Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-09-27

Mr.. Smith informed him that the books
were put in his charge and he intended to
keep them. Thereupoa Aaron said he
s:must have some of them" "You have no
right to take ALL" And the negroes around
cried out, 90 Vas, dat's sc" don't ge UNI
all. ssteck some, - 'steck some. Mr.. Smith,
however, was firm. So he went away with
the books, d wiser man for his one days
experience of the negro character.
A little before sunset Mr. Fraser, with
the armed escort, was brought before the
sable Aaron. The negro laborer, who had
made the complaint was told by Aaron to
make his statement again. He did so.-
Another negro was then called up to cor
roboratc that statement. Unfortunately
and most unwittingly, he let out that Mr..
| Fraser had told them that "they could go
| and register on Saturday." but that the
condition OF the crop did not admit OF
their absence more than one day. and that
s'the work they were engaged in could not
be delayed;" and they must therefore ''put
off registering till Saturday.
The two negroes having given their state
ment. Mr.. Fraser asked If he "could say a
few words" This request was hattering to
Aaron It was a clear acknowledgment
time being, power and authority over him.
him. He began by calling attention to
the fact, that what the first niger said was
not supported by what the other niger
said and he was about to weigh the two
in the scales Of truth and justice and show
which should be believed. when Justice
Aaron, who had it all his own way there
not being one white man present to help
Fraser, declared the audience at an end,
and announced his determination ''to take
the fellow (Fraser) to Charleston any
| how; and che didn't want to hear muffin
furrer from him no how y and che may
Jest as well shet up at once" &c. This an
nounc ement was hailed with rapturous ap-
plause by the assembled crowd. 70 make
all matters sure, however, and to make the
most of the exploit of capturing Fraser, as
We'll as to enjoy the satisfaction Of subject
ing one white nan, though for a few hours
only, to negro control of making him, by
order and at the peril Of his life, halt or
advance go this way or that way go faster
or slower; sit or rise be silent or speak,
&C., &c.-all i'll accordance with a negro's
will, this fellow Aaron determined to go in
person with the guard which he had APP
pointed to take Mr.. Fraser to Charleston.
! He could not foregO the pleasure Of harrow
| ing him with taunts and threats, through
| the dark hours of the night and showing
him at all the negro huts on the Wayside,
Us a specimen Of negro ascendancy over the
white man. Eight armed negroes are Sc
lected by Aaron as the guard. Mr.. Fraser
is put IN their charge. Aaron mounts his
horse. Mr. Fraser attempts to mount his.
Aaron orders him to dismount and walk.
! The whole pack yell out, "Git off dat boss
you dam white debble you" He is forced
to dismount Aaron alone rides all the
others walk Mr.. Fraser is Il ca marched
by the guard, headed by Aaron, through
swamp and jungle, bramble and bush, by
the most indirect, blind and circuitous path
ways, III the direction Of Charleston. The
reason for taking these by-cuts and blind
paths Is soon made apparent. 1t was not
as Mr.. Fraser unprecedented from their cur
SEES and threats, to finish him in al out Of
the-Way place and leave him there to rot. "
These various divergences from anything
like a frequented pathway, was to bring
him to the various negro quarters, which,
within distances varying from hundred
yards to halfmile, were stretched on either
side Of the main road Which led to the city.
Ateach OF these negro quarters, Aaron COM
handed halt. The negroes were aroused
from their sleep lights were ordered and
the negroes assembled. Then Aaron pa
radcd Mr. Fraser before them, and pro-
ceedcd to explain "who WAS the white
villain he had in custody; how he had or
dered his arrest and what he intended to do
with him" &C.. &c. This outrage was re-
peated all along the route to the city,
which was not reached until three o'clock
next morning.
Arriving in Charleston, Aaron and his
guard delivered Mr.. Fraser to the military
stationed at the Citadel. At or 10 o'clock
that day, Mr.. Fraser was called before the
officer in command and WAS informed that
he had been illegally arrested, and was dis
charged. What punishment Aaron and his
seen. 1t is gratifying to know that Aaron
is under arrest by order of the military
Our citizens apprized of the occurrences
above narrated, should regard them as 1.-the
beginning of the end" and prepare &C
cordingly. D.