Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-08
The STANDARD.
- from the Petersburg Express .
THE ABOLITION TROUBLES IN OCOQUAN.

- From the Petersburg Express. ..e
THE ABOLITION TROUBLES IN OCOQUAN.
The Ocoquan difficulties in Prince William coun-
", Va, ended on Friday, without bioodshed. The
Alexandria GazsttA from its reporter at the place.
gives the following account Of the origin and erm'
nation of the affair:
On the 4th of July last, the Black Republicans,
Of whom some sixty reside in the vicinity OF oco.
guam, instituted an ASSOCIATION and agreed to erect
a pole-to bear aloft flag with the names OF Lin
coin and Hamlin The pole was accordingly erected
the following persons participating IN the
ing: John Underwood, w. c. Athey, Robert Cur
tbs. Oliver Underwood, H. w. Rives, j. W. Miller,
WIN. Davis, (boy,) Stephen Hammlll, John Taylor,
Andrew Underwood, Marion Grigg, L. 0. Coulter,
James Could Thomas Rives, Jr., II. F. Duty w.
H. Johnston, T. L. Selecman, John Wright, VIM.
Western, A. A. Selecn,an, Edw. Roberts, English
man, Tasco Harris, (frec negro,) Jim Snyder, Gree
negro,) Albert Harris, free negro.) Upon the rails
ing of the pole, the pole-raisers were armed with
muskets, and made quite military demonstration.
y meeting was held, at which Black Republican
speeches were made by w. C. Athey and j. Wright,
the latter of whom, new conner, is said to be quite
an orator.
BRAGADoCIA.
Many persons in the neighborhood opposed the
erection of the pole, believing it to be standing
menace to the peace Of the county, but at first there
was no indication Of attempt to disturb it. The
Republicans, when spoken to on the subject, an
swcred that "there was one in the county who
dared to touch the pole" "There were men enough
to defend it." &c. On one occasion an old resident
Of the neighborhood was assaulted because he had
declared that the pole was nuisance; and on an
other, threats were made to ride upon rail gen.
tleman living near by, because he had spoken South
ern sentiments freely in Ocoquan. Letters were
published in the Wheeling Intelligencer declaring
that "the people in the county wanted the pole re-
moved, but had not the hear: to do it.
This raised much feeling in the neighborhood,
and at meeting at Brentsvile, some time last
court, it was agreed that the flag was an insult to
the people of Virginia. and incendary in the object
it was raised to promote, and should be torn down
on Friday, the 9th day of July.
THE "REPuBLIcAN" PREPARATIONS.
Intelligence of this determination soon reached
Ocoquan, and on Monday night Republican meet
ing was held there to devise measures for the de-
fence of the hag-pole On the following morning,
Mr. j. d. Athey visited Washington and sent to
Gov Letcher the following dispatch:
1--WE, the citizens of Ocoquan, are threatened
with invasion by an armed mob of three hundred
men from distant part of the county, on Friday
next at IL o'clock NJ and call upon you for protec-
ton in this emergency, otherwise we shall have to
defend ourselves.
w. G.. ATHEY, on behalf of citizens"
To which the Governor responded as follows:
"Orders will be issued at once to Gen. llunton
for the protection Of your citizens
JOHN LErcHER."
The Governor accordingly sent orders to Gen.
Hunton, who directed Col. Brawner to hold troop
of horse in readiness to give such protection
necessary. When the dispatch was received on
Tuesday night from Gov. Lecher, great rejoicing
was manifested by the Republicans.
Whilst in Washington, Athey made arrangements
with certain Republicans to furnish 10 or 81 fire.
arms of approved make with ammunition therefor,
which were to be sent to Ocoquan on Tuesday night
by wagon. The dispatch from Gov. Letcher, how
ever, induced the abandonment of this plan. At the
meeting at Ocoquan, and amid great enthusiasm, it
was resolved that the pole should be defended to
the death unless the assailants numbered more than
three to one of the Republicans.
THE WOMEN ATTEMPT TO CUT TIE POLE DOWN.
On the night of Thursday, several of the wives of
the residents at Ocoquan fearing bloodshed would
occur the next day, attempted to demolls the pole
In the attempt the wife of Mr. Duty was seriously
wounded by a blow from her axe. The men gather
ed, however, and took the women away from around
the object Of their attack.
On the morning of the 9th yesterday the Re-
pu5licans hoisted the American flag and the party
ensign bearing the name of Lincoln and Hamlin."
During the morning most of the women left the
village and the place seemed quite deserted but
preparations were made for defence, and memorial
to the Colonel asking protection was prepared and
numerously signed.
At 81 o'clock, tbs Prince W lillian Cavalry, Capt
Thornton commanding, entered the village and rang
ed themselves in the neighborhood of the pole
They were followed by company about 40 strong
under command Of Capt NJ. Ftzhugh and Maj
Carter, who paying no attention whatever to the
Horsemen quietly formed in hollow square around
the pole, facing inwards
Whilst this company was surrounding the pole,
Mr.. Joseph I. Janney advanced to the Captain of
the troop of horse and claimed protection for his
property, upon which the pole stood.
THE POLE CONES DOWN.
At the word of commandment, JAS ". jackson,
of Fairfax, stalwart yeoman, spraEg forward and
gave the first blow, others followed, "redoubling
stroke on stroke" During this time, there was no
interruption, save the Republicans and Others who
stood at corners near by, would cry out, "Ain't
your axe dull; Hope you having good time, y
&c. In few minutes, however, there was a cry Of
"stand from under" and the pole came to the
ground and shivered. Instantly, the crowd gave
three cheers, when the Republicans" responded
by three cheers for Lincoln and Hamn. All were
quickly at work on the fallen pole, and in less time
than it takes to tell, it was chopped up, and the
pieces carried off The flag was sent to Brensville.
So soon as the flag pole was leveled, Captain Ftz
hugh ordered about face, and his company marched
off, saluted as they went by mingled jeers and ap
plause. During the evening there was some excite
ment, and personal rencontre took place betw cen
Col. Brawner and Jos. I. Janney, in which the lat
ter was considerably injured.
The crowd cleared away during the evening, and
at shutdown all was quiet. The Republicans
saw thew will nut IN another poe on the same site
HEATED WIND SToRM.-A heated wind storm pas
sed over portion Of Kansas the Sth inst, which
proved nearly destructive to animal life the re
cent tornadoes that visited with such terrible effec
portions Of Iowa. The wind arose about half pas
ten o'clock, A. NJ and continued until three O'Clock
in the afternoon. At one o'clock the mercury ros,
to ll9 degrees and continued so for about an hour
and then gradually began to decrease The effec