Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-08-28
stoncwnu .sackson's widow.

Jnly 0U gives a it'N'O-J - -
tons legacy of $4,000 to the widow OF
Stonewall Jackson, as well as OF the
Holton-Dickens feud, one of the darkest
passages of crime in the Southwest
During the month of February, 1872,
against the positive instructions of his
attorneys, Mr.. E. NJ. Apperson, of this
CITY, as executor of Wade II. Bolton,
paid over to Mrs. L. J. Jackson the sum
of $4,000, half the sum bequeathed to
her husband, Genera, Stonewall Jackson,
who fell in action at Charlottesville,
Va, in 1864, while commanding corps
of Confederate troops.
AT an interview on the subject with
Mr.. Apperson yesterday he stated that
the heirs of the Bolton estate have been
in litigation for some time past concern
ing the distribution of the property,
and while this legal contest remains I'M
decided the attorneys deem it unwise
for him to pay any bequests not ordered
by the courts Contrary to this advice,
however, and solely because Mrs. Jack
son has stated that she needed the mon
ey, the executor has half Of the bequest,
as above noted. He has also paid the
several heirs considerable sums on ac-
count of their prospective inheritauces.
VALUE OF BoLroN's ESTATE.
The value of the personal property be-
longing to the Wade Bolton estate is
estimated at S5OO,OOO. A claim was
set up in the courts some years ago by
Wash Bolton and Tom Dickens, his
former business partners, against Ike
and Wade Bolton for all their estate is
worth. Should the courts decide in ia
vor of the claimants there will be little
or nothing remaining after satisfying
the judgement
At the time Wade Bolton made the
bequest of $4,000 10 Mrs. Jackson he
was in hourly expectation of losing his
life by violence Having expressed awish
to do something to enable his name to
live in the memory of future generations
unconnected with evil deeds, Mr.. Ap
person himself suggested donation to
Mrs. Jackson of $4,000. Bolton liked
the idea but reduced the bequest to
$4,000.
After his death which happened
few months subsequent to the time OF
making the bequest, Mr.. ApperSon
wrote and informed Mrs. Jackson of the
matter, telling her also that as soon as
tire terms of the law could be complied
with, the sum should be made subject
TO her order.
AN OLD, BLOODY FEUD.
There is a history connected with the
gathering of this large and valuable
Bolton estate which is full of thrilling
events and violent deeds, The property
was chiefly accumulated by trading in
slaves through long series Of years.
The business firm known IS Bolton ~
Dickens, had their location in a con
spicuous building, situated on the blum
i'll front of the lower part of the city,
near the once famous Gayoso House.
Tourists on passing steamers 0hen the
only method of traveling) invariably
had their attention called to the large
printed letters which adorned the river
side wall of their structure, and which
read "Bolton 81 Dickens, slave dealers.
The sign and the firm both figure in
MIS-. DGGCilGE OIONGS oNOi VI S'~A~
Tom,' and many letter writer's OF the
day referred and often commented Sc
verelv upon it, and Bolton 81 Dickens
had more than a national reputation.
They had branch houses at New Or
leans and elsewhere, and their agents
penetrated every section Of the country
south Of Mason and Dixon's lire in
search of black people to supply the de-
mands of their customers who EN-
braced planters throughout the entire
Southwest. Many persons and large
sums of money were employed to aid
them in their traffic.
TIE INITIAL TRAGEDY
Over twenty years ago eolored lad
was purchased somewhere in Kentucky,
at a public sale, who had been manu-
mitted by will of his master, and who
was to be set free when he arrived at a
certain age. The conditions of the sale
were named, and Bolton 81 Dickens a
o.nt. one Mcmillan, became the pur-
chaser. He was conveyed to their mart
in this city, and the firm subsequently
sold the boy for the sum OF Si,ooo 10
Thomas B. Crenshaw, near Morning
Sun in this county. The boy was con
siiered valuable and brought big
price for those times, but he was sold
as a slave for life, nothing being SAID
about his promised freedom. The col
ored boy informed his new master OF
the actual situation. Crenshaw sent to
kentucky for copy OF the Will, en-
ployed counsel for the boy and the
courts decided against the slave traders;
They were forced to return their Ill
gotten dollars to Crenshaw, and also
pay heavy costs for their misdemeanor-
They had expected Mcmillan to testify
in their favor. He failed to do so and
stuck to the truth throughout.
The dealers managed to obtain new
trial. and having been deceived into the
belief that Mcmillan would swear as
they wished, to prevent his reappear-
ance. Isaac L. Bolton murdered him in
his own house. This was on the 2nd
dav of June, 1857. The atrocity OF the
crime was widely commented on
throughout the entire country, and 1t
created much excitement everywhere.
Bolton managed by hard swearing,
L.. X,o,oopverinr and other tricks to