The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-05
A WARTIME TRAGEDY.
. story I'm which Gilbert wootea Fig
uret.

The Washington star says that Gilbert
Wooten. the old cOiored man connected WIN
the Harrison and hog story. WAS an ac.vI III
one of the most cruel tragedies OF war "in, 20
rho story a- told 10 "A star reporter, II az
follows: Before the civil war Dfohe orl
william Allen. Of olaremont, was Nleee
known Is one Of the wealthiest ana mos' iIee-
handed OF the planters on the lower J1.ne'
river. His possessions lhcluue9 nan =
'lozen of the finest farms between Richmond
and Norfolk. ClaremOnt. his residence "as
f, LARGE tract. comprising some l5,VOV acres
chiefly timber land, which be sought 10 de-
yeion bv means of railroads and saw mills.
ITe married "A beautiful and charming Ca
nadiau-now living Miss Fannie Jessup.
Her uncle. "A Mr.. Shriyer. in course OF time
became his business agent at Clafemoni
and In It's vicinity.
When the war broke out in ~ James
town. one Of Mr.. Aliens plantations De
came an important strategic point ana
garrison. in which be was assigned 10 an
inportaut command as officer OF artillery.
Mr.. shriyer consequently found himself IN
pOsitiOn Of grave responsibility as mana
ger plenip0tentiary Of his principals burl-
ness affairs. After the evacuation OF the Pc
ninsula by General Johnston in the early
summer Of 1862 the James river below
Brcwry's bluff was. Of course. Federal
highway. but in the spring ot 'OJ, after the
ice had cleared away and the theatre oil
war had been shifted. il occurred 10 Mr. Shri-
yer 10 cross the river 10 jamestown
CClaremOnt being on the south bank ana m
spect the plantation. Accordingly, win NE
neighbor "a well-known citizen OF surrey
county,. Mr.. Graves, and the latter p
nephew. George Graves, lad OF about four.
teen and with a free c0lOred man named
Ifl
fine dav TO cross the stream. The gentlemen
took their fowling pieces (for the stream
abounded with duckl. and just as they ap-
preached the famous old settlement, James
Town. had occasion 10 use them at some
wild fowl which did not heed their ap'
proach.
Hearing the shots number Of negroes
who were on the island came % the shore
and. when the gentlemen landed, exhibited
such signs of dstrust that they gave ui
their arms 10 tLem.as an evidence Of good
intent.
The sayagcs quickly surrounded and
secured them. took them 10 the causeWay
leading 90 the mainland, where they pro
ceeded 10 murder them one by one.
The little boy was made 90 kneel and shot
10 death. Gilbert. the c0lored man, was
shot and thrown into the creek and the
bloody work continued with the Other
prisoners.
Gilbert. revived by the cold water, ioated
into the marsh grass. where, with the same
cunning and courage displayed by Gushing
after the Albemarle was blown up, he con
cealed himself dixie wounded duck who
submerges its body. hiding his head in The
.edge). while the inhuman wreichcs, who
were not satisfied with their work. passed
within few inches Of him without discoy'
ering his almost lilclcss form.
In the darkness OF the succeeding night
he crawled 90 the home Of Mr.. Copeland Ga
kinsman Of the president) and by him wac
aided i'm his return fO his home on thipoaX
creek. between Brandon and Claremont
he gave the CHASTITY account. whereby the
widow Of Mr.. Graves was nearly distraughl
and undoubtedly hurried 10 her grave. The
Confederate authorities after numerous
Efforts captured the supposed culprits, who
were awaiting trial when released by the
Federals at the close Ofthe war. From that
!. lime 90 this Gilbert Wooten has lived in thai
community. respected by white and black
and only iu the last few days has he been
drawn from Obscurity by the story Of the
untimolv death of his hOg."