Newspaper Page Text
Oil Series— Vol. 25. NTo. 122.
THE SITUATION.
The reader will fiad full details of the
attempted negro insurrection in Burke,
Jefferson, Johnson, Washington and
Wilkinson counties in our paper this
morning.
By reference to the map it will be
seen that Burke lies nearly due south
of the city of Augusta, Jefferson due
west of Burke, Washington and Wil
kinson west of Jefferson, and Johnson
south of Washington and Jefferson.
The arch-conspirators, Gen. Morris
and Candy Harris, of what all present
evidence points to as a diabolical plot
to indiscriminately murder and plun
der white people, live in Burke county.
The negro Morris, at the Spring Term
of Court, appeared in the Court House
and insolently demanded of Judge Gib
son, on the bench, that negroes be put
upon certain juries. He was dealt
leniently with by the Court on
account of his apparent ignorance
of the law. Since then he has been
busily engaged preaching insurrection
to the colored people of that and the
above counties. His infamous conduct
culminated on the 6th of August in
Candy Harris writing the widely pub
lished letter to James Walters and
others, ordering the negroes to com
mence the slaughter to-day, the 20th,
and in Morris issuing the hand-bill
which we printed on Monday, and
which is transferred entire to our col
umns this morning.
So soon as the white people obtained
copies of these documents they flew to
arms, and dispatehed Macon and Au
gusta for assistance. Up to this hour
no companies have gone from either
city, though, upon the advice of the
Governor of Georgia, Major Jones, of
the Macon, and Lieutenant Colonel
Barrett, of the Augusta Battalions,
are holding their commands in readi
ness to go to any point by fast trains if
the occasion require.
It is reported that over one hundred
arreuts have been made, and no doubt
the jails of the disturbed counties are
filled with suspected conspirators.
A number of volunteers left the city
last night with their arms for Burke
county. Morris is reported posted ten
miles from Waynesboro with his fol
lowers, arresting all passers. A column
or troops were ready to leave Waynes
boro at 9 o’clock last night for the pur
pose of attacking him.
It is difficult to tell what is the real
object of the ringleaders. It is sup
posed by many that they have been
put up to their foolish and infamous
conduct by white people for political
effect. But be that as it ruay we hope
our friends will act without excite
ment and with justice and moderation.
We are glad to know that Judge
Herschel V. Johnson is in the center
of the excitement, and that his voice is
now, as ever, for peace.
We publish a very full report of the
situation o'f the crops of the North
west.
The five great uations of Indians
west of Arkansas river were engaged
yesterday laying a corner stone, and
expressing friendly feeling for the
United States.
The agony in Tennessee has been
settled by Governor Porter appointing
David M. Key to fill the place of Andy
Johnson. He is Judge of the Chatta
nooga Circuit. We never heard of him
before and suppose he is small fish.
The appointment was a State-sectional
one, East Tennessee from time imme
morial claiming at least one of the
Senators, and Porter has evidently
yielded to the demand.
Jefferson Davis has withdrawn his
letter accepting the invitation to ad
dress the Winnebago Grangers at
their Fair. The Grand Army of the
Republic can now return their guns to
the arsenal, draw the loads from their
cannon, stop ttieir daily and night
ly drills, take down their battle
flags, sheathe their swords, dis
continue their recruiting stations,
countermand their orders to gun
foundries, stop their quartermasters
purchasing supplies, and place their
forces upon a peace footing. The
Chicago Intel'-Ocean and the Washing
ton Chronicle can summon their field
reporters home. Short, sharp, brief,
glorious was the war. The future his
torian will so record it. Nothing so bril
liant has occurred since Butler threw
off the paraphernalia of war. Hannibal,
C®sar, Charla-magne, Napoleon n and
Lee won fame by bloody battles. But
the Grand Army of the Republic, like
Napoleon’s Ulm campaign, defeated
the enemy “by simple marches.” For
further details see capitulation in full.
The Times talks of the fall
of the Ottoman Empire. The alarm of
a general war is spreading over Eu
rope.
An ugly rumor comes from the To
ledo Blade that Gov. Allen will with
draw from the Ohio Campaign. We do
not credit it.
Many of the great Northern dailies
telegraphed to Augusta yesterday for
full details of the negro
This office was kept busy till a late
hour answering them. This shows the
sensitiveness of the Northern people
about such news.
The New York Journal of Commerce thinks
that a State that supports three dogs to
every male adult could hardly be expected
to meet all other current expenses in tight
times like these. An inquiring observer
traces the failure or Virginia and Tennes
see to pay the July interest on their debt
to the number of doge in those States.—
Jiipley News.
In some of the States two-legged
dogs are more dangerous to the finan
ces than the multitudinous quadruped.
~— '
THE NEGRO INSURRECTION.
Great Commotion in Jefferson, Wash
ington, Burke, Johnson and
Wilkinson Counties.
ARREST OF THE RINGLEADERS!
The Saudersville Jail Filled with
Prisoners.
Governor Smith Orders the Military
To Guard Them.
Address from Leading Citizens of
Washington County.
The People of Burke County Under
Arms.
Hunting Down the Followers of Gen.
Morris.
THE NEWS IN THIS CITY!
Burke Calls for Assistance.
Gov. Smith Refuses to Order Our
Companies to Go.
Gen. Morris Posted Nine Miles From
Waynesboro. s
Troops Ready to Move Upon Him.
The Scarlet Letter and Hand Bill.
The Situation at Midnight.
