and wheat for his own consumption only. There was no +cotton, tobacco, or anything of the kind produced among them for +market. And I found this difference between negro slavery among the +Indians, and the same thing among the white slaveholders of the South. +The Indians allow their slaves enough to eat and wear. They have no +overseers to whip nor drive them. If a slave offends his master, he +sometimes, in a heat of passion, undertakes to chastise him; but it is +as often the case as otherwise, that the slave gets the better of the +fight, and even flogs his master;[4] for which there is no law to +punish him; but when the fight is over that is the last of it. So far +as religious instruction is concerned, they have it on terms of +equality, the bond and the free; they have no respect of persons, they +have neither slave laws nor negro pews. Neither do they separate +husbands and wives, nor parents and children. All things considered, +if I must be a slave, I had by far, rather be a slave to an Indian, +than to a white man, from the experience I have had with both. + +A majority of the Indians were uneducated, and still followed up their +old heathen traditional notions. They made it a rule to have an Indian +dance or frolic, about once a fortnight; and they would come together +far and near to attend these dances. They would most generally +commence about the middle of the afternoon; and would give notice by +the blowing of horns. One would commence blowing and another would +answer, and so it would go all round the neighborhood. When a number +had got together, they would strike a circle about twenty rods in +circumference, and kindle up fires about twenty feet apart, all +around, in this circle. In the centre they would have a large fire to +dance around, and at each one of the small fires there would be a +squaw to keep up the fire, which looked delightful off at a distance. + +But the most degrading practice of all, was the use of intoxicating +drinks, which were used to a great excess by all that attended these +stump dances. At almost all of these fires there was some one with rum +to sell. There would be some dancing, some singing, some gambling, +some fighting, and some yelling; and this was kept up often for two +days and nights together. + +Their dress for the dance was most generally a great bunch of bird +feathers, coon tails, or something of the kind stuck in their heads, +and a great many shells tied about their legs to rattle while dancing. +Their manner of dancing is taking hold of each others hands and +forming a ring around the large fire in the centre, and go stomping +around it until they would get drunk or their heads would get to +swimming, and then they would go off and drink, and another set come +on. Such were some of the practises indulged in by these Indian +slaveholders. + +My last owner was in a declining state of health when he bought me; +and not long after he bought me he went off forty or fifty miles from +home to be doctored by an Indian doctor, accompanied by his wife. I +was taken along also to drive the carriage and to wait upon him during +his sickness. But he was then so feeble, that his life was of but +short duration after the doctor commenced on him. + +While he lived, I waited on him according to the best of my ability. I +watched over him night and day until he died, and even prepared his +body for the tomb, before I left him. He died about midnight and I +understood from his friends that he was not to be buried until the +second day after his death. I pretended to be taking on at a great +rate about his death, but I was more excited about running away, than +I was about that, and before daylight the next morning I proved it, +for I was on my way to Canada. + +I never expected a better opportunity would present itself for my +escape. I slipped out of the room as if I had gone off to weep for the +deceased, knowing that they would not feel alarmed about me until +after my master was buried and they had returned back to his +residence. And even then, they would think that I was somewhere on my +way home; and it would be at least four or five days before they would +make any stir in looking after me. By that time, if I had no bad luck, +I should be out of much danger. + +After the first day, I laid by in the day and traveled by night for +several days and nights, passing in this way through several tribes of +Indians. I kept pretty near the boundary line. I recollect getting +lost one dark rainy night. Not being able to find the road I came into +an Indian settlement at the dead hour of the night. I was wet, +wearied, cold and hungry; and yet I felt afraid to enter any of their +houses or wigwams, not knowing whether they would be friendly or not. +But I knew the Indians were generally drunkards, and that occasionally +a drunken white man was found straggling among them, and that such an +one would be more likely to find friends from sympathy than an upright +man. + +So I passed myself off that night as a drunkard among them. I walked +up to the door of one of their houses, and fell up against it, making +a great noise like a drunken man; but no one came to the door. I +opened it and staggered in, falling about, and making a great noise. +But finally an old woman got up and gave me a blanket to lie down on. + +There was quite a number of them lying about on the dirt floor, but +not one could talk or understand a word of the English language. I +made signs so as to let them know that I wanted something to eat, but +they had nothing, so I had to go without that night. I laid down and +pretended to be asleep, but I slept none that night, for I was afraid +that they would kill me if I went to sleep. About one hour before day, +the next morning, three of the females got up and put into a tin +kettle a lot of ashes with water, to boil, and then poured into it +about one quart of corn. After letting it stand a few moments, they +poured it into a trough, and pounded it into thin hominy. They washed +it out, and boiled it down, and called me up to eat my breakfast of +it. + +After eating, I offered them six cents, but they refused to accept it. +I then found my way to the main road, and traveled all that day on my +journey, and just at night arrived at a public house kept by an +Indian, who also kept a store. I walked in and asked if I could get +lodging, which was granted; but I had not been there long before three +men came riding up about dusk, or between sunset and dark. They were +white men, and I supposed slaveholders. At any rate when they asked if +they could have lodging, I trembled for fear they might be in pursuit +of me. But the landlord told them that he could not lodge them, but +they could get lodging about two miles off, with a white man, and they +turned their horses and started. + +The landlord asked me where I was traveling to, and where I was from. +I told him that I had been out looking at the country; that I had +thought of buying land, and that I lived in the State of Ohio, in the +village of Perrysburgh. He then said that he had lived there himself, +and that he had acted as an interpreter there among the Maumee tribe +of Indians for several years. He then asked who I was acquainted with +there? I informed him that I knew Judge Hollister, Francis Hollister, +J.W. Smith, and others. At this he was so much pleased that he came up +and took me by the hand, and received me joyfully, after seeing that I +was acquainted with those of his old friends. + +I could converse with him understandingly from personal acquaintance, +for I had lived there when I first ran away from Kentucky. But I felt +it to be my duty to start off the next morning before breakfast, or +sunrise. I bought a dozen of eggs, and had them boiled to carry with +me to eat on the way. I did not like the looks of those three men, and +thought I would get on as fast as possible for fear I might be pursued +by them. + +I was then about to enter the territory of another slave State, +Missouri. I had passed through the fiery ordeal of Sibley, Gatewood, +and Garrison, and had even slipped through the fingers of Deacon +Whitfield. I had doubtless gone through great peril in crossing the +Indian territory, in passing through the various half civilized +tribes, who seemed to look upon me with astonishment as I passed +along. Their hands were almost invariably filled with bows and arrows, +tomahawks, guns, butcher knives, and all the various implements of +death which are used by them. And what made them look still more +frightful, their faces were often painted red, and their heads muffled +with birds feathers, bushes, coons tails and owls heads. But all this +I had passed through, and my long enslaved limbs and spirit were then +in full stretch for emancipation. I felt as if one more short struggle +would set me free. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[4] This singular fact is corroborated in a letter read by the +publisher, from an acquaintance while passing through this country in +1849. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +_Adventure on the Prairie.--I borrow a horse without leave.--Rapid +traveling one whole night.--Apology for using other men's horses.--My +manner of living on the road._ + +Early in the morning I left the Indian territory as I have already +said, for fear I might be pursued by the three white men whom I had +seen there over night; but I had not proceeded far before my fears +were magnified a hundred fold. + +I always dreaded to pass through a prairie, and on coming to one which +was about six miles in width, I was careful to look in every direction +to see whether there was any person in sight before I entered it; but +I could see no one. So I started across with a hope of crossing +without coming in contact with any one on the prairie. I walked as +fast as I could, but when I got about midway of the prairie, I came to +a high spot where the road forked, and three men came up from a low +spot as if they had been there concealed. They were all on horse back, +and I supposed them to be the same men that had tried to get lodging +where I stopped over night. Had this been in timbered land, I might +have stood some chance to have dodged them, but there I was, out in +the open prairie, where I could see no possible way by which I could +escape. + +They came along slowly up behind me, and finally passed, and spoke or +bowed their heads on passing, but they traveled in a slow walk and +kept but a very few steps before me, until we got nearly across the +prairie. When we were coming near a plantation a piece off from the +road on the skirt of the timbered land, they whipped up their horses +and left the road as if they were going across to this plantation. +They soon got out of my sight by going down into a valley which lay +between us and the plantation. Not seeing them rise the hill to go up +to the farm, excited greater suspicion in my mind, so I stepped over +on the brow of the hill, where I could see what they were doing, and +to my surprise I saw them going right back in the direction they had +just came, and they were going very fast. I was then satisfied that +they were after me and that they were only going back to get more +help to assist them in taking me, for fear that I might kill some of +them if they undertook it. The first impression was that I had better +leave the road immediately; so I bolted from the road and ran as fast +as I could for some distance in the thick forest, and concealed myself +for about fifteen or twenty minutes, which were spent in prayer to God +for his protecting care and guidance. + +My impression was that when they should start in pursuit of me again, +they would follow on in the direction which I was going when they left +me; and not finding or hearing of me on the road, they would come back +and hunt through the woods around, and if they could find no track +they might go and get dogs to trace me out. + +I thought my chance of escape would be better, if I went back to the +same side of the road that they first went, for the purpose of +deceiving them; as I supposed that they would not suspect my going in +the same direction that they went, for the purpose of escaping from +them. + +So I traveled all that day square off from the road through the wild +forest without any knowledge of the country whatever; for I had +nothing to travel by but the sun by day, and the moon and stars by +night. Just before night I came in sight of a large plantation, where +I saw quite a number of horses running at large in a field, and +knowing that my success in escaping depended upon my getting out of +that settlement within twenty-four hours, to save myself from +everlasting slavery, I thought I should be justified in riding one of +those horses, that night, if I could catch one. I cut a grape vine +with my knife, and made it into a bridle; and shortly after dark I +went into the field and tried to catch one of the horses. I got a +bunch of dry blades of fodder and walked up softly towards the horses, +calling to them "cope," "cope," "cope;" but there was only one out of +the number that I was able to get my hand on, and that was an old +mare, which I supposed to be the mother of all the rest; and I knew +that I could walk faster than she could travel. She had a bell on and +was very thin in flesh; she looked gentle and walked on three legs +only. The young horses pranced and galloped off. I was not able to get +near them, and the old mare being of no use to me, I left them all. +After fixing my eyes on the north star I pursued my journey, holding +on to my bridle with a hope of finding a horse upon which I might ride +that night. + +I found a road leading pretty nearly in the direction which I wanted +to travel, and I kept it. After traveling several miles I found +another large plantation where there was a prospect of finding a +horse. I stepped up to the barn-yard, wherein I found several horses. +There was a little barn standing with the door open, and I found it +quite an easy task to get the horses into the barn, and select out the +best looking one of them. I pulled down the fence, led the noble beast +out and mounted him, taking a northern direction, being able to find a +road which led that way. But I had not gone over three or four miles +before I came to a large stream of water which was past fording; yet I +could see that it had been forded by the road track, but from high +water it was then impassible. As the horse seemed willing to go in I +put him through; but before he got in far, he was in water up to his +sides and finally the water came over his back and he swam over. I got +as wet as could be, but the horse carried me safely across at the +proper place. After I got out a mile or so from the river, I came into +a large prairie, which I think must have been twenty or thirty miles +in width, and the road run across it about in the direction that I +wanted to go. I laid whip to the horse, and I think he must have +carried me not less than forty miles that night, or before sun rise +the next morning. I then stopped him in a spot of high grass in an old +field, and took off the bridle. I thanked God, and thanked the horse +for what he had done for me, and wished him a safe journey back home. + +I know the poor horse must have felt stiff, and tired from his speedy +jaunt, and I felt very bad myself, riding at that rate all night +without a saddle; but I felt as if I had too much at stake to favor +either horse flesh or man flesh. I could indeed afford to crucify my +own flesh for the sake of redeeming myself from perpetual slavery. + +Some may be disposed to find fault with my taking the horse as I did; +but I did nothing more than nine out of ten would do if they were +placed in the same circumstances. I had no disposition to steal a +horse from any man. But I ask, if a white man had been captured by the +Cherokee Indians and carried away from his family for life into +slavery, and could see a chance to escape and get back to his family; +should the Indians pursue him with a determination to take him back or +take his life, would it be a crime for the poor fugitive, whose life, +liberty, and future happiness were all at stake, to mount any man's +horse by the way side, and ride him without asking any questions, to +effect his escape? Or who would not do the same thing to rescue a +wife, child, father, or mother? Such an act committed by a white man +under the same circumstances would not only be pronounced proper, but +praiseworthy; and if he neglected to avail himself of such a means of +escape he would be pronounced a fool. Therefore from this act I have +nothing to regret, for I have done nothing more than any other +reasonable person would have done under the same circumstances. But I +had good luck from the morning I left the horse until I got back into +the State of Ohio. About two miles from where I left the horse, I +found a public house on the road, where I stopped and took breakfast. +Being asked where I was traveling, I replied that I was going home to +Perrysburgh, Ohio, and that I had been out to look at the land in +Missouri, with a view of buying. They supposed me to be a native of +Ohio, from the fact of my being so well acquainted with its location, +its principal cities, inhabitants, &c. + +The next night I put up at one of the best hotels in the village where +I stopped, and acted with as much independence as if I was worth a +million of dollars; talked about buying land, stock and village +property, and contrasting it with the same kind of property in the +State of Ohio. In this kind of talk they were most generally +interested, and I was treated just like other travelers. I made it a +point to travel about thirty miles each day on my way to Jefferson +city. On several occasions I have asked the landlords where I have +stopped over night, if they could tell me who kept the best house +where I would stop the next night, which was most generally in a small +village. But for fear I might forget, I would get them to give me the +name on a piece of paper as a kind of recommend. This would serve as +an introduction through which I have always been well received from +one landlord to another, and I have always stopped at the best houses, +eaten at the first tables, and slept in the best beds. No man ever +asked me whether I was bond or free, black or white, rich or poor; +but I always presented a bold front and showed the best side out, +which was all the pass I had. But when I got within about one hundred +miles of Jefferson city, where I expected to take a Steamboat passage +to St. Louis, I stopped over night at a hotel, where I met with a +young white man who was traveling on to Jefferson City on horse back, +and was also leading a horse with a saddle and bridle on. + +I asked him if he would let me ride the horse which he was leading, as +I was going to the same city? He said that it was a hired horse, that +he was paying at the rate of fifty cents per day for it, but if I +would pay the same I could ride him. I accepted the offer and we rode +together to the city. We were on the road together two or three days; +stopped and ate and slept together at the same hotels. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +_Stratagem to get on board, the steamer.--My Irish friends.--My +success in reaching Cincinnati.--Reflections on again seeing +Kentucky.--I get employment in a hotel.--My fright at seeing the +gambler who sold me.--I leave Ohio with Mr. Smith.--His letter.--My +education._ + + +The greatest of my adventures came off when I arrived at Jefferson +City. There I expected to meet an advertisement for my person; it was +there I must cross the river or take a steamboat down; it was there I +expected to be interrogated and required to prove whether I was +actually a free man or a slave. If I was free, I should have to show +my free papers; and if I was a slave I should be required to tell who +my master was. + +I stopped at a hotel, however, and ascertained that there was a +steamboat expected down the river that day for St. Louis. I also found +out that there were several passengers at that house who were going +down on board of the first boat. I knew that the captain of a +steamboat could not take a colored passenger on board of his boat from +a slave state without first ascertaining whether such person was bond +or free; I knew that this was more than he would dare to do by the +laws of the slave states--and now to surmount this difficulty it +brought into exercise all the powers of my mind. I would have got +myself boxed up as freight, and have been forwarded to St. Louis, but +I had no friend that I could trust to do it for me. This plan has +since been adopted by some with success. But finally I thought I might +possibly pass myself off as a body servant to the passengers going +from the hotel down. + +So I went to a store and bought myself a large trunk, and took it to +the hotel. Soon, a boat came in which was bound to St. Louis, and the +passengers started down to get on board. I took up my large trunk, and +started along after them as if I was their servant. My heart trembled +in view of the dangerous experiment which I was then about to try. It +required all the moral courage that I was master of to bear me up in +view of my critical condition. The white people that I was following +walked on board and I after them. I acted as if the trunk was full of +clothes, but I had not a stitch of clothes in it. The passengers went +up into the cabin and I followed them with the trunk. I suppose this +made the captain think that I was their slave. + +I not only took the trunk in the cabin but stood by it until after the +boat had started as if it belonged to my owners, and I was taking care +of it for them; but as soon as the boat got fairly under way, I knew +that some account would have to be given of me; so I then took my +trunk down on the deck among the deck passengers to prepare myself to +meet the clerk of the boat, when he should come to collect fare from +the deck passengers. + +Fortunately for me there was quite a number of deck passengers on +board, among whom there were many Irish. I insinuated myself among +them so as to get into their good graces, believing that if I should +get into a difficulty they would stand by me. I saw several of these +persons going up to the saloon buying whiskey, and I thought this +might be the most effectual way by which I could gain speedily their +respect and sympathy. So I participated with them pretty freely for +awhile, or at least until after I got my fare settled. I placed myself +in a little crowd of them, and invited them all up to the bar with me, +stating that it was my treat. This was responded to, and they walked +up and drank and I footed the bill. This, of course, brought us into a +kind of a union. We sat together and laughed and talked freely. Within +ten or fifteen minutes I remarked that I was getting dry again, and +invited them up and treated again. By this time I was thought to be +one of the most liberal and gentlemanly men on board, by these deck +passengers; they were ready to do any thing for me--they got to +singing songs, and telling long yarns in which I took quite an active +part; but it was all for effect. + +By this time the porter came around ringing his bell for all +passengers who had not paid their fare, to walk up to the captain's +office and settle it. Some of my Irish friends had not yet settled, +and I asked one of them if he would be good enough to take my money +and get me a ticket when he was getting one for himself, and he +quickly replied "yes sir, I will get you a tacket." So he relieved me +of my greatest trouble. When they came round to gather the tickets +before we got to St. Louis, my ticket was taken with the rest, and no +questions were asked me. + +The next day the boat arrived at St. Louis; my object was to take +passage on board of the first boat which was destined for Cincinnati, +Ohio; and as there was a boat going out that day for Pittsburgh, I +went on board to make some inquiry about the fare &c, and found the +steward to be a colored man with whom I was acquainted. He lived in +Cincinnati, and had rendered me some assistance in making my escape to +Canada, in the summer of 1838, and he also very kindly aided me then +in getting back into a land of freedom. The swift running steamer +started that afternoon on her voyage, which soon wafted my body beyond +the tyrannical limits of chattel slavery. When the boat struck the +mouth of the river Ohio, and I had once more the pleasure of looking +on that lovely stream, my heart leaped up for joy at the glorious +prospect that I should again be free. Every revolution of the mighty +steam-engine seemed to bring me nearer and nearer the "promised land." +Only a few days had elapsed, before I was permitted by the smiles of a +good providence, once more to gaze on the green hill-tops and valleys +of old Kentucky, the State of my nativity. And notwithstanding I was +deeply interested while standing on the deck of the steamer looking at +the beauties of nature on either side of the river, as she pressed her +way up the stream, my very soul was pained to look upon the slaves in +the fields of Kentucky, still toiling under their task-masters without +pay. It was on this soil I first breathed, the free air of Heaven, and +felt the bitter pangs of slavery--it was here that I first learned to +abhor it. It was here I received the first impulse of human rights--it +was here that I first entered my protest against the bloody +institution of slavery, by running away from it, and declared that I +would no longer work for any man as I had done, without wages. + +When the steamboat arrived at Portsmouth, Ohio, I took off my trunk +with the intention of going to Canada. But my funds were almost +exhausted, so I had to stop and go to work to