Category Archives: African American

Jesse Lindsay Safe and Sound (1890)

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It is reported that Jesse LINDSAY, the negro who was supposed to have been shot by Mr. Thomas J. FINCH, near the Randolph line a few weeks ago, escaped with a mere scratch and is now safe and sound in South Carolina.

Source: Davidson Times-Dispatch, 19 February 1890.  Paper available at Google News Archive.

GALLOWAY, Oz – (d. 1890)

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Monday noon on the plantation known as the Chas. TAYLOR place in No. 2 Township, John HOWIE killed his brother Oz GALLOWAY by accident. We are informed that bad blood had for some time existed between John HOWIE and another negro by the name of White PHARR who lived on the same farm. At meal time White PHARR approached the house, when HOWIE seized a gun and threatened to shoot if he came in. PHARR seized the gun barrel turning it aside when it was discharged, the load entering GALLOWAY’s side. The victim of this feud lived about half an hour. At a magistrate’s trial the shooting was decided to be accidental, and the accused was discharged. This decision created quite a feeling among the people of the neighborhood and on Tuesday evening he was re-arrested, taken before Esq. Zeb MORRIS and committed to jail to await trial before the superior court. — Concord Times.

Source: Davidson Times-Dispatch, 5 February 1890.  Paper available at Google News Archive.

Emanuel Archey Arrested (1890)

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A negro horse thief named Emanuel ARCHEY was arrested the first of last week near Mr. D.H. HINKLE’s residence a few miles north of town. The negro went to Mr. HINKLE’s house about nightfall, and owing to the suspicious account that he gave of himself and the horse, was given shelter during the night with a view of detaining him for a possible pursuer. Early the next morning, information was received that he had stolen the horse in Rowan County and that an officer was on his track. A young man attempted to arrest ARCHEY, but the latter broke loose and took to the woods. In a short time a number of men collected and treed him. The officer arrived during the day and the next morning returned to Rowan with the prisoner and horse.

Source: Davidson Times-Dispatch, 29  January 1890.  Paper available at Google News Archive.

RICKETS, Charles – (d. 1890)

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A Boy Homicide at Asheville — Charles RICKETS was stabbed and nearly instantly killed at Battery Park hotel at 6 o’clock last Thursday evening. The name of the murderer is Alfred MCELRATH. Both of the parties are colored. The two boys were standing on the lower porch at the front of the hotel with some companions and RICKETS was tensing MCELRATH. He was warned to desist, but paid no attention. Finally the murderer drew a pocket knife from his pocket and tried to cut his tormentor. The blow fell short and RICKETS retaliated by pushing his opponent against the side of the building. MCELRATH rushed forward, raised his Sharpenedknife and struck for RICKETS’ heart. The blow was true, and an ugly gash was cut in RICKETS’ side and he fell to the ground. When he saw the result of his work the murderer took to his heels.

The wounded boy lived no more than ten minutes after receiving the knife thrust. Chief of Police BAIRD was sent for and reached the scene just as the boy breathed his last. — Asheville Citizen.

Source: Davidson Times-Dispatch, 29  January 1890.  Paper available at Google News Archive.

Runaway Charles (1802)

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A Negro Man who calls himself Charles, about 20 or 21 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 3 Inches high, dark Complexion; stout and well Made, has a Scar on the left Side of his Neck; and marked with a Whip, can read Print, and says he was brought from Maryland about six Years ago, by a Mr. John THOMPSON and sold to a Mr. James WILLIE, in Guilford County, near the Allamance.  The Owner is requested to come and prove Property, pay Charges and take him a away agreeable to Law. 
N.B. – He says there was in company with him a Negro Man named Sam, who was Property of a Mr. John FORBES, but was parted by Chace.  — James PATTON, Jailor – Wilkesborough, May 8. 
Source: Raleigh Register, and North-Carolina Weekly Advertiser, 25 May 1802, page 2. 

 

Runaway Liberty – (1802)

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Runaway Negro – Runaway from the Subscriber, more than two years ago, a Negro Man, named Liberty.  He is about 25 Years of Age, 5 Feet 10 Inches high; has a black Complexion, is rather slender made and is a little knock-kneed; the Hair on his Forehead grows very low.  He speaks good English, and is tolerable Cooper and Waterman.  He was born the Property of James COMMANDER, of South Carolina; at the Death of whom he was given to his Master’s Daughter Margaret, from whom he absconded. 
Whoever shall apprehend the said Fellow and lodge him in any Goal in North Carolina; and give Information thereof to Mr. Cornelius WINGATE, of Fayetteville, so that he be recovered, shall receive from him a Reward of One Hundred Dollars — Peter LEWIS.  
The Fellow may have changed his name.
Source: Raleigh Register, and North-Carolina Weekly Advertiser, 18 May 1802. 

Runaway Ben – (1802)

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Twenty Dollars Reward — Ran away from the Subscriber on the 21st of March last, a Mulatto Man by the Name of Ben, about twenty Years of Age, five Feet eight or ten Inches high.  He is a very lively active fellow, spare Made, and is mixed some with Indian Blood.  I expect he will try to pass for a free Man.  Had on when he went away a course Wood Hat, a Homespun Coat, Vest and a Pair of Overalls; and took with him a short Coat, a Pair of small-cloathes and white Pair of Cotton Stockings. Also took a Pair of Saddle-bags.
He was raised in Granville County, North Carolina, near the Head of Nut-bush Creek.  He has a Wife in said County, and some Relations in Halifax; and it is likely he may aim to one of those Places.
Whoever will apprehend said Mulatto, and deliver him to Lewis REAVIS, Esq., of Granville County, or secure him in some Jail, and send me Word, so that I get him again, shall receive the above Reward, and all reasonable Charges paid. — Arthur HARRIS, Montgomery County, April 24th

Source: Raleigh Register, and North-Carolina Weekly Advertiser, 18 May 1802. 

Sandy Speed Sprains Ankle (1879)

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Sandy SPEED a colored man living in town sprained his ankle very severely one day this week while stepping off a train.
Source: Roanoke News, 20 February 1879, page 3. Available online at DigitalNC.org.

In Trouble (1879)

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In Trouble — Three negroes living in Weldon, Jim SPEIRS, Aleck BOLLING, and Dug LONG, last Friday went on the bridge to play their little game. They met a darkey crossing the bridge and proposed a bet on three card monte. He staked a pistol and the other three negroes took it away from him and left. It is also said that they took some money from him also. They were arrested and lodged in jail, and will possibly help build the Turnpike from this place to Ringwood or the dams on Roanoke river.
Source: Roanoke News, 6 February 1879, page 3. Available online at DigitalNC.org.

DAVIS, Peter – (d. 1890)

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A Boy Lost — On Monday evening a report was circulated that Peter DAVIS, a colored boy, was missing.  Search was made throughout the town, but his whereabouts could not be learned.  On Tuesday morning the little five year-old son of Jos. MITCHELL told that he and the missing boy were at play near the river on Monday and that the boy DAVIS fell in the river, and then led the anxious parents to the point where he said DAVIS fell in.  At this point was found the boy’s had, but no other evidence of his being drowned.  A party went out in boats and dragged the river for the body, but as yet it has not been found.
The accident should be a reminder to parents both white and back, that the banks of the river is no place to allow their children to play .
LATER — The boy was found in the river on Wednesday evening, half a mile below where he fell in.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 15 August 1890, page 3. Available online at DigitalNC.org.