As was feared, the conduct of the
notorious Morris, in Burke county, has
at last culminated in something seri
ous, and befooe it is ended it may re
sult in bloodshed, which, to all appear
ances, seems inevitable. Yesterday and
the day before we gave accounts of
calls for a convention of the negroes
for the First Congressional District, by
one Joseph Morris, a negro of most no
toriously had character, and an agita
tor. For the last few months he has
been roving the State over, seeking
places to operate in where the negroes,
in point of numbers, were in the ascen
dency. He distributed a circular at
Saudersville, but things got too warm
for him there. From thence he con
tinued his
Nefarious Work
in all the lower counties, until he finally
brought up at Waynesboro. Burke
county. Immediately upon his arrival
there he had printed and distributed
very extensively among the negroes the
following circular :
notice of a convention.
There will be a Convention of delegates
representing the counties of the First Con
gressional District, at Waynesboro, Burke
county, Ga. f at 10 o’clock a. in., Saturday,
October 30, 1875, for tfte purpose of nomi
nating some proper and lit, persons for a
Major General and Staff of Burke county,
Ga., to be commissioned by the Hon. James
M. Smith, Governor of Georgia.
A legal delegation of live representatives
from every county in the Congressional
District is invited to come, with proper
credentials from their counties, to investi
gate the statutes, that we as free people of
this State may obtain our rights by search
ing the laws and see whereby that we have
to pay any more then one dollar poll tax,
add no public schools established for the
elevation of our race and our children.
The Constitution of Georgia ppovides, by
legal enactment, that all children from 6 to
10 years of age shall be schooled, by all
citizens paving the sum of sl, except in
towns and villages, that shall not ex
ceed the sum of $1.25, to keep up the streets
and corporation, wherefore be it
Resolved, That we, the citizens of Burke
county, Ga., who have been over-burdened
with inflicting laws of this State, doth by
said Convention and delegation, go back to
the registration and call for the tax receipt
of every tax payer of 1868-70-72-74, and to
make a final investigation, to see what has
gone with the rights of our poor 1 iboring
class for the last ten years, that we cannot
be recognized as all other citizens of tnls
Government. Very respectfully,
Joseph Morris,
General Messenger.
By the Executive Committee.
Waynesboro, Burke Cos., Ga., Aug. 10,1875.
This hand bill, however, would in
itself have amounted to nothing if
Morris had not, with his agents, formed
Secret Organizations
among the negroes generally known as
the “Major General’s Clubs,” for the
purpose, as the Constitution affirmed,
“of placing the District uuderthe control
of the colored people, even if it should
required the death of every white man
in the county to do so.” These clubs
or organizations were all over the
county, but a general council of the
negroes was held a few days ago, when
it was decided that each organization
should remain together under arms
until the day appointed for the con
vention, when they “would proceed to
take charge of the county offices,
books, &c., at whatever cost, for our
own protection and for the purpose of
being no longer deprived of our rights,”
as the speech of Morris went on to
say. From a
Negro Who Was Captured
yesterday the following additional
facts have been gleaned : He says the
purpose of the blacks was to establish
what Morris said was a seat of govern
ment within the county for themselves.
He say’s the negroes have drilled night
ly for the past two or three weeks, and
that, to the best of his knowledge, they
had control of at least two hundred
guns. The whole force was to be sub
divided into squads of fifteen and
twenty men, and these were to scatter
all over the county, to hold themselves
in readiness to attack the whites when
they should receive an order from Mor
ris. The headquarters of the latter was
to be at Waynesboro, and a squad was
detached as his staff of couriers to con
vey his
Order to Attack
the whites. He was also assisted in
the leadership by Gray and Hughes.
(The captured men) and a number of
others, but his will was supreme law,
and all were ready to obey his orders.
He in person drilled the negroes, and
at the last meeting he told all to arm
themselves at once with whatever they
could, and the question was actually
discussed of attacking the armories of
the militia to obtain their guns, but
that was thought too dangerous at
present.
The Time Come for Murder.
Morris knew that his designs and plans
had become partially known to the
whites, and he concluded not to
wait for the convention day to
arrive, so on Tuesday night last
he at a meeting, which lasted until
3 o’clock Wednesday morning, or
dered the negroes to hold themselves
in readiness at a moments notice, as
“the time had come for either murder or
our rights” Agreeable to this war or
der, scouting parties were organized to
proceed at once to their respective ren
dezvous, and await instructions. On
Wednesday when Gray and Hughes
AUGUSTA, GA., FRIDAY MORNINGr, AUGUST 20, 1875.
were arrested, Morris proceeded to
Greens Cut, a place about seven miles
from Waynesboro and held a
Council of War,
and he proposed hostile operations im
mediately ; but, as his forces were not
as thoroughly organized as he had
thought, he could not collect them to
getheratonce, and his damning schemes
had to wail, a day or two longer to fully
mature and be carried into effect.
Meantime he would remain at or near
Green’s Cut, where all communications
should be addressed to him.
During this time the whites had be
come alarmed, and the aspect of things
was very threatening. For self-protec
tion they armed themselves, but dis
played no hostile feeling towards the
blacks. Nearly every one of the white
citizens have been constantly on guard
since Monday last, and they have
scarcely had time to sleep an hour, so
great were their apprehensions.
Arrest of Two of the Leaders-
Wednesday morning, by some means,
they became aware of the proceedings
of the meeting held the previous night
by Morris and his crew of outlaws, and
as a preventative of bloodshed, they
caused the arrest of Joe Gray and
Tom Hughes, two of the principal
leaders of the negroes. This enraged
the negroes beyond measure, and they
threatened to burn the town. Gray
and Morris were brought to this city
for safe keeping. Wednesday night, two
more of the leaders, Frank Vincent
and Abraham Moore were arrested, and
they arrived here yesterday morning
in charge of deputies. The whole mili
tia force have been sworn in as special
deputies, and thus they are clothed
with legal power of arrest. A reporter
of th 9 Constitutionalist visited the
jail yesterday where the four negroes
are confined, but as Sheriff Bell, of
Burke county, had requested that no
one be allowed to converse with them,
they could not be interviewed. We
learn, however, that they deny any
complicity in the conspiracy, and say
that Morris is the chief and only in
stigator of the threatened assaiflt upon
the white people.
