Well talk about your melodrama, here’s a good example. Sounds like a good ol New Orleans funeral.
I must admit, I understand the burial and the ceremony over a football game much better. War Eagle! (sorry Jim)
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[“Mr. John D. Evans, who has made a tour through the countries of Upshur, Rusk, and Cherokee, informs us that what was supposed to be poison in the hands of the negroes in Cherokee county, when subjected to chemical analysis, turned out to be a harmless preparation. And yet the negroes stated that it was poison, and that they had been instructed to place it in the wells and in the food of their masters. Very little reliance can be placed in testimony obtained by coercion or intimidation]
Who gave them the powder? Who told them to poison the wells and masters? At least they 'got it' with the last sentence. Wonder if there were more and they weren't caught?
In reading these ‘news’ items from that time period, it’s easy to see how very uncomfortable people were becoming. Those in rural areas may have only gotten 3rd hand information and we know how ‘factual’ that can be, it’s like the old kids game of “Gossip”. The truth may be buried somewhere but no one remembers where. I’ve always questioned just how ‘honest’ the reports were that the slaves were ‘happy’ in their position but have not seen anything like these day by day reports of activity saying they weren’t. Wonder if they were being aided at this time and not so much earlier? It made a big political statement for both sides if they were.
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[********************New Orleans Commercial Bulletin***********************
Arkansas Items.- Excitement in Camden.- The citizens of Camden are in a state of excitement occasioned by the supposed discovery of an Abolitionist in their midst. The suspected person is a man by the name of Marsh, who has been living in Camden for a month or so in the capacity of a news agent. Marsh had left before any action was taken by the citizens. He is being pursued, however, and if guilty, will doubltless receive the punishment he merits.- Washington Telegraph, 5th
**********************Boston Evening Transcript**********************
Popular Delusion At the South.- The Missouri papers give the details of some of the deeds of illegal violence in Texas, which are almost incredible. Mr. Marsh, who sold papers in Camden, Arkansas, and delivered the New York Tribune to those of the residents of the vicinity who ordered the paper, has been kidnapped, tried by a mob and sentenced to be hung. An anonymous letter was the only evidence against him. Time was allowed for him to send for his wife and to procure form the citizens of St. Louis certificates of his former good character. His wife was making every effort to save him.
Recent accounts from Texas leave no doubt that innocent men have suffered in the terror that has spread through the region. The Marshall (Texas) Republican says- ]
Well I guess we have to wait for the next installment to see if he was hung or wore some sticky feathers or something else happened. Boston gave Mr. Marshall more type space and labeled the locals in the South delusional. Nothing new there. New Orleans seems to have already passed judgment on the man (even if is was just the word 'supposed') but it looks they got their information from Washington. At this point in time, we can see the political play in these events but back then it was serious stuff. Substitute one of the issues today with slavery and I would bet you the news bias would be the same. The geography may be a bit different. That’s a good thing. Can't point the finger at just the South today.
Pam