The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-03-02

| other colorsd people for the Office 10 not
accurately known, but there In . story mat
on one election day he caught a mad biu
by the nose and horns and threw Il TO the
ground just as the animal, snraged by the
Haunting colors borne by the men, women
and children. was about to charge the
crowd. All the other candidates, conceding
the feat one not likely to be excelled that
day or else fearing TO encounter such un-
usual strength In the tests, promptly with
drew.
Quash was In charge OF his masters
slaves and upon his masters death obtained
his freedom together with q house and
sundry other things as a bequest. So
dignifed and self important was Quash
after the honor fell to him that the people
used TO say. Uncle Agar MIR. Tom!insonl
lives with the Governor
Upon gaining his freedom Quash took the
name Of Freeman. His house Is still stand
ing and is now occupied by his grandson,
Oliver Freeman.
A negro, called little Roman, who was
so short that his sword dragged on the
ground rs he walked, was the Lieutenant
Governor under Quash and later became
Governor. Eben Tobias, father Of Eben
d. Bassett, Minister to Hayