Madison County AlArchives News.....Items from The Huntsville Weekly Democrat September 13, 1882 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Kenneth Stacy klstacyfamily@aol.com January 2, 2007, 11:58 am Microfilm At Huntsville Library September 13, 1882 PERSONAL MENTION Ex-Gov. Patton was in our city, last Sunday and Monday. We regret to learn that Rev. Dr. Ross is, still, very ill. Dr. J. F. Goldman returned from New York on Monday, after several weeks’ absence. Miss Pattie Turner, after a visit to county friends, is, again, a guest of Dr. Dement. Mr. Simpson Walker is visiting his mother, Mrs. R. W. Walker. Rev. Dr. D. C. Kelly, of Nashville, will preach in the Methodist Church in this city, next Sunday, Rev. John A. Thompson informs us. Dr. J. J. Dement’s numerous friends will sympathize in our regret at his confinement, since Saturday last, with a malarial attack. The new U. S. Marshal J. M. Hinds, returned from Keokuk, Iowa, Monday last, and took charge of the Marshal’s office, having taken his official oath before Judge Bruce at Keokuk. Madame Cecile Cramer, of Mobile, a refined and accomplished descendant of the noblesse of Paris, of more than sixty years ago, is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Duvol, at the Huntsville Hotel. Miss Rebecca Lee, of Montgomery, is a guest of Miss Susie Echols, and Miss Blackford, of Ga., a guest of Miss Janie White. Mayor White returned from Abingdon, Va., and Mr. Archibald Campbell and family from Philadelphia. A four year old boy, a bright scion of a noble sire, was running after a blace boy, in Huntsville, recently, and his mother called to him: “Robert, what are you doing?” The embryo politician responded: “I’m running Bill for Governor.” We were happy, yesterday, to see out again, two of our old and esteemed friends, Mr. Sam. Mathews and Dr. John C. Spotsvood, who had been on the sick list for several week. Mrs. E. E. Johnson and Mrs. John Lanier are back from Elkmont Springs. Thanks to Mrs. Lanier for a beautiful flower of the Night-Blooming Cereus, otherwise called Century Plant or American Aloe, said to bloom only once a century. It is a very large, lily-like, pure white flower, of exceedingly sweet fragrance, and of waxen appearance as indicated by its Latin name, cereus, waxen. DIED: SAD TRAGEDY.—Authentic news reached this city, this morning, that Mrs. Lowe Davis who has been at Rhea Springs two or three months, shot her husband in the bowels with a pistol, there last evening, fatally it is feared. When Mrs. Davis went to Rhea Springs, it was said that her mind was deranged. We sympathize, deeply, with all parties concerned. JACKS.—At his residence near New Market, Madison county, Ala.; August, 29, 1882, Rev. David Jacks, aged about 87 years. Parson Jacks, we learn, was born in North Carolina in 1795, has lived in Madison County since 1832, and has preached as a minister of the Baptist Church since 1817. Everybody, who knew him, we believe, regarded him as one of the best of men, a sincere and devoted man of God, according to his creed, in season and out of season, rebuking sin in every form, and fighting manfully against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Very many friends, especially among our old citizens, will regret his death and revere his memory. LOCAL ITEMS Prof. Cramer is in Huntsville prepared to fill all orders for piano tuning and repairing. Mr. J. W. Laxson respectfully informs his friends that he is now in the employ of M. M. Newman & Co. Mr. Ben. F. Lawler brought the first bale of Madison County cotton of this season, to Huntsville, on Thursday last, Sep. 7. Mr. M. B. Neece shipped it for him to Morris, Grantland & Co., Nashville. It weighed 503 pounds. ALABAMA ITEMS Hon. Luke Pryor ------------------------ We copy from the Nashville American, a telegram announcing the enthusiastic reception of our Democratic candidate for Congress at Florence, on Saturday last. Another telegram announces that on Monday, Mr. Pryor addressed an immense crow at Florence with telling effect. From all quarters of the District, we have most encouraging accounts of the popularity of Mr. Pryor, and of many who have heretofore acted with the Green-Blacks, expressing their determination to support “the Grey Eagle of Limestone.” Luke Pryor’s Canvass --------------------------- Special to the Nashville American FLORENCE, ALA., Sept.—Hon. Luke Pryor, nominee for Congress in the Eighth district, who is making an active canvass of Lauderdale county, arrived in town, to-night, accompanied by Col. L. R. Davis. The Florence brass band serenaded the distinguished strangers. A large concourse of the young Democracy of our town and a respectable number of veterans were present. The silver-tongued orator responded in this hearty manifestation of popular regard in one of his happiest efforts. Though wearied by several days’ travel and speaking, his clarion voice stirred every heart present with the utmost enthusiasm. He excused himself from any lengthened discussion of political issues, inasmuch as he is to address the masses here next Monday, it being the second week of our Circuit Court. Gracefully referring to the presence of Col. Davis, his traveling companion, he retired amidst defending applause. Col. Davis responded to a call made upon him in an eloquent and thrilling speech. Governor-elect E. A. O’Neal yielded to a call made upon him in well-timed thanks for the honor his townsmen had thus shown his distinguished friends and compatriots. Senator Pryor expressed himself as inspired by the uprising and enthusiasm of the Democracy, which greets him everywhere in the canvass.—Taking the soul-stirring speech of to-night as an earnest of what is to follow, the old gray eagle of Limestone will renew his youth as he proceeds to pluck the carcass of William Mahone Lowe. What is it all About? ------------- Mobile Register Unquestionably, there is a feeling of unrest in the interior among the colored population. Agents of person having ends to subserve, are stealthily moving from one neighborhood to another, holding meetings to which colored men only are posted, and at the door of which pass words are used for admittance. A meeting of this character was held at Claiborne a few days ago, and another was held at Mt. Pleasant immediately after. The ostensible purpose of the one held at Mt. Pleasant was to regulate the prices of lab or. Yet it appears strange that a labor movement should occur at a season when the crops are made, and not at a season immediately preceding the planting of crops. There is another reason why these meetings are probably for another purpose than that of controlling and regulation the prices of labor. They are held by the worst element of the colored population, that never resort to labor except when their meat and meal are exhausted, and who then contract at any price in hope of food, without any intention to honestly comply with their obligations. These men care nothing for the price of labor. The truth is that the price of farm labor is higher in our river counties than anywhere in the South. For the quality of the service rendered, it is better paid than anywhere in the civilized world. Not only so, but the price of labor in the timber fields, in the saw mills, and in the turpentine orchards, is excessively high. Among the great mass of negroes there is not and has not been any complaint of the prices offered and paid. Those who agitate for higher prices are the enemies of the honest laborer. They are aiming to destroy the farming interest. If successful, they will force the planter to abandon the cotton and corn fields, and turn his lands into stock farms. Unless thwarted in their efforts, they will compel the turpentine men and saw mill men to stop or limit their operations and will reduce the contracts for logs and hewn lumber. But this agitation is not for an industrial purpose. It was engineered at Claiborne by a leading country Radical, and at Mount Pleasant by a recent employee of the Mobile post-office. What does a Mobile post office man know about labor? He never labored in all his life, and couldn’t put a collar on a mule if his life depended on it. Similar meetings have been held in Clarke county, it is said by colored men from Choctaw, who disappeared from their homes immediately after the execution of Jack Turner. It is a notable fact that colored men, whose names were written down by Turner as his adjutants and confederates on the minutes of his meetings, and which, for good reasons, were not given to the public by the vigilance meeting held at Butler, but carefully concealed, are the very men who have abruptly and secretly left their homes in Choctaw, and are now scattered about this Congressional District sowing the seeds of further trouble. Conscience urged them to flight, and the malignant teachings of a misguided leader are lamenting them into the meshes of secret societies. It is time that our people should awake to the necessity of counteraction. Public meetings should be in every beat, and the best citizens should strive to enlighten those who may be misled by the selfish designs of unscrupulous agitators. It is a fact worthy of note, and which we are glad to record, that the great mass of colored people have no sympathy for these meetings. The Choctaw Insurrection ------------------------------- Facts vs. Assertions ------------------------------- Choctaw Courier. A big effort is being made by Republicans all over the district to make political capital out of the hanging of Jack Turner; but it won’t do. People at a distance can say what they please with impunity. They can charge us with timidity, cruelty, imprudence or anything they choose. The facts, however, will give the lie to all their utterances. We are not only willing to undergo an investigation, but demand one in order to be properly understood by the world. We do not ask to be believed on bare assertion, because we intend to prove the existence of the conspiracy beyond per-adventure. Everything corroborates the statement made by the papers so providently found, and the next term of our Circuit Court will convince the most prejudiced that, we not only acted prudence but with extreme moderation. Since the hanging, numbers of negroes not mentioned in the papers have left the county. Others are hiding out around their homes and can not be interviewed by white men. What does this mean? “The guilty fleeth when no man pursueth.” The papers themselves are as distinctively and unmistakably negro as the kinky head and black skin, and no one having the slightest knowledge of negro character would doubt, after reading the papers that they were conceived and executed by the brain of a negro. There are other circumstances connected with the general plan, such as the finding of powder, etc., in possession of negroes, which makes the papers credible beyond a doubt. These facts, for prudential motives, are withheld until court. We expected to be maligned, and would have been disappointed had it been otherwise, but we would say to such papers as the Mobile Gazette and Columbus Index that they should not indulge in vilification when the opportunity to resent is not given. Let them come to Choctaw, investigate the facts and see not only what proof we have, but how coolly and deliberately we acted, and then say what they have said about our conduct and we can assure them they will find a boot on the outside of a foot that they will adjust itself very quickly to some part of their person. Conscious of right we fear neither lies, slanders, misconceptions nor courts. We acted in good faith, with calmness and deliberation, and can set ourselves right before the forum of the world. What are the facts? The papers were found Tuesday morning and they disclosed a hellish plot, which it was our duty to frustrate with the slightest possible injury to the plotters and their victims. Wednesday a meeting was called, writs of arrest for the ring leaders were issued and executed on Thursday morning. Saturday a mass meeting was held, the papers were read to the people, and by a vote of about 998 to 2 Jack Turner was pronounced guilty and worthy of death. He was accordingly hung. ON Monday last the other conspirators were taken before the County Court for trial, and demanded a jury trial, which was of course granted. Their bonds wee fixed at $1,000 each and should they live to be tried the verdict of the jury will as certainly condemn them as the crowed did Jack Turner. The evidence is too strong to admit of any other result. As to the charge of excitement and fear, methinks it falls to the ground as meaningless slander when the cool and quiet manner in which the plot was suppressed if taken into consideration. To avoid all hasty or inconsiderated action, the bar rooms were closed and except about tow hours Thursday afternoon, no whiskey was sold in Butler until after the hanging. Does this look like a frightened or excited action? No people could behaved better, and no people ever showed more magnanimity under excessive aggravation than the people of Choctaw county throughout this entire trouble. IN our next issue we will show where the real responsibility for the contemplated massacre rests. CLASSIFIEDS Kentucky Blue Lick Water Nature’s remedy for Dyspepsia and Indigestion. By the pint, quart or gallon. At Wilson’s Drug Store. “Wine is a mocker, and strong drink is raging.” Take PRICKLY ASH BITTERS. It is not a beverage, but a remedy for all ill effects of an excess of intoxicating stimulants. Don’t take a drink before breakfast, “just to wake you up.” You are sure to feel worse as soon as the effect wears off. Take a half wine glass of PRICKLY ASH BITTERS. It will brighten you up for the whole day. B. W. Wise & Co. have just received twenty barrels of that favorite brand of flour, known as “Wise’s Pride.” We have tested this flour, and, without hesitation, pronounce it as fine flour as any for family use in the city. Try it, and you will agree with us. By the way, this firm keep always on hand, at their store house on Holmes St., a large stock of the very best groceries of all kinds, and at the lowest prices. All orders receive prompt and careful attention. Country Merchants supplied with Landreth’s Turnip Seed, by Jno. L. Rison, Druggist. Huntsville Nurseries ------------------------- We are just in receipt of the new catalogue of these nurseries. Their assortment of Fruit Trees and Fruit Plants is very complete, comprising the most desirable new varieties. They make a specialty of the LeConte and Keiffer Pears. Catalogue Free. Address Huntsville Nurseries, Huntsville, Ala. sept.13-4t. BLACKSMITHING H. B. Mertz Desires to inform the public that he continues to do a General Blacksmithing Business at his shop; near Stegall’s Livery Stable on Madison St. Particular attention given to Wagon and Carriage Work All jobs done with neatness and dispatch and satisfaction guaranteed. 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