Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-03
A WAR TIME TRAGEDY.
A Story In Which Gilbert Wooten
Whose Hog Was Not Killed, Figured.

Gilbert Wooten. the old colored man whose
hog President Harrison was falsely said to have
shot while trying to kill ducks on his recent
hunting trip, was an actor in one Of the most
cruel tragedies OF war times. The story as told
TO STAR reporter is as follows: Before tho
civil war broke out VIM. Allen of Claremont
was widely known one of the weslthiest and
most free-handed of the planters upon the
lower James river. His possessions included
half dozen Of the finest farms between Rich
mond and Norfolk. Claremont, his residence,
was a large tract, comprising some $4,000 acres,
chiefly timber land which he sought to develop
by means Of railroads and saw mills. He mar
rled a beautiful and charming Canadian-now
hvlng-MIss Fannie Jessup. Her uncle, MIR.
Shriver. in course OF time. became his business
agent at ClaremOnt and in its vicinity.
When the war broke out in 81 jamestown,
one of Mr.. Aliens plantations. became an I'M
portant strategic point and garrison, in which
ne was assigned to an important command as
officer of artillery.
Mr. Shriver consequently found himself in a
position OF grave responsibility manager
pIeaipotentiary OF his principals business al
fairs. After the evacuation Of the peninsula
by Gen. Johnston in tie early summer of 1862
the James river below Drewry's bluff was of
course, federal highway, but in the spring
of 3d. after the ice had cleared away and the
Mr.. Shrlver to cross the river to jamestown
(Claremont being on the south BANK and in
spect the plantation. Accordingly, with his
Heighbor "a weii-known citizen OF surrey
county, MIR. Graves, and the latter's nephew,
Geo. Graves, lad OF about fourteen, and with
free colOred man named Gilbert WCoIen as
oarsman, he set out on fine day to cross
the stream. The gentlemen took their towing
pieces (fOr the stream abounded with duck J..
and just AS they approached the famous old
.lnn thu hnh m
them at some Wild fowl which did not heed
ther approach.
Hearing the shots number OF negroes who
were on the island came to the shore and, whe d
the gentlemen landed. exhibited such signs OF
distrust that they gave up their arms to them
as an evidence Of good intent.
The sayages quickly surrounded and secured
them, took them TO the causeway leading to
the mainland, where they pros eeded to muir
der them one by one.
The little boy was made to kneel and shot
to death. Gilbert. the colored man, was shot
and thrown into the creek and the bloody work
continued with the other prisoners.
Gilbert, revived by the cold water, foated
into the marsh grass, where, with the same
cunning and courage displayed by Cushing
after the AlbemarIe was blown up. he concealed
himself like wounded duck who submerges
Its body, hiding his head in the sedgeJ, while
the lnhuman wretches, who we're not satisfied
with theIr work, passed within a few inches of
him without discovering his almost lifeless
form.
In the darkness Of the succeeding night he
crawled to the home of Mr.. Coupland "a kins-
man of the President) and by him was aided in
MS return to his home on Chipoax creek, be-
tween Branden and Ciaremont. He gave the
chastity account, whereby the widow of Mr..
Graves Was nearly distraught and undoubtedly
hurried to her grave The confederate authori-
lies after numerous efforts captured the sup
posed cuiprits, who were awaiting trial when
released by the federals at the close of the war.
From that time to this Gilbert Wooten has
Ived in that community, respected by white
and black. and only within the last few days
mas he been drawn from Obscurity by the story
about the untimely death OF his hog