Newspaper Page Text
Old Series—Vol. Q 5.
THE INSURRECTION.
We give all the news we could possi
bly gather yesterday and last night
from the Negro Insurrection. The
court houses of several of the counties
are off the railroads and telegraphic
stations*- and could not be reached.
The embryo insurrection is sup
pressed. It will be seen by our Waynes
boro correspondence and dispatches
that when the troops moved upon the
supposed position of Gen. Morris, the
ringleader of the whole plot, his war
riors and himself were not to be found.
They had fled. It is deeply regretted
that Morris escaped. This man, in
slavery times, belonged to Mr. Robert
Morrison, of this city, but who plants
in Burke. He was always known as a
mean negro.
The excitement in the other counties
is dying out. There must be by this
time three or four hundred negroes
under arrest and warrants for a great
many more. All this is now going on
quietly, and we hope that the white
people everywhere will allow the law to
take its course, remembering that only
ringleaders of this diabolical scheme
ought to be severely punished. We
suppose that the country negroes
engaged in it scarcely knew what were
the real designs of Morris and Harris
and the enormity of the crime to which
they were giving aid. Whilst Morris
and Harris deserve death, their deluded
followers should be treated with leni
ency.
After thinking over this whole thing,
we cannot come to any other conclu
sion than that Morris and Harris were
knaves and fools too. The white and
colored people of Georgia were sup
posed never to be upon more peaceable
terms. Up to the very hour of this
outbreak everybody thought the State
in profound peace. The planters were
working along quietly with the colored
people, not dreaming that a general
massacre of themselves and their
families had been ordered by a scoun
drel who proves to have had only too
much influence over his race. And
how they could have been so demented
as to for a moment entertain his dia
bolical order, surpasses the compre
hension of the whites, born and raised
among them. Their leaders, at least,
ought to know that in a war of races
they would be quickly exterminated;
and they should know, too, by this
time, that the white people have none
other than feelings of kindness towards
them, and would deprecate the neces
sity of a collision such as has been
threatened.
At first we could not believe the re
ports. But the evidence is overwhel
ming that it was a shallow but damna
ble plot.
While Dorregaray is driven to the
mountains, in one direction, the Car
lists exhibit unexpected activity in
another. An attempt to raise the siege
of Seo de Urgel will make Spanish af
fairs more lively, and it may be that
Dorregaray is amusing one corps of
the Royalists while Gen. Saballs
pounces on another.
Mr Gladstone’s book on Papal In
fallibility is allowed for sale in Parisian
shops but not permitted to be hawked
about the streets. Anything that sa
vors of an interdict in such matters
only increases their popularity. Man
is so perverse that, since the days of
Adam, he can be very reliably counted
on to run after forbidden things, and
care very little for those easy of accom
plishment. Napoleon 111 encouraged
the sale of his Life of Ccesar and only
150 copies were purchased. Mr. Glad
stone’s pamphlets will fare better,
thanks to Minister Buffet and hisgood
intentions.
An intervention of t v Great Powers
to keep the peace between Turkey and
her Bosnian Provinces promises to sup
press, for the moment, an insurrection
that bade fair to reopen the dreaded
Eastern question and plunge Europe
into war. How this settlement will be
met by the Sclaves remains to be seen,
but it is most probable that they will
listen to Russia, with whom they are in
sympathy. The Ottoman Empire, by
this movement, has anew lease of life,
and the Czar postpones, to a more pro
pitious time, his march to Byzantium.
It is not impossible that the Great
Powers may quarrel among themselves
and the fat be again thrown into the fire.
But present indications point to a peace
ful settlement of the Herzegovinian
trouble. The potentates of the money
market believe such a solution to have
been reached, and they are doubtless
well informed on the subject.
At the invitation of John Thomas
and others, Mr. John H. James, a
candidate for Governor, wrote what he
knew about finance. After haviug an
nounced that he “would give his views
in a plain manner, so that all can under
stand,” the Savannah Advertiser has
the temerity to declare that “if there
is a siDgle sensible soul in Georgia, in
cluding the gentlemen who evoked
from Mr. James this remarkable pro
duction, who can make heads or tails
of the letter, we would like him or
them to step forward and explain.” Our
respected contemporary should under
stand that Mr. James had to please
everybody and offend none, and the
“how not to do it” is one of the princi
pal efforts of an aspirant for any office
la the gift of the people. Think you,
Jack Bunsby would have had such
a reputation for wisdom if he had been
at all comprehended ?
Kentucky.— The House of Represent
atives of Kentucky stands as follows:
Democrats, 90; Republicans, 10. Mc-
Creary’s majority is officially an
nounced as 36,169, a decrease of 984
pince last year. v
THE NEGRO INSURRECTION.
CLOSING SCENES OP THE BLACK
DRAMA.
A Review' of the Situation—News from
Various Points—Prompt and Effect
ive Action of the Authorities and the
People—An Insane Design Crushed
by the Pow er of the Law—Capture
of Candy Harris—He Makes a Con
fession Implicating “Major General”
Prince Rivers.
Burke County.
[Our Waynesboro Correspondence.]
We publish th 9 following letter from
our special correspondent at Waynes
boro, which will no doubt prove of in
terest to our many readers:
Waynesboro, August 20, 1375.
The people of Waynesboro and Burke
county have been in a constant state
of excitement during the present week,
which has entailed much inconvenience
and fear of personal injury upon almost
every family in the bounds of the
county. The seditious teachings of the
notorious Joe Morris, alias Morrison,
having taken root, grew with lightning
like rapidity, and, just upon the eve of
bearing fruit, were nipped in the bud
by the vigilant whites, and a sweet
morsel and bloody shirt taken from the
expectant lips of Morton & Go.
The people of this section are already
f<imiliar with the origin of these diffi
culties, other counties being threat
ened too, but as to the causes which
produced them there is considerable
doubt
Tlie Difficulty,
or more properly the incipient insur
rection, which was to be consummated
yesterday in the counties of Richmond,
Jefferson, Washington, and others, was
at first looked upon as a hoax or a
mere scare-crow to provoke the whites
to take some rash action. But event
ually it turned out that there was some
substance to the various stories float
ing about, and that the negroes in the
counties named, under the guidance of
vicious leaders, intended to engage in
a general masacre to obtain posses
sion of the local offices regardles of the
consequences.
You have already received dispatches
outlining the situation at Waynesboro
last night and this morning, but a
more detailed account may be inter
esting to your readers.
At Waynesboro,
and in fact through tbe country, there
has been considerable excitement since
Sunday, consequent upon information
received by the white citizens of the
intention of “Gen. Morris” and his
cohorts to “kill plunder and burn.”
A Forward Movement.
As I telegraphed you, the white citi
zens decided upon making a forward
movemeut with cavalry, last night, or
rather this morning, at 2% o’clock.
This action was caused by the fact that
information had been received leading
the officers in command to believe
there were several bodies of armed ne
groes at a distance of from six to nine
miles at three fords on Rocky Creek,
west of Waynesboro.
The Sheriff’s Posse.
Sheriff Bell, by instructions from
the Governor having summoned the
three volunteer companies in the coun
ty, that is the Burke Hussars from the
upper part of the county, Capt. W. F.
vV altou, the Wilkins Cavaliers, Capt.
J. P. Thomas, Waynesboro and neigh
borhood and the Stonewall Rifles, Capt.
Burdell, infantry of Waynesboro, as a
posse, besides a number of citizens
formed in a separate detachment, be
sides some twenty men from the Law
fonville company placed the wnole
under command of Capt. W. F. Walton,
deputizing him to act as he saw fit in
making movements in an emergency.
He also placed Capt. Burdell in com
mand of the town.
Reports
having come in during the afternoon
about the negroes congregating at the
fords on Rocky Creek, west of Waynes
boro, and the statement of one of the
negroes early that morning, or during
the night previous, (said to be a nephew
of Gen. Morris, mentioned below,) that
an attack was probably to be made at
three o’clock this morning, rendered it
necessary to decide at once upon some
course of action. Hence it was deter
mined to call the two companies of
cavalry together at two o’clock and
move in the direction of the creek, and
if necessary, upon finding a body of
armed negroes, to disband them at
once.
Ready.
About two o’clock Capt. Walton’s
company, the Burke Hussars, was
formed in line on Main street, and an
nouncing “ready” the corps moved off
up the Louisville road toward Rocky
Creek. Capt. J. P. Thomas’ company,
the Wilkins Cavaliers, was formed and
ready for the march within a half hour
afterwards, and moved off without de
lay to the supposed scene of action, a
surgeon accompanying the squadron.
The Augusta Boys.
In the meantime, however, the de
tachment of thirty volunteers, who
had arrived at 11 o’clock, from Au
gusta, on the Central Railroad train,
under command of acting Captain W.
J. Cranston, had been offered a wagon
with four mules to carry them out, and
accepted it. Soon after the departure
of the first company the wagon was
brought up before Mr. J. D. Munner
lyn’s office, near the rendezvous of the
cavalry, and all of the Augusta party
who were armed, about twenty-five in
number, with several Waynesboro
boys, were stowed away on it and the
team started to follow Capt. Walton’s
company.
The Wagon and Team
could not keep up with the cavalry,
and after making extra endeavors to
move forward at a rapid pace, they
were compelled to haul up several
miles from towm. A number of the
Augusta volunteers then decided to
return, and, with those left in town,
take the early train for Augusta, as it
was apparent they could be of no ser
vice on foot with cavalry. The others,
six in number, remained with the wa
gon.
Every Effort
had been previously made to mount
all, but only a few spare horses could
be obtained. Mr. Munnerlyn was very
active in endeavoring to obtain horses,
furnishing two extra ones himself ; but
he met with little success, as every one
owniug one or more horses had them
in service.
The Column
of cavalry made directly for the fords
on Rocky Creek, where it was said the
negroes * had established themselves
and refused to allow any one not in ac
cord with themselves to pass. Capt.
Walton’s command, three companies,
was divided into detachments of suffi
cient strength to take each ford, by
charging if necessary. The largest
number, however, went to the principal
ford at Rocky Creek Baptist Church
and surrounded
AUGUSTA, GAY, SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 21, 1875.
The House Near By,
where it was supposed the notorious
instigator of all this trouble—“ Gen.”
Joseph Morris—was quartered, but the
officers and men found their labor in
vain, as the irrepressible Joe and
whilom teacher of the colored idea how
to shoot was non est, and it was thought
that he had been non est for some days
in that locality.
Capt. Walton,
With his cavalry, consisting of pro
bably 125 men, a considerable number
being citizens not connected with the
regular companies, scoured the county
round about, and also a wide strip on
his return, without finding any armed
negroes.
He Reports
That the neighborhood visited by him
and his command appeared to be per
fectly quiet, nothing appearing to cre
ate apprehension, as observed by either
himself or his men. He considers that
everything was quiet, at the time he
visited it, not a shot being fired. In
fact, as far as we can learn, not a shot
was fired during yesterday, last night
or to-day, as there was no necessity
for it.
Disbanded.
Capt. Walton with his command re
turned to Waynesboro about 9 o’clock
this morning and reported to the Sher
iff, in substance as stated above. He
told the Sheriff that he was of opinion
that the services of the posse were no
longer needed as they had found no
armed bodies of insurrectionists—they
having all dispersed and many of them
gone to their work. The Sheriff then
authorized him to disband his cavalry.
