The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-11-03
From the Fernandina Florida) Index
RECONSTRUCTED FLORIDA.
A Union Soldier and His Sick Wife
Thrown Into the street by q Negro
Mob

Thrown Into the street by q Negrs
Mob.
There lived in this place a mulattt
man named Sam Boyd, who, while
slave, learned to read and write, ano
who, so long as he remained in thai
condition, was a useful and tolerably
respectful sort of person, but who, like
many thousands of others, has been ut
terly ruined for all useful purposes by
freedom. Having some education and
smartness, it seems be was put forward
by the cOlored wing of the Radical par
ty in this city for the reception of pub
lie Office, and Harrison Reed, so-called
Governor of Florida, being hard pressed
by the opportunities, complaints and
threats of his sable and sweet-scented
supporters, conferred the oaice of JUS
tice of the Peace upon him.
Having been fitted out with new
suit of clothes by his former master, he
rented an office, furnished it with
chairs, tables, settee, &c, and installed
himself as the Alcaidee of the Island.
Being in want of discreet advisers, he
called to his aid Liberty Billings and
Daniel Richards, who undertook to
make his Office lucrative one by Civ
ing him plenty of business. The white
portion of our community being very
peaceable and obedient to law, they
could not do much in The criminal busi-
ness, so their only resource was topitch
been unlucky in the United States Dis
trict and Circuit Courts, and in the late
State Circuit, and present County
Court, they Billings and Richards)
now thought they had one which wosld
answer their purpose, and which, un-
like the rest, would not prove to be be-
gus. Their first attempt was to re cover
possession of dwelling. house in this
oity which belongs to some orphan
and at the time occupied by .
Union soldier from Ohio, who had serv-
ed through the late war.
The property was sold for United
States direct taxes during the war, but
was fully redeemed from the sale under
the act of Congress by the original
owners, and the purchase money was
refunded to the tax purchaser by the
Billings, anxious to show
his zeal for the race (the purchaser be.
ing colored woman), after the proper
ty was redeemed, purchased her claim
to it, giving her his promissory note for
the purchase money. This is all the
right he has in the property. Having
tried all the other courts and failed,
Mr.. Justice Boyd was q God-send to
him. Here was court that would con-
strue the law as he and Richards die
tated it. So they went to work, made
a demand upon Mr.. Union soldier for
rent, which, having been placed in the
premises by the agents of the owners,
he refused to pay. Forthwith Judge
Boyd steps in, issues his warrant under
by landlords, requiring Mr.. Union SOL
dier to show cause before him why be
should not be turned out and Liberty
Billings put in, summoned jury COM
posed of five black men and one con-
venient white man.
The case was tried, all objections by
the defendant ruled out, and Judgment
was rendered that Mr.. Union soldier
must tramp. He applied to a higher
Court for an appeal, but Billings and
Richards said he could not have one,
and so Judge Boyd ruled. Mr.. Union
soldier then, by the advice of his attor-
neys, applied to the Circuit Court for
writ of certiorari, directing him TO send
up the case and suspend further pro-
ceedings, which was promptly granted
to him and duly served npon Boyd by
the Sheriff of the county. Forthwith
Richards and Boyd became in
lignant and denounced the writ as
bogus, and refused to obey it. But the
Ca coiored many more sensible
than the rest of the Court, determined
to consult with the County Judge, and,
having done so, refused to act further in
the case. But the Court was not thus
to be baffled.
A special constable was appointed,
the writ of possession put in his hands,
and he ordered to execute it forthwith.
He, with large mob of armed and ex-
cited negroes and Billings at their head +,
proceeded Immediately TO the premises
and incontinently tumbled Mr.. Union
soldier and his sick wife into the street,
where they would have remained, but
for the kindness of compassionate
rebel who took them in and gave them
shelter The lady we hear has since
been quite i'll with fever and fright oc-
casioned by the demoniac conduct of
the negro mob, some of whom we are
told capered about her skirts, and per-
formed other indecent antics. Com
ment on this proceeding is needless. We
can only cXclaim from the bottom of
our heart-how long is this state of
things to continue'