Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-02-24

| A recent letter from Live Oak, Fla, to
the New York Sun, tells this strange and
interesting story:
a few days ago there. died in a little
negro settlement on the bend of the river
black man who had q somewhat re-
markable history and who was noted for
physical peculiarity puzzIing to medi-
cal and scientific men. The name of this
! negro was Zenith Pinkncy, but he went
by the cognomen of Uncle Zene, and
was nearly eighty years Old. He was OF
medium height, very black. with pro-
nounccd African features, and strong
ana hearty even at his advanced age.
| Uncle Zene was born slave about
1906. He was the property of Major
Terwilligar, who owned large planta-
ton in Tennessee, near the Georgia line.
His master was quite prominent citi-
zen, and had served his country in many
1 capacities, both civil and military. His
childhood up to 1918 was eventful and
monotonous. He was free from care.
happy, and mirthful. He luxuriated on
the hog and hominy of the place, and
waxed fat and greasy, his only duty
being to brush the flies off his old ssmis-
sus" during her afternoon siesta. At
other times, clad in single garment of
cotton cloth, he kicked up his heels in
the dirt, and crawled under the old log
cabin to escape threatened spankings at
the hands of his irate NANNY because of
some freak of mischief.
| A cloud was lowering over his happy
and peaceful life. Soon down came the
storm and rain. Late in the spring of
1912 the famous Indian warrior Tecum-
sch visited the Southern tribes of In
dams, and, with all his impassioned elo-
quence, urged them to begin general
warfare against the whites, with whom
they had been heretofore living in almost
complete peace. In burning words he
appealed to their passions, exposed the
wrongs under which they were supposed
to be suffering, and pictured the glory
and spoils that would accrue to them If
they would dig up the Ratchet and start
out upon the warpath. He told them
their lands had been encrOached upon
by the palefaces, and that the Great
Spirit was angry with them for so tame
~ submitting TO the outrage. He in
vokea the aid of their peculiar forms of
religion, and told them that Paradise
was open to those who took up arms in
defence of their rights. His arguments
and willy appeals had such an effect that
they quilted their peaceful avocations
and began 10 commit many serious dep
relations upon the surrounding settle
ments. The first actual hostilities were
begun by the Creeks and Seminoles, who
lived within the limits of Florida and
Georgia. A number of fugitive negroes
Joined them, and, thus re-enforccd, they
inaugurated cruel and bloody warfare
against the whites. In September, 1912,
party of Georgia volunteers was at
tackled near the Lackaway t0wns by a
large force of Indians, who were re-
pulsed, however, after some most des-
perate fighting.
The white settlers were, of course,
much alarmed By these savage outbreaks,
and many of them fled to the forts for
greater safety. Among these was Major
Terwilligar. who placed his family and
negroes in Fort 1Iimms, bringing to the
aid Of the garrison his stout arm and
deadly rife. There were about $50 men
IN the fort with q large number Of
women, children and slaves. Among the
latter was little Zenith Pinkney. In Au-
gust, 1913, the fort was surprised by an
overwhelming force of Indians. The
houses were set on fre, and general
massacre took place Many found death
in the flaming buildings, others were
killed outright BY the arrow and the tom
ahawk, others were tortured to death
with ever. conceivable atrocity. Old
and young persisted alike, the negroes
sharing the same tate. or the 800 Or
more persons Id the fort at the time OF
the surprise and attack, only seventeen
escaped to carry the woful news to the
nearest settlement. All Of these arrived
/ In the most pitiable plight. Al had lost
friends and relatives, and some Of them
were badly wounded and crippled for
life. One young negro, with cunning
not expected ID one Of his age, had con
| cealed himself il i disused and broken.
/ down oistern, and was not discovered
until the savage fury had been fully
| olutted. His life was spared, and ht
] was carried away hy The exuitant yictors.
! When they arrived u triumph At their
VILLAGE lie was turned over 70 the swarm.
1 ino children Is their tor and Play thing.
These little red devils amused themselves
| bv atnrating bis mat Of r0ol with Watel
II spots. and then firing the or portion.
/ with Ri pine splinters This destroyed
tie lollieics IL The burnt places Nt
/ hair rsappereds and = his dying oa.