Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-21
NO. 95.
Yankees Not Wanted.
Tug Story OF THE BrLL-DozEp PLANTER
REcsNrLY RErgRREp TO ny SENATOR
DAWES

The Northern man whose experience As
planter in the South was referred TO by Sem
stor Dawes in one of the debates of the pres
ent session of the Senate since the deadlock
began is Mr. Charles Heath. a former resi-
dent Of Massachusetts. and at present in the
vicinity of Boston. For several years he has
been running a plantation in Louisiana. in
Caldwell Parish, of which Columbia is the
present seat. The plantation is 10 miles be-
low Columbia. on the Ouachite river, and
contains between 800 and 1000 acres. Mr..
Heath and his brother. merchant in New
Orleans purchased it about l3 wears ago and
had established on it Clubhouse, grist mill.
and repair shop. fitted up with improved ma
chinery. 4 long statement from Mr.. Heath,
detailing his experiences. which eliminated
in the destruction of his property, has been
published Ii corroborates fully the state
ments of Mr.. Dawes. and gives a graphic
picture of the bull-dozing methods practced
there, beginning with KukluN outrages TO in
timidate negroes. and prevent the conduct of
private business by other than methods die
tatca hv the natives.
Mr. Heath's difficulties began with his de-
cision 10 emplov negro overseers in place of
white men, finding that the negroes were not
willing to he ruled hy white men as in slavery
days. He details the threats made against
him il he attempted to carry this out. and
gives a long description of the shooting OF
negro named Harris, whom he had placed on
his plantation to look after his interests after
he had determined on this course. The
shooting was by masked men. the threat hav-
ing first been made that the place was to be
broken up. for no Yankee was to ne allowed
To run place there with negroes without an
overseer. After the attempted murder Of
Harris n notice was posted up on the planta-
| az. Ill Inv
threats. MIR. Heath saws that after this he
was frequently threatened with death aud the
destruction of his property. because he was
a Yankee. and the statement was frequent
" made that that sort were not wanted
there-only natives. He details one plot
to burn his place which was frustrated
by the death of the leader. One of
his nighbors whom he supposed to
be friendly, once harbored half dozen
men for week, who were detailed to
come over from Franklin County and
waylav him, hut he got word of their
plot through the negroes. The reports Of The
negroes were afterward corroborated hy the
neigbbor himself Mr. Hcath's buildings
were finally fired last Christmas night The
negroes saw the fire when il was no bigger
than a bushel basket. but they didn't dare to
come ont because they were afraid of being
shot. The whole place, with improvements,
was worth $4,000. They burned tools,
wagons. grist mill. blacksmith shop, repair
shop and everything else. Mr.. IIeath's in
surance was only 81 200. A few hundred
dollars worth Of goods were saved in the 30
minutes they were to work in, and his people
came very near being burned alive.
Mr. Heath repeatedly strove for the protec-
tion of the laws but failed. lie is man past
GO, and of good standing in his community.
He saws he will go back to New Orleans this
fall lie adds "Thc native Soutbcrncrs
knew what my politics were, although have
never talked politics there or advised the ne
groes. beyond telling them what | thought
was for their interest. I never advised them
who 10 vote for and who not to vote for, and
tried to keep aloof from politics altogether"