The Stonewall Rifles, the members of
which nearly all live in Waynesboro,
will still be on duty and will picket the
roads leading into town so as to pre
vent any surprise on the part of the
conspirators.
Yesterday was the Day
upon which the nefarious conspiracy
of Morris was to be carried out—the
whites to be massacred in Burke, Jef
ferson, Washington and Wilkinson
counties, so as to enable this precious
“General”—self-styled—to obtain for
himself the possession of the county
offices.
Morris
was formerly a slave of Mr. R. J. Mor
rison, of Burke county, which accounts
for his having that name—shortened
to make it appear he had not been a
slave of that gentleman, though known
entirely by it previously. Morris is
Described
as a well built negro, with complexion
almost black, or rather nearly ap
proaching copper color; a heavy mous
tache, always neatly trimmed—and
what is rare in the negro race, a
Roman nose. He is probably 5 feet 8
or 10 inches in height, and almost per
fectly straight, presenting a command
ing appearance for one of his race. He
has been
A School Teacher
Of late years near Rocky Creek
Church and always received the prorata
portion of the school fund for his school
in addition to the payments of the
parents of the children taught by him.
Some persons who are reliable think
he is still skulking in the county
(Burke), while others are opinion that
he has escaped into South Carolina and
is making his way North in a sly way
to prevent recapture.
A Nephew'
Of Morris arrested last night and
sent to Augusta, we are told stated
that the attack was first to be made on
Waynesboro at 3 o’clock this morning,
and after sacking the town, the “army”
of “Gen.” Morris would move on Jef
ferson county—thence to Washington
county, being joined on the way by
various organized bodies of blacks.
Left.
The Augusta boys left on the road,
six of them, with others from Waynes
boro, were at last accounts endeavoring
to mount themselves in the neighbor
hood where the party stopped last
night with the wagon, for the purpose
of proceeding, under command of Capt.
Randolph Ridgley, to the Walker place,
to investigate a rumor to the effect
that there was a large gathering of
negroes, armed, in that locality. These
young men are acting with energy and
seem determined to ferret out all the
mischief intended. A man came in from
that direction to-day and stated he was
stopped by two armed negroes (just
before noon), but was allowed to pro
ceed, the negroes saying he wus not
the man they thought he was.
About Noon
all the men from a distance had de
parted for home, the commanding offi
cers having dismissed their companies.
Mr. Benj. C. Morrison having been re
quested by ladies in the Sodom District
to come over there to protect them,
yesterday evening went there, where
he will remain during the night. He
ventures alone to protect these ladies,
this being the stronghold of Morris,
the arch-insurrectionist.
Aid Offered.
Mr. Munnerlyn this morning received
a dispatch from L. M. Millett, of Sa
vannah, which stated that five hundred
men could be promised to Burke, and
they were then awaiting an answer
stating whether they would be needed.
Mr. Munnerlyn, after consultation, tele
graphed, in reply, that troops were not
now needed, at the same time thanking
the Savannah military.
Jefferson County.
Two gentlemen from Louisville, Jef
ferson county, adjoining Burke, ar
rived at Waynesboro about 1 o’clock
a. m., for the purpose of investigating
rumors of troubles between this place
and Louisville. They report all quiet
in Jefferson county, the negroes work
ing as usual, but after crossing the
Burke line they saw but few males in
the fields. They report a general quiet
ness reigning in their county.
More of Gen. Joseph Morris’ Corre
spondence—Capture of Important
Letters.
[Savannah News, 20th.]
A correspondent writing from San
dersville, under date of the 19th, says
that the excitement throughout Wash
ington and Johnson counties is una
bated. On Wednesday thirty-four ne
groes were arrested in Washington,
Johnson and Laurens counties, and
lodged in the jail at Sandersville,
which, with the seven already here,
makes forty-one. More were expected
to brought in on the morning when the
letter was written, but the ringleaders,
Candy Harris, of Washington county,
and the so-called “ General ” Morris, of
Burke county, have so far eluded the
vigilance of the Sheriff and his depu
ties.
In the search of Candy Harris’
house, the Sheriff found three letters
amongst a number of muster-rolls of
colored military organizations, which
will be found hereto annexed. Under
instructions from the Governor, the
Sheriff summoned the two white mili
tary companies—the Washington Dra
groons and the Washington Rifles—to
his aid in making tire arrests and
guarding the jail. Thi? Solicitor Gen
eral of the circuit, act Gg in behalf of
the State, not being ready, the prelimi
nary trial of the prisoners'is postponed
until Monday. Gov. Johns, n, the Judge
of the Circuit, has writer; a letter in
timating that he would h id, perhaps
next week, an extra seij io i of the Su
perior Court to disposl: o: these cases.
The following are c|pi<3s of the let
ters alluded to: j
LETTER NO? 1.
Hon. Mr. Candy Harris: i
Dear Sir: I received ' v ,| >u- kind Express
Communication all RighDou • sir I Will say
to You please to send me more Dollars
your convencion will be *-ei&' Emportance
please to send in a privat letter i Will get
it I have envited Genl y IS Eivers from
Aiken County South Carolina with 2000
Mens With arms 1 will &>nd You the Min
nies Eight away your coiivencion will hold
two days containing 19 ctfeintjes.
Very v
J J'.sejJh Morris
Waynesboro Burke county Ga
LETTER NO 2.
JSL ' - July 2d 1875
Mr. Candy Harris: i
Dear Sib : Please to lend me word as
soon as You receive the id indies I have en
vited 19 county to be present at your con
vencion please to send ,xie SOOO Dollars
more as quick as possible- to, Waynesboro
Geo to Hon Joseph Morris,
LETTER NO; 3.
