Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-04
RKMiSIsoENcE OF cLAnENoNT.

town. and now owned by Z. T. Barney.
RKsISIscEscE OF cLArExoNT.
Ipropos OF the references above 20 the
Allen estate we append the following.
contributed TO the DISPATCH By NJ. III.
A." one Of the family:
Gilbert Wooten. whose inoffensive hog
bis Excelency President Benjamin Harri-
son was. ne matter of Jest, alleged 70 nave
shot during his ramblings several years
ago along the historic James river, was
one of the favorite slaves OF Major william
Allen. of Claremont. Surry. county va
He IS still living on the old estate, well
and happy. in the midst OF his large
family.
During the last year OF the war, when
the Confederate troops were ordered away
from Jamestown Island. great many
valuable tools. spades, picks. and wheel
bnrrows we're left, which had been paid Tor
by one whose heart aud purse were ooth
broken by the misfortune that oefeu MS
people.
A Canadian by the name Of Schriber was
the business manager of this large planta-
ton system, involving the bookkeeping
and general supervision Of FIVE enormous
estates. and the care Of many negroes.
Being anxious 10 save what property he
could. and after consultation with his
LAWYER. Mr. Graves, OF CABIN Point, they
decided TO 90 at once 10 Jamestown Islauu
and collect and bring back all property
left by the troops. IL was beautiful May
morning when Mr. SchTiber, Mr.. Graves,
and his little son, and the now-famous
Gilbert WOOten started in cat-boat Tor
jamestown Island. But across those waters
no darkness gathered . over the way
that their souls would fee" They car
ried their guns and ammunition with
them. thinking they might see some Wtio
duck. As they reared the shore OF the
island after an eyentful sail down the
river, several negroes rushed from the
quarters to help beach the boat. Al
FIRST they we've amica5le enough, out on
hearing Mr.. Graves and Mr.. SchriDer rca-
sons for coming they became suspicious,
then angry, and in short while were
clamoriug for their blood.
DOWN WITH THE WHITE MAN.
By this time some twenty or thirty free
negroes had gathered around the party,
and before they could plead or reason
with these semi-barbariRnS they were
seized and dsarmed. The leader, followed
bv the Others. entered one of the houses
adjoining the wharf. and after n bret con-
sultation came out IN run towards the
prisoners. without DELAY they were hur-
ried 10 the end of the wharf. In vain did
thew plead for their lives Down with
the white man" was their CRY. what dit-
ference did their nationality make TO them!
What did they know about the neutral
attitude taken by the Canadians on the
slave subject? They wanted the blood OF
white men and they got it. one by one
they were shot down. Mr.. Graves fell
dead a. the first voiley. Mr.. Schriyer was
then hidden to take his position. AS soon
AZ his guards released INN he jumped into
the river. but was badly wounded, and
while bravely struggling to reach the OBJ
posite shore they followed in boats ana
beat out his brains with paddles. linen the
moor little bow. terror-stricken. fell upon
bis knees and begged for his life. Old
Gilbert, waiting for his turn to die, could
not restrain his tears at this affecting scene.
He turned his head, weeping convulsiyely,
when he heard the report of the rifles;
That put an end 10 that young life. Amid
the confusion of finging the bodies OF
father and son into the river GILBERT rush
ed for the marsh and escaped, but not be
fore he had been wounded several times
IN the back and neck.