Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-02-17

THE ATTEMPT TO LYNCH SCHOOL TEACHER AT
chuMpToN-A FARMER PREVENTS THE OUTRAGE
TAR AND FEATHERS NOT USED.
Queen Anne's county, Maryland, is said to be
entitled to the distinction of having furnished
more soldiers for the rebel than for the National
armies, during the war. With such an index to
the feeling of many Of the people, 1t is easy to
understand how bitter is the opposition 10 the
work of educating the colored people.
Crumpton is little village of 800 population,
within the county, at the head OF steam naviga-
ton on the Chester river. Near by are num-
Der of clustering houses, occupied by the colored
people and their families. At Pond Town, about
a mile and half distant, many of the freedmen
have purchased for themselves houses and tracts
of land ranging from one to thirty acres, s,and such
has been their thrift economy, and industry, that
this neighborhood, which was once barren pine
waste has been brought under cultivation, and the
waste wilderness been improved to very credit
able degree. AS an instance of the economy and
industry of these former slaves, 1t will be noticed
that although the barrooms are lined with notices
of Sheriff eales, but seldom is q colored man
visited with sheriff or constables writ for debt
This colered community SO prosperous and
happy in the enjoyment of the fruits of their own
labor, lately applied to the Baltimore Association
land, for teacher. The request was granted,
and James Hamilton, young man of about 25,
who had come from Scotland some three months
previously, was detailed TO take charge of the
school. Well educated, full of enthusiasm, and
knowing nothing of the prejudices of the white
people amongst whom he was going, he arrived
at Crumpton on the 18th of January and opened
school in the colored peoples church on the fol-
lowing Monday, which was attended by ousr
serenty pupils, ranging from six to thirty years of
age.
The people of the neightorhood had previously
been consulted, in order to ascertain whether
they would tolerate such school in their midst,
and no objection being made, trouble was not
anticipated. school house for the education
of white children stood in close proximity to the
colored school, and both being In operation at
the same time, complaints were soon heard of
the familiarity of the children" The colored
people, anxious to avoid everything which might
give offence to their white neighbors, went to
work and erected strong fence between the two
buildings. In the meantime, the usually quiet
town OF Crumpton was the scene of certain
mysterious gatherings, and the exchange Of sun
dry mods and winks upon the corners of the
streets portended an approaching storm, which
eliminated on Wednesday evening, Feb. End.
1t having been reported that Mr.. Hamilton had
opened night school, an infuriated mob of about
twenty-five boys and men with faces blackened,
after having provided plentiful supply of tar
and feathers, came to the school house with the
expectation OF finding their intended victim, but
ioituuutciyt luO ucCCoeniy booho uOt uHNluR Ar-
raived from Baltimore, the school had not yet
been opened. Enraged with disappointment and
bad whisky, the meb, armed with guns, pistols,
and rope proceeded to the house Of w. H. Ely,
where Hamilton was boarding, and fortunately
again, in coming to the house from the barn
where he had been attending to some cattle Mr..
e. met the mob, when the following colloquy en-
sued -
Are you Mr.. Ely7 ~ am" sis there man
boarding with you named Hamilton teacher of
the ngger school near here =" yes" =" Well,
we want him." (Crles from the mob. "Smash his
Lantern, so he can't see usp) Ely" What do
You want with him? Ringleader-"We want to
lynch any white man that comes here to teach
niggers, when it's against the wishes of the white
people In this part" Ely-"The man is o stran-
ger here.and knows nothing of your prejudices
let me tell him your wishes, and II he does not
comply with them it is then time enough to use
force" Rngeader-"No we want no talk ; we
want Hamilton" Voices" Bring him out"
After considerable parley Mr.. Ely calmed the
excitement, In some measure, and the promise
was made that II Mr.. H. would come out he
Naturally he was somewhat surprised at his in-
tiatory lesson of freedom, and remarked some
thing to that effect. The answer was, "We were
free few years ago, but now we are all put under
niggers you must leave the school and this
neighborhood, and the sooner the better for your
self" accompanied by the cooking of guns.
etc)
Seeing no means of continuing the school with
safety, Mr.. II. promised to close the next morn
ing, and the mob left, no doubt highly gratjfed
at the success of their brave and loyal course
The school was relinquished and in obedience to
orders, he has reported himself to the Association
and General Howard.
1t was fortunate for Mr. Hamilton, that he had
not yet opened his night school and been caught
away from the house Of Mr.. Ely, or In all proba-
bility his body would have been discovered dang
ling from some projecting limb; and icsRas also
fortunate for the mob that no attempt to take Mr..
Hamilton from the house of NJ. Ely, by force, the
serious consequences of which can only be con-
jectured.
1t is nothing but justice to say that well reflect
ing men of all parties condemn, in unqualified
terms, this high handed outrage, and regret that
the moral sentiment Of Queen Annes County is
such that even ii the perpetrators OF the outrage
who are nearly all well known, should be arrested
no adequate punishment would be meted out to
them.