Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-12
JINGLING OF DOLLARS
Must be Heard at Lafayette Hall
MasS-Meeting Tonight.
YELDELL'S TRIAL COST OVER s., 900
How the Colored Population Celebrated the
Prisoners Acquittal.
GRAPHIC STORY OF ORIGINAL FLIGHT

All yesterday there was jubilating among
the colored population Of the city over the
acquittal of John Yeldell, alias Preacher
Flemon. by the South Carolina jury. There
were fervent expressions of gratitude, and
there were cordial congratulations passing
all day among those who had helped to
make the case so nationally prominent as to
conduce to fair trial of the accused.
The regular places of worship among the
colored population were closed, all having
given way to the campmeeting that was
held all day yesterday. Hard by the Brad
dock road, within a stones throw of the
Brushton cricket grounds, stands q large
forest, beneath which are erected a lot of
rude booths and wooden tables for the ma
terial wants of the devout campers. There
is also platform with small stand which
faces series of benches. At this primitive
place of worship. impassioned words of
praise were heard ascending all day. The
services commenced at IL o'clock, with all
the most prominent colored citizens of the
county in attendance.
WITH FERvENr AMENs.
Rev. G. w. Clinton, who went TO South
Carolina to work up evidence favorable to
Flemon, presided, and after a typical hymn
had echoed through the forest arches, the
eloquent young minister voiced the thank
fulness of the assemblage in an eloquent
prayer of thanks for "Brother Flemon's"
delivery from the much-to-be-feared South
Carolina justice. There were fervent
"amens" from the audience. Rev. Ander-
son, OF Carlisle, Pa, then preached a ser
mon in which he extolled the energy OF the
local colored people in raising funds for
Flemon's defense. This discourse naturally
led up we'll to the passing of the hat and
shower of pennies, dimes and quarters fol-
lowed the appeal for more funds.
At the afternoon service another collec-
ton was taken up amidst the singing of
hymns and more or less enthusiasm. More
references to "Brother Flemon" were made;
it was, in fact, Flemon day.
After the fractional currency had been
duly counted and put away, Rev. Clinton
stepped to the front of the platform and
said: Brethren and sisters: There will
be mass meeting at Lafayette hall to-mor-
row night, and want -ou all to be there.
DR.. Douglas. of Allegheny, will preside.
and w. d. Moore will make an address. 1
will explain the object of the meeting, and
Treasurer u. M. Washington will report as
to the condition of the funds. Then there
will surely be a speech from Glorious Old
Tom Marshall, whose voice resounded
through the nation when the shackles were
on the black mans neck. 1 want you ali to
come, for it will be a feast of reason and
flow of soul and a jinglIng of dollars"
THE EXPENSE OF DEFENSE.
The brethren and sisters slowly dispersed
to where, under the outrageous shade, the
luscious watermelon exposed its tempting
slices to the eye. In less than no. time
nothing but piles of green rinds remained
to mark the disposition of the seasonable
fruit.
Rev. Mr.. Clinton said to reporter: 1.-THE
colored people are Just doing nothing but
jubilating all day over Brother Flemons
release, and when he comes home next
Thursday we are going to give him a
rousing welcome. The entire colored popu-
lation will turn out and show him where
we stand. Tine expenses of Flemon's de-
fense will be over s., 900, and we have onlya
little over 5000 raised. We hope to raise a
good sum tomorrow night, but we shall not
despair if the sum can't be Immediately
raised.
'You may say that am writing-in fact
have nearly finished a book called The
Negro, in Equity, which will be complete
history of the Flemon case, including
Flemon's biography, aud chapter upon
extradition, written by one of Flemon's
counsel. The volume will be out by Sep
tember l and will be placed on sale, the
money to swell the Flemon fund 1t is
also contemplated to have an entertainment
subsequent to Flemon's return with himself
in an address as the chief attraction"