AFRICAN-AMERICAN

Newspaper Clips from the 1800s
Many thanks to Melissa Mayhue!

 

 

THE MURFREESBORO NEWS

Murfreesboro, Tenn.,  November 19, 1875

 

The Cry is Still They Go

 

Six More Prisoners Escape from the County Jail.

 

     Last Friday night six negroes confined in jail succeeded in making their escape by cutting through the floor of cell No. 3 and borrowing under the foundation of the wall.  Jailor Jackson had made a close inspection of all the cells on Monday, and found not the slightest indications of an attempt upon the part of any of the occupants to break jail.  On going the rounds early Saturday morning, he was surprised to find cells No. 3 and 4 empty.  Upon examination he discovered that the prisoners had cut through the heavy oaken slabs of which the floor is made, with a common case knife, and had made a hole through the foundation wall of the jail.  The lower floor of the jail is composed of a layer of heavy square timber about eight inches in thickness, upon which is laid and spiked the slabs mentioned above.  Directly under the spot selected by the prisoners, and through which they cut, the heavier timbers underneath had been previously cut through by some former prisoners years ago.  They, therefore, had only to penetrate the wall to effect their escape.  This foundation wall, instead of being made wit heavy blocks of stone, firmly cemented together, is poorly and lososely constructed with dirt and small and uneven stones, and consequently could be torn away with the greatest ease.  There were only two prisoners in cell No. 3, namely, Willey Jackson, indicted for petit larceny, and Harley Butler for grand larceny.  In the adjoining cell, No. 4, there were Ed. Hall, Dick Scruggs, Bill Williams, and the famous young scamp known as Clarktown, all colored, and under charges for larceny.  Between the two cells is a strong log partition, through which, during jailor Arnold’s regime, prisoners had cut through.  Over the opening had been spiked on each side heavy plates of iron.  These plates were wrenched off and through the opening the occupants of cell No. 4 joined Jackson and Butler and made their exit with them.

     Shortly after the escape of Winston and Vickery, the jailor detected the prisoners in cell No. 3 at work, sawing through the iron bars of the grated door, and provided additional safeguards to prevent another attempt of that kind, but he was completely taken by surprise by the developments of Friday night.

     A rumor was current Sunday morning that seven more negro prisoners had made their escape from the jail on Saturday night, but it turned out to be untrue.

 

 

THE MURFREESBORO WEEKLY

Murfreesboro, Tenn.,  Friday, April 30, 1880

 

LOCAL NOTES

 

--- The Recorder, Monday morning, fined Sam Holmes, colored, two dollars and costs for assaulting the person of Noxey Gooden, colored.

 

 

 

FIRST COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH

 

To the Editor of the News:

            Please allow me space in your valuable paper to return thanks to our white friends who have so kindly and cheerfully responded to our call for help, and considering the unsettled state of our people, we feel compelled to continue to importune your aid in the erection of our so much needed house of worship.  It is true many of our people have gone and many are preparing to go, but we believe if they had good churches, they would become better satisfied to remain among their friends.  Many have remarked to me that we have no churches and no prospect for any, and that they were going to leave as soon as they could get money enough.  Our people are not able to build without the assistance of the white people.  While it is their fortune to be independent of our little aid, it is our sad misfortune to be dependent on them; though I pray God for the time when we will not be so much so as we are now.  For one, I hail as an auspicious omen the coming of better days in the sunrise land when better feelings will be fostered by both races; when the glad anthem will be heard from the cold lakes of the North to the warm Gulf of the South glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will toward men.  Under that blessed song, jails and penitentiaries will perish for inmates, and churches and school houses will be erected throughout the South, and those who are now ignorant will become education and prosperous people.  This can be done if our white friends aid us in our so much needed house of worship.  We also appeal to the white ladies for assistance, and hope they will help the following named persons who are appointed to solicit aid for the First Baptist Church:  Sister Rhoda Ward, Sister Maggie Ward, Sister Mason Jordan, Sister Bettie Knight, Sister Winnie Boids, Sister Nannie Moore, Sister Marcia Key, Brother Henry Williams.  Each will have his or her name on their book.

                                                            G. D. OLDEN,  Pastor

 

 

The Courier

Murfreesborough, Tennessee –

Thursday Evening – April 15, 1824

 

RANAWAY, From the subscriber, a very light mulato boy, named GEORGE, about 28 or 30 years of age, and between five feet ten inches and six feet high, very thin and spare, with a very large and roman nose, very black hair, resembling that of a whiteman’s but inclined to curl, and but little beard on the upper lip, and point of the chin, chews a great deal of tobacco, is a good barber, a tolerable carpenter and shoemaker, a very good house servant and coachman – is the latter capacity he wass serving when he ran off:  in fact he is capable of turning his hand to any kind of labor – very humble and pplausible, and ran off for no other cause known to me, but the fear of getting a whipping for drinking to an excess, which he is much addicted to whenever he can get it.  ‘Tis likely he may attempt to pass himself for a free man, his complexion being much in his favor.  He had on when he left me, a blue broad cloth coat – and striped pantaloons. He formerly belonged to Mr. Duffie, attorney at law, of Chatham county, North Carolina – then a Mr. Wm. Gaston, of Newborn, of whom I bought him.  He had a mother and relations living near Pittsborough, Chatham county, North Carolina, where he was when I bought him, and perhaps he may have made for that section of the country, or attempted to reach the seaboard – therefore all masters and owners oof vessels are forewarned from employing said boy, as the law will be rigorously enforced against any one on whom the fact may be proven – ONE HUNDRED DOLLARSS reward will be given if taken out of the State and delivered to me on the Catawba, three miles above Landaford, Chester district, South Carolina – or FIFTY DDOLLARS if taken out of the state and secured in any goal so that I get him again – TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS if taken in the state and delivered to me as above, or secures so that I get him again.

                                                           

FREDERICK  L.J. PRIDE

                                                            January 26, 1824

 

The Murfreesborough Courier

Thursday,  September 7, 1827

 

$20 REWARD

 

Ranaway from the subscriber on the night of the 18th of April last, two negroes, vizs a negro fellow and his wife.  JOE is a small well made fellow, dark complexion, thirty-six years of age, and has no uncommon flat nose.  ANICA, (the wife of Joe) is twenty-three years old, yellow complexion, very small hollow feet and very active.  Any person securing them in any jail so that I can get them shall have the above reward or Ten Dollars for either of them and all reasonable expenses paid.

                                                            N. PARTEE

 

 

Ten Dollars Reward

 

Runaway from the subscriber on the 7th day of August last, a likely negro man named DAVID, about 23 or 24 years of age, about 5 feet 9 inches high, stout built, of a little yellowish complexion, teeth standing little apart, and one or more of them out upon the right side of the upper jaw about his eye-teeth, large white eyes, with a down sly look, small ears, a scar on his right arm, also a small one on his forehead, somewhat knock-knee’d, remarkable large feet, had on home-spun shirt and pantaloons, wool hat, perhaps he may be well dressed by this time.  It is likely he will make for David Browns’, Caldwell county, Kentucky, where his mother lives.  Any person that will deliver said fellow to me in Rutherford county, Tennessee, near Mr. Anderson Searcy’s, Stewart’s creek, or confine him in any jail so that I get him, shall receive the above reward.

                                                            BENJAMIN FORBES

 

 

RUNAWAY

 

From the subscriber in Murfreesborough, Tennessee on the 25th instant, a very bright mulatto fellow named BILLY, about 24 years of age, about five feet seven or 8 inches high, stout made, rather stoop shouldered, down look, somewhat pockmarked, and when he went away had on a black fur hat pretty well wore, a greyish round-a-bout coat, blue casinett pantaloons and coarse shoes.  He was raised in the neighborhood of Washington city, and brought from that place lately, by a man named Samuel Hunter, of Guilford county, North Carolina.  Since his elopement, I have been informed that he told some negroes that he intended trying to get back to Washington city, and perhaps would go by way of Nashville, in this state.  I expect he will endeavor to pass as a free man, and change his clothing.  I have not owned him but a few days, and am unable to describe any other clothing except those he had on.  Any person apprehending said negro and delivering him to me, or securing him in jail and notifying the subscriber that he may recover said fellow, shall have twenty dollars, if caught in this county:  if beyond the limits of this county and within this state, forty dollars, or if out of this state, fifty dollars, and all reasonable expenses paid.

                                                            JAMES IRWIN

                                                Murfreesborough, Tennessee

 

NATIONAL VIDETTE.

Murfreesborough, Ten.       Thursday, January 10, 1828

 

6 ¼ CENTS REWARD

 

Runaway from the subscriber on the 6th ult. An apprentice boy to the Carpenter’s business, named ISHAM NANCE about 14 or fifteen years old.  I forwarn all persons from harboring or employing the said boy.  The above reward and so thanks will be given for the apprehension and delivery of the boy to me in Rutherford county.

                                                            JAMES M. SMITH

 

 

Negroes to be Sold

 

There will be sold, to the highest bidder for CASH, at the court-house door in the town of Murfreesborough, on Tuesday the 22nd inst. (it being the second day of January court) the following Negroes, viz.  Jim, Maria, Ephraim, Sat, Nancy, Milley and Alsey,  Levied on as the property of Bolling Fisher, to satisfy an execution James J. Maxwell recovered against said Fisher.  Sale within the hours prescribed by law, and attendance by me.

                                                            G. S. CROCKETT, D. Shff.

 

 

COMMITTED

 

To the jail of Rutherford county, on the 22nd instant, a negro man about twenty years old named JIM, five feet five inches high, very black, heavy built, a number of scars on his back, had a blue home made coat, and sys he had on a mixed pair of pantaloons when he left home.  He says he belongs to a Mr. William Dudley, near Natchez, Mississippi, who got him of Mr. William Hudley of Virginia.  The owner is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take him away, or he will be dealt with as the Law directs.

D.     W. HIEST, Jailor

 

 

TRUST SALE           

 

In pursuance of a deed of trust, bearing date the 18th day of December 1826, executed by Abram Statler to the subscriber, in order to secure the payment of a certain debt therein specified, I will, at the court house door, in the town of Murfreesborough, on Tuesday the 22nd day of January, 1828, the same being the second day of the County Court, expose to sale at public auction, the highest bidder, two negro slaves, the one a woman named NELLY, the other a small boy named TOM.  Said sale will be for cash.  The title of said negroes is undoubted, and will be warranted.  The hour of sale will be about 12 o’clock.

                                                            JAMES BIVINS, Trustee