The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-05-29
THE AZOR FOLKS IN LIBERIA.
How They are Getting On In the "Land Of
Promise"

urQay were Opencer reeves anu us lWo
sons, colored emigrants who went to Lii
IBERIA OH the Azor. They are now on
their way back to Milledgeville, Georgia,
which is their original home, although
they had lived in Aiken County, in this
State, for several years preceding their
ocean voyage. The two sons are young
men, one of them mere youth, and
neither bore any appearance of ill health,
although the younger stated that he was
by no means well. The old man looks
Just as he did when he left here year
ago, being evidently still as shrewd and
practical us he was then, even in the
height of the Liberian craze. A few
more gray hairs in his head and beard is
the only change in his appearance. He
does not seem to have been favorably i'm
pressed with Liberia, and expressed much
satisfaction at being so near home once
more. When questioned as to his family,
he stated that his wife had died Of the
Coast fever. His son "Pete," a most
magnificent specimen of physical devel-
opment, was also dead, having dropped
down in his own door one morning, and
died in flash almost of some mystic
rious blight. Floyd, the oldest and only
married son, had been left behind in Ii
IBERIA. the old man not having means suf-
ficient to bring him back, although he
earnestly desired to come.
SPENCER REEVES NARRATIVE
of the experience of the immigrants is
that they fingered about Monrovia for
two months and two weeks after the
white sails of the Azor had disappeared
in the west. During this time some died,
and all suffered with the fever. Reeves
says his own belief is that Anthony Will
liams, probably the Secretary of State,
made away with many of the effects
landed from the Azor. His own were
sadly depleted by somebody. At the ex-
piration of the time above named, the
immigrants divided into three parties,
the one to which he was attached going
about 80 miles up the st. Paul's River to
one of the extreme settlements, called, as
we'll as could be gathered from the mar
rator's pronunciation, Pobama. Here
they were allotted land, assisting the
surveyor by carrying his chains, &c. So
soon as their claims were marked out,
the men went vigorously to work in a
large gang, building log houses, shelter
being obtained meanwhile in the dwell
ings of the few settlers already there, and
thatch huts. The new habitations were
soon completed and occupied, and the
work of
CLEARING AND PLANTING
was Immediately commenced. Reeves
himself planted small patches of pota-
toes, corn and peas, the others doing
about the same. He says he made two
patches of the former, one Of corn and
one of peas. His potatoes "made" in
about three months. He had meat, for
which he paid $50 per hundred, having
held on to his money and kept it by him.
Those who had no money had no meat,
unless they. could kill a stray deer or
"pick up" little somewhere. He plant
ed patch of cassadas, and left them
growing. During all this time they
could hear no word of the Azor, nor learn
anything of events on this side of the
water. Reeves himself generally went to
Monrovia on Saturday, and there met
many of his fellow immigrants. The
Liberian government had given little
help to few.
Perhaps the best idea of the status of
the immigrants may be gathered from
the old mans answers as the roll was
called over to him. His account of the
individual fortunes of his late compan-
ions was as follows:
CALLING THE ROLL.
William Adams, Lancaster County,
aged 26 Was we'll at last accounts.
Had lost his child. Wanted to return.
At Pobama.
Scott Bailey, Lancaster, aged 80.
Knows generally that he is faring badly
and living poorly.
Robert Manger, Lancaster, aged 3S.
Has lost a child. He and his people
were compelled to sell nearly all their
clothes to get start, but are now doing
tolerably we'll. Is at Pobama.
Okra Adams, Ninety-Six, S. c., aged
42. He and his family are at Pobame,
and are faring very badly; sometimes
they eat, and sometimes they don't"
James johnson, aged &c, Ninety-Six.
Is at Pobama. Is skilful hunter, and
"makes out" tolerably well.
Moses Mason, Ninety-Six, aged 40, has
married rich Liberian widow, and is
comfortable and satisfied.
Matt Matthews, Ninety-Six. Believed
to be dead.
Joshua Phillips, Ninety.Six, aged 3S,
carpenter, doing finely. Children all at
school. Has lost one child.
Abram Robinson, Ninety.Six. Farm
ing at Pobama. Doing tolerably well,
but suffering from an ulcer in his leg.
Ned Wilson, Ninety-Six, aged 46,
dead. Family farming at Pobama, and
"just breathin'."
John Bell, Selma, Ala, aged 65, at
Pobama. Has gone to stealing.
Green Barr, Augusta, Ga, aged 81, is
at Pobama, iarming and doing well, and
satisfied. Is magistrate.
Geo. Shaw, Augusta, Ga, aged 81, has
lost child. Getting along tolerably
well and satisfied. Is making $3.50 a
day in Monroya working at his trade.
(machinist.
Simon Ware, Augusta, Ga, aged 5S
Wife dead. Is overseer for planter at
IS per month, food and clothes, and
"lookin' fine as a fiddle"
VIM. Wilhite, Augusta, Ga, farming
at Pobama. Doing tolcrably we'll and
satisfied.
Allen Duval, Burke County, Ga, in
capacitated from labor by an ulcer on his
leg.
Isham Hughes. Burke County, is al
Pobama and high sheriff of town.
Rachael Williams, widow, Burke
County, in Monrovia, refusing to leave
there, and very anxious to get back.
Thomas Williams, farmer, aged Al
Burke County, doing well and "cotin a
widow woman"
Simon Williams, farmer, Burke Coun'
ty, aged %, dead. Left two children.
Berrian Williams, Burke County, aged
II, became disgusted, stole boat and
ran off in it.
Robert Williams, Burke County, ageG