davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16
Negro Testimony in Loudoun.

At the late term Of the county court Of
Loudoun Il case came up in which negro tes-
timony was admitted against white man
who had been guilty of the offence of shoot
ing the negro. The Leesburg correspondent
of the Alexandria Gazette furnishes the fol-
lowing report of the case =
The colored man Champe, who was wound
ed, was examined as u witness, aud it is the
first instance that has occurred in our county
in which white man was sent on for trial
upon the testimony Of colored man. The
story told by the colored man was to this eff
feet. He was riding along Abe road slowly
on a mare heavy in 1oal, aud observed john
Cox, whom he knew we'll, walking very slow
ly about two hundred yards before him pres
entity Cox came to his bars and rested his
arms and face on them, with his back to the
road Champe came up to him, aud Cox
turned to Lin, and said, do you know how
to cure who is tricked ~ Champe
replied, No, Mas. John, do not" Cox
then repeated the question, aud came out ill.,
to the road, and walked around Champe, and
said You have tricked me, and viii! shoot
you" The laiters eye caught glimpse of
pistol in his hands, aud he dug his heels
into the mares TANKS, but she moved very
slugSlshly-
Cox fired aud wounded him in the shoulder.
and the mare not moving off quickly, a second
shot struck her in the nostrils. and she then
arted of, Cox running after them, and try
ing to shoot them again. The colorcd mau
finally escaped to the house of Mr. Stephen
McCarty, his forme: master. Mr.. Nee was
examined as a witness, but knew nothing of
the facts except that Champe and the mare
came home wounded The nerson deScribipo
the testimony said Mr.. McCarty showed the
feeling, in behalf of his former slave, which
all former slave owners cannot help feeling
towards them He said the colored man was
reliable, had been raised by him, had stuck
to him az e9ar aud IN peace up to the present
time; and, it is said, the manner of the nc
gro was OF a TRUTH telling character, quiet,
deliberate and self possessed, without any vim
dictiveness towards Cox, who is supposed to
be insane. Ccx was, however, sent on for
final trial to our Circuit Court.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16
The Wirz Trial,


Louis Schade, Attorney at Law, Washing
ton, has addressed letter s.to the people of
the United States" in relation to the famous
Wirz trial, and in viudication of the charac-
ter and innocence of wirz. In this address
we find the following:
Son the night before the execution of the
prisoner telegram was sent to the Northern
press from this city, stating that Wirz had
made important disclosures to General l..
z. Baker, the wel!-knoYn detective, impIica.
ting JEFF. Davis, aud that the confession
would probably be given to the public. On
the same evening some parties came to the
contessor OF Wirz, Rev. Father Boyle, and
also to me, one of them informing me that a
high Cabinet officer wished to assure Wirz
that if he would implicate Jefferson Davis
with his atrocities at Anderso1ville, his SEN
tence would be committed. He, the messen>
ger, or whoever he was, requested me to iu-
form WlIz OF this. In presence of Father
Boyle told Wirz next morning what had
happened. The Captain simply and quietly
replied: MIR. Scbade, you know that i have
always told you that do not know anything
about Jefferson. Davis. He had no ccnneco
ton with me as to what was done at Ander-
sonville. 1t knew anything of him would
not become traitor against him or anybody
else, even to save my life" He likewise de,
MED that he had made any statement what
ever to General Baker Thus ended the at
tempt to suborn Capt. Wirz against jeff.
Davis. That alone shows what man he was.
How many of his defamers would have done
the same With his wounded arm in
sling the poor paroled prisoner mounted, two
hours later, the scafFold. His last words were
that he died innocent-and SO he did. The
10th day of November. 1865, will indeed be
black stain on the pages of American his
tory.
To weaken the effect of his declaration of
innocence, and of the noble manner in which
Wirz died, telegram was manufactured here
and sent North, stating that on the 9th day
of October, Mrs Wirz (who actually was
900 miles on that day away from Washing
ton) had been prevented by that Stantonian
deus e:c machina, General l.. c. Baker, from
poisoning her husband! Thus, on the same
day, when the unfortunate family lost their
husband and father, cowardly and atrocious
attempt was made to blacken their charac-
ter also. On the next day 1 branded the
whole as an infamous lie, and since then 1
have never heard of it again, though it ema.
mated from a Brigadier General of the United
States Army"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16
rnAnnn11s amnunma