The Feeling in Augusta
was intense, and the whole city was
excited, especially after the receipt by
Coi. Barrett of dispatches asking for
troops and defining the state of affairs
in Waynesboro. From parties who ar
rived on the evening train it was ascer
tained that the feeling of insecurity
in Burke county was increasing ; that
the white people were barricading their
houses, and every man in the county
was on duty, well armed. Several skir
mishes took place yesterday between
the whites and blacks, but so far as
can be ascertained no one has been
killed on either side. Both sides have
scouting parties out, and the negroes
are mainly concentrated near Green’s
Out, where Morris has an established
headquarters.
Firing Upon White Scouts.
Yesterday morning a couple of white
scouts were met by a large body of
negroes and fired upon, but they were
too far away to be reached by negro
bullets. Other scouting parties yes
terday captured five negroes at Greens’
Cut, seven near Waynesboro and they
met a large party of negroes armed,
numberiug about 30. a few miles from
Waynesboro. A collission ensued and
eleven of the negroes were captured,
the rest of the party taking flight.
During the day scouting parties from
both sides frequently came in sight of
each other, but no collisions occurred
save those reported above.
In Waynesboro
the ladies do not pretend to venture
out, and in fact after dark the men only
go about in squads, as negro scouting
parties are prowling all over the coun
ty, and are as thick us bees around
Waynesboro. The whites are so much
alarmed that they have asked for re
inforcements from Augusta, as the fol
lowing dispatches will show. About 6
o’clock yesterday evening Colonel Bar
rett, Lieutenant Colonel of the Bat
talion, received the following :
Waynesboro, Ga., (
August 19, 1875—5:20 p. m. ]
To Col. T. O. Barrett, Augusta, Ga.:
Send all men and guns, if possible, by
special train. We want them right now.
Hurry. S. A. Gray.
Colonel Barrett at once telegraphed
back to ascertain if fighting was going
on, to which the following reply was re
ceived ;
Waynesboro, August 19, 1875.
To T. G. Barrett:
Send one hundred men if possible. Not
lighting now. Waiting reinforcements.
Negroes eight miles off.
8. A. Gray.
Upon receipt of the last message Col.
Barrett ordered the battalion to hold
itself in readiness fully equipped, and
then telegraphed the following to Gov.
Smith :
Augusta, August 19, 1875.
To Governor James M. Smith, Atlanta, Ga.:
Mr. S. A. Gray, of Waynesboro, Burke
county, calls on me for men. Shall I send
one company ? T. G. BAhEETT,
Lieut. Col. Commd’g Augusta Battalion.
REPLY.
Atlanta, Ga., August 19,1875.
2o 1. G. Barrett, Augusta, Ga.:
Do not send company. J. M. Smith.
Therefore, the military were not or
dered to Waynesboro. However, about
twenty-five or thirty men from the dif
ferent companies went down last night,
at 8 o’clock, on their own account, most
of them having friends and relatives
living in Burke county. Later last
night the following was received :
ISpeclal to the Constitutionalist.]
Waynesboro, Ga., August 19,1875.
Reports say Joe Morris is about ten
miles from town, surrounded by a large
body of his friends, stopping everyone
that passes. One hundred or more men
leave here about nine o’clock to-night
to attack them. P.
[From the Sandersville Herald, Yesterday.]
For weeks past the country has been
all agog with rumors of a second visi
tation from the uegro insurrectionists,
Harris, Morris, Rivers and their follow
ers. At first many believed these re
ports to be but the mutterings of a de
feated foe, and hence gave the matter
but little concern. Others, more watch
ful, feared that mischief was brewing
and were constantly on the alert. Well
was it for the country that they did.
Matters continued thus until one day
last week, when the following letter
was found where a party of negroes
had been drinking, at a country store
in Johnson county. It is written in a
miserable hand, scarcely intelligible,
and is evidently the work of the mur
derous villain whose name is signed to
it. Putting the letter in plain English
it reads thus :
August 6, 1875.
To Jerry Waters :—You and your
company must start to killing the
whites on August 20. Kill every one
you can find, and tell Harrison Tucker
to kill all the whites he can find, and
go towards 11 Station, and there will
meet Gen. Morris and staff and Gen.
Rivers and his staff. You do as I tell
you and Capt. Tucker. This must be
secret. You tell brother Jake to kill
every white man and get eivery gun he
can. Make out to the white men you
are very sorry that they think we want
to hurt them. And if you know of any
man that has got mon<j;y make them
give it to your Treasurer] :aud we will
divide it. Have all your company
nedes. Kill with axes, hcjes, pitchforks,
and get guns, powder and sjr.ot as you
kill. So I close to depen|l(in you.
Candy Harrij; Secretary.