get money to travel on. +I hired myself at the American Hotel to a Mr. McCoy to do the work of +a porter, to black boots, &c, for which he was to pay me $12 per +month. I soon found the landlord to be bad pay, and not only that, but +he would not allow me to charge for blacking boots, although I had to +black them after everybody had gone to bed at night, and set them in +the bar-room, where the gentlemen could come and get them in the +morning while I was at other work. I had nothing extra for this, +neither would he pay me my regular wages; so I thought this was a +little too much like slavery, and devised a plan by which I got some +pay for my work. + +I made it a point never to blacken all the boots and shoes over night, +neither would I put any of them in the bar-room, but lock them up in a +room where no one could get them without calling for me. I got a piece +of broken vessel, placed it in the room just before the boots, and put +into it several pieces of small change, as if it had been given me for +boot blacking; and almost every one that came in after their boots, +would throw some small trifle into my contribution box, while I was +there blacking away. In this way, I made more than my landlord paid +me, and I soon got a good stock of cash again. One morning I blacked a +gentleman's boots who came in during the night by a steamboat. After +he had put on his boots, I was called into the bar-room to button his +straps; and while I was performing this service, not thinking to see +anybody that knew me, I happened to look up at the man's face and who +should it be but one of the very gamblers who had recently sold me. I +dropped his foot and bolted from the room as if I had been struck by +an electric shock. The man happened not to recognize me, but this +strange conduct on my part excited the landlord, who followed me out +to see what was the matter. He found me with my hand to my breast, +groaning at a great rate. He asked me what was the matter; but I was +not able to inform him correctly, but said that I felt very bad +indeed. He of course thought I was sick with the colic and ran in the +house and got some hot stuff for me, with spice, ginger, &c. But I +never got able to go into the bar-room until long after breakfast +time, when I knew this man was gone; then I got well. + +And yet I have no idea that the man would have hurt a hair of my head; +but my first thought was that he was after me. I then made up my mind +to leave Portsmouth; its location being right on the border of a slave +State. + +A short time after this a gentleman put up there over night named +Smith, from Perrysburgh, with whom I was acquainted in the North. He +was on his way to Kentucky to buy up a drove of fine horses, and he +wanted me to go and help him to drive his horses out to Perrysburgh, +and said he would pay all my expenses if I would go. So I made a +contract to go and agreed to meet him the next week, on a set day, in +Washington, Ky., to start with his drove to the north. Accordingly at +the time I took a steamboat passage down to Maysville, near where I +was to meet Mr. Smith with my trunk. When I arrived at Maysville, I +found that Washington was still six miles back from the river. I +stopped at a hotel and took my breakfast, and who should I see there +but a captain of a boat, who saw me but two years previous going down +the river Ohio with handcuffs on, in a chain gang; but he happened not +to know me. I left my trunk at the hotel and went out to Washington, +where I found Mr. Smith, and learned that he was not going to start +off with his drove until the next day. + +The following letter which was addressed to the committee to +investigate the truth of my narrative, will explain this part of it to +the reader and corroborate my statements: + + MAUMEE CITY, April 5, 1845. + + CHAS. H. STEWART, ESQ. + + DEAR SIR:--Your favor of 13th February, addressed to me at + Perrysburgh, was not received until yesterday; having + removed to this place, the letter was not forwarded as it + should have been. In reply to your inquiry respecting Henry + Bibb, I can only say that about the year 1838 I became + acquainted with him at Perrysburgh--employed him to do some + work by the job which he performed well, and from his + apparent honesty and candor, I became much interested in + him. About that time he went South for the purpose, as was + said, of getting his wife, who was there in slavery. In the + spring of 1841, I found him at Portsmouth on the Ohio river, + and after much persuasion, employed him to assist my man to + drive home some horses and cattle which I was about + purchasing near Maysville, Ky. My confidence in him was such + that when about half way home I separated the horses from + the cattle, and left him with the latter, with money and + instructions to hire what help he wanted to get to + Perrysburgh. This he accomplished to my entire satisfaction. + He worked for me during the summer, and I was unwilling to + part with him, but his desire to go to school and mature + plans for the liberation of his wife, were so strong that he + left for Detroit, where he could enjoy the society of his + colored brethren. I have heard his story and must say that I + have not the least reason to suspect it being otherwise than + true, and furthermore, I firmly believe, and have for a long + time, that he has the foundation to make himself useful. I + shall always afford him all the facilities in my power to + assist him, until I hear of something in relation to him to + alter my mind. + + Yours in the cause of truth, + J.W. SMITH + +When I arrived at Perrysburgh, I went to work for Mr. Smith for +several months. This family I found to be one of the most +kind-hearted, and unprejudiced that I ever lived with. Mr. and Mrs. +Smith lived up to their profession. + +I resolved to go to Detroit, that winter, and go to school, in January +1842. But when I arrived at Detroit I soon found that I was not able +to give myself a very thorough education. I was among strangers, who +were not disposed to show me any great favors. I had every thing to +pay for, and clothing to buy, so I graduated within three weeks! And +this was all the schooling that I have ever had in my life. + +W.C. Monroe was my teacher; to him I went about two weeks only. My +occupation varied according to circumstances, as I was not settled in +mind about the condition of my bereaved family for several years, and +could not settle myself down at any permanent business. I saw +occasionally, fugitives from Kentucky, some of whom I knew, but none +of them were my relatives; none could give me the information which I +desired most. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +_Letter from W.H. Gatewood.--My reply.--My efforts as a public +lecturer.--Singular incident in Steubenville--Meeting with a friend of +Whitfield in Michigan.--Outrage on a canal packet.--Fruitless efforts +to find my wife._ + + +The first direct information that I received concerning any of my +relations, after my last escape from slavery, was communicated in a +letter from Wm. H. Gatewood, my former owner, which I here insert word +for word, without any correction: + + BEDFORD, TRIMBLE COUNTY, KY. + + Mr. H. BIBB. + + DEAR SIR:--After my respects to you and yours &c, I received + a small book which you sent to me that I peroseed and found + it was sent by H. Bibb I am a stranger in Detroit and know + no man there without it is Walton H. Bibb if this be the man + please to write to me and tell me all about that place and + the people I will tell you the news here as well as I can + your mother is still living here and she is well the people + are generally well in this cuntry times are dull and produce + low give my compliments to King, Jack, and all my friends in + that cuntry I read that book you sent me and think it will + do very well--George is sold, I do not know any thing about + him I have nothing more at present, but remain yours &c + + W.H. GATEWOOD. + + February 9th, 1844. + P.S. You will please to answer this letter. + +Never was I more surprised than at the reception of this letter, it +came so unexpected to me. There had just been a State Convention held +in Detroit, by the free people of color, the proceedings of which were +published in pamphlet form. I forwarded several of them to +distinguished slaveholders in Kentucky--one among others was Mr. +Gatewood, and gave him to understand who sent it. After showing this +letter to several of my anti-slavery friends, and asking their +opinions about the propriety of my answering it, I was advised to do +it, as Mr. Gatewood had no claim on me as a slave, for he had sold +and got the money for me and my family. So I wrote him an answer, as +near as I can recollect, in the following language: + + DEAR SIR:--I am happy to inform you that you are not + mistaken in the man whom you sold as property, and received + pay for as such. But I thank God that I am not property now, + but am regarded as a man like yourself, and although I live + far north, I am enjoying a comfortable living by my own + industry. If you should ever chance to be traveling this + way, and will call on me, I will use you better than you did + me while you held me as a slave. Think not that I have any + malice against you, for the cruel treatment which you + inflicted on me while I was in your power. As it was the + custom of your country, to treat your fellow man as you did + me and my little family, I can freely forgive you. + + I wish to be remembered in love to my aged mother, and + friends; please tell her that if we should never meet again + in this life, my prayer shall be to God that we may meet in + Heaven, where parting shall be no more. + + You wish to be remembered to King and Jack. I am pleased, + sir, to inform you that they are both here, well, and doing + well. They are both living in Canada West. They are now the + owners of better farms than the men are who once owned them. + + You may perhaps think hard of us for running away from + slavery, but as to myself, I have but one apology to make + for it, which is this: I have only to regret that I did not + start at an earlier period. I might have been free long + before I was. But you had it in your power to have kept me + there much longer than you did. I think it is very probable + that I should have been a toiling slave on your plantation + to-day, if you had treated me differently. + + To be compelled to stand by and see you whip and slash my + wife without mercy, when I could afford her no protection, + not even by offering myself to suffer the lash in her place, + was more than I felt it to be the duty of a slave husband to + endure, while the way was open to Canada. My infant child + was also frequently flogged by Mrs. Gatewood, for crying, + until its skin was bruised literally purple. This kind of + treatment was what drove me from home and family, to seek a + better home for them. But I am willing to forget the past. I + should be pleased to hear from you again, on the reception + of this, and should also be very happy to correspond with + you often, if it should be agreeable to yourself. I + subscribe myself a friend to the oppressed, and Liberty + forever. + + HENRY BIBB. + + WILLIAM GATEWOOD. + Detroit, March 23d, 1844. + +The first time that I ever spoke before a public audience, was to give +a narration of my own sufferings and adventures, connected with +slavery. I commenced in the village of Adrian, State of Michigan, May, +1844. From that up to the present period, the principle part of my +time has been faithfully devoted to the cause of freedom--nerved up +and encouraged by the sympathy of anti-slavery friends on the one +hand, and prompted by a sense of duty to my enslaved countrymen on the +other, especially, when I remembered that slavery had robbed me of my +freedom--deprived me of education--banished me from my native State, +and robbed me of my family. + +I went from Michigan to the State of Ohio, where I traveled over some +of the Southern counties of that State, in company with Samuel Brooks, +and Amos Dresser, lecturing upon the subject of American Slavery. The +prejudice of the people at that time was very strong against the +abolitionists; so much so that they were frequently mobbed for +discussing the subject. + +We appointed a series of meetings along on the Ohio River, in sight of +the State of Virginia; and in several places we had Virginians over to +hear us upon the subject. I recollect our having appointed a meeting +in the city of Steubenville, which is situated on the bank of the +river Ohio. There was but one known abolitionist living in that city, +named George Ore. On the day of our meeting, when we arrived in this +splendid city there was not a church, school house, nor hall, that we +could get for love or money, to hold our meeting in. Finally, I +believe that the whigs consented to let us have the use of their club +room, to hold the meeting