The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-04-22
HAD ENOUGH OF LIBERIA!
Darby who Prefers the Virginia Peni-
Tertiary.
Sun,ter Iratchn,an.

SuDter Ifdtchmd1.
A few days since a returned emigrant
from Liberia passed through our town on
his was to Danville, Virginia, who was
subject of much interest to our colored
citizens. Having but a few days landed
at Charleston, and being fresh from the
supposed land of milk and honey, we in-
vited him to our Office for the purpose of
obtaining from him some reliable infor-
nation of those of his color who left this
State and are now in Liberia. We will
endeavor to give as near as possible the
story as told in his own language.
81 left Danville, Virginia, for New
York on the 25th day ofSeptember, 1876,
with my father and mother, who carried
with them nine children. We took pas.
sage on the Elizabeth for Monrovia. This
vessel had on board when it left New
York two hundred colored people, going
to Liberia. The trip was made in fifty
three days, and many died before reach.
ing Monroyia. think we landed seven
ty-fve. One of our family died on the
voyage. On landing we were cordially
welcomed by the emigrants who had
preceded us, but the natives did not ap-
pear to rejoice at our coming; they laugh
ed at the sad experience Of our voyage,
and wished all of US had died before get.
ting to their country. They manifested
their aversion to US in great many ways,
and really appeared to derive pleasure
in making us feel that they had no use
for US. After landing we found no &C.
commodation whatever for us, no place
to shelter US and nowhere to 60. After
wandering about for sometime we were
forced by the rainy weather to take our
blankets and tack them up for shelter
We lived in this way comparatively COM
Portable for about ten days, when all our
rations were exhausted, after this, great
want and distress were experienced by
all. We first applied to the natives for
food, but they laughed at our misery and
enjoyed our misfortune. Then we ap-
piled to the Ship Company and some
white Catholics, who gave US little food
and clothing. In this way we begged 8
scanty support for the first six weeks after
landing; but even this source failed us
and we were compelled to break up our
camp and wander about the country in
search of food and something todo. Some
few returned to America all did so who
had the means to pay their passage, while
many died from exposure and the want
of food. My father and family landed
with only eleven dollars, which had been
spent long before this time. am a tail
or by trade and succeeded in getting 8
little work in Monrovia, where l stayed
most of the time. The chief object of all
of our family was to save money enough
from our hard earnings TO bring us back
to America. This was very difficult to
do, as some of US were sick nearly al the
time, and we were forced to pay very
heavy doctors bills, but after four years
of great toll and suffering we found that
we had saved four hundred and seventy
dollars. I had lost in the meantime my
father and a brother, who died and were
buried near Monrovia. Our family now
consisted of my mother, two brothers,
three sisters and my wife, who ] married
in Aonrovia. Our fare to Charleston,
S. c., amounted to ninety-three dollars
each, but the balance of our passage
money was kindly advanced to US by
three passengers who were also return
ing.
Before reaching New York fever of
some kind broke out on board of the ves-
sci, and saw my wife, mother, sisters and
brothers, all one by one buried in the sea,
each wrapped in canvas bag, kept on
board the ship for that purpose. The
three kind benefactors who assisted us
in paying our passage also died on this
trip. On reaching New York I was
transferred for Charleston, where land.
ed on last Monday two weeks ago, and l
am now on my way to Danville, Va, the
only member of my family living, on foot,
sick, and entirely dependent on the
kindness Of those who give me something
to eat and place to sleep. 1 don't ask
for money, sir, I only wish to get strength
enough to walk to my old home in Vir-
ginia."
During this poor mans recital Of his
sad experience, he at times was very
much affected.
Can you tell me anything about the
emigrants who went out on the Azor?
"Well, yes, sir, I know some of them.
There is Clark, from Clarendon County.
He has lost his entire family and Louisa
Miller, from Richland County, she has
lost her husband and all her children she
is there all by herself and dying to get
back. Senator Gaillard is dead, Reys,
Bouey and Flegler are still living. I
also saw Mr.. Williams, the correspondent
of the News and Courier"
Did Senator Gaillard enter politics out
there, and get seat in the Legislature
"No, sir, Gaillard, Bouey and Flegler
attempted to enter politics, but no notice
was taken of them. Mr.. Bouey sent cir
culars back to this State, SO J have heard,
stating that he was very successful in
converting the heather of Liberia, and
asked for money to build churches for
them. The Red Hill Church of Rich
land county and various other churches
sent him money for this purpose, which
Bouey received, but told us that the
money came from his fathers estate, who
died since he left here. He has no church
there, and the heather he speaks of have
more sense than Mr.. Bouey has"
Well, were the natives ofLiberia what
you expected to find them, ignorant and
living in barbarous condition
"No, sir; the fact is, We were sadly
disappointed when we landed. We
thought that we would be looked up to,
but they regarded us as the unciv:
ilized and themselves the enlightened
folks"
Did you find the molasses streams
bacon bush, and groves of biscuit (ready J
cooked) trees, and the thousand other
things you were told existed in that
country?
"No, sir, l never saw any of those
things, though had been told they were
there before leaving America. After we
got there the natives saw how ignorant
our people were, and humored this thing,
and told them that if they would 60 in