The latest information we have of this en-
bodimeut of fanaticism leaves little doubt
that his sands of life are fast running out, and
that Deity designs his early removal from his
present theatre of action. Ordinarily, it is
wrong to feel any emotions OF delight at the
near approach to the eternal world of the
spirit of human being, or to become elated
with the idea that natures debt is about to be
paid by one who, in physical formation at
least, bears resemblance to our own species !;
but his Congressional course for the past two
years has been so hycna-like in its ferocity.
and so brutal in its tyranny, that the stroke
OF Providence which removes Thaddeus to
That undiscovered country from Whose bourn,
No traveller feturns,''
will meet with more hearty and sincere en-
dorsement from the friends of constitutional
liberty everywhere, than is generally accord
ed to the dispensations of Providence, or the
behests of man.
The telegram represents the afflicted old
man as convinced that the present is his last
illness, and that be is preparing for DEATH
We presume that the latter clause of this
SSHNSHSS Ae~0 ASlSlSACS " lu6 SSLLl6meQL OF
his worldly affairs, and that it has no near or
remote allusion to that pref ar .ton for death
which christianity teaches is requisite for the
peaceful enjoyment of the future state. The
apparently brief period allotted him would
hardly suffice for such preparation lis true
that salvation was promised the thief on the
cross, when in the hour of his anguish, he
appealed to the worlds Redeemer, but that
thief was common malefactor, who in an
unguarded hour perhaps, had committed some
mlsdemeanor for which he had been adiudged
worthy of death. His trial might have been
before military commission, where only the
evidence for the prosecution was allowed
But the record does not say that he was
usurper, and that in his heart was volcano
of hate which was constantly pouring its tor
rent of SETTLING lava upon his oppressed coun-
trymen, burying them beneath the wreck
which Caesar and his predecessors had made
Of the Jewish government This promise to
the thief can hardly be fled by Mr.. Stevens
as cGEeat against despair, when his own
sins are placed in the balance with those of
the dying thief.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16
LOCAL MISCELLANY.

SUDDEN DEArH.-on Wednesday after
noon last, Mrs. MATILDA MOORE, long and
well known in this community, died very sud-
denly at the residence of Mr. John @. Wilt
shire. She arrived at Mr.. WIS about half
past 1 o'clock, aud at 8 of the same after
noon, she was corpse. But one week be-
FORE she had buried her eldest daughter, Mrs.
Julia A. Lucas, and when the death summons
reached her she was talkingrof the loved one
from whom she had been separated. Imme.
diately previous to the attack which termi-
mated her life, she had not complained of any
sickness, but expressed herself as feeling
better than usual. On Thursday afternoon
her remains were deposited in the family
burying ground, on the farm of Mr.. G.. d.
Moore, where her husband and several chill
drcn who have preceded her repose. Mrs.
NJ. was kind hearted lady, and well does
the writer of this remember her kindness to
him in the days of his early boyhood. Her
age was about 81.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16
here from the day of Gen.Lee's surrender

here from the day of Geu.Lee's surrender
If a radical coveted any of the goods of his
rebel neighbOr, he has had only to institute
suit, and the .unrepentant "reb' is compelled
to ''fOrk Over."- Thad. Stevens bill can't
beat this.
We have already given this matter more
space than VIC intended, and yet We are not
through with Joseph. We shall recur to him
again. In the meantime we appeal to the
supervisors to act. Charlestown is the proper
place for the county seat, and it is only by
fraud that it is not here to day. Let the peo.
pie speak out en- the question at the next gen
eral election, aud then it will be shown what
a gross usurpation was its location at Shep.
herdstown.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16
The Tribune on the United States Cur.
rencY and Finances.

The editor of the New York Tribune, dis
cussing in his paper the United States cur
rency, uses the following language:
eve say that in its irredeemable state, it
is worthless rag, a transparent swindle, a
glazing lie; and the whole fabric of trade,
commerce, industry, speculation, and banking,
based on it, is 4 rO'tea, fabric, resting on rot
ten supports, and liable to crumbie and go
down, in one universal crash"
Again he warns the people, that nolens
volens-''willing or unwilling -they are 60
ing straight down the precipice of individual
bankruptcy. They hold that to be security,
which is no security; they hold that to be
money, which is not money, they bedeyil
themselves, and they bedevil the country,
with the idea that the irredeemable paper
money of the government is blessing"
Still, again, he says, our national banking
system sis based on lying premises to pau.S
He warns ''the holders of government secu-
rites" that "these securities will be substap-
TALLY rePudiated and themselves stripped y
&c. And, still again, he warns them that
''all irredeemable promises to pay, whether
bank promises or government promises. are
alike a"ataeious saciHdIes and glazing Aies.''
For the great high priest of radicalism,
this is rather hard on his party's measures.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16
EDITORIAL BREv1T1Es.

Although it has been called for. Gen.
Sheridan has made no report of the causes
which led to the removal of Messrs. Heron,
Monroe and Abel of New Orleans. In COR
rcspOnde0ce with Gen. Grant, he expressed
the probability that he would have to remove
the Governors of Louisiana and Texas. Gen.
Grant replied that it would not be proper to
remove Governors, that the subject is under
consideration and it is not believed that mill
tary commanders have the power, but that
removals can only be made by act of Con-
gress or by trial under the sixth section Of the
law.
-Governors Worth, of North Carolina.
and Orr, of South Carolina, have been in
consultation with Cen Sicklcs for several
days in regard to the necessary orders proper
to be made by the Commanding General to
carry into effect the recent acts of Congress.
The greatest accord exists between the Gov
ernors and the Commanding General, and an
earnest purpose is manifested by all in trying
to execute the law.
Speaking of the election, in Balti-
more, on Wednesday, the San of that city
says: "Thc vote pollcd was very large in
comparison with that to which we have long
been accustomed, under the rule of the mi
nority; yet the conduct of the election in
every part of the city was most satisfactory
1t was in striking contrast, indeed, with much
that we have painfully seen on occasions here
tofore. The freedom, fairness and ease with
Tyb oil ri vbc hol I'LL
ed were enabled to vote yesterday, afforded
happy illustration of the wholesome effects
of reciprocal justice and liberalty among
men in regard to personal and political
rights"
The Richmond Enquire, says, that on
Monday last there was great gathering at
Louisa Court House, the majority of the as
sembly being colored men, of whom several
hundred wereiu attendance. The meetin.
was addressed by Fountain Perkins, colored
man, in sensible speech, and which was
highly conservative in its tone, and seemed to
give general satisfaction. He was succeeded
by Messrs. F. V. Watson, formerly men,
Der Of the House of Delegates, aud George
Hackett, both Of which gentlemen addressed
some good advice to their hearers, by whom
it was we'll received.
- The Rockingham Register says the
extreme Southern wing of the Democracy, in
1860, were fighting for the "riglts of the
South in the territories" We have got the
territory now, but where are the rights p
They also contended for the right to carry
their slaves into the territories, but from
present indications that interesting class will
carry US out of the territories if
old Thad's confscation scheme succeeds.
- At meeting of the prominent citi-
zens of Charleston, S. c., on the I'd instant,
1T was unanimously agreed that the freedmen
should be entitled to run some of their own
color on the white mans ticket to the Con-
vention and State Legislature "The meet.
ing was composed in large proportion of old
Democrats and Secessionists, and Gen. Hamp-
ton sent letter urging the policy of giving
the negroes representation"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

The GROWING WHEAr.-It rarely occurs
that the wheat crop at this season of the year,
presents a more promising aspect, tbanit does
at present. Within the past week we have
been in different portions of the county, and
everywhere the same cheering prospect greet
ed us. The corn, ground wheat, of which
there was large surface sown last fall, is par
ticularly Notwithstanding more regularly
on the ground, and being more advanced than
we have ever known it so early in the season.
Having passed the winter ordeal without in
jury, it is to be hoped that it may escape all
the drawbacks to which it is subject, until the
harvest time arrives. Nothing would assist
more in building up our'waste places, and re-
conciling US to the hard fate of radical mis-
rule, than an abundant crop of wheat,
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

The treaty in regard to TIE cessioD,
BY Russia, of her possessions on this cont !.
nent known as Russian America, to the Uni
ted States, noticed in our last, is awakening
considerable interest in the Pacific States
Its acquisition is considered of great advan>
tage to these States. The Senate ratified the
treaty, on the 9th inst, by a vote of 81 to 2.
- The Washington Republican says that
Secretary McCullOch thinks it will be posi-
Bile, without materially disturbing the BUSH
ness of the country, to return to specie pay
ments within two years; and believes that if
he is not interfered with he can bring gold
down 80 lis or 12O before December.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

Mono CELEBRATION IN R1cHMovD-
On Wednesday last the colored population of
Richmond turned out in large numbers to
celebrate the anniversary of the evacuation
of the Confederate capitol a procession
was formed which marched through the prin-
clpai streets of the city, under charge of gai
~ dressed marshals, to the Capitol Square,
where addresses were delivered. Hunnicutt
delivered himself of one of his characteristic
harangues, as also the illustrious WardweII
and three or four sable brethren. The affair
passed off without any disturbance.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

A CAPTuRE.-Our young friends, JIM
RUSSELL and BILLY TAYLOR, made a cap
ture the other day which We regard as worthy
a passing notice. In field on the farm of
Mr.. James Wysong, about one mile from
town, they discovered hole which some ami
NAL was evidently in the habit of using, and
with that keen instinct for which they are
noted, these why youths determined to ascer-
tain what the hole might be made to bring
forth. Aiming themselves with pick and a
towlinen bag, they commenced digging,
when they soon came upon a nest of young
foxes eight in number. These they imme-
diately bagged and brought homo as trophies
of short campaign. "Jeems" has placed US
under obligations for one of these ':purps,"
which we intend to rear until his stealing
propensities arc fully developed, when We
shall send him ON to Lowell to go into part
nershiP with Ben. Butler.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

BEARS. Notwithstanding the hard times.
the scarcity of money. and the blackness of
the political horizon, the people of the neigh.
borhood of Deerfeld, in this county, bear it
we'll During this winter, they have killed
seven large bears, and captured four Young
onss.-IStaunton Spectator.
So, Mr.. Spectator, you seem to be getting
along very we'll in your part of District
No l."
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

A COOP PAPER.-Onc of the best papers
on our exchange list, is the Enquirer, pub
lshed at Yorkville, South Carolina In every
department 1t is complete journal, and we'll
worthy the support of the Southern people.
It's literary character is of the highest order,
and is sustained by some Of the ablest writers
of the South. On the I'd of May, it will
commence the publication of an excellent
story entitled the @ .Shadow on the IEaN,"
by JOHN EsTEN COOKE. Copies of the pa
per may be seen at this Office.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

TAKEN UP.-Any gentleman who may
have lost good dog>skin gauntlet during
the last week, on the main street in Charles
town, can obtain it by calling at this Office
if he is not radical. In that event he will
oblige US BY sending the "feller" to it,
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

Gen. Bankhead, late of the Confederate
army, was beat to death in Memphis. on the
lst inst, by some one unknown. Il was SIM.
posed that soldier was the guilty. partv.E
The Mayor of that city has offered a reward
OF 5000 for the detection of the murderer.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

VALLEY RAILRoAD.-In another column
will be found the bill incorporating the Shon-
andoah Valley Railroad, passed during the
last session of the Legislature, which will
doubtless prove of much interest to our Val
ley readers
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

CONCERT IN MIDDLEwAY.-The ladies of
Middleway and vicinity, connected with the
Episcopal Church, contemplate givinga con-
cert on Easter Monday evening, the 22d inst,
the proceeds of which are to be applied to
making repairs upon the church, which it is
stated are sadly needed. They have succeed
ed in securing the services of many excellent
singers, among them some OF the ladies and
gentlemen who participated in our own re-
cent concerts. An object SO laudable should
receive liberal encouragement
P. S. In consequence of severe indisposi-
tion of some of the performers, the above con-
cert has been postponed until the evening of
the 9th of May.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16
REAp TnE ApvERr1sEnrNrs. in Az =.

