American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-02-14
The COlOred Exodus.

M n.
Charles n. Otny, colored, who testified be-
fore the committee on the 26th, recalled
and to aSG
Witness acknowledged he had not heard any
member of the Washington Emigrant Aid So
Kansas to Indiana for political purposes, eX-
cept Mendenhall, and could not name any
the Emigrant Aid Society, who had advised
or promoted the exodus for politi-
s ss an. ns 6 Believed sns;
Company WAS largely responsible for the en-
igratisn. Witness reasserted his belief that
black and White, Democrats and Republicans,
were opposed to this exodus and understood
of North Carolina had been engaged in ex-
plOding the false statement spread broad
cast in that State by Perry, Williams and
Evans.
NJ T. Newman, Sheriff of Putnam County,
Ind, resident of Greencastle, sworn,
abtaiPed fem one Of tSe North ~ Carons
eInigrants after he had reached Greencastle.
This circular, 1t was afterwards proven by an
other witness, had been printed in the office of
the Greencastle Banner during the latter part
of last July, and that the editor of that
the author of this circular. Newman said he
was informed by the colored man who gave it
to him that it had been circulated quite ex-
tensively among colOred people in North Car
DINA. 1t urges them to come to Indiana set
ting forth the attractions of that State, stating
its climate was healthful, that free schools for
both races were maintained, that there were
numerous colored churches, and that blacks
and whites stand equal before the law, and
also stating that / 900 good farm hands and
house servants could readily nd employment
at remunerative wages, and especially urging
those who contemplate coming to do SO "dur
ing the present summer and fall of 1879, SO as
to get located in time to make their contracts
with farmers next year"
The examination of NJ. I. Lewman, Sheriff
Witness gave an account of an interview he
had with a man named Heath, who came in q
mail car from Washington to Greencastle.
Heath was trying to find IA location for colOred
emi.,rants, and had letters to Judge Martin
dale and Col. Holloway. prominent Indiana
Republicans. Witness represented himself to
Heath Republican and in that way
gained the latter's confidence. Witness tes-
titled that Heath told him, among other things
that one reason for the coIored people leav
ing North Carolina was to better their condi-
in Washington desired as many of them as
possible to get out of North Carolina and into
Indiana before the census was taken, about
May l, SO as to decrease the representation of
North Carolina and increase that of Indt-
ana. Ten thousand intended to come
ness stated that his county is well settled up
There is no demand for labor there. Much
dissatisfaction is felt on account of the emf
grafton, not because of the emigrantS' color,
but because they reach their destination in a
destitute condition and have to be supported
by the county, and becausethey oVerstock the
labor market. There is ill feeling among the
laborers of both political parties. 1t sometimes
takes the shape of threats. One man who
hired some of the negroes had his barn
burned a few days later. This matter be-
fore the Grand Jury. Witness preferred on
that account not to speak of it. There were
bad men of both parties there. Perhaps Dem
ocrats had burned the barn. He could not say
whether this conduct would have The effect of
lettering people from hiring emigrunts and
so cause II to appear that there was no de-
mand for labor.
At Mr.. WINDOWS request Heath will be sum-
mOned as witness.
WASHINGTON, Feb 4.
b. X. Morris, real estate agent of In iianapo-
lis, testified that to his belief there is abundant
room and ample opportunity for industrial
employment in that Stnte Tor a large number
of colored immigrants and that he had no
knowledge of the present Immigration being
political movement.
VIM. Is. Tinney, Passenger Agent ut Indian
apolis for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
testified as to 1928 having been raised by lead
ing colored men in Indianapolis to pay the
transpo rtation of party of emigrants.
Thomas Mills (Republican), indianapolis,
testified that he remarked to 1.-The boys,'
when North Carolina colored people first be-
gan to arrive ut Indianapolis, I'VE want 70,
900 bucks, and not women and children" Did
not know of any party organization or effort
to induce emigration to Indiana.
+. ID. Borden, Goldsboro, N. O., testified that
the wave of the movement, such rs it WAS, is
already subsiding, and that the great mass of
colored people in North Carolina were well
contented AS they are in any other section of
the country.
by request of Senator Voorhees,, extracts
from the (,recncaStlc Runner were read, urg
ing " rs the duty of the cOlored man South to
come North Of the ohio River and keep up u
solid North, and arguing that II they remain
would increase the number of their enemies
there, but II they como North they would in
crease the number OF their friends in tho
North.