Atlanta Csa July 30, 75
Candy Hariss, lennile Ga .
Dear Sir : We are very much surprised
at the way you are conducting the Eepub
iican party, do You know you are making
the party weaker and weaker by your im
prudence in leading as Yu; do.
Be quiet at this time, nowds not the time to
make displays. One of the c >mniission of
ficers of the white military companies of
your County has written a loiyg letter to tiio
officers at this and other places in regard
to tire action of the Eaticsis Leaders in
your vicinity we want t|< dieet the next
President and you musC atfvisj all your
leading men to keep coo| Efid stay away
from mass meeting for 4 while until it is
prudent if you dont the Et publican party is
dead sure dont try to exet i is* that that you
have no authority to do. % expect to leave
to morrow to WashiugtouJcity and when I
return will write you or?; the subject and
what is best. : ;
Yours faithfully:
Coujmrttv E. P.
- 3 per O. H.
The originals of thes letters, as also
of the one sent us by oqr Wilkinson
county correspondent, aria in posses
sion of Sheriff Mayo, of Washington
county. It is evident jth at “General”
Morris wants money regardless of what
becomes of his dupes. [>, The writer of
the Atlanta letter, wh|>sthead seems
to bo level, while deprecating Harris’
movements as untimely,
creates the impressior tiiat at some
future day it may be prurient to carry
out their designs. J
The Correspondence ;w&h tlie Gov
ernor. | :
[From the Atlanta K arald, 20th.]
We present the ext of the dispatches
received by the Governor, and the an
swers made by him to the parties send
ing them: c
Tennill.l Ga., 18, 1875.
To Gov. James M. Smith •
We have unearthed f . extensive no
gro insurrection in this section—many
arrests were made wit), confusion. The
sheriff is guarding th 4 jail. But we
have not force enough to repel an effort
to liberate the prisoner| and make fur
ther arrests. Indicat'Sis are that we
will have immediate trouble. Order
prevails. The arrests wire made quietly
but firmly. Will your Excellency order
out the organized miMtSfei cf this county,
and such other militia -jis: your Excel
lency may deem lit, to c'uHrd prisoners.
The discovery of the ij.shrrection has
not checked the moVefients. From
present indications we deed protection
and aid. Wi H. Wylly,
Act. Sol. Gen. Middle Circuit.
THE GOVERNOR’;, REPLY.
Atlanta, Ga., August 18, 1875.
Wm. Worthen and JV. 2% Wylly, Tennille,
Georgia: %.
Let the Sheriff sumujori a posse suffi
cient to guard his prisoners securely.
He may summon every man in the
county, if necessary, a message
to the Sheriff, directed to your care,
which see delivered at|orice. Keep me
constantly advised by wire of the pro
gress of events. |
J. M. S-MiQ. Governor.
ORDERING OUT TH S j' LIT ARY.
Atlanta, <|a* August 18.
Capt. J. A. TarbutUn,%)r\other officers
commanding Washington Dragoons,
Tennille: |
You will, if called ofi' b the Sheriff,
place your company tinder his orders,
to act as a posse comity tu-; to keep the
peace and aid the authorities in arrest
ing the offenders and {|uß?rding prison
ers. In performing th?s duties be ex
tremely prudent, and me advised.
J. M. Smstil, Governor.
The same dispatch f/asl sent to Capt.
Peacock, in command -of the Washing
ton Rifles. | :
Tennille, % \kh August 18.
To Governor James Mi Smith:
I herewith acknowledge the receipt
of your communicatifn sby telegraph,
and, by the direction o* your Excel
lency and call of the ifheriff of this
county, my company -is Snow in arms,
acting as a posse condtjitus to assist
the civil authorities. J t
G. .W Peacock,
Captain Wid&Lgton Rifles.
Later Develf piSents.
Received 6 A5 p. m ] *
Tennill; . August 18, 1875.
To Gov. J. M. Smith : %
We have party now atyesfid, and confes
sions implicating every ■immtary organiza
tion in this and adjoini <|>unties, except
Captain Win. Hick’s cqmifiny here, have
been made, and implicating many negroes
not belonging to the mi ytasy. Shall i con
tinue to have warrants fssled V All quiet,
except the rapid moven.oi Is of negro mis
sionaries and night mees| n&i of the negroes.
We are striving to getsth ee of the most
notorious ringleaders f'hifm we have not
vet secured. Will keep jjoui: Excellency ad
vised. | y. H. Wylly.
Received 8:20 p. in.] ?; ?■
Te NT LLP; August. 18, 1875.
To Gov, J. M. Smith ; i
1 herewith acknowle „ of your
communication by te'ej>;re, ; /h anil by call of
l lie Sheriff of this count*/. . >ly company as
a posse comitatus to assist fie civil authori
ties, have reported for ..sit;f.
F. A. (jtJA'EMBURGER,
Lieut. Comd’g Wasi#n{|n Dragoons.
Burke coijntj.
Greene c|u|ty.
IS GREENE INCLUDED |lN* THE “ DOOMED
TERRITORY f’
[Special to th| I-Urald.]
Union Point, Ga.| ANgust 19, ’75.
An authentic dispatch to-day. from
Tennille, Ga., to Mr. |i. J. Davis, shows
that the negroes insurrection
there. Fifty of ther |h|ve been jaiied,
and one turned State evidence ; nine
teen counties are con|eiSied ; Greene is
supposed to be one. I\|general insur
rection is to commet:|;a‘J:o-morrow, the
20 th. t H. Randle.
ORDERS TO TITS J&IERIFF.
