The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-08-19
Stonewall Jackson's Widow.

$lU, UUU TO the WHOM OIL OIOflcWdt ctIChoViI, do
well as of the Bolton-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, MIR.
C. M. Appersen, of this city, as executor OF
Wade H. Bolton, paid over to Mrs. Il. j. Jack
son the sum of $4,000, half the sum bequeathed
to her husband General Stonewall jackson,
who fell in action at charlottesville Va, in
1864, while commanding a corpse of Confeder-
troops.
At an interview on the subject with Mr.. APP
person Yesterday he stated that the heirs OF the
Bolton estate have been in litigation for
some time past concerning the distribution OF
the property, and while this legal contest re-
mains undecided the attorneys deem it unWlse
for him to pay any requests not ordered by
the courts. Contrary to this advise, however,
and solely because Mrs. Jackson has stated
that she sadly needed the money, the executor
has paid her half of the bequest, as above no
ted. He has also paid the several heirs con-
siderable sums on account OF their prospective
inheritances.
The value of the personal proper belonging
to the Wade Bolton estate is estimated at
$500, 900. A claim was set up in court some
years ago by Wash Bolton and Tom Dickens.
his former partners, against Ike and Wade
Bolton for all their estate is worth. Should
the court decide in favor Of the claimants there
will be little or nothing remaining after satisfy
ing the Judgment.
At the time Wade Bolton made the bequest
of $4,000 to Mrs Jackson he was in hourly ex-
pectation of loosing his life by violence, Hav-
ing expressed mis- desire to do something to en-
able his name to live in the memory of future
generations unconnected with evil deeds, Mr..
Apperson himself suggested a donation to Mrs.
Jackson of $4,000. Bolton liked the idea, but
reduced the bequest to $4,000.
After his death, which happened a few
months subsequent to the time of making the
bequest, Mr.. Apperson wrote and informed
soon as the terms of the law could be complied
with the sum should be made subject to her
order.
AN OLD, BLOODY FEUD.
There is history connected with the gather
ing 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 as Bolton q
Dickens, had their location in conspicuous
building, situated on the bluff in front of the
lower part of this city, near the once famous
Gayoso House. Tourists on passing steamers
then the only method OF traveling) invariably
had their attention called to the large printed
letters which adorned the river side wall OF the
structure, and which read Bolton & Dickens,
slave dealers. The sign and firm both figure
in Mrs. Beecher's Stoves story OF ''Uncle
Tem," and many letter writer's OF the day re-
fered and efen commented severely upun it,
and Bolton & Dickens had more than nation
al reputation. They had branch houses at
New Orleans and elsewhere, and their agents
penetrated every section of country south OF
Mason and Dixon's line in search OF black
people to supply the demands OF their custom
erswho embraced planters throughout the entire
Southwest. Many persons and large sums OF
money were employed to aid them in their
traffic.
THE INITIAL TRAGEDY
Over twenty years ago colored lad was
purchased somewhere in Kentucky at public
sale who had been manumtted by the will OF
his MASTER and who was to be set free after he
arrived at a certain age. The conditions OF
the sale were named TO Bolton & Dickens
agent, one Mcmillan, who became the purchas-
er. He was conveyed to their mart in this city,
and the firm subsequently sold the boy 1or the
sum of $500 to Thomas b. CrensliaW, near
Morning Sun, in this county. The boy was
considered valuable and brought big price for
those times, but he was sold as slave for life,
nothing being said about his promised freedom.
The colored boy informed his new master OF
the actual situation. Crenshaw sent to Ken
lucky for a copy Of the will, employed counsel
for the boy and the courts decided against the
slave traders, They were forced to return their
illgottcn dollars to Crenshaw, and also pay
heavy costs for their misdemeanor. They had
expected Mcmillan to testify i'll 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 pre-
vent his reappearance, Isaac l.. Bolton muir
dered him in his own house. This was the I'd
day of June, 1857. The atrocity OF the crime
was widely commented ON throughout the en-
tire country and it caused much excitement
every where. Bolton managed by hard swear
ING. sharp maneuvcring and other tricks to
to have the venue changed to Upton county,
Tennessee.
In the meantime his friends were active.
They managed to have a sheriff and other Off
GERS elected to suit their purpose. jury was
obtained for the case, and after the expenditure
of more than 100000 in money, Bolton saved
his neck and went clear. 1t is remarkable
fact that in less than four years afteward elev-
en- of these same jurors had died violent
deaths, and the other also died in an unnatur-
al way some years after.
BLoODsHED FOLLOWS BLooDsHED.
A quarrel ensued between the members Of
the slave dealing firm, which had been
dissolved by limitation, within few days OF
the muderous deed, as to who should pay the
enormous expenses Of the trial. One party
contended that the firm should be charged
with the amount and the other that Bolton
himself ought to foot the bill alone. The
quarrel resulted seriously to the contendiDg par
ties. Ike Bolton, who did the killing, died
natural death some years ago. One after an
other the rest were killed in alterations with
each other. Finally Tom Dickens killed
Wade Bolton, as before mentioned, by SHOOT
| ing him down in front of the Court Square.
Some months later Dickens was assasinated
while riding along the public road, dozen
miles from this city, and near his home. A
few months after that Tom Dickens, his son,
| while trying to gather testimony to prosecute
the supposed murders of his father, let his
| loaded gun drop carelessly; the conclusion
caused the gun to go off and send the contents
through his BOSOM causing his death.
This was the last death by violence. Since
then several prominent members of the family
have died in the usual way, and the survivors
are in litigation US to how the estate shall be
divided Immense. sums have been expended
in feeling attorneys in the civil suits since the
trial of Ike Bolton. Wade Bolton gave to a
Single member of his counsel a plantation Oh
the Tallahatchie river i'll Mississippi, which
cost him $4,000. The place, however, failed
to realize more than One-siXth OF its original
cost.
The bloody feud having terminated, the law
contest will be likely to come to an end some
day, and after that the heirs to the estate will
doubtless receive their respective shares, that
is if anything remains to divide.
The Dayton Journal says of Mr.. s. Cary that
l