By order of Gen. Mifrris and from
Gen. Rivers. |j >
This letter was sent by; special mes
senger to the Sheiiff of' Washington
county. Warrants were Issued, and on
Monday the “CaptaiDs”. iWaters and
Tucker and “brother’" j Jake were
brought to this city and [are now in
jail. Harris made his eschpe, and is
probably with “Mr. Gen. ’Rivers and
his staff.” Arrests ar . j being made
daily, and the probabilities! 4re that the
Hotel de Mayo will be l|ij 1 i before the
matter is over. For prudhaiial reasons
we say no more now. KeeY; Cool, fellow
citizens, and see to it tlfiii- all you do
is strickly in accordance with lew. Give
the deamons who are inciting these
ignorant negroes to deeds'; cf violence,
no clue upon us. Be wat*:dful, be vigi
lent, be firm, but let prurience, justice
and moderation be youij motto. The
enemy is routed and no “jiloody shirt.”
for political scoundrels to| wave in ap
proaching campaigns, hyts been fur
nished. f I
P. S.—News has just reftphjd us that
thirty-four prisoners an- being con
veyed to this city from Johnson county.
Col. W. H. Wylly is actiiig as State’s
Attorney with great promptness and
energy. .
Later—the prisoners j have been
brought in.
I
Address of Leading Citjazens to the
People of Washington County.
To the People of Washington county:
A late demonstration bj a number of
colored people from thin and adjoin
ing counties, the frequmt midnight
drills of colored military organizations
in various sections oi this county, as
well as the recent developments of a
somewhat questionable character, on
the part of a portion of our colored
population, and causing an unusual
degree of excitement amongst our citi
zens. All sorts of rumors, whether well
or ill founded, seem to have found
lodgment in the minds of our citizens
to an almost alarming extent. Such a
state of excitement can be productive
only of evil, unless promptly counter
acted by prudence and soqud discre
tion.
While the undersigned, in common
with the rest of their fellow citizens of
Washington county, deplore these evil
dences of apparent antagonism on the
part of the colored population, they
cannot bring their minds to the con
clusion that any serious disturbance is
contemplated by them.
But as appearances of hostility are
inferred from letters and documents
found in possession of some of the col
ored people, it behooves us to act with
caution and circumspection in their in
vestigation, but uot to take rumors,
emanating from excitement, for facts.
Let us be guided by reason and sound
judgment, and avoid all proceedings
that may have a tendency to irritate
the public mind. Especially let us be
careful in having the sanction of law
in whatever action may be taken in the
premises, and frown down any attempt
of excited aud irresponsible parties at
taking the law in their own hands.
By this means, the responsibility of
any attempt of a hostile demonstra
tion on the part of colored peo
ple, if any are contemplated, will
be placed where it properly belongs.
We would take occasion to say to
the colored people of this icounty, that
these apparent demonstrations of hos
tility on their part are n|i in keeping
with their former charac|4r for good
behavior on all previous?bccasions.—
And if they wish to sustaip; their form
er reputation they must tgease from
these demonstrations, reiw.jiin at home
and pursue their regulat; vocations ;
for we assure them thaF'iheir safety
and future prosperity r|ts only in
this course and in obe,y|ijtg the laws
under which they live. j(|Signed)
J. N. Gilmore, C. R.|l;'ringle,
B. D. Evans, P. H up,
S. B. Jones, S. Di Brantley,
M. Newman. |i
Saudersville Aug. 19, lfps.
Forty Ringleaders A*t':re;|',ed.
[Fro na the Macon Telegnijl.t, /*|ig. 19.]
From conductor Marlof/*, \ho came
in on the Central list night,
we learn that about fovti of the ring
leaders in the plot to shudder the
whites in Washington aad Jefferson
counties were arrested yesterday. The
United States Marshal aud ex-Gover
nor Johnson are at Samjcirsvilla tak
ing an active interest in the matter.
We hope the arrests will Lave the
tendency to suppress the viol nco that
was evidently contemplate#. It would
have been a sad day fof th# colored
people had their dis
covery long enough to putfifi into execu
tion ; but now that the Readers have
been arrested, let those *>f them who
are guilty be prosecuted aadjiuuished
legally. In all probability- shme ma
licious white person has l#ets-:active in
instigating the outrage. Jij so, and it
can be ascertained who lie£is, let him be
hunted down, aud let him joe also the
first to be punishod.
Correspondence with tipi Governor.
[From the Atlanta Constitution, Jugust 19. J
The threatened "iot seemed
so near, and the conduct |UhJ negroes
became so insolent, that t|]e Vf ßites de
termined to act promptly Yor their own
safety. Yesterday mornirig Governor
Smith received telegram . fi” m Capt.
William Warthin, ex-member of the
Legislature, and Mr. W.ijie, editor of
the Sandersville Herald, suiting that a
formidable insurrection *vaa brewing
among the negroes. was
confirmed by another front Mi:. Reuben
Mayo. Sheriff of Washington, county,
stating that he had sever 4; of <the ring
leaders under arrest, but that an
Attempt Would be Madfji M Rescue
Governor Smith at onc| telegraphed
back to Sheriff Mayo to suißm(sas such a
posse comitatus of the would
enable him to hold the pr§?on|rs. Also,
that he would order Cap?] G M. Pea
cock, of the Washington Bffies, and
Capt. G. A. Tarbutton, of ||ie Washing
ton Dragoons, to place th&jr c 'mpanies
at his command. The ( ; o>w. nor also
counseled moderation. | |
Military Help Else|lie-e.
In the mean time the mfws Sf the in
surrection which seemed i|mml|ient, had
traveled abroad. During -4esi*;rday the
authorities of Washington county, in
addition to the telegraph ffom Gov
ernor Smith, received a cNp*soh from
Major George Jones, commander of the
Macon volunteer battalion, stating
that if any help was needqU to let him
know; that he could conifP down on a
special train with his couuuan I on three
hours notice. This battaiibn t emprises
six companies, four from Macon, one
from Eatonton, and one from Milledge
ville. We learn that offers of aid were
also made by the volunteer companies
of Augusta.
Tlie Washington County Fuss.