in; but before the hour had arrived for us +to commence, they re-considered the matter, and informed us that we +could not have the use of their house for an abolition meeting. + +We then got permission to hold forth in the public market house, and +even then so great was the hostility of the rabble, that they tried to +bluff us off, by threats and epithets. Our meeting was advertised to +take place at nine o'clock, A.M. The pro-slavery parties hired a +colored man to take a large auction bell, and go all over the city +ringing it, and crying, "ho ye! ho ye! Negro auction to take place in +the market house, at nine o'clock, by George Ore!" This cry was +sounded all over the city, which called out many who would not +otherwise have been present. They came to see if it was really the +case. The object of the rabble in having the bell rung was, to prevent +us from attempting to speak. But at the appointed hour, Bro. Dresser +opened the meeting with prayer, and Samuel Brooks mounted the block +and spoke for fifteen or twenty minutes, after which Mr. Dresser took +the block and talked about one hour upon the wickedness of +slaveholding. There were not yet many persons present. They were +standing off I suppose to see if I was to be offered for sale. Many +windows were hoisted and store doors open, and they were looking and +listening to what was said. After Mr. Dresser was through, I was +called to take the stand. Just at this moment there was no small stir +in rushing forward; so much indeed, that I thought they were coming up +to mob me. I should think that in less than fifteen minutes there were +about one thousand persons standing around, listening. I saw many of +them shedding tears while I related the sad story of my wrongs. At +twelve o'clock we adjourned the meeting, to meet again at the same +place at two P.M. Our afternoon meeting was well attended until nearly +sunset, at which time, we saw some signs of a mob and adjourned. The +mob followed us that night to the house of Mr. Ore, and they were +yelling like tigers, until late that night, around the house, as if +they wanted to tear it down. + +In the fall of 1844, S.B. Treadwell, of Jackson, and myself, spent two +or three months in lecturing through the State of Michigan, upon the +abolition of slavery, in a section of country where abolitionists +were few and far between. Our meetings were generally appointed in +small log cabins, school houses, among the farmers, which were some +times crowded full; and where they had no horse teams, it was often +the case that there would be four or five ox teams come, loaded down +with men, women and children, to attend our meetings. + +But the people were generally poor, and in many places not able to +give us a decent night's lodging. We most generally carried with us a +few pounds of candles to light up the houses wherein we held our +meetings after night; for in many places, they had neither candles nor +candlesticks. After meeting was out, we have frequently gone from +three to eight miles to get lodging, through the dark forest, where +there was scarcely any road for a wagon to run on. + +I have traveled for miles over swamps, where the roads were covered +with logs, without any dirt over them, which has sometimes shook and +jostled the wagon to pieces, where we could find no shop or any place +to mend it. We would have to tie it up with bark, or take the lines to +tie it with, and lead the horse by the bridle. At other times we were +in mud up to the hubs of the wheels. I recollect one evening, we +lectured in a little village where there happened to be a Southerner +present, who was a personal friend of Deacon Whitfield, who became +much offended at what I said about his "Bro. Whitfield," and +complained about it after the meeting was out. + +He told the people not to believe a word that I said, that it was all +a humbug. They asked him how he knew? "Ah!" said he, "he has slandered +Bro. Whitfield. I am well acquainted with him, we both belonged to one +church; and Whitfield is one of the most respectable men in all that +region of country." They asked if he (Whitfield) was a slaveholder? + +The reply was "yes, but he treated his slaves well." + +"Well," said one, "that only proves that he has told us the truth; for +all we wish to know, is that there is such a man as Whitfield, as +represented by Bibb, and that he is a slave holder." + +On the 2d Sept., 1847, I started from Toledo on board the canal packet +Erie, for Cincinnati, Ohio. But before going on board, I was waited on +by one of the boat's crew, who gave me a card of the boat, upon which +was printed, that no pains would be spared to render all passengers +comfortable who might favor them with their patronage to Cincinnati. +This card I slipped into my pocket, supposing it might be of some use +to me. There were several drunken loafers on board going through as +passengers, one of whom used the most vulgar language in the cabin, +where there were ladies, and even vomited! But he was called a white +man, and a southerner, which made it all right. I of course took my +place in the cabin with the rest, and there was nothing said against +it that night. When the passengers went forward to settle their fare I +paid as much as any other man, which entitled me to the same +privileges. The next morning at the ringing of the breakfast bell, the +proprietor of the packet line, Mr. Samuel Doyle, being on board, +invited the passengers to sit up to breakfast. He also invited me +personally to sit up to the table. But after we were all seated, and +some had began to eat, he came and ordered me up from the table, and +said I must wait until the rest were done. + +I left the table without making any reply, and walked out on the deck +of the boat. After breakfast the passengers came up, and the cabin boy +was sent after me to come to breakfast, but I refused. Shortly after, +this man who had ordered me from the table, came up with the ladies. I +stepped up and asked him if he was the captain of the boat. His answer +was no, that he was one of the proprietors. I then informed him that I +was going to leave his boat at the first stopping place, but before +leaving I wanted to ask him a few questions: "Have I misbehaved to any +one on board of this boat? Have I disobeyed any law of this boat?" + +"No," said he. + +"Have I not paid you as much as any other passenger through to +Cincinnati?" + +"Yes," said he. + +"Then I am sure that I have been insulted and imposed upon, on board +of this boat, without any just cause whatever." + +"No one has misused you, for you ought to have known better than to +have come to the table where there were white people." + +"Sir, did you not ask me to come to the table?" + +"Yes, but I did not know that you was a colored man, when I asked you; +and then it was better to insult one man than all the passengers on +board of the boat." + +"Sir, I do not believe that there is a gentleman or lady on board of +this boat who would have considered it an insult for me to have taken +my breakfast, and you have imposed upon me by taking my money and +promising to use me well, and then to insult me as you have." + +"I don't want any of your jaw," said he. + +"Sir, with all due respect to your elevated station, you have imposed +upon me in a way which is unbecoming a gentleman. I have paid my +money, and behaved myself as well as any other man, and I am +determined that no man shall impose on me as you have, by deceiving +me, without my letting the world know it. I would rather a man should +rob me of my money at midnight, than to take it in that way." + +I left this boat at the first stopping place, and took the next boat +to Cincinnati. On the last boat I had no cause to complain of my +treatment. When I arrived at Cincinnati, I published a statement of +this affair in the Daily Herald. + +The next day Mr. Doyle called on the editor in a great +passion.--"Here," said he, "what does this mean." + +"What, sir?" said the editor quietly. + +"Why, the stuff here, read it and see." + +"Read it yourself," answered the editor. + +"Well, I want to know if you sympathize with this nigger here." + +"Who, Mr. Bibb? Why yes, I think he is a gentleman, and should be used +as such." + +"Why this is all wrong--all of it." + +"Put your finger on the place, and I will right it." + +"Well, he says that we took his money, when we paid part back. And if +you take his part, why I'll have nothing to do with your paper." + +So ended his wrath. + +In 1845, the anti-slavery friends of Michigan employed me to take the +field as an anti-slavery Lecturer, in that State, during the Spring, +Summer, and Fall, pledging themselves to restore to me my wife and +child, if they were living, and could be reached by human agency, +which may be seen by the following circular from the Signal of +Liberty: + + TO LIBERTY FRIENDS:--In the Signal of the 28th inst. is a + report from the undersigned respecting Henry Bibb. His + narrative always excites deep sympathy for himself and + favorable bias for the cause, which seeks to abolish the + evils he so powerfully portrays. Friends and foes attest his + efficiency. + + Mr. Bibb has labored much in lecturing, yet has collected + but a bare pittance. He has received from Ohio lucrative + offers, but we have prevailed on him to remain in this + State. + + We think that a strong obligation rests on the friends in + this State to sustain Mr. Bibb, and restore to him his wife + and child. Under the expectation that Michigan will yield to + these claims: will support their laborer, and re-unite the + long severed ties of husband and wife, parent and child, Mr. + Bibb will lecture through the whole State. + + Our object is to prepare friends for the visit of Mr. Bibb, + and to suggest an effective mode of operations for the whole + State. + + Let friends in each vicinity appoint a collector--pay to him + all contributions for the freedom of Mrs. Bibb and child: + then transmit them to us. We will acknowledge them in the + Signal, and be responsible for them. We will see that the + proper measures for the freedom of Mrs. Bibb and child are + taken, and if it be within our means we will accomplish + it--nay we will accomplish it, if the objects be living and + the friends sustain us. But should we fail, the + contributions will be held subject to the order of the + donors, less however, by a proportionate deduction of + expenses from each. + + The hope of this re-union will nerve the heart and body of + Mr. Bibb to re-doubled effort in a cause otherwise dear to + him. And as he will devote his whole time systematically to + the anti-slavery cause, he must also depend on friends for + the means of livelihood. We bespeak for him your + hospitality, and such pecuniary contributions as you can + afford, trusting that the latter may be sufficient to enable + him to keep the field. + + A.L. PORTER, + C.H. STEWART, + SILAS M. HOLMES + + DETROIT, APRIL 22, 1845. + +I have every reason to believe that they acted faithfully in the +matter, but without success. They wrote letters in every quarter where +they would be likely to gain any information respecting her. There +were also two men sent from Michigan in the summer of 1845, down +South, to find her if possible, and report--and whether they found out +her condition, and refused to report, I am not able to say--but +suffice it to say that they never have reported. They were respectable +men and true friends of the cause, one of whom was a Methodist +minister, and the other a cabinet maker, and both white men. + +The small spark of hope which had still lingered about my heart had +almost become extinct. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +_My last effort to recover my family.--Sad tidings of my wife.--Her +degradation.