Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-18
STARTLING ISFELLIGENCE.
Threatened InsurrectiOn of Ne
groes in Shelby County. 49,
Women and Children Fleeing
to Memphis for Safety. +, a. {
From the Memphi. Avalanche, Aug. 1s

From the Memphis Avalanche, Aug. 16.
There is trouble at the "Point. The
point is situated some five or six miles
from town, between the Wolf and
Hstchie Rivers. The colored population
out there have been disturbed to their
lowest depths-and deeper. Some time
ago Winfield Jerusalem was out there
preaching a sort of religious-political ser
mon, exclusively colorld in its tone and
air. Sentries were placed at proper dis
tances beyond the precincts of the church,
to keep away interloping whites a sort
of Gordon of sentries- What transpred
at the meeting was held secret until DR..
Winston cornered one of the colored
cusses and forced confession from him.
The colored man said that 'sUncle Sniff
was talking to 'em upon various tooth
picks, an things in general among
which was the startling announcement
that the ''kullud pussun" would pass away
like the Indian of former days, and that
now was the time to make stand-now
the time to get on their legs and make a
fight for their rights, and do or die. Now
was the time to rouse up and assert their
AAkuNe cl4N1 oClllC
in their rights or be forever lost.
Their enthusiasm and their ire, and
their Indignation were at once raised,
even the sentries that perambulated out
side the church became affected and sent
up involuntary cheers. The news spread
abroad among the neighbors that the col
ored man intended to stand up for his
rights and that he considered now the
accepted time and that if he wouldn't
strike boldly and well he would be for
ever fallen. Yesterday was the day set
apart for the firisingn The female por-
ton of the community became imbued
with the idea that the couldn't stand it.
They took the youngsters under their
arms and under the protecting folds of
their cloaks and rushed into the city quite
numerously, in fact by the dozen. A
reliable, sensible, solid old darkey that has
had the Cannon worked out of him,
gave all the information that he became
possessed of; whether he represented the
minds of the darkeys out there or not re-
mains TO be seen. However, there was a
great excitement out there yesterday
morning, so much so that the women and
children left in crowds and came into
the city yesterday evening, in the APP
prehension that a bloody riot would occur
yesterday. Up to twelve last night we
had heard no tidings of unusual trouble
about ''the Point. " ..l p, -.s--a-
The discourse of the patriotic Smith
occurred some five OF six weeks ago.
Since then the negroes, who are making
crops on shares, have been growing dis
contented and careless daily, abandoning
crops in some cases. Smith is reported
to have advised them to rise at once or
the whites would soon be too numerous
for them. When asked what about their
crops Smiths reply was that their crops
were nothing compared to their lives and
liberties. Now was the time to vindicate
themselves or not at all. Such was the
information given by Tom DOdson, reli-
able negro who was present at the meet
ing. Since then frequent meetings of the
negroes have been held on the farm of
Mr.. Vandee, white Radical, midnight
secret cOnclaves to which none but the
faithful were admitted. Lately fears of
the threatened instruction had subsidized.
On Sunday, however, DIR. Winston over
heard several negroes talking on the sub
ject, and learned enough TO satisfy him
that something diabolical was on hand.
He at once charged upon one of his own
hands, who, frightened as he was, made
a clean breastof the threatened diabolism
and stated that last night was the time set
for the rising. The women and children
were at once bundled off into town for
safety. A patrol of citizens we're organ
lied, and word was sent to Sheriff Wright,
coupled with a request for aid. Further
details are awaited with anxiety.