[From the Macon Telegraph, Editorial ]
The negro demonstrations in Wash
ington county are so devoid of sense
and method, that it is hard to believe
that serious mischief is intended, and
that the orders of “ Candy Harris, Se
nion,” the Adjutant of “Gen. Morris
and his Staff,” to “ kill with axes, hoes,
pitchforks, and get gunpowder and
shot as you kill,” are more than a mere
grotesque piece of practice on the pub
lic.
But it is certain that this scheme of
universal murder, however stupid as
well as fiendish and brutal, has been
gravely discussed and arranged in the
negro clubs in conformity with these
“orders.”
What makes this affair more unac
countable is the absence of all special
or local grievance. If there is a single
particular ground of complaint urged
by the Washington or Jefferson county
negroes against the whites, we know
nothing about it, unless it may be the
refusal to give up the Court House at
Sandersville to the negroes some weeks
ago, for the purpose of “entertaining
Gen. Morris and his staff,” and several
hundred of their followers.
But there is one universally felt
grievance among the country negroes
which is easily fanned into a flame by
any of their leaders. It is this : That
“freedom” did not put them into pos
session of the property of the whites,
or at least put, them into a position of
equal wealth aud comfort. “Freedom,”
to the negro, meant property and idle
ness, and when they discover that it
really means self-dependence and la
bor, it is a permanent source of dis
content.
These organizers have nursed this
discontent for their own purposes.
They have assured the blacks that, as
all the property in Georgia is the re
sult of their labor, it ought all to be
long to them in justice; but when in
stead of this, Sambo finds himself only
a laborer in the field, just as he was
before “freedom,” he feels himself
swindled “out of the results of the
war.”
We suppose these notions are univer
sal among the country blacks, and the
latter are therefore in a chronic condi
tion to be operated upon by such or
ganizers as “Gen. Morris and his staff,
and Gen. Rivers and his staff,” to say
nothing of any white incendiaries who
may be behind them, waiting to collect
the plunder when Sambo begins his
war. We feel confident there can be
no other cause of trouble between the
races in these localities.
Some think the scheme has a Wash
ington origin, and looks to a revival of
the outrage business in the interests
of decaying Radicalism. When one
reads the occasional prayers of Radical
writers in the South for murder and
violence, it is not uncharitable to sup
pose these aro a “greatly felt want” in
this exigent condition of Radicalism.
We trust the Washington and Jefferson
county whites will, however, so order
matters that the incendiaries shall be
dealt with according to law.
LATEST DISPATCHES.
The Situation in Jefferson County,
[Special to the Constitutionalist.]
Bartow, Jefferson Cos., Ga., |
August 19, 1875—9:15 P. M. J
Everything quiet at present. There
is considerable excitement around here.
It has been rumored that some negroes
are inarching from Burke county to
this point. They were ordered to meet
at this place to-morrow, the 20th, and
commence their hellish designs. I learn
that one of their companies were out
last night drilling in six miles of this
place. The whites are preparing for
the attack. No demonstrations thus
far. Some additional arrests have
been made to-day.
Judge Hersehel Y. Johnson has or
dered a special term of the Superior
Court to convene Monday week to try
offenders. Citizen.
All Quiet in Burke at Nine O’clock.
[Special to the Constitutionalist.]
Waynesboro, Ga., Aug. 19.
All quiet up to this time.
J. D. Munnerlyn.
From Wrightsville.
[Special to the Constitutionalist.]
Wrightsville, August 19.
To-day 13 armed negroes came into
town and surrendered themselves.
Likely peace will bo restored without
bloodshed. C.
The Very Latest-Forming a Line of
Battle.
|Special to the Constitutionalist !
Waynesboro, August 19, 11:15 P. M.
Quite a number of volunteers, armed,
arrived from Augusta on the night
train, but two or three being unarmed.
A box of arms also arrived on the same
train and were delivered at head
quarters. The Augusta volunteers were
met at the depot by a detachment of
the Burke companies and escorted to
the Court House square, where
they are now quartered. The volun
teers, about thirty iu number,
elected Mr. vV. J. Cranston commander.
Scouts report that sixty negroes are
guarding one ford on Rocky Creek; ten
at the next ford, and fifteen at the
third ford. A scout, sent to one of the
fords to reconnoitre, was warned by the
negroes stationed there not to proceed
further, otherwise he would be fired
upon. The scout very sensibly retired.
Sheriff Bell has issued an order ap
pointing Capt. W. F. Walton, a deputy,
with authority to arrest Joe Morris,
alias Morrisop, pnd others, charged
with inciting or atterpptiqg to incite
insurrectiop in this apd other ooppties.
The order places Capt. Walton in
command of the whole posse in Burke
county. The mounted posse of the
Sheriff, composed of the best citizens of
the county, have congregated at
Waynesboro, and will make a sally at
three o’clock a. m. toward the strong
hold of the negroes on Rocky Creek,
ten miles distant, and they are
confident that they will route
the insurrectionists on the first
charge, Joe Morris, alias Morrison,
alias Danforth, has not yet been
captured. Captain Thomas Burdell is
in command of the town, by consent of
the citizens, and acts in a most decided
manner. Captain Burdell’s company,
the Stonewall Rifles; Captain Thomas’’
company, the Wilkins Cavaliers, and
Captain Walton’s Burke Hussars are
here, ready for duty,
LATEST.
12:30.—The town is full of whites. It
is rumored that a large body of negroes
are congregated some miles west and
northwest of the town, but the rumor
is cot credited at this hour, as nothing
has occurred.
There is much anxiety to hear from
the sallying party, which starts out
about half-past 2 o’clock. S. J. C.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
HE WITHDRAWS FROM THE WIN
NEBAGO SAVAGES.