Atlanta, C A.,|lugust 18. 1875.
Dispatch to the Sheriff . |
Summon a sufficient yu|iber of citizens,
with such arms as they can procure, to
guard the jail and keep the peace. Call on
commanding officers of military compa
nies in your county, if necessary, to order
out their commands to act as a posse comi
tatus, under your orders. You are charged
with the duty of keeping the peace. See
that all violators of the peace are promptly
arrested. Be very prudent and cautious in
the exercise of your powers, but maintain
supremacy of law at all hazards. Keep me
fully advised, by telegraph, of the progress
of events. You cannot be too careful.
J. M. Smith, Governor.
BAGGING THE SCOUNDRELS.
Tennille, August 18, 1875.
To Gov. James M. Smith ;
Arrests continues. Confessions of guilt
from four and I hear of more. Confessions
show that the counties of Washington,
Johnson, Laurens. Wilkenson, and Jeffer
son are threatened, and fifteen other names
not known to the prisoners, who confirmed
Prince E. Elvers, of South Carolina, arch
conspirator. Joseph Morris, of Burke,
comes, next. Deputy Sheriff is in pursuit of
Morris now. August 20th the time for the
movement. Can you send me one or
two detec ives to get up evidence and
search out the guilty? Is it conven
ient for the Attorney General to
come down here and conduct this in
vestigation? All quiet now. Military are
on duty. Solicitor General Eobinson is
absent in Arkansas. By his request and
also by request of Judge Johnson I am
representing the State as Solicitor General
pro tern. Do you sanction my action in the
premises? Wili arrest twenty men to
morrow. \V. H. Wylly
Tennille, August 18, 1875,
'Jo Governor James M. Smith.
Your telegram has been received here.
Have ordered the military corps of this
coqnty to guard the prisoners. 1 will keep
you advised, and if more instructions are
nodded I will telegraph. J. H. Wylly.
The News in Atlanta.
[Constitution, 20th.l
The excitement in the city yesterday,
growing out of the alarming news in
the Constitution, concerning the insur
rection in Middle Georgia, was very
widespread and intense, and every
morsel of new information upon the
alarming matter was seized upon with
great avidity. The Governor, the offi
cers about the Capitol, and the news
paper men of the city were everywhere
plied with anxious questions, "but de
tails from the scene of the disturbances
were meagre and unsatisfactory.
It is also stated that the Atlanta mil
itary tendered their services to the
Governor.
In Savannah and Macon.
The sudden and wholly unexpected
news produced a profound sensation.
The Savannah Advertiser says:
Later developments, however, re
ceived from reliable sources, both by
mail and telegraph, indicate a most
alarming condition of affairs in Wash
ington and Burke counties, and point
to a general conspiracy among the col
ored element to deluge in blood that
section of our State. Insane as the
idea is, that any or all the negroes com
bined can overthrow the peace and
good order of the State, the fact is
nevertheless patent, if the information
conveyed by telegraph and private
letters be correct, that under the in
fluence of ill-advised persons, the ne
groes of Burke and Washington coun
ties are about to rush into a volcano,
from which there will be no escape
short of extermination.
Some of our exchanges treat the
whole matter as a huge joke, perpe
trated by some heartless scoundrel.—
With the lights before us, we cannot
think that it is a serious reality, and
while we think that there is no just
cause for immediate alarm, as to the
situation, it is eminently proper that
the authorities should stare the reality
full in the face.
Wliat Gov. Smith Says.
[Atlanta Herald, 20th.]
Lastnight we called on the Governor,
and he said in substance that he appre
hended no danger from the negroes ;
that the preparation by the whites at
the different points where an uprising
was suspected, would cause the negroes
to abandon their design of attacking
any one of the twenty counties where
an insurrection was expected. That
such an attack was proposed and
spoken of he has no doubt, but the dis
covery of the letter signed by Candy
Harris, and confessions of the prisoners
who had been captured, he thought
would convince the negroes that no
thing but defeat could await them if
they carried out their organized plan
of attack. He also thought that by
dealing with the prisoners under arrest
as provided by law, for which the pen
alty is death, that we will never hear
of another insurrection in Georgia.
Judge Joliflsou Issues 225 Warrants.
[Savannah News.]
It was also stated that Judge Her
schel Y. Johnson had issued bench war
rants for tlie arrest of two hundred
and twenty-five negroes, whose names
had been obtained from some of the
captured that had confessed.
Dispatches.
We received during the morning yes
terday the following specials, which
proved to be of great interest to a num
ber of visitors and others at our office,
as well as to our readers elsewhere. —
Our correspondent gives above a
lengthy account of affairs as they stood
this afternoon :
[Special to the Constitutionalist.]
Waynesboro, August 20—12:30 P. M.
All the men are leaving for home and
quiet seems to be restored. Capt. Wal
ton reports he saw no negroes congre
gated at the Rocky Creek fords, and no
armed bodies of negroes elsewhere. A
dispatch fram Savannah this morning
offers 500 men who are now ready if
they are needed. The companies will
continue to picket the roads to-night,
and men will be ready for duty if ne
cessary. C.
The party sent in search of Joe Mor
ris have returned with news that the
negroes have dispersed. Joe is still at
large and will doubtless make good his
escape. W* shall disarm all organiza
tions to-day. Quiet is completely re
stored. P.
THE LATEST.
Arrest of Candy Harris—He Makes a
Confession Implicating “ Major-Gen
eral ” Prince Rivers.
A dispatch from Sandersville, Wash
ington county, reports the arrest of
Candy Harris, one of the leaders in the
plot. He has made a confession im
plicating Prince Rivers, Major General
of South Carolina Militia. Rivers em
phatically denies the charge. There
are seventy negroes in jail at Sanders
ville. Gov. Smith is expected there to
night.
