Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-21
HOodoOisrs,.

[For the Dispatch.l

MEMPHIS, Tenn. February 10, 1889.
Immediately following the period OF " Re-
construction" the scarcity OF labor along
the Arkansas river forced the planters To 20
abroad for plantation hands, and many were
b ought from the rice districts Of Georgia
and Carolina. Colonel Tom Fiournoy aud
his immediate neighbors had quite "A colony
OF what were called "rice-D ggers. Con-
sDicuous among them was HOodoo doctor.
The Doctor wa poor, ragged, and - black as
crow" He took a lease for a cabin and
forty acres OF land, Snd hired mule, pillow,
and hoe. lie was llzy, bnt contriyed TO
have his crop well worked by his c0lOred
brethren. At the end OF the season, when
all the cotton was ginned and sold, the
"rice .niggers" were in funds and "nush.
The Doctor doomed out Oh tine horse, new
saddle and birdie. and dressed in brand,
Spanking" new suit OF storc.clohes'
From this out, for two years ne did not strike
a HEX 81 work. but spent bis time visiting
riding his horse from plantation TO plantation.
But there csme a black day for the black
Doctor. A COLONY OF negro immigrants
came Ia from the Sea.Islaud cotton district
OF South Carolina, and sunday al chuf ch
one of the newcomers lskod: "Who dat
big niger swelling round here same like a
sbUckTOh-nGn z"
"He de aoodoo doctor; better not re him
no sass, kase he'll trick you IN a minute, -
said his new friend
IAN, haI | knows um, an / bound be
make all you niggers &c him part Of all you
makes" said sea Island.
" Dat so; an he keeps VEAL po' wild DIS
'slrayigence," said the rice.nIgger.
"What make you p0ot up wild de-, :" said
| sen Island.
..Kase be would boddsciously 'stroy Us eI
we didn't You don't know dat Old Niger
be wusern Satir."
"I'H tote YOU said Sea Island. show
YOU KIN git shet on him; Jest linda he.grape-
vine and cut biz STICK often II, sud crup
up behlnst him and i0tch him 4 good clip
wild il, an, De will neber be able 20 cunger
no mo-"
~ Knows" said the rice.negto, "Whsr
dar IS a great Dig he-2TapeYihe, an dat Old
co,0red iady wbsr Hos 10 Cat cabin oher aar
saw she done Snowed dat grapegine cher
sense she was little gel, and hit hain't
ueber had usrrY Crane On hilt'
Faen agA there conspiracy was formed.
aud soon after Co,onei FlouluOy end Ms
ircud Al supper one night we're startled BY g
cry OF murder coming from the bank o. TIC
river in front Of the house. The whole party
lUrNTN 90 tiif ttFtNts Gll 4Nhuu iNihF Nv
groes with heavy clubs standing over the
PROSTATE form Of the Hoodoo doctor. who.e
lite hsd nearly been beaten out OF bin. In
answer to the question why tuey had beaten
the Doctor they said: 40 keep him from
cangeriug folks. We's done beat him good
wild desc here sticks oliln q he grapevine, an
ne neber Kin trick nnbody 70 mo-"
The Doctor was taken % tue bouse and his
wounds dressed, aod WHEN asked Il beating
MIN VITO sticks cut from a he-grspevine
would render BIN unable TO cure or 10 con-
lure people. he said YES. boss, dAts so;
all &c varsrt is done gone outeB me now"
and be- seemed 10 be honest In what De said.
Anyw9y from thpt out be abandoned the
practice OF medicine aud took 10 ploughlng,
and the negroes 40 longer bad any fear OF
HIN.
This Is 4 true statement Of facts that acttl.
ally occurred. For oyer City years spent 10
the midst Of negroes have never yet met Z
negro. however educated or intelligent.
that dld not believe 10 witches, and the pow
er Of CERTAIN persons 10 trick others, as they
call il. Thst the great 0ulk OF the Republic
eau party Of the South IL made up OF such
creatures as these should cause the cheek oil
every honest white man at .he North TO tin
gle. PAul IL. GooDLOE.