A Temperate Letter Giving liis Rea
sons for Accepting Mr. Kimball's In
vitation, aud Final Reconsideration
of the Same.
Memphis, Tenn., August 15, 1875.
Henry P. Kimball Secretary of the Win
nebago County Agricultural Society,
Rockford, Illinois:
Dear Sir : I yesterday sent to you a
telegram announcing my revocation of
my conditional acceptance of the invi-
tation to address your Association at
their annual meeting in September next.
The long period which has elapsed
since the receipt of your first letter and
the considerate courtesy which has
marked your correspondence make it
my duty to the Board and to myself that
sufficient explanation should be given
of this c hange of purpose. Three objects
mainly induced me to accept this invi
tation ;
First. The hope that personal inter
course might remove some of the pre
judices which had been generated bi
partisan factions and nurtured by indi
vidual and sectional hate. Anxious as
in former years, to promote the inter
est of our great Valley of the Missis
sippi, and believing that with mutual
confidence and co-operation much
could be done for their advancement, I
only delayed my acceptance of your
invitation until it became reasonably
probable that it could be met. The
productive capacity of the Northwest
needs for its development cheaper and
safer transportation to the markets of
the Southwest, and, also, to those
of foreign countries, in England es
pecially. Earnest attention has
been directed for several years
past to a more direct and economical
trade with the Mississippi Yalley. In
this connection it was my desire to
confer with the Patrons of Husbandry
in your rich and prosperous section to
discuss with them questions involved
in securing better means of transport
ing your farm produce to the most
favorable markets, and providing agen
cies which should iusure larger returns
to farmers, and, by such conference, to
learn the views of one member of the
family of the Mississippi Valley, a
family the chief interest of all members
of which is agriculture, but cultivators
of such various crops as to make trade
among themselves extensive and lucra
tive, while it stamps upon each
and all tho same interests, and the
same policy as to their foreign trade.
To render such conference effectual,
there must needs be a disposition to
attend to the subject under considera
tion ; surely not a purpose to smother
it by the interposition of matters hav
ing no just relation to it.
Second. An effort was made to recog
nize the courtesy of your Board, and I
was encouraged to believe that your
reception of me would be beneficial
rather than injurious to your Associa
tion. This was the more supposable
because several other agricultural so
cieties of Illinois had in like manner
invited me to address their annual
meetings. Yesterday I read a printed
paper containing a protest of a num
ber of your fellow-countrymen against
the action of your Board in
their invitation to me to make the an
nual address at their county meeting.
Thereupon I sent you a telegram with
drawing my acceptance of the invita
tion, under the conviction that it would
not be useful or agreeable to partici
pate in the meeting, aud I hope that
neither your Association nor the Direc
tors will suffer harm by the delay in
procuring an orator or by the corres
pondence which has caused it.
Third. The object was to gratify a
wish, long entertained, to nee in its
cultivated dress, the country known to
me as a trackless wilderness. But that
being merely a personal gratification,
it may be indulged at my convenience
or postponed indefinitely. I can well
believe that the cause which thus
changed my purpose, was as unfore
seen by you as by me, and you maj’ be
assured that I feel no dissatisfaction
toward the Directors or yourself,
and have suffered no personal em
barrassment from the event. As
the invitation was unexpected and
only acceptable as an expression of
general good will, so my only regret is
the loss of an opportunity to promote
the public interest, with which the wel
fare of your community is identified.
Again expressing the hope that nei
ther tho Directors nor yourself may
suffer injury or annoyance, and thank
ing you for the kindness and consider
ation you have manifested, I am re
spectfully yours, Jefferson Davis.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Special River Report, 7:30 P. M.
Washington, August 19.— The Mis
sissippi has fallen one inch at St. Louis,
25 inches at Cairo and three inches at
New Orleans. It has remained station
ary, but is reported falling at Memphis
and rising at Vicksburg and Helena.
An Extraordinary Offer—A Negro Wo
man Sues Pullman & Cos.
The Treasury Department has or
dered the revenue cutter Dix, at New
Orleans, to the assistance of the Rio
Bravo. Among the bids for priutiug
oheck stamps are several offers to do
it for nothing. The question whether
the government can accept such gratu
ity will be referred to the Department
of Justice.
Suit has been brought against Capt.
Maddox, of the Marine Cops, and his
bondsmen, to recover money illegally
paid to contractors.
A colored woman sues the Pullman
Car Company for SIO,OOO for refusing
to allow her to ride in a Pullman car
from Cincinnati to Washington.
CRIMR3 AND CASUALTIES.
Attempted Suicide of a Condemned
Murderer Wife Assassination
Death on the Hail.
Boston, August 19.—Geo. W. Pem
berton, awaiting execution in Suffold
County Jail, stabbed himself in four
places with the handle of a spoon,
which he had sharpened. He is in u
critical condition.
MoLeonboro, 111., August 19.—Mrs.
Chas. M. Oglesby was found, with her
throat cut from ear to ear with a razor,
on the floor. Her husband, aged 23 years,
has been arrested.
Wilmer, Pa., August 19. —Hon.
Samuel Henry White, while passing
from one car to another, fell to the
track and was instantly killed.
WESTERN KU KLUX.
Two More Captured and One Fatally-
Wounded.
Duquain, 111., August 19. —Two more
of the Franklin county Ku Klux have
been captured. One was fatally wound
ed. The Sheriff is still in pursuit.
LETTER FROM ATLANTA.
Ex-Gov. Brown and the Gubernatorial
Sqnabble—“This Way, Mr. Merry
man!”—Gov. Smith and His Trump
Cards—The Coming Man—The Syl
vester Case—Row Among the Milita
ry Companies.
