The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-26
Judge Green's Management of
Ten Mile Section,
One of the Toughest Negro
Spots in the South.
JOINED 500 COUPLES.
Every Effort Was Made to Drive
Him Out.
But With Winchesters and Six
Shooters He Ruled.

Charleston, S. c., Dec. 26.-Thomas D.
Green. of Charleston, has established a
sensational reputation for himself by
his wonderful marrying work in the
Ten Mile Hill section of this county, the
toughest negro habitation in the south
A year ago he was appointed magls-
trate Tor the hill and his friends here
urged him not to accept the place, be-
cause it meant almost certain death to
do it. The negroes living there have
always been known as the most wild
and savage of their race. and hundreds
of murders have been committed from
year to year with none of the murder
ers brought to justice. Judge Green,
however braVed all the dangers, ana
the past bloody records and took charge
of the hill to rule it. The first day ne
went into Office he was fired on from
ambush, and a week later his consta-
BILE was shot Within the year three OF
his consta bles were killed, but Green
remained unframed Besides living, he
has reformed the hill. The wild ne =
groes have been driven out, and there
Is peace a la Green in the neighbor-
hood.
Judge Green's sensational record be-
gan when he issued orders recently Tor
all negroes on the hill to get married
There were hundreds of men and Wo-
men living together as man and VIE,
and such thing as marriage beIore
was unknown. One morning, however,
Green pasted a little notice which said
that every negro in the district would
have TO marry. He told all the men to
bring their women 70 court within AZ
hours and he gave notice, too, that
punishment would come to all who re-
fused. At first the negroes were para
lyzed by the new order of things, and
they showed signs of fight, but Green
took his Winchester and a pair OF six
shooters
told them that he was ruler there. With
him was a constable similarly armed
When the negroes looked on the guns
they got frightened, and "A couples were
married the first day. That night
pine coffin was placed at Judge Green's
door On the coffin was a note telling
Green that he had to quit the country
or be killed. The note was written in
red ink. and was signed by THE Com
rnittee." To show how he regarded the
threats. Green kindIed a fire with the
coffin and told his constable to go out
and arrest the committee. The consta-
bic found one member who squealed,
and it was easy work arrestng the
gang. At court that morning Green
said he would send every man up for
life. but they began to beg and plead,
and told how much they loved and hon
ored and respected the court.
respect this court" said Green, but
don't want you to joke with it. See? Now.
you can go, but the next time one OF you
happen IN III Kill you Before you go
from mere you've got TO marry NOW
call in your women in fifteen minutes
four members of the death committee had
been married. The negroes were stunned
by the starter. The marriage work has
continued, and Judge Green says that he
has married more than 500 couples up to
date
for the change at the hill" said Judge
Green to a correspondent last night, land
I understand it is being adopted in other
sections of the state. and especially in the
lower country, where so many negroes
live ] found by experience that a negro
would fight sooner for his woman than
thing a wife That's the story in a nut
shell. I showed the negroes that was
going to rule the hill, and they came to
believe it after awhile. There is not one
murder there now where there were ten
two years ago" and the records of the
Three of Judge Green cOnstables have
been killed by the black outlaws. One
was shot recently in the presence OF
Green. and before he could interfere to
stop it, Judge Green got off the train 1t
the hill. and his constable was there to
away James oliver. a notorious negro,
opened fire with shotgun and killed the
constable The case has not been tried in
Judge ". c. Benet of the circuit court
recently had occasion to commend the
Soon after Judge Green began to make
things move about the hill a ma gistrale
in a neiEhbOring county got "huffy.''
Green said. and had him up for contempt
in going beyond his jurisdiction to try
criminals. The rule was heard before
Judge Benet and was dismissed, and
Judge Benet had many words of praise to
say for Green