--I am compelled to regard our relation as dissolved +forever._ + + +In view of the failure to hear any thing of my wife, many of my best +friends advised me to get married again, if I could find a suitable +person. They regarded my former wife as dead to me, and all had been +done that could be. + +But I was not yet satisfied myself, to give up. I wanted to know +certainly what had become of her. So in the winter of 1845, I resolved +to go back to Kentucky, my native State, to see if I could hear +anything from my family. And against the advice of all my friends, I +went back to Cincinnati, where I took passage on board of a Southern +steamboat to Madison, in the State of Indiana, which was only ten +miles from where Wm. Gatewood lived, who was my former owner. No +sooner had I landed in Madison, than I learned, on inquiry, and from +good authority, that my wife was living in a state of adultery with +her master, and had been for the last three years. This message she +sent back to Kentucky, to her mother and friends. She also spoke of +the time and manner of our separation by Deacon Whitfield, my being +taken off by the Southern black-legs, to where she knew not; and that +she had finally given me up. The child she said was still with her. +Whitfield had sold her to this man for the above purposes at a high +price, and she was better used than ordinary slaves. This was a death +blow to all my hopes and pleasant plans. While I was in Madison I +hired a white man to go over to Bedford, in Kentucky, where my mother +was then living, and bring her over into a free State to see me. I +hailed her approach with unspeakable joy. She informed me too, on +inquiring whether my family had ever been heard from, that the report +which I had just heard in relation to Malinda was substantially true, +for it was the same message that she had sent to her mother and +friends. And my mother thought it was no use for me to run any more +risks, or to grieve myself any more about her. + +From that time I gave her up into the hands of an all-wise +Providence. As she was then living with another man, I could no longer +regard her as my wife. After all the sacrifices, sufferings, and risks +which I had run, striving to rescue her from the grasp of slavery; +every prospect and hope was cut off. She has ever since been regarded +as theoretically and practically dead to me as a wife, for she was +living in a state of adultery, according to the law of God and man. + +Poor unfortunate woman, I bring no charge of guilt against her, for I +know not all the circumstances connected with the case. It is +consistent with slavery, however, to suppose that she became +reconciled to it, from the fact of her sending word back to her +friends and relatives that she was much better treated than she had +ever been before, and that she had also given me up. It is also +reasonable to suppose that there might have been some kind of +attachment formed by living together in this way for years; and it is +quite probable that they have other children according to the law of +nature, which would have a tendency to unite them stronger together. + +In view of all the facts and circumstances connected with this matter, +I deem further comments and explanations unnecessary on my part. +Finding myself thus isolated in this peculiarly unnatural state, I +resolved, in 1846, to spend my days in traveling, to advance the +anti-slavery cause. I spent the summer in Michigan, but in the +subsequent fall I took a trip to New England, where I spent the +winter. And there I found a kind reception wherever I traveled among +the friends of freedom. + +While traveling about in this way among strangers, I was sometimes +sick, with no permanent home, or bosom friend to sympathise or take +that care of me which an affectionate wife would. So I conceived the +idea that it would be better for me to change my position, provided I +should find a suitable person. + +In the month of May, 1847, I attended the anti-slavery anniversary in +the city of New York, where I had the good fortune to be introduced to +the favor of a Miss Mary E. Miles, of Boston; a lady whom I had +frequently heard very highly spoken of, for her activity and devotion +to the anti-slavery cause, as well as her talents and learning, and +benevolence in the cause of reforms, generally. I was very much +impressed with the personal appearance of Miss Miles, and was deeply +interested in our first interview, because I found that her principles +and my own were nearly one and the same. I soon found by a few visits, +as well as by letters, that she possessed moral principle, and +frankness of disposition, which is often sought for but seldom found. +These, in connection with other amiable qualities, soon won my entire +confidence and affection. But this secret I kept to myself until I was +fully satisfied that this feeling was reciprocal; that there was +indeed a congeniality of principles and feeling, which time nor +eternity could never change. + +When I offered myself for matrimony, we mutually engaged ourselves to +each other, to marry in one year, with this condition, viz: that if +either party should see any reason to change their mind within that +time, the contract should not be considered binding. We kept up a +regular correspondence during the time, and in June, 1848, we had the +happiness to be joined in holy wedlock. Not in slaveholding style, +which is a mere farce, without the sanction of law or gospel; but in +accordance with the laws of God and our country. My beloved wife is a +bosom friend, a help-meet, a loving companion in all the social, +moral, and religious relations of life. She is to me what a poor +slave's wife can never be to her husband while in the condition of a +slave; for she can not be true to her husband contrary to the will of +her master. She can neither be pure nor virtuous, contrary to the will +of her master. She dare not refuse to be reduced to a state of +adultery at the will of her master; from the fact that the +slaveholding law, customs and teachings are all against the poor +slaves. + +I presume there are no class of people in the United States who so +highly appreciate the legality of marriage as those persons who have +been held and treated as property. Yes, it is that fugitive who knows +from sad experience, what it is to have his wife tyrannically snatched +from his bosom by a slaveholding professor of religion, and finally +reduced to a state of adultery, that knows how to appreciate the law +that repels such high-handed villany. Such as that to which the writer +has been exposed. But thanks be to God, I am now free from the hand of +the cruel oppressor, no more to be plundered of my dearest rights; the +wife of my bosom, and my poor unoffending offspring. Of Malinda I +will only add a word in conclusion. The relation once subsisting +between us, to which I clung, hoping against hope, for years, after we +were torn assunder, not having been sanctioned by any loyal power, +cannot be cancelled by a legal process. Voluntarily assumed without +law mutually, it was by her relinquished years ago without my +knowledge, as before named; during which time I was making every +effort to secure her restoration. And it was not until after living +alone in the world for more than eight years without a companion known +in law or morals, that I changed my condition. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +_Comments on S. Gatewood's letter about slaves stealing.--Their +conduct vindicated.--Comments on W. Gatewood's letter._ + + +But it seems that I am not now beyond the reach of the foul slander of +slaveholders. They are not satisfied with selling and banishing me +from my native State. As soon as they got news of my being in the free +North, exposing their peculiar Institution, a libelous letter was +written by Silas Gatewood of Kentucky, a son of one of my former +owners, to a Northern Committee, for publication, which he thought +would destroy my influence and character. This letter will be found in +the introduction. + +He has charged me with the awful crime of taking from my keeper and +oppressor, some of the fruits of my own labor for the benefit of +myself and family. + +But while writing this letter he seems to have overlooked the +disgraceful fact that he was guilty himself of what would here be +regarded highway robbery, in his conduct to me as narrated on page 60 +of this narrative. + +A word in reply to Silas Gatewood's letter. I am willing to admit all +that is true, but shall deny that which is so basely false. In the +first place, he puts words in my mouth that I never used. He says that +I represented that "my mother belonged to James Bibb." I deny ever +having said so in private or public. He says that I stated that Bibb's +daughter married a Sibley. I deny it. He also says that the first time +that I left Kentucky for my liberty, I was gone about two years, +before I went back to rescue my family. I deny it. I was gone from +Dec. 25th, 1837, to May, or June, 1838. He says that I went back the +second time for the purpose of taking off my family, and eight or ten +more slaves to Canada. This I will not pretend to deny. He says I was +guilty of disposing of articles from the farm for my own use, and +pocketing the money, and that his father caught me stealing a sack +full of wheat. I admit the fact. I acknowledge the wheat. + +And who had a better right to eat of the fruits of my own hard +earnings than myself? Many a long summer's day have I toiled with my +wife and other slaves, cultivating his father's fields, and gathering +in his harvest, under the scorching rays of the sun, without half +enough to eat, or clothes to wear, and at the same time his meat-house +was filled with bacon and bread stuff; his dairy with butter and +cheese; his barn with grain, husbanded by the unrequited toil of the +slaves. And yet if a slave presumed to take a little from the +abundance which he had made by his own sweat and toil, to supply the +demands of nature, to quiet the craving appetite which is sometimes +almost irresistible, it is called stealing by slaveholders. + +But I did not regard it as stealing then, I do not regard it as such +now. I hold that a slave has a moral right to eat drink and wear all +that he needs, and that it would be a sin on his part to suffer and +starve in a country where there is a plenty to eat and wear within his +reach. I consider that I had a just right to what I took, because it +was the labor of my own hands. Should I take from a neighbor as a +freeman, in a free country, I should consider myself guilty of doing +wrong before God and man. But was I the slave of Wm. Gatewood to-day, +or any other slaveholder, working without wages, and suffering with +hunger or for clothing, I should not stop to inquire whether my master +would approve of my helping myself to what I needed to eat or wear. +For while the slave is regarded as property, how can he steal from his +master? It is contrary to the very nature of the relation existing +between master and slave, from the fact that there is no law to punish +a slave for theft, but lynch law; and the way they avoid that is to +hide well. For illustration, a slave from the State of Virginia, for +cruel treatment left the State between daylight and dark, being borne +off by one of his master's finest horses, and finally landed in +Canada, where the British laws recognise no such thing as property in +a human being. He was pursued by his owners, who expected to take +advantage of the British law by claiming him as a fugitive from +justice, and as such he was arrested and brought before the court of +Queen's Bench. They swore that he was, at a certain time, the slave of +Mr. A., and that he ran away at such a time and stole and brought off +a horse. They enquired who the horse belonged to, and it was +ascertained that the slave and horse both belonged to the same +person. The court therefore decided that the horse and the man were +both recognised, in the State of Virginia, alike, as articles of +property, belonging to the same person--therefore, if there was theft +committed on either side, the former must have stolen off the +latter--the horse brought away the man, and not the man the horse. So +the man was discharged and pronounced free according to the laws of +Canada. There are several other letters published in this work upon +the same subject, from slaveholders, which it is hardly necessary for +me to notice. However, I feel thankful to the writers for the +endorsement and confirmation which they have given to my story. No +matter what their motives were, they have done me and the anti-slavery +cause good service in writing those letters--but more especially the +Gatewood's. Silas Gatewood has done more for me than all the rest. He +has labored so hard in his long communication in trying to expose me, +that he has proved every thing that I could have asked of him; and for +which I intend to reward him by forwarding him one of my books, hoping +that it may be the means of converting him from a slaveholder to an +honest man, and an advocate of liberty for all mankind. + +The reader will see in the introduction that Wm. Gatewood writes a +more cautious letter upon the subject than his son Silas. "It is not a +very easy matter to catch old birds with chaff," and I presume if +Silas had the writing of his letter over again, he would not be so +free in telling all he knew, and even more, for the sake of making out +a strong case. The object of his writing such a letter will doubtless +be understood by the reader. It was to destroy public confidence in +the victims of slavery, that the system might not be exposed--it was +to gag a poor fugitive who had undertaken to plead his own cause and +that of his enslaved brethren. It was a feeble attempt to suppress the +voice of universal freedom which is now thundering on every gale. But +thank God it is too late in the day. + + Go stop the mighty thunder's roar, + Go hush the ocean's sound, + Or upward like the eagle soar + To skies' remotest bound. + + And when thou hast the thunder stopped, + And hushed the ocean's waves, + Then, freedom's spirit bind in chains, + And ever hold us slaves. + + And when the eagle's boldest fest, + Thou canst perform with skill, + Then, think to stop proud freedom's march, + And hold the bondman still. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +_Review of my narrative.--Licentiousness a prop of slavery.--A case of +mild slavery given.--Its revolting features.--Times of my purchase and +sale by professed Christians.--Concluding remarks._ + + +I now conclude my narrative, by reviewing briefly what I have written. +This little work has been written without any personal aid or a +knowledge of the English grammer, which must in part be my apology for +many of its imperfections. + +I find in several places, where I have spoken out the deep feelings of +my soul, in trying to describe the horrid treatment which I have so +often received at the hands of slaveholding professors of religion, +that I might possibly make a wrong impression on the minds of some +northern freemen, who are unacquainted theoretically or practically +with the customs and treatment of American slaveholders to their +slaves. I hope that it may not be supposed by any, that I have +exaggerated in the least, for the purpose of making out the system of +slavery worse than it really is, for, to exaggerate upon the cruelties +of this system, would be almost impossible; and to write herein the +most horrid features of it would not be in good taste for my book. + +I have long thought from what has fallen under my own observation +while a slave, that the strongest reason why southerners stick with +such tenacity to their "peculiar institution," is because licentious +white men could not carry out their wicked purposes among the +defenceless colored population as they now do, without being exposed +and punished by law, if slavery was abolished. Female virtue could not +be trampled under foot with impunity, and marriage among the people of +color kept in utter obscurity. + +On the other hand, lest it should be said by slaveholders and their +apologists, that I have not done them the justice to give a sketch of +the best side of slavery, if there can be any best side to it; +therefore in conclusion, they may have the benefit of the following +case, that fell under the observation of the writer. And I challenge +America to show a milder state of slavery than this. I once knew a +Methodist in the state of Ky., by the name of Young, who was the owner +of a large number of slaves, many of whom belonged to the same church +with their master. They worshipped together in the same church. + +Mr. Young never was known to flog one of his slaves or sell one. He +fed and clothed them well, and never over-worked them. He allowed each +family a small house to themselves with a little garden spot, whereon +to raise their own vegetables; and a part of the day on Saturdays was +allowed them to cultivate it. + +In process of time he became deeply involved in debt by endorsing +notes, and his property was all advertised to be sold by the sheriff +at public auction. It consisted in slaves, many of whom were his +brothers and sisters in the church. + +On the day of sale there were slave traders and speculators on the +ground to buy. The slaves were offered on the auction block one after +another, until they were all sold before their old master's face. The +first man offered on the block was an old gray-headed slave by the +name of Richard. His wife followed him up to the block, and when they +had bid him up to seventy or eighty dollars one of the bidders asked +Mr. Young what he could do, as he looked very old and infirm? Mr. +Young replied by saying, "he is not able to accomplish much manual +labor, from his extreme age and hard labor in early life. Yet I would +rather have him than many of those who are young and vigorous; who are +able to perform twice as much labor--because I know him to be faithful +and trustworthy, a Christian in good standing in my church. I can +trust him anywhere with confidence. He has toiled many long years on +my plantation and I have always found him faithful." + +This giving him a good Christian character caused them to run him up +to near two hundred dollars. His poor old companion stood by weeping +and pleading that they might not be separated. But the marriage +relation was soon dissolved by the sale, and they were separated never +to meet again. + +Another man was called up whose wife followed him with her infant in +her arms, beseeching to be sold with her husband, which proved to be +all in vain. After the men were all sold they then sold the women and +children. They ordered the first woman to lay down her child and +mount the auction block; she refused to give up her little one and +clung to it as long as she could, while the cruel lash was applied to +her back for disobedience. She pleaded for mercy in the name of God. +But the child was torn from the arms of its mother amid the most +heart-rending shrieks from the mother and child on the one hand, and +bitter oaths and cruel lashes from the tyrants on the other. Finally +the poor little child was torn from the mother while she was +sacrificed to the highest bidder. In this way the sale was carried on +from beginning to end. + +There was each speculator with his hand-cuffs to bind his victims +after the sale; and while they were doing their writings, the +Christian portion of the slaves asked permission to kneel in prayer on +the ground before they separated, which was granted. And while bathing +each other with tears of sorrow on the verge of their final +separation, their eloquent appeals in prayer to the Most High seemed +to cause an unpleasant sensation upon the ears of their tyrants, who +ordered them to rise and make ready their limbs for the caffles. And +as they happened not to bound at the first sound, they were soon +raised from their knees by the sound of the lash, and the rattle of +the chains, in which they were soon taken off by their respective +masters,--husbands from wives, and children from parents, never +expecting to meet until the judgment of the great day. Then Christ +shall say to the slaveholding professors of religion, "Inasmuch as ye +did it unto one of the least of these little ones, my brethren, ye did +it unto me." + +Having thus tried to show the best side of slavery that I can conceive +of, the reader can exercise his own judgment in deciding whether a man +can be a Bible Christian, and yet hold his Christian brethren as +property, so that they may be sold at any time in market, as sheep or +oxen, to pay his debts. + +During my life in slavery I have been sold by professors of religion +several times. In 1836 "Bro." Albert G. Sibley, of Bedford, Kentucky, +sold me for $850 to "Bro." John Sibley; and in the same year he sold +me to "Bro." Wm. Gatewood of Bedford, for $850. In 1839 "Bro." +Gatewood sold me to Madison Garrison, a slave trader, of Louisville, +Kentucky, with my wife and child--at a depreciated price because I was +a runaway. In the same year he sold me with my family to "Bro." +Whitfield, in the city of New Orleans, for $1200. In 1841 "Bro." +Whitfield sold me from my family to Thomas Wilson and Co., blacklegs. +In the same year they sold me to a "Bro." in the Indian Territory. I +think he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. F.E. Whitfield was a +deacon in regular standing in the Baptist Church. A. Sibley was a +Methodist exhorter of the M.E. Church in good standing. J. Sibley was +a class-leader in the same church; and Wm. Gatewood was also an +acceptable member of the same church. + +Is this Christianity? Is it honest or right? Is it doing as we would +be done by? Is it in accordance with the principles of humanity or +justice? + +I believe slaveholding to be a sin against God and man under all +circumstances. I have no sympathy with the person or persons who +tolerate and support the system willingly and knowingly, morally, +religiously or politically. + +Prayerfully and earnestly relying on the power of truth, and the aid +of the divine providence, I trust that this little volume will bear +some humble part in lighting up the path of freedom and +revolutionizing public opinion upon this great subject. And I here +pledge myself, God being my helper, ever to contend for the natural +equality of the human family, without regard to color, which is but +fading _matter_, while _mind_ makes the man. + +NEW YORK CITY, _May 1, 1849_. + + HENRY BIBB. + + + + +INDEX. + + + Introduction. 1 + + Author's Preface. 12 + + + Chap. I.-- + Sketch of my Parentage, 15. + Early separation from my Mother, 15. + Hard Fare, 16. + First Experiments at running away, 16. + Earnest longing for Freedom, 17. + Abhorrent nature of Slavery, 18. + + + Chap. II.-- + A fruitless effort for education, 19. + The Sabbath among Slaves, 19. + Degrading amusements, 19. + Why religion is rejected, 20. + Condition of poor white people, 20. + Superstition among slaves, 21. + Education forbidden, 25. + + + Chap. III.-- + My Courtship and Marriage, 26. + Change of owner, 31. + My first born, 32. + Its sufferings, 32. + My wife abused, 33. + My own anguish, 33. + + + Chap. IV.-- + My first adventure for liberty, 34. + Parting Scene, 34. + Journey up the river, 35. + Safe arrival in Cincinnati, 36. + Journey to Canada, 37. + Suffering from cold and hunger, 38. + Denied food and shelter by some, 38. + One noble exception, 38. + Subsequent success, 39. + Arrival at Perrysburgh, 39. + Obtain employment through the winter, 39. + My return to Kentucky to get my family, 40. + + + Chap. V-- + My safe arrival at Kentucky, 41. + Surprise and delight to find my family, 41. + Plan for their escape, projected, 42. + Return to Cincinnati, 43. + My betrayal by traitors, 43. + Imprisonment in Covington, Kentucky, 45. + Return to slavery, 46. + Infamous proposal of the slave catchers, 47. + My reply, 47. + + + Chap. VI.-- + Arrival at Louisville, Kentucky, 50. + Efforts to sell me, 50. + Fortunate escape from the man-stealers in the public street, 51. + I return to Bedford, Ky., 55. + The rescue of my family again attempted, 55. + I started alone expecting them to follow, 2. + After waiting some months I resolve to go back again to Kentucky, 57. + + + Chap. VII.-- + My safe return to Kentucky, 58. + The perils I encountered there, 59. + Again betrayed, and taken by a mob, ironed and imprisoned, 60. + Narrow escape from death, 62. + Life in a slave prison, 63. + + + Chap. VIII.-- + Character of my prison companions, 65. + Jail breaking contemplated, 66. + Defeat of our plan, 67. + My wife and child removed, 67. + Disgraceful proposal to her, and cruel punishment, 67. + Our departure in a coffle for New Orleans, 68. + Events of our journey, 69. + + + Chap. IX.-- + Our arrival and examination at Vicksburg, 70. + An account of slave sales, 71. + Cruel punishment with the paddle, 71. + Attempts to sell myself by Garrison's direction, 72. + Amusing interview with a slave buyer, 73. + Deacon Whitfield's examination, 74. + He purchases the family, 75. + Character of the Deacon, 75. + + + Chap. X.-- + Cruel treatment on Whitfield's farm, 77. + Exposure of the children, 77. + Mode of extorting extra labor, 78. + Neglect of the sick, 80. + Strange medicine used, 80. + Death of our second child, 81. + + + Chap. XI.-- + I attend a prayer meeting, 82. + Punishment therefor threatened, 82. + I attempt to escape alone, 82. + My return to take my family, 84. + Our sufferings, 85. + Dreadful attack of wolves, 85. + Our recapture, 88. + + + Chap. XII.-- + My sad condition before Whitfield, 89. + My terrible punishment, 89. + Incidents of a former attempt to escape, 91. + Jack at a farm house, 92. + Six pigs and a turkey, 93. + Our surprise and arrest, 94. + + + Chap. XIII.-- + I am sold to gamblers, 96. + They try to purchase my family, 97. + Our parting scene, 98. + My good usage, 99. + I am sold to an Indian, 100. + His confidence in my integrity manifested, 100. + + + Chap. XIV-- + Character of my Indian Master, 101. + Slavery among the Indians less cruel, 101. + Indian carousal, 102. + Enfeebled health of my Indian Master, 102. + His death, 102. + My escape, 103. + Adventure in a wigwam, 103. + Successful progress toward liberty, 104. + + + Chap. XV + Adventure on the Prairie, 106. + I borrow a horse without leave, 108. + Rapid traveling one whole night, 108. + Apology for using other men's horses, 109. + My manner of living on the road, 109. + + + Chap. XVI. + Stratagem to get on board the steamer, 111. + My Irish friends, 112. + My success in reaching the Ohio, 113. + Reflections on again seeing Kentucky, 113. + I get employment in a hotel, 113. + My fright at seeing the gambler who sold me, 114. + I leave Ohio with Mr. Smith, 115. + His letter, 115. + My education, 116. + + + Chap. XVII. + Letter from W.H. Gatewood, 117. + My reply, 118. + My efforts as a public lecturer, 119. + Singular incident in Steubenville, 119. + Meeting with a friend of Whitfield in Michigan, 121. + Outrage on a canal packet, 122. + Fruitless efforts to find my wife, 124. + + + Chap. XVIII. + My last effort to recover my family, 126. + Sad tidings of my wife, 126. + Her degradation, 126. + I am compelled to regard our relation as dissolved for ever, 127. + + + Chap. XIX. + Comments on S. Gatewood's letter about slaves stealing, 130. + Their conduct vindicated, 131. + Comments on W. Gatewood's letter, 132. + + + Chap. XX. + Review of my narrative, 134. + Licentiousness a prop of Slavery, 134. + A case of mild slavery given, 135. + Its revolting features, 135. + Times of my purchase and sale by professed Christians, 136. + Concluding remarks, 137. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Life and Adventures +of Henry Bibb, an American Slave, Written by Himself, by Henry Bibb + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE AND *** + +***** This file should be named 15398.txt or 15398.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.net/1/5/3/9/15398/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Richard J. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.net + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/Examples/ZFS/Main.hs b/Examples/ZFS/Main.hs deleted file mode 100644 --- a/Examples/ZFS/Main.hs +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16 +0,0 @@ -{-| -Module: Main -Description: Demonstration of Boomerang and Yaml for parsing. -Copyright: © 2016 All rights reserved. -License: GPL-3 -Maintainer: Evan Cofsky <> -Stability: experimental -Portability: POSIX --} - -module Main where - -import Lawless -import Types - -main = putStrLn "Hello" diff --git a/Examples/ZFS/Types.hs b/Examples/ZFS/Types.hs deleted file mode 100644 --- a/Examples/ZFS/Types.hs +++ /dev/null @@ -1,19 +0,0 @@ -{-| -Module: Types -Description: ZFS and ZPool types -Copyright: © 2016 All rights reserved. -License: GPL-3 -Maintainer: Evan Cofsky <> -Stability: experimental -Portability: POSIX --} - -module Types ( - module Types.ZPools, - module Types.ZPool, - module Types.ZName - ) where - -import Types.ZPools -import Types.ZPool -import Types.ZName diff --git a/Examples/ZFS/Types/ZName.hs b/Examples/ZFS/Types/ZName.hs deleted file mode 100644 --- a/Examples/ZFS/Types/ZName.hs +++ /dev/null @@ -1,59 +0,0 @@ -{-# LANGUAGE TemplateHaskell #-} -{-| -Module: Types.ZName -Description: Builder for a ZPool name. -Copyright: © 2016 All rights reserved. -License: GPL-3 -Maintainer: Evan Cofsky <> -Stability: experimental -Portability: POSIX --} - -module Types.ZName where - -import Lawless -import Aeson -import Text - -data ZNDateTime = ISO8601 deriving (Show, Eq, Ord, Generic) -makePrisms ''ZNDateTime - -instance FromJSON ZNDateTime where - parseJSON = lawlessParseJSON - -instance ToJSON ZNDateTime where - toEncoding = lawlessToJSONEncoding - -data ZNComponent = - String Text | - Datetime ZNDateTime - deriving (Eq, Show, Ord, Generic) -makePrisms ''ZNComponent - -instance FromJSON ZNComponent where - parseJSON = lawlessParseJSON - -instance ToJSON ZNComponent where - toEncoding = lawlessToJSONEncoding - -newtype ZNComponents = ZNComponents [ZNComponent] - deriving (Eq, Show, Ord, Monoid, Generic) -makePrisms ''ZNComponents - -instance FromJSON ZNComponents where - parseJSON = lawlessParseJSON - -instance ToJSON ZNComponents where - toEncoding = lawlessToJSONEncoding - -data ZName = ZName { - _znSeparator ∷ Char, - _znComponents ∷ ZNComponents - } deriving (Eq, Show, Ord, Generic) -makePrisms ''ZName - -instance FromJSON ZName where - parseJSON = lawlessParseJSON - -instance ToJSON ZName where - toEncoding = lawlessToJSONEncoding diff --git a/Examples/ZFS/Types/ZPool.hs b/Examples/ZFS/Types/ZPool.hs deleted file mode 100644 --- a/Examples/ZFS/Types/ZPool.hs +++ /dev/null @@ -1,27 +0,0 @@ -{-# LANGUAGE TemplateHaskell #-} -{-| -Module: Types.ZPool -Description: Description of a single ZPool -Copyright: © 2016 All rights reserved. -License: GPL-3 -Maintainer: Evan Cofsky <> -Stability: experimental -Portability: POSIX --} - -module Types.ZPool where - -import Lawless -import Aeson -import Types.ZName - -data ZPool = ZPool { - _zpName ∷ ZName - } deriving (Eq, Show, Ord, Generic) -makePrisms ''ZPool - -instance FromJSON ZPool where - parseJSON = lawlessParseJSON - -instance ToJSON ZPool where - toEncoding = lawlessToJSONEncoding diff --git a/Examples/ZFS/Types/ZPools.hs b/Examples/ZFS/Types/ZPools.hs deleted file mode 100644 --- a/Examples/ZFS/Types/ZPools.hs +++ /dev/null @@ -1,28 +0,0 @@ -{-| -Module: Types.ZPools -Description: Representation of a collection of ZPools -Copyright: © 2016 All rights reserved. -License: GPL-3 -Maintainer: Evan Cofsky <> -Stability: experimental -Portability: POSIX --} - -{-# LANGUAGE TemplateHaskell #-} - -module Types.ZPools where - -import Lawless -import Aeson -import Set -import Types.ZPool - -newtype ZPools = ZPools (Set ZPool) - deriving (Eq, Show, Generic, Monoid) -makePrisms ''ZPools - -instance FromJSON ZPools where - parseJSON = lawlessParseJSON - -instance ToJSON ZPools where - toEncoding = lawlessToJSONEncoding diff --git a/Examples/ZFS/zpools.yaml b/Examples/ZFS/zpools.yaml deleted file mode 100644 --- a/Examples/ZFS/zpools.yaml +++ /dev/null @@ -1,18 +0,0 @@ -zpools: - - name: - separator: _ - components: - - string: zpool - - datetime: iso8601 - options: - - atime: false - - compression: lz4 - - normalization: formD - - mountpount: null - - acltype: posixacl - - xattr: sa - - checksum: sha256 - - devices: false - - setuid: false - - exec: off - - redundant_metadata: all diff --git a/README.md b/README.md --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,28 +1,68 @@ -# Lawless, a Prelude Replacement +# liblawless: An Effectful Foundation -Welcome to [Lawless, a Prelude Replacement][Lawless]. It focuses on a -few core ideas: +## Overview +[liblawless][liblawless] is a replacement for the +standard [Prelude][prelude]. It targets [GHC 8.0][ghc80] and +newer. It's core is building a fine-grained but readily accessible +Effect model to move more type checking of code that changes its +environment out of plain IO. -- Support for GHC 8 and later -- Yaml configuration -- JSON and JSON Schemas -- Normalized Unicode everywhere -- Lenses and default Aeson encodings for generated datastructures. -- Easy Generic and Typeable deriving. +[prelude]: http://hackage.haskell.org/package/base +[liblawless]: https://www.lambdanow.us/wiki/LearningProjects/liblawless +[ghc80]: https://downloads.haskell.org/~ghc/latest/docs/html/users_guide/index.html -It's based on [protolude][protolude], [lenses][lenses], -and [machines][machines], and tries to extend on them as much as -possible. +## Pure vs Effectful Functions +Pure functions don't affect the anything outside of the function. A +Pure function will run a calculation on the given values, and return a +result. If you pass in the same parameters, you'll always get the same +result no matter how many times you call the function. -[Lawless]: https://gitlab.com/misandrist/liblawless +Effectful functions are functions that do affect the program outside +the function, and often the environment outside the computer running +them. Even with the same parameters, Effectful Functions can return +different results. In many cases they can even return signals that +completing their task wasn't possible. In many languages these are +called "Side Effects", and aren't modeled in the type system at +all. Haskell comes with a simple Effect model in its type system, +the [io][IO monad]. -[protolude]: https://github.com/sdiehl/protolude +[io]: http://hackage.haskell.org/package/base-4.9.0.0/docs/System-IO.html#t:IO -[lenses]: https://hackage.haskell.org/package/lens +## Kinds of Effects +The [io][IO monad] models Effects a function has on the world outside +the program. There are other, more limited Effects as well, and there +are libraries for managing these as well. The two most common are: -[machines]: https://hackage.haskell.org/package/machines +- [transformers][Transformers] +- [mtl][The MTL] -# Why Lawless? +[transformers]: http://hackage.haskell.org/package/transformers Transformers +[mtl]: http://hackage.haskell.org/package/mtl -1. It was started essentially by a rogue spinoff Haskell community - that rapidly expanded into its own organization. +These model Effects that only apply to the current program, while the +IO monad models ''all other effects'' on the world. That's a really +broad brush. Most bugs in Haskell code are in the IO monad. + +This project is implementing several extra types of Effects that +affect the world. Instead of treating them all the same, though, it +breaks them up into much smaller kinds of Effects. For example, for +accessing files, it's possible to: + +- read bytes from a file +- write bytes to a file +- read lines of text from a file +- write lines of text from a file +- read arbitrary data from a file, operate on these data items, and + write them to a network stream +- many other simple and complex operations + +We are building them on top of the [machines][Machines] library. This +library offers a composable model for connecting strongly-typed +streams together. It also implements provisions for arbitrary effects, +and connecting Effectful functions with Pure functions into streams of +computations. When combined with the [async][Async] library, these +streams, and even individual nodes in these streams, can be run +concurrently and safely, making full use of multicore systems. + +[machines]: http://hackage.haskell.org/package/machines +[async]: http://hackage.haskell.org/package/async diff --git a/Source/Arbitrary.hs b/Source/Arbitrary.hs --- a/Source/Arbitrary.hs +++ b/Source/Arbitrary.hs @@ -1,3 +1,5 @@ +{-# OPTIONS_GHC -Wno-orphans#-} + {-| Module: Arbitrary Description: Provides Arbitrary instances of several types in this and other libraries. @@ -16,8 +18,9 @@ import Time import Textual.SepList import Data.Time -import Data.Time.Clock -import Data.Time.Calendar +import Data.Time.Clock() +import Data.Time.Calendar() +import Data.Text (Text) instance Arbitrary (SepList Char) where arbitrary = diff --git a/Source/ByteString.hs b/Source/ByteString.hs new file mode 100644 --- /dev/null +++ b/Source/ByteString.hs @@ -0,0 +1,15 @@ +{-| +Module: ByteString +Description: Rexports ByteString so we don't have to carry it around. +Copyright: © 2016 All rights reserved. +License: GPL-3 +Maintainer: Evan Cofsky +Stability: experimental +Portability: POSIX +-} + +module ByteString ( + module Data.ByteString + ) where + +import Data.ByteString diff --git a/Source/Exception.hs b/Source/Exception.hs --- a/Source/Exception.hs +++ b/Source/Exception.hs @@ -1,8 +1,8 @@ module Exception ( - module Control.Exception, + module Control.Monad.Catch, module Control.Exception.Lens ) where -import Control.Exception import Control.Exception.Lens +import Control.Monad.Catch diff --git a/Source/IO.hs b/Source/IO.hs --- a/Source/IO.hs +++ b/Source/IO.hs @@ -1,17 +1,68 @@ +{-# LANGUAGE TemplateHaskell #-} {-| Module: IO -Description: General IO functions. +Description: General IO functions specialized for 'Printable' instances. Copyright: © 2016 All rights reserved. License: GPL-3 -Maintainer: Evan Cofsky <> +Maintainer: Evan Cofsky Stability: experimental Portability: POSIX -} module IO ( - module System.Path.Directory, - module System.Path.IO + putStr, + putStrLn, + managed, + Managed, + MonadManaged(..), + runManaged, + TempFile, + tfPath, + tfHandle, + tempFile, + MonadIO, + liftIO, + PIO.hSeek, + PIO.SeekMode(..) ) where -import System.Path.Directory -import System.Path.IO +import Lawless +import Control.Monad.IO.Class +import qualified System.Path.Directory as D +import qualified System.Path.IO as PIO +import qualified Data.Text.IO as T +import Text +import Textual +import Path +import Control.Monad.Managed.Safe +import Exception + +liftPrintble ∷ (MonadIO m, Printable p) ⇒ (Text → IO ()) → p → m () +liftPrintble f p = liftIO $ f (buildText ∘ print $ p) + +putStr ∷ (MonadIO m, Printable p) ⇒ p → m () +putStr = liftPrintble T.putStr + +putStrLn ∷ (MonadIO m, Printable p) ⇒ p → m () +putStrLn = liftPrintble T.putStrLn + +data TempFile = TempFile { + _tfPath ∷ AbsFile, + _tfHandle ∷ PIO.Handle + } +makeLenses ''TempFile + +tempFile ∷ AbsDir → RelFile → Managed TempFile +tempFile pth tmpl = + let + open = do + (p, h) ← liftIO $ PIO.openTempFile pth tmpl + liftIO $ PIO.hSetBuffering h PIO.NoBuffering + liftIO $ PIO.hSetBinaryMode h True + return $ TempFile p h + + close tf = do + liftIO $ PIO.hClose $ tf ^. tfHandle + liftIO $ D.removeFile $ tf ^. tfPath + in + managed $ bracket open close diff --git a/Source/Lawless.hs b/Source/Lawless.hs --- a/Source/Lawless.hs +++ b/Source/Lawless.hs @@ -16,8 +16,7 @@ module Data.Maybe, module Data.Either, module Data.Semigroup, - module Control.Applicative, - module Data.Text.IO + module Control.Applicative ) where import Applicative @@ -47,4 +46,3 @@ import Data.Function.Unicode as UNI import Data.Ord.Unicode as UNI import Prelude.Unicode ((⋅)) -import Data.Text.IO diff --git a/Source/Map.hs b/Source/Map.hs --- a/Source/Map.hs +++ b/Source/Map.hs @@ -1,10 +1,9 @@ module Map ( - module Data.Map.Lens, module Data.Map.Unicode, Map, singleton ) where -import Data.Map.Lens +import Data.Map.Lens() import Data.Map.Unicode -import Data.Map (Map, singleton) +import Data.Map.Strict (Map, singleton) diff --git a/Source/Networking.hs b/Source/Networking.hs --- a/Source/Networking.hs +++ b/Source/Networking.hs @@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ module Network.DNS ) where -import Lawless + import Network.IP.Addr import Network.Socket hiding (send, sendTo, recv, recvFrom) import Network.Socket.ByteString diff --git a/Source/Path.hs b/Source/Path.hs --- a/Source/Path.hs +++ b/Source/Path.hs @@ -1,3 +1,5 @@ +{-# OPTIONS_GHC -Wno-orphans #-} + {-| Module: Path Description: Provides pathtype exports for paths and I/O. @@ -9,7 +11,114 @@ -} module Path ( - module System.Path - ) where + P.toString, + P.rootDir, + P.currentDir, + P.emptyFile, + parse, + toText, + AbsFile, + RelFile, + AbsDir, + RelDir, + AbsRelFile, + AbsRelDir, + absFile, + relFile, + absDir, + relDir, + absRelFile, + absRelDir + )where -import System.Path +import Lawless +import Text +import System.Path ( + AbsFile, + RelFile, + AbsDir, + RelDir, + AbsRelFile, + AbsRelDir + ) +import qualified System.Path as P +import qualified System.Path.PartClass as C +import Aeson hiding (parse) +import Control.Monad.Fail + +parse ∷ (IsText t, C.AbsRel ar, C.FileDir fd) ⇒ t → Either Text (P.Path ar fd) +parse t = case P.parse (t ^. unpacked) of + Left s → Left $ s ^. packed + Right p → Right p + +toText ∷ (C.AbsRel ar, C.FileDir fd) ⇒ P.Path ar fd → Text +toText = view packed ∘ P.toString + +fromText ∷ (IsText t) ⇒ t → [Char] +fromText = view unpacked + +relFile ∷ (IsText t) ⇒ t → P.RelFile +relFile = P.relFile ∘ fromText + +relDir ∷ (IsText t) ⇒ t → P.RelDir +relDir = P.relDir ∘ fromText + +absFile ∷ (IsText t) ⇒ t → P.AbsFile +absFile = P.absFile ∘ fromText + +absDir ∷ (IsText t) ⇒ t → P.AbsDir +absDir = P.absDir ∘ fromText + +absRelFile ∷ (IsText t) ⇒ t → P.AbsRelFile +absRelFile = P.absRel ∘ fromText + +absRelDir ∷ (IsText t) ⇒ t → P.AbsRelDir +absRelDir = P.absRel ∘ fromText + +instance FromJSON AbsFile where + parseJSON (String p) = case Path.parse (p ^. unpacked) of + Left e → fail ∘ fromText $ e + Right v → return v + parseJSON v = typeMismatch "AbsFile" v + +instance ToJSON AbsFile where + toJSON = String ∘ toText + +instance FromJSON AbsDir where + parseJSON (String p) = case Path.parse (p ^. unpacked) of + Left e → fail ∘ fromText $ e + Right v → return v + parseJSON v = typeMismatch "AbsDir" v + +instance ToJSON AbsDir where + toJSON = String ∘ toText + +instance ToJSON RelFile where + toJSON = String ∘ toText + +instance FromJSON RelDir where + parseJSON (String p) = case Path.parse (p ^. unpacked) of + Left e → fail ∘ fromText $ e + Right v → return v + parseJSON v = typeMismatch "RelDir" v + +instance ToJSON RelDir where + toJSON = String ∘ toText + +instance FromJSON AbsRelDir where + parseJSON (String p) = case Path.parse (p ^. unpacked) of + Left e → fail ∘ fromText $ e + Right v → return v + parseJSON v = typeMismatch "AbsRelDir" v + +instance ToJSON AbsRelDir where + toJSON = String ∘ toText + +instance FromJSON AbsRelFile where + parseJSON (String p) = case Path.parse (p ^. unpacked) of + Left e → fail ∘ fromText $ e + Right v → return v + parseJSON v = typeMismatch "AbsRelFile" v + +instance ToJSON AbsRelFile where + toJSON = String ∘ toText diff --git a/Source/Temporary.hs b/Source/Temporary.hs deleted file mode 100644 --- a/Source/Temporary.hs +++ /dev/null @@ -1,29 +0,0 @@ -{-| -Module: Temporary -Description: Temporary file handling. -Copyright: © 2016 All rights reserved. -License: GPL-3 -Maintainer: Evan Cofsky -Stability: experimental -Portability: POSIX --} - -module Temporary (withTempHandle) where - -import Lawless hiding ((<.>)) -import qualified System.IO.Temp as T -import Control.Monad.IO.Class -import System.IO -import Control.Monad.Catch -import Path - --- | Run a function with a temporary file handle named after the --- passed name. Ensures the handle is unbuffered and in binary mode. -withTempHandle ∷ (MonadIO m, MonadMask m) ⇒ RelFile → (Handle → m a) → m a -withTempHandle name f = - T.withSystemTempFile ((toString name) <> "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX") - $ \_ h → - -- Make sure the handle is strictly binary with no buffering. - liftIO (hSetBuffering h NoBuffering) >> - liftIO (hSetBinaryMode h True) >> - f h diff --git a/Source/Text/IO.hs b/Source/Text/IO.hs --- a/Source/Text/IO.hs +++ b/Source/Text/IO.hs @@ -12,26 +12,45 @@ readFile, writeFile, appendFile, - TIO.hGetLine, - TIO.hPutStr, - TIO.hPutStrLn, - TIO.getLine, - TIO.putStr, - TIO.putStrLn + hGetLine, + hPutStr, + hPutStrLn, + getLine, + putStr, + putStrLn ) where -import System.IO (IO) +import Lawless import Prelude.Unicode ((∘)) -import Path import qualified Data.Text.IO as TIO import Data.Text (Text) -import qualified System.Path.PartClass as Class +import System.Path +import Control.Monad.IO.Class +import System.Path.IO (Handle) -readFile ∷ Class.AbsRel ar ⇒ FilePath ar → IO Text -readFile = TIO.readFile ∘ toString +readFile ∷ (MonadIO m) ⇒ AbsRelFile → m Text +readFile = liftIO ∘ TIO.readFile ∘ toString -writeFile ∷ Class.AbsRel ar ⇒ FilePath ar → Text → IO () -writeFile = TIO.writeFile ∘ toString +writeFile ∷ (MonadIO m) ⇒ AbsRelFile → Text → m () +writeFile f t = liftIO $ TIO.writeFile (toString f) $ t -appendFile ∷ Class.AbsRel ar ⇒ FilePath ar → Text → IO () -appendFile = TIO.appendFile ∘ toString +appendFile ∷ (MonadIO m) ⇒ AbsRelFile → Text → m () +appendFile f t = liftIO $ TIO.appendFile (toString f) t + +hPutStr ∷ (MonadIO m) ⇒ Handle → Text → m () +hPutStr h = liftIO ∘ TIO.hPutStr h + +hPutStrLn ∷ (MonadIO m) ⇒ Handle → Text → m () +hPutStrLn h = liftIO ∘ TIO.hPutStrLn h + +hGetLine ∷ (MonadIO m) ⇒ Handle → m Text +hGetLine = liftIO ∘ TIO.hGetLine + +getLine ∷ (MonadIO m) ⇒ m Text +getLine = liftIO TIO.getLine + +putStr ∷ (MonadIO m) ⇒ Text → m () +putStr = liftIO ∘ TIO.putStr + +putStrLn ∷ (MonadIO m) ⇒ Text → m () +putStrLn = liftIO ∘ TIO.putStrLn diff --git a/Source/Textual/SepList.hs b/Source/Textual/SepList.hs --- a/Source/Textual/SepList.hs +++ b/Source/Textual/SepList.hs @@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ type SepList a = SepList' (NonEmpty a) -sepList ∷ ∀ a. (Ord a, Eq a, Binary a, Printable a) ⇒ a → SepList a +sepList ∷ ∀ a. (Ord a, Binary a, Printable a) ⇒ a → SepList a sepList a = SepList' $ a :| [] -- | A serializable printable separated list. @@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ slItems ∷ Lens' (SepList' (NonEmpty a)) (NonEmpty a) slItems = lens (\(SepList' i) → i) (\(SepList' _) j → SepList' j) -instance (Ord a) ⇒ Semigroup (SepList' (NonEmpty a)) where +instance Semigroup (SepList' (NonEmpty a)) where a <> b = a & slItems .~ ((a ^. slItems) <> (b ^. slItems)) instance (Ord a, Binary a, Printable a) ⇒ Binary (SepList' (NonEmpty a)) where diff --git a/Tests/Main.hs b/Tests/Main.hs --- a/Tests/Main.hs +++ b/Tests/Main.hs @@ -10,4 +10,9 @@ import qualified TestAesonEncoding as TE main :: IO () -main = defaultMain [TT.properties, TS.properties, TJ.properties, TM.properties, TE.properties] +main = defaultMain [ + TT.properties, + TS.properties, + TJ.properties, + TM.properties, + TE.properties] diff --git a/Tests/TestAeson.hs b/Tests/TestAeson.hs --- a/Tests/TestAeson.hs +++ b/Tests/TestAeson.hs @@ -13,13 +13,10 @@ import Data.String (String) import Lawless -import Arbitrary +import Arbitrary() import Aeson import Text -import Generics -import Data.Text (pack) - default (Text) data TestData = TestData @@ -44,7 +41,7 @@ dec ∷ Either String TestData dec = eitherDecode enc in - collect "dec ∘ enc ≍ id" $ isn't _Left dec + collect ("dec ∘ enc ≍ id" ∷ Text) $ isn't _Left dec data Cluster = Cluster { diff --git a/Tests/TestAesonEncoding.hs b/Tests/TestAesonEncoding.hs --- a/Tests/TestAesonEncoding.hs +++ b/Tests/TestAesonEncoding.hs @@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import Lawless hiding (elements) import Aeson import Data.Char (toLower) -import Data.Aeson.Types (camelTo2) + data FieldLabel = FieldLabel { _flPrefix ∷ [Char], diff --git a/Tests/TestSepList.hs b/Tests/TestSepList.hs --- a/Tests/TestSepList.hs +++ b/Tests/TestSepList.hs @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ module TestSepList (properties) where import Lawless -import Arbitrary +import Arbitrary() import Textual import Test.Framework diff --git a/Tests/TestTemporary.hs b/Tests/TestTemporary.hs --- a/Tests/TestTemporary.hs +++ b/Tests/TestTemporary.hs @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -{-# LANGUAGE TemplateHaskell #-} +{-# LANGUAGE TemplateHaskell, OverloadedStrings #-} {-# OPTIONS_GHC -Wno-orphans #-} {-| @@ -14,26 +14,36 @@ module TestTemporary where import Lawless -import Arbitrary +import Path +import Text +import Text.IO +import IO +import Control.Concurrent.STM + +import Arbitrary() import Test.Framework import Test.Framework.TH import Test.Framework.Providers.QuickCheck2 (testProperty) import Test.QuickCheck -import Text -import Temporary -import qualified Data.ByteString as B -import System.IO hiding (utf8) import Test.QuickCheck.Monadic -import Data.Text.Encoding (encodeUtf8) -import Path +default (Text) -prop_CheckBuffering (line ∷ Text) = monadicIO $ do - let l = encodeUtf8 line - m ← run $ withTempHandle (relFile "testTemp") $ \h → do - B.hPut h l - hSeek h AbsoluteSeek 0 - B.hGetContents h - assert (l ≡ m) +newtype Line = Line Text deriving (Eq, Ord, Show) +instance Arbitrary Line where + arbitrary = Line <$> suchThat arbitrary (not ∘ anyOf each (≡ '\n')) + +prop_CheckBuffering ∷ Line → Property +prop_CheckBuffering (Line line) = monadicIO $ do + m ← run $ do + v ← atomically $ newEmptyTMVar + runManaged $ do + tf ← tempFile (absDir ("/tmp" ∷ Text)) (relFile ("testTemp" ∷ Text)) + let h = tf ^. tfHandle + liftIO $ hPutStrLn h line + liftIO $ hSeek h AbsoluteSeek 0 + liftIO $ hGetLine h >>= atomically ∘ putTMVar v + liftIO $ atomically $ takeTMVar v + assert (line ≡ m) properties ∷ Test properties = $(testGroupGenerator) diff --git a/Tests/TestTime.hs b/Tests/TestTime.hs --- a/Tests/TestTime.hs +++ b/Tests/TestTime.hs @@ -7,16 +7,12 @@ import Test.Framework.TH import Test.Framework.Providers.QuickCheck2 (testProperty) import Test.QuickCheck - import qualified Data.ByteString.Lazy as L - import Data.Time.Clock -import Data.Time.Calendar import Data.Binary - import Lawless -import Arbitrary import Time +import Arbitrary() prop_PrismToTime :: UTCTime -> Property prop_PrismToTime (ut :: UTCTime) = diff --git a/liblawless.cabal b/liblawless.cabal --- a/liblawless.cabal +++ b/liblawless.cabal @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ name: liblawless -version: 0.16.1 +version: 0.17.0 synopsis: Prelude based on protolude for GHC 8 and beyond. license: GPL-3 license-file: LICENSE @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Tests/*.hs cabal-version: >=1.24 data-files: - Examples/ZFS/zpools.yaml + Examples/Text/*.txt description: A Prelude relpacement for GHC 8 with a focus on building applications with Lenses, Machines, and Applicatives. @@ -27,13 +27,15 @@ source-repository this type: git location: location: git+ssh://lambdanow.us/projects/haskellnow/liblawless.git - tag: v0.16.1 + tag: v0.17.0 library + ghc-options: -Wall -O2 exposed-modules: Aeson Arbitrary Boomerang + ByteString Exception Generics IO @@ -44,7 +46,6 @@ Parser Path Set - Temporary Text Text.IO Textual @@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ hjsonschema >= 1.2.0 && < 1.3, lens >= 4.14 && < 4.15, machines >= 0.6.1 && < 0.7, + managed, mtl >= 2.2.1 && < 2.3, network >= 2.6.3.1 && < 2.7, network-ip >= 0.3 && < 0.4, @@ -113,9 +115,11 @@ default-language: Haskell2010 test-suite test-liblawless + ghc-options: -Wall -threaded -feager-blackholing -rtsopts -dynamic default-language: Haskell2010 type: exitcode-stdio-1.0 hs-source-dirs: Tests + ghc-options: -threaded main-is: Main.hs other-modules: TestAeson @@ -134,6 +138,7 @@ liblawless, network >= 2.6.3.1, semigroups >= 0.18.2, + stm >= 2.4 && < 2.5, temporary >= 1.2.0.4, test-framework, test-framework-quickcheck2, @@ -141,40 +146,6 @@ text, time, transformers >= 0.4.2.0 - default-extensions: - NoImplicitPrelude - UnicodeSyntax - LambdaCase - ConstraintKinds - DefaultSignatures - FlexibleContexts - FlexibleInstances - FunctionalDependencies - GADTs - DeriveGeneric - DeriveDataTypeable - GeneralizedNewtypeDeriving - KindSignatures - MultiParamTypeClasses - OverloadedStrings - PartialTypeSignatures - RankNTypes - ScopedTypeVariables - TypeFamilies - TypeSynonymInstances - -executable ZFS - main-is: Main.hs - other-modules: - Types - Types.ZPools - Types.ZPool - Types.ZName - hs-source-dirs: - Examples/ZFS - build-depends: - liblawless - default-language: Haskell2010 default-extensions: NoImplicitPrelude UnicodeSyntax