[Regular Corresp. Constitutionalist.]
Atlanta, August 19,1875.
It may alarm you—may cause you
to put a ragged edge on your keen
Damascus blade, buckle on your
armor and plant yourself firmly, as did
Roderick Dhu on his native heath, and
exclaim—
“Now man to man and steel to steel.
A chiel'tian’s vengeance thou shait feel 1”
But for all that, it is nevertheless a
fact that there is a dim rumor of Joey
—he of militia fame—stepping down
and out of his State Road Presidency,
and smiling his blandest smiles as our
chief Executive! Now, don’t be angry
with me for imparting this intelligence,
for really it is no fault of mine. I
never asked him to run, nor have I
ever promised him my influence (of
course I can’t vote), yet he lightly
tossed his long head skyward, and the
crow’s-footed roof of his left optic came
down suddenly, an action that might
be construed into a sly wink, when a
certain particular friend of his ingen
iously broached the tender subject to
him. Of course he did say all at once,
and in so many words, that he intend
ed entering the race, but the friend in
ferred so much, and came back elated
at the dim view of a small speck afar
in the prospective, which speck looked
something like a fat appointment.
Grant was not more silent on the
third term question than Joe is on his
probable candidacy. Like Grant, away
down in one corner of his heart is a
wee sum’ ambition struggling to force
its way up through commingled ob
stacles of pride aud discretion. And
there are to this day, away up iu Chero
kee, aud among the mountains, and oc
casionally on the flat lands, plenty of
Joe Brown men. Even his alliance
with Bullock’s coterie, and subsequent
transactions of a ticklish nature, have
not lessened the love or cooled the ad
miration of these fossiliferous fogies
for him of the terrible pikes. But, alas !
this old-timish crew are but drops in
the bucket when their votes are
counted. So much for Joey.
The Present Executive.
Everybody says Smith has made a
good Governor. No doubt he has. Be
ing simply an executive officer, he has
enforced the laws, and in those cases
made and provided he has exercised
good judgment (and discretion) when
the law allowed him the long end of the
rope. There is no necessity for not re
electing him. With the exception of
hanging a poor wretch of a woman
when he might with all propriety (and
sympathy) sent her to the penitentiary
for life, tie has not overreached his
pole; but the plain old fashioned rea
son, though simple and unadorned, is
good and sufficient, that he should re
tire and allow some other distinguish
ed and peculiarly honest Georgian to
direct the wheels of government for
the next term. Then, again : having
gratified his burning ambition, he
should now allow the gratification of
someone else’s burning ambition.—
Really, I don’t think he could be re
elected, but then you know he might
be in the way of some other good man.
Between Joe Brown and Smith, there
is not so much difference as would
cause a riot or au earthquake.
Auticipation.
As to the coming man, it is a hard
matter to conjecture from what parts
he will spring from. There aro lots of
men wiio could wear tho robes with
becomiug honor, but whose native
modesty prevents them from publicly
seeking the position. And, as a matter
of course, there are lots of others who
hanker for the office and grovel for its
consequent glory. There are men, too,
who have so longed and panted for it
that they are wrapped up iu the belief
that they were created solely and
wholly for the office, and unless elected
the State will lose her wonted good
credit abroad and her inherent peace
and prosperity at home. It is a conso
lation, however, to know that the
people of Georgia are too well im
pressed with the idea that any man
can’t make a good Governor, and that
they will elect only such a man who is
best suited morally and mentally.
There is so much time ahead for the
discussion of these matters that re
marks on the subject are a little pre
mature ; and I would not have re
ferred to the subject but for the rumor
current that -Joey was to try his hand
again.
Always Boiling,
That’s a good word for Atlanta—
boiling. She is forever boiling. It is
her normal condition. She is so much
hot water in a big pot of “progress,”
heated with the ember-blaze fire of sen
sationalism. She boils when the least
bit of foreign substance is thrown in
the pot, and that substance need not
be greater than a good sized dog-fight
to make her boil over. Only last week
she raised a howl at an affair that, in
any other city, would not have called
forth anything more than a mere ex
pression of sympathy. A man named
Sylvester bought a ticket for a near
station on the State Road. Being under
the influence of liquor he refused to
give up his ticket or pay the fare. The
conductor having no knowledge of his
being in possession of a ticket, obeyed
a rule of the road and put him off the
train. Sylvester sat down on the track
and was killed a short time after by
another train. Atlanta, or rather her
press, appears in column editorials
daily for several days denouncing the
action of the conductor as brutal etc.,
and indirectly blaming that unfortunate
official for the death or Mr. Sylvester.
Had he been killed Uy the train from
which he was ejected, there might be
cause for blame ; but under the circum
stances, affair was deplorable,
it was a simple accident and not a mur
der as the papers here fain would make
it.
The Mulligan Guards.
The city is now boiling over in wrath.
This will keep the pot boiling for a few
days, I think. Yesterday the Atlanta
Battalion was ordered out for drill.
The Governor’s Guards and Cadets re
sponded to the call quite lively and nu
merously, but the Zouaves and the
Fulton Blues were tardy at roll call.
The Zous made a terrible effort to'
raise a squad, but the boys couldn’t
make the riffle. The Blues, however
had their blue back up, and didn’t
come out. The cause for the declen
sion to drill grew out of ill-feeling be
tween a few of the members and Mai.
