Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-10-08
The Virus Of slavery Survivors.

II is often noticed as a singular fact that
emigrants from the Northern and Eastern
states, aud from the old countries as well
are almost universally disposed to shun the
fertile soil and mild climate Of the South
and choose in preference the privations Of
newer fields at the West. Aud the same is
true of capital, which is eagle-eyed, and
quick to discover impediments to sure and
profitable return. But the fact is no longer
strange when the actual state of affairs in
the South is taken into account. As rule,
Northern capitalists who invest their money
at the South and undertake to live there,
are sure of being subjected to persecution
and serious losses. The reported cases of
such failure are very numerous, and the UNI
reported cases are still more numerous.
Here is one reported recently. The account
is furnished in Washington letter:
In the spring of 1870 a benevolent old
gentleman named Taylor, who had accumu-
lated a competency in business pursuits in
| Philadelphia, went to Greenbrier county,
West Virginia, and purchased two thousand
seven hundred acres of land with view
to making his home upon il. Two years
later he closed up his business in Phla.
| delphia and removed with his family to
West Virginia, where he had in the mean.
time begun an extensive system of improve
ments. He built fine residence, large grist
and saw mills, a shop with expensive wood
working machinery, store, post-oflice,
church, school house and several dwellings,
and in short established the village of Salem,
Greenbrier county, West Virginia. He con-
structed roads and bridges, and spent his
money for various public improvements that
were of no benefit to himself. His total ex-
penditures were considerably over 100000.
One would suppose that such investments
might have protection in West Virginia,
however it might be further south. This
superstition is mistake. From the begin
ming he encountered annoyance and perse-
cution. He took no part in politics, and
was remarkably peaceful in temper and con-
duct; but the more his ex rebel neighbors
observed his thrifty ways, the more vehe-
mently they denounced him and injured his
property. They said: He is damned
Yankee, and we haze no use for him."
Finally, they began to destroy his property
on large scale. Here is his record of what
they did just before and just after the be-
ginning of the present year:
Decennhor 1879 nina o,cioct =, =, ,,htta
and family were attending divine service In the sunday
co o6 room eyer my my esdsnes WAS Ted and
1870 they fired and utterly destroyed my mill and almost
eth er''e content" Loss ABOUT s'O No Insurance on
Other buildings have been burned, together
with tools, lumber, carriages, and the like.
Anonymous letters warned him to beware,
for they will burn his last house. if he don't
60 away, the aim being to drive him out of
the state. Mr.. Taylor traced The authors of
some of these outrages, and made formal
complaint to the Encouragement; but the
state authorities will not interfere either to
! punish the incendiaries or to protect his
property. The local authorities had already
refused protection. The spirit that pursues
him is seen in this extract from one of the
anonymous letters Now for yoor house
If 700 don't be getting away. warned 700
the night yoor house catched, but you did
not take heed The following is an extract
from Mr.. Taylor's letter to the attorney
general:
Since the burning OF my mill and failure OF my appli-
cation for help to the authorities have been Obliged at
watchnan Have been closing out personal property
as rapidly poshle but II would the last
nnncation not fast enough for them. icceeed In
Ing and arranging transfer of the post
the department. and named Before the
quste papers the incumbent became frightened
and threw up his lease and his position. packed his
goods and left leaving again in jeopardy. i'm
nedlitelv packed goods which wagons
out In the weather awaiting opportunity for disposal
abandoned the store and contiguous dwelling
As life had been threatened arbitrarily transferred the
post-oice 70 neigber and Informed the department OF
| my action"
Mr.. Taylor has visited Washington and
talked with the officials there; but no way
of helping him could be devised, it being
the business of the state to deal with such
offenders. People who are urged to settle
in the South, or invest their money there,
should give careful attention to such cases
as this.
A FUNNY MAN.-Mr. Pendleton, the new
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