READ THE ADVERTISEMENTS, In this is.
sue, which, will be found interesting to all
classes of the community.
- MIR. Albert Jones, an enterprising mer-
chant from Maryland, has purchased the
stock of goods at Rippon, and having added
thereto full supply, suited to the necessities
of the people, offers liberal inducements to
the purchasers of that rich section of the
county. He will be assisted by our towns
man, L.. l.. Sadler, who is recognized by all
his acquaintances as an accomplished msr-
chant.
Our esteemed friend in Middleway,
John w. Grantham, announces that he is
now opening fine assortment of Spring and
Summer Goods, and invites his friends to
give him call. He is we'll known as an en-.
ergetic and successful business man.
= Mr.. Julius q. Holmes avails himself of
our columns to make known to the public
that he has opened Carpenter and Joining
Shop in this town, and will give prompt at
tention to all work entrusted to him.
- Mr. Thomas H. Trail has undertaken
to supply our citizens with Fresh Meat. which
he will furnish to customers on the most ia
vorable terms.
Mr.. j. Henry holland, has special
card to farmers, in which he informs them of
his intention to thresh their coming crops in
manner calculated to secure entire satisfac
ton.
= Mr.. Adam Cockrell wants to purchase
Corn, to be delivered at the Old Furnace, for
which he will pay the highest cash price.
II MIR. Joseph Trapnell trustee, offers at
public sale, real estate-a valuable Lot of
Ground, near town.
Our merchants are now receiving their
spring supplies in large quantities. We have
not yet received their advertisements, but
direct attention to the following substantial
houses, which advertise regularly with us -
Duya HoreU,
KearsLcy Dc iSheerer,
II. Lee HASKELL
ID. Humphreys Dc Co., :.
Il DinELe,
Campbell Dc Mason,
Henry D"mn.,
TrusseH DC Co.,
NJ BehFend,
j. Goldsmith,
Gustav BrOrn.
AiS9u1th d Bro,
j. Fl. Huines,
Loch d Starry,
Ransom d Dnke.
In their respective branches of business,
these gentlemen are abundantly prepared to
offer superior inducements to purchasers, aud
we cordially commend them to the public
confidence and support.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

SANIrARY.-We are glad to sec that some
of our townsmen have begun the work of
cleaning up and reuovating their premises
This should be done at once by all our citi>
zens. Let each one clear his premises tho
roughly of all the filth and trash that has ac-
cumulated during the winter, and lime their
yards and cellars web, and they may stay
vast amount of disease during the coming
summer.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

CoRREcTION-In the report of the con-
tributions for Southern sufferers last week, a
mistake occurs which does injustice to our
energetic friend, Mr.. NJ. B. FRYER, of the
Rippon District. As published, Mr.. Fryer
accredited with only the amount of contribu-
tions which he was instrumental in obtaining
from the Kabletown District, which respond
ed so nobly through John Humphreys, Esq.
This should have been credited to District
No. ID, and the credit for the amount from
District No. II, should have been divided
between Messrs. Porter and Fryer, whose re-
ports were consolidated. Mr.. F. had con-
tribution of one hundred bushels of corn from
one farm.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

HEAVY RoBBERY-One oftbe LARGEST and
most daring robberies ever perpetrated in this
town was committed last Friday night. Some
parties unknown entered the residence of N.
d. Kcneaster, Esq, through the front door.
and carried out small iron safe which he
kept in the rear of the hall, and which con-
tanned over $50, 900 in United States bonds.
The burglars placed the safe on the curb stone
in front of the dwelling, and broke it open
by means of sledge hammer or some other
instrument. They secured the $50. 900, and
left, leaving no clue which might lead to their
discovery. The affair created considerable
sensation in our midst. we are not advised
as to what steps have been taken to ferret out
the guilty parties, but presume the matter
will be thoroughly sifted.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-16

A SCoUNDREL-A man by the name of
Davis called at the residence of Thomas Dim.
ham. Esq, in Darkesville, last Thursday. and
informed the family that their friend Mrs.
Beard, was dead, and that Mr.. Beard wished
one of the family to visit him at once. Miss
Mary Durham concluded to go, and got into
the buggy with Davis She had ACCOMPANIED
him but couple of miles when he disclosed
his true character by making Infamous propo-
SAILS to her. Seeing her danger, the young
lady frustrated his designs by Jumping out Of
the buggy and making her escape. The
scoundrel has not since been heard from.