Sporting News.
Utica, N. Y., There was a large at
tendance at Utica Park races. The
weather was cool and pleasant, and the
track in good condition. The 2:22 race
was won by Lucille Goldust, Sensa
tion second, and John H. third. Time,
2:20%, 2:23, 2:24. The 2:31 race was
won by Orient, Honest Harry second,
and Lewenski third. Time, 2:25, 2:20%,
2:25 and 2:26. Honest Harry took the
first heat.
FROM DARIEN.
A Bark With Yellow Fever on Board
Puts Into Port.
[Special to the Constitutionalist.]
Darien, August 20, 1875.
The bark Mary A. Marshall is off the
quarantine grounds, from Havana,
with one death from yellow fever, and
one new case. There are only three
more of the crew who have not had
the disease. There is no danger of the
fever spreading. Port physician, Dr.
Baker, is in charge.
FROM LUMBER CITY.
Bloody Result of a Feud—Two Men
Killed.
[Special to the Constitutionalist.]
Lumber City, August 20, 1875.
A difficulty occured here tnis eve
ning between Samuel Yarradore and
A. J. Weils. Several pistol shots were
exchanged, in which Varradore wa.3
mortally wounded. Wells, while at
tempting to make his escape, was shot
by Robert Powell with a double-bar
relled gun, killing him instantly.
Powell has left. An inquest will be
held. Au old feud existed between
Wells and Yarradore. M.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Death of Commodore Collins —Changes
Effected by His Death—Government
Claims in Litigation.
Washington, August 20. -A telegram
received at the Navy Department this
morning from Capt. E. Simpson, com
manding United States steamer Omaha,
dated Panama August 19th, announces
the death of Rear Admiral Napoleon
Collins, commanding the South Pacific
fleet, at Callao, Peru, on the 9th inst.
He died of erysipelas, after an illness
of three days. He was buried with
military honors in the Protestant ceme
tery at Belle Vista, near Callao.
Rear Admiral Reed Warden has been
ordered to the command of the South
Pacific Station in place of Rear Ad
miral Collins. Until his arrival there
the command will devolve upon Capt.
E. Simpson, of Omaha the senior Cap
tain in the fleet.
The death of Rear Admiral Collins
promotes Commodore Stephen A.
Trenchard, but does not effect any
officer below that grade, as there has
been an excess of one in the list of
Commodores for some months past, on
account of the reinstatement of Com
modore John C. Beaumont, by act of
Congress passed at last session. The
law allows but 25 officers of the grade
of Commodore and the promotion of
Commodore Trenchard leaves that
number ou the list.
The Government has appealed to the
Supreme Court from the decision of
the Court of Claims, which awarded
$480,000 in gold to the Slate National
Bank of Boston. It has also appealed
from the decision of the Court of Claims
iu seventeen cotton awards, involving
$300,000 or $400,000.
The title to the Hot Springs property
having been decided by the same court
to be in the United States the claim
ants have appealed to the Supreme
Court.
Special River Report.
Washington, August 20—7:30 P. M. —
The Mississippi has fallen four inches
at St. Louis, rhirty inches at Cairo,
three inches at Memphis and two inches
at New Orleans. It has remained sta
tionary, but is rising at Vicksburg and
has risen one inch at Helena. The
river will probably rise very slightly at
Helena and Vicksburg and coutine to
fall at stations above Helena.
FROM NEW YORK.
The Police Commissioners Charg'd
with Neglect of Duty, Incapacity and
Serious Misdemeanors.
New York, August 20. —Judgment has
been entered in favor of the Fourth
National Bank against the Burlington,
Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Road for
$163,000.
John D. Townsend, counsel for the
Legislative Committee on Crime, pre
sented voluminous charges to Mayor
Wickham containing specifications
against the Police Commissioners Mat
sel, Desbecker and VoorhU. and asking
for their removal for neglect of duty,
incapacity for the office, and other
serious allegations.
FROM BALTIMORE.
Immense Shipment of Petroleum-
Good and Bad Peaches.
Baltimore, August 20. —The British
ship Norseman cleared with nearly a
half million gallons of refined petrol
eum for Antwerp. This is the largest
shipment ever made from this port.
Twenty-two thousand five hundred
boxes of peaches were received at
Light street wharf yesterday. Two
thousand boxes were thrown into the
river.
FROM MEMPHIS.
Falling of the Waters —Estimated
Damage to Cotton and Corn Crops.
Memphis, August 20.—A rapid de
cline in the river has dispelled all fears
of further damage to crops, but so
great is the diversity of opinion in re
gard to damage done to the cotton
crop in this District that it is impossi
ble to estimate the amount, which
varies from 20,000 to 80,000 bales; but
there is no precedent by which the
effect of the overflow on cotton at this
season of the year can be approximated.
The number of acres of corn ruined by
the flood is largely in excess of cotton.
CRIMES AND*CASUALTIES.
Denver, Col., August 20.—John H.
White, of Missouri, suicided. Dissipa
tion and disturbed finances were the
cause.
Quebec, August 20.—Three children,
aged one, two and four, were burned to
death, their mother having locked them
in the house while working outside.
Manchester, N. H., August 20.—There
was a heavy rain here. Water flowed
into the boiler houses of the Amoskeag
Manufacturing Company, put out the
fires, and made steam, which badly
scalded four persons. Crops havejbeen
much damaged by rain.
St. Louis, August 20. —The people of
Williamson county, Illinois, are organ
izing armed companies for the suppres
sion of outlawry.
Ohio papers publish the remarkable
news that the other day “a man in
Cincinnati was washed” —they add,
“through a sewer.”
