Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-07-01

Ia We published, last week, a brle
report of an assault made upon Mr.
Newton, at Somerville, Tenn, a gentle
man formerly Of Trumbull county, whE
went under the auspices of the Con
greeational Society as a teacher among
\ the blacks in the South. Mr.. Newton
called upon US, Saturday last, and in
forms us that the hostility Of the rebel
population to the education of the
colored people, is intensely bitter,
During the months he spent there as 8
teacher, he was socially ostrscised, and
although he carefully RETAINED from
doing anything to offend politically, Re
was persisten.ly persecuted, not being
allowed to occupy a seat in church,
without bearing tsunts and insults
Religion must be a precious article, as
enjoyed and practised in that locality,
by the amisble white population of
rebel sympathies. Mr.. Newton left
with US copies of the Memphis Post
containing accounts of the proceedings
at SomervilIe, from which we extract
as follows:
Three young men CHANGED to meet Mr.. New
ton on the plank sidewalk leading from the yil-
lsge to the depot, as the latter was returning
home from bis school AZ about SIX o'clock IN
the evening. on last Friday. The boys who were
coming towards the depot occupied the whole
Of the sidewalk, aud Is they met Mr.: Newton.
attempted TO compel him to step on the walk
and make room for them to pass. Mr.. SeHten
politely remarked as they met thatit was Gus
tonary to take the right in passing, to which
Mack replied. pointing to the street. At the
right Of the plHnks. Take it then - and at
Here some vulgar curses from the boys follow
ed, when up rode Coroner Bell in a buggy. who
shouted to them. "Riveit to him. Whereupon
Mack asked the Coroner IL be had 4 pistol, who
Newton then stepped up on the sidewalk and
started TO walk quietly along. The Coroner re-
fused to let Mack have the pistol. as he prefer
red using it himself. If there Vas any shooting
to be done Mack. on seeing MI; Newton pass
along, ran back TO the other boys shouting.
Let's brick himi let's brick himl" n eac h
one finding plenty of broken bricks at hand.
grabbed several and commenced throW1ng them
at the teacher. With the purpose of lodging
the missiles, he tuned and faced the fellows.
After all had thrC vi several, without hitting
their mark, Mack. taking q handful rushed
close up to Nj. Newton. while the coroner urg-
ed him on, and succeeded in hitting him on the
forehead with 4 sharp brick. which Penetrated
his hat and cut q bloody cash 20 the skull. The
blood gushed forth freely. and flowed down his
face and satu-atedh his clothes. One or Two 9TH
er bricks from he other boys hit him at the
same time about the shoulders. Seeing that his
life was in danger he reached into his satchel
containing his books. papers. &c and drew out
asmRl Ratchet. which he had had occasion 70
use IN the school room and which he CHANGED
70 be carrying home that evening. On seeing
Mr.. Newton draw out the Ratchet. his assaiiants
then bricks ana started n,ui9mphant
II shouting three times We are good rebels"
Mr.. Newton then proceeded on towards bis
home, besmeared with his own blood and aeh-
ing from his wound. Close by his route stands
a saloon, kept by q colOred man, TO which he
directly went and washed bis wound. DR.. Pull
liam, who was then passing, was called IN and
kindly examined the EOundGnd dressedit. Mr..
Newton reached home without further moles-
tatiOn, and on Saturday returned to, the school
house to drill his scholars for IN exhibition,
which Was soon to take place. During the day
the report reached him that several villains Of
the town had Ermed themselves. and were in
tending to assasSinate him on his return home.
To be providedfor any emergency. MI. Newton
accepted the company Of two Of his larger
scholars, who accompanied him to his home at
the close Of the day. sSsEsiss t;i1 d...-n;n.a ;,
continue his duties. fearleSsly and properly. till
the close ofhis school, which was soon to occur,
be went to his school house and conducted the
usual Sunday school exercises. to which he had
heretofore deTotedhisn time on that day. Ih0uaA
every Kind Of threat had reached his ears, the
exercises passed of quietly and noone made an
appearance, with the exception Of one white
man, Wh0spent some time in looking in st the
door. On going home. his devoted pupils-As
the day b~efore-knoWing that the life Of their
teacher was in danger, insisted upon accompa-
uYinR him home again, which they did. As
they reached the Presbyterian Church they met
q crowd Of boys and young men who were evil
IDENTIFY waiting there 70 carry out their threats
Of ~assaulting Mr.. Newton 1hey began to sd-
vance towards him as ne passed. and but for
Major Shaw, who was standing near, and who
vas seen to motion them back with his eane,an
assault would probably have been made. ASST
Was, Mr., Newton and his scholars passed on,
M the mob made no demonstration, with the
exception Of one Of the number. who remark
Cd, "G-d-n you, if IL wasn't for your guard,
you would not be walking there"
Prom these demonstrations, and from Ii e
many urderOus threats which found utserznee
from every dangerous character In town, the
friends of Mr.. Newton urged him to risk his life
reluctant, he followed their advice, and under
cover Of night, and With an escort Of armed
colOrea men, he left the town for q station on
the Memphis and Ohio Railroad. not feeling ii
safe to wait till Monday morning and take the
cars iron SomerviIle.
There was great rejoicing in Someryille
among the rebel citizens, on hearing Of Mr..
HeWton's departure, and they only regretted
that he got away alive. Forthe benefit Of these
people, we will add that = military force will
at once be sent among them. and that hereafter
force Of the bayonst.