Jb itten, of the Battalion. Not long ago
they sent a petition to the Governor
asking to withdraw from the Battalion!
and postscripting their petition with a
threat to disband if their request was
not granted. As the document failed to
have the signature or name of the Cap-
-New Series—Vol. 3, No. 14
tain, the Governor referred the matter
to the Captaiu, who, it seems, is out of
the city. What the Captain will say to
the proceeding remains to be seen. It
is thought that he will repudiate the
petition and endeavor to reconcile his
men. Fitten is a line looking, mili
taryish man, a good officer and accom
plished gentleman, but he should by all
means throw up his commission rather
than be the means of causing a split in
the battalion. Charges have been pre
ferred against the officers of the de
linquent companies and they stand a
good chance of being cashiered.
Martha.
FOREIGnT)ISPATCHES.
IMPENDING FALL OF THE OTTO
MAN EMPIRE.
The Loudon Times on the Situation—
Conflagration in Russia—Prince Mi
lan in Peril.
London, August 19.—The Times, com
menting on the Turkish situation, says:
“While we think the success of the re
bellion would be a calamity at present,
because it might precipitate a dissolu
tion of the Ottoman Empire and plunge
Europe into a mighty war, we cannot
blame the people for seeking to throw
off an intolerable yoke.”
The towns of Gluchor, Kizliar and
Zarizin, in Russia, have been nearly
totally burned. Numerous other de
structive tires are reported in Lithua
nia and elsewhere in Russia.
A Vienna special to the Standard
says letters from Belgrade express a
fear that Prince Milan will shortly be
expelled from Servia.
Panic in Stocks—Fall in Turks, Egyp
tians and Peruvians.
London, August 19.—The Times , in
its financial column, says: “Foreign
stocks yesterday were characterized by
a severe fall in Turks, which drags
down the whole market. There was,
in fact, something like a panic on the
Stock Exchange, in Turks, Egyptians
and Peruvians. The last two fell in
sympathy, but rallied before the close.
To-day the effects are still felt and for
eign stocks are reported falling heav
ily-
CROPS IN THE NORTHWEST.
Reports from Three Hundred and
Fifty Points.
Cincinnati, August 19. — The Price
Current has reports from three hun
dred and fifty points in nearly as many
counties, which give the following sum
mary : Wheat—The reports indicate in
Ohio and Indiana a full average acre
age yield, and somewhat short, large
losses by rain, and quality very infe
rior. Illinois—Crop below an averago,
condition largely bad, and quality infe
rior. lowa—Acreage about as usual,
generally harvested in good condition,
some damage by blight and other
causes, and yield large ; in many places
crop not, a full average, and quality in
ferior. Missouri—Considerably short
and materially damaged. Kentucky—
Yield up to average amount., but largely
and badly damaged. Michigan—Fair
crop. Wisconsin—Very good crop and
condition. Oats— Large destruction and
damage in Ohio, Kentucky, Indi
ana and Illinois and portions of
Missouri, while the acreage was
increased, and Michigan, Wisconsin
and lowa show a large production.
Corn—largely increased acreage, very
proming outside of portions of Ohio
Valley, and if the crop matures north
and northwest will be much greater
than usual. Cattle and hogs generally
in better condition than a year ago, and
in many sections is feeding on the
damaged grain. Potatoes promise an
unusually largo crop throughout nearly
all these sections.
VIRGINIA NEGRO CONVENTION.
First Day's Proceedings.
Richmond, August 19.—1n pursuance
of an address of colored members of
the Legislature, issued at the close of
the last session, calling a convention of
colored people of the State to consider
matters pertaining to the general In
terest of their race in Virginia, there
was a large gathering in this city. The
representation from counties, cities
and towns was twice as large as is pro
vided for the House of Delegates, and
the call was very generally respond
ed to.
After nearly ten hours labor the
convention finally succeeded in effect
ing a permanent organization, with
State Senator J. H. Evans, of Peters
burg, as President. The usual com
mittees wero appointed, after which a
resolution was introduced heartily
endorsing President Grant’s adminis
tration and thanking God for the bless
ings of the past ten years in the coun
try, which was referred. Adjourned
till to-morrow.
LAYING AN INDIAN CORNER
STONE.
Five GreatjNations Erecting a Temple
of Peace.
Muskogee, August 19.—The ceremo
nies of laying the corner stone of the
Union Agency building for the five
largest nations of the Indian Territo
iies—the Cheiokee, Choctaw, Creek
Chicasaw and Seminole tribes took
place yesterday at Prospect Hill near
this place, in the Creek Nation unaer
the auspices of the Grand Lod"e of
Masons of the territory. Delegations
were present from Missouri, Kansas,
lexas and different parts of the terri
tories. The best feeling prevailed.
Speeches by Colonel Ross, the Chero
kee Chief, and E. C. Baudinot in Eng
lish, and by Samuel L. Cheote, Chief of
Creeks, in the native tongue, which
were interpreted. The remarks were
eloquent, breathing good will on the
part of the Indians, a desire to fulfill
all their treaty stipulations and to cul
tivate closer relations with the people
of the United States. *
FROM ST. LOUIS.
The Mississippi Valley Trading Com
pany-Developing the Southwest.
St. Louis, August 19.—J. H. Ruther
ford and T. D. Worrall, Euglish repre
sentatnes of the Mississippi Valley
Irading Company, were on ’Change, and
made brief speeches defining the objects
of ijheir company, and urging the co
operation of the merchants and busi
ness men of St. Louis in their enter
prise. They expressed a belief in the
success of the jetty system now being
applied at the mouth of the Mississippi
river, which would enable them to bring
ships to New Orleans and meet the
trade of this section of country.
THE OHIO CAMPAIGN.
Rumored Withdrawal of Gov. Allen,
Toledo, August 19.— The Blade says
a rumor is afloat that Allen will with
draw from the Gubernatorial contest
on account of ill health,