FOREIGN DISPATCHES.
GLIMPSES OF PEACE.
Tlie Great Powers Intervening to Pre
vent Further Hostilities —The Grand
Turk to Turn Reformer—Money
Kings Smoothing Their Ruffled Fea
thers.
Paris, August 20.—A Vienna special
to La Liberte says : “ Prince Milan, of
Servia, has addressed a note to the
Powers who signed the treaty of Paris,
complaining that he has not been in
formed of their intentions regarding
the insurrection, which is extending
into Servia, and which seems to threat
en to assume proportions which may
render its suppression impossible.
Berlin, August 20.—1 tis said that
Austria has offered, under guarantee
of Northern European empires, to in
tervene for the pacification of Herzego
vinians upon a basis of reform in the
administration of the Christian prov
inces of Turkey, but that the Porte has
refused the ofler.
Constantinople, August 20.—Later
intelligence from the scene of insurrec
tion in Herzegovina is more satisfac
tory. The Governor of the province
announces there is less excitement
among the people, and he anticipates
a prompt pacification. Russian, Aus
trian and German Ambassadors had a
protracted conference with the Grand
Vizier yesterday. It is understood
they advised a suspension of hostili
ties, with view to afford an oppor
tunity for ascertaining the grievances
of the Insurgents. Turkey declined
to accede to this proposition. The
Russian Ambassador had an interview
with the Sultan, and afterwards the
Grand Vizier was summoned to the
Palace. Foreign Ambassadors and
Ministers will meet at the Russian
Embassy Saturday.
Brussels, August 20. — Le Nord, Kus
siau organ, discussing the Turkish in
surrection, idays Russia, Germany and
Austria are in accord on the point that
the Eastern question shall not be
opened. Peace has been disturbed, but
a general peace is secure beyond at
tack. France and Italy will doubtless
be invited to join these three powers.
Turkey must recognize the need of
ending her intolerable regime and of
proceeding seriously with reform, which
has heretofore been a mere pretense.
London, August 20.—A special dis
patch from Vienna reports tlie Herze
govinian insurgents have been forced
to raise the seige of Trebigne and
some have been driven unarmed across
the frontier. All signs of panic in con
sequence of Eastern troubles have dis
appeared and the stock market has
completely recovered from the depres
sion of the last two days.
Conflagration in Russia—Repulse of
Dorregaray—Attempt to Raise tlie
Siege of Seo De Urgel.
St. Petersburg, August 20.—Three
hundred houses were burned at Ryeff.
Madrid, August 20.—Dorregaray was
repulsed while endeavoring to pene
trate Arragon and forced to retreat to
the mountains, near Tremp.
Bourg La Darne, August 20. —The
Carlists captured twelve wagons with
provisions en route for the besiegers.
Gen. Saballs has arrived in front of
Seo De Urgel. Other Carlist bodies are
approaching, and an attempt will be
made to raise the siege.
Gladstone’s Book Interdicted.
Paris, August 20.—Buffet, defending
the course of the Government, said
vigorous measures had been directed
against Bonapartist newspapers. He
had received no request to authorize
the sale of Gladstone’s book, but would
uot authorize the sale of polemics
against the Catholic faith.
Roman Catholic Congress—Ecclesti
cal Items.
The Catholic Congress convened at
Poictiers to-day. The Archbishop of
Orleans preached the opening sermon.
Gladstone’s publications are allowed
to be sold in the shops, but not allowed
to be hawked about the streets.
The Papal Nuncio and Archbishop of
Paris visited Cardinal McClosky.
Diplomatic Speculations as to Turkey
—M.Thiers and the French Assem
bly.
Vienna, August 20.—The New Press
is informed that the British Ambassa
dor recently forewarned the Sultan of
the action of the three Powers point
ing out the significance of the step.
A Vienna political correspondent says
the action of the Powers was a tender
of friendly offices, not intervention, and
thinks that the refusal of Turkey to
accede to their propositions was not
final.
A special dispatch to the Standard
from Vienna represents that fifty Turk
ish families perished when the insur
gents destroyed Berliver and Svinjar.
London, August 20.—The News cor
respondent at Paris reports that ex-
President Thiers declines to be a can
didate for the Senate, preferring to
remain in the Lower House.
The United States Fleet.
Southampton, August 20.— The date
of departure and destination of the
United States squadron now lying in
this harbor has not been determined.
It will probably sail on the first of Sep
tember for Plymouth, where it will
anchor a short time and then sail in the
direction of Gibraltar.
Mysterious Russia.
Berlin, August 20.—The North Ger
man Gazette says nothing is known in
political circles in Berlin of Russia in
tending to convoke a conference on
the usages of war in the near future.
i—i ■
Copy of a Handbill Picked up Near
Peterborough, England, 1784.
[From the New Haven Gazette, published
by Meigs, Bowen & Daua.l
“Wanted, for a sober family, a man
of light weight, who fears the Lord and
can drive a pair of horses. He must
occasionally wait at table, join in
household prayer, look after the horses,
and read a chapter in the Bible. He
must, God willing, rise at seven in the
morning, obey his master and mistress
in all lawful commands. If he can
dress hair, sing psalms, and play at
cribbage, the more agreeable.
“N. B.—He must not be too familiar
with the maid servants of the house,
lest the flesh should rebel against the
spirit, and be induced to walk in the
thorny paths of the wicked. Wages
fifteen guineas a year.”
“ A Very Palpable Hit.”—The Haver
hill Gazette sums up the resumption
question in a nutshell. It says our
rags are 3 per cent, above specie, as
follows:
The rag bonds sell for 1.18
The rag bills soli for *BS
_ , , 2.03
Gold at par 2.00
.03
Three per cent, premium for rags ;
or, perhaps, 1% per cent, premium
above gold.
JNew Series—V"ol. 3, TsJo. 15
FROM RICHMOND.
Negroes in Convention—A Turbulent
Assemblage.
Richmond, August 20. —Nothing of
importance has yet been done in the
Convention of colored people in session
here. Any amount of wrangling over
trifling things is indulged in. The Chair
is vainly attempting to keep order.
Committees were appointed on educa
tion and the press, on organization and
labor, on an address, on rules, on tem
perance, on resolutions, and on finance.
A delegate attempted to read a series
of resolutions, w r hich, from the tone of
the first few lines, were violent and de
nunciatory in the extreme. He was in
terrupted with motions for their refer
ence to a committee and points of
order, amid much confusion, during
which some of the members invaded the
platform. The resolutions were refer
red. Recess till sp. m.
The evening session was taken up in
reception of committee reports. The
Committee on Resolutions recommend
ed that no person be endorsed for of
fice. Adopted. The committee also
reported, declaring that this Conven
tion looks with anxiety and alarm at
the condition of disorganization and
dissatisfaction existing in the party in
the State, caused by the appointment
of numbers of Federal office-holders
all over the State, many being promi
nent Democrats, who would blush were
Republican sentiments imputed to
them, and of others who are an incu
bus to the party, and who are prepar
ing for a precipitate desertion to the
Democratic lines, in case the late la
mented Confederacy should succeed in
establishing its power again in 1876.
The resolutions were discussed at
length, and finally sent to the Commit
tee on Federal Relations.
A resolution was offered petitioning
the Legislature against the proposed
amendment to the Constitution, which
disfranchises a person convicted of
petit lai'ceny and requires a man to
pay his poll tax before he can vote.
The rest of the session was spent in
organizing, with no particular features
of interest.
PLAIN TALK.
llow an Old Missionary Gave Com
missioner Smith Some True Inward
ness,
[From an interview in the Baltimore
Gazette with Father Gonzague, Direc
tor of the Indian Mission at White
Earth, Minnesota.]
“How have the Indian Commission
ers treated you?”
There are grave and serious com
plaints against them.”
“What are they?”
“I will tell you a story. In March
last, while traveling from Dayton to
Hamilton with one of my Indian boys,
I found on entering the cars there was
no seat vacant. On looking around,
however, I saw two gentlemen who
were occupying a double seat—sitting
on one and having their feet on that
opposite. I asked an elderly man, with
gray hair, and moustache and goatee,
who was one of the two, to oblige me
with a seat. He looked at me, but did
not answer. On being requested the
second time he and his companion took
down their feet and the boy and I took
the scats. I have since found out that
this was Commissioner Smith, of the
Indian Board.”
What happened after you took your
seat ?”
“The gray-headed man asked me if
the boy was not an Indian, and I told
him he was. He then wanted to know
what I was doing with him, and I told
him I was lecturing through the cities
of the United States for an Indian
Mission, and had four Indians with me.
He wanted to know what I said in my
lectures, and I told him I was exposing
the manner in which the Indians were
being swindled, and saying a little
against the Government.”
“What had he to say to that?”
“He asked me what fault I could
find with the Government, and I an
swered that it seemed that Grant was
so intolerant that he did not wish the
Indians to enjoy the religion of their
choice. He stated that no one had
ever done as much for the Indian as
Grant, and that the red man now had
everything he wanted. This I denied,
and said that his agents were stealing
all they could from the Indians. The
Board of Commissioners, too, would
not fulfill their promises to the In
dians, and were countenancing the
stealing from them by the agents.”
“ What had Smith to say to that?”
“He seemed very indignant, and I
wondered at it; for, you see, I did not
then know he was Smith. I continued
by telling him that about two years ago
there was an agent on the Chippewa
Reservation named Smith. This man,
without ever consulting the Govern
ment or the Indians, cut down a large
number of pine trees, and, after selling
them to the whites, pocketed the
money, and never gave either the In
dians or the Government a cent.”
“ That must have been an unpleasant
statement?”
“So it seemed. I noticed he was un
comfortable, but I continued. I told
him the Indians complained to the au
thorities at Washington, but obtained
no redress. A short time after, how
ever, the agent lost his place, and was
called on to Washington and made an
Indian Commissioner. The gentleman
then said,‘Can you tell me his name?’
I said, ‘ Yes, I can.’ ‘ What was it?’
‘lt was Smith.’ He said, ‘ Mr. Smith
was too much of a gentleman to do
that, and you are a liar to say so.’ ”
“What did you answer?”
“I told him I was sorry if he thought
I told lies, but if I lied there were two
thousand Indians on and around the
Chippewa reservation who would tell
the same lie. He said he was going to
Washington, and would tell Smith I
thanked him and gave him my card. I
further said that I was going to Wash
ington, and should tell this story, and
if necessary would bring all the In
dians necessary to prove the statement
true.”
“How did you find out the gentleman
was Commissioner Smith?”
_ “About three weeks ago I was in
New York, and found that the Board
of Indian Commissioners was in ses
sion there. I ascertained that Com
missioner Smith was at the Fifth Av
enue Hotel, and I called to see him.
He was in his room, and on looking at
my pocket-book I discovered I had no
cards left. I had, however, a portrait,
and I sent it up with my name written
across it. He refused to see me. I
called at least ten times, but I was
always refused. In the evening I was
standing in the corridor, when my fel
low-traveler from Dayton to Hamilton
passed out, and he was identified by
my chief as Commissioner Smith. I
had told him an unpleasant truth to
his face without knowing him, and he
did not care to see me again.”
The umbrella man is happy, for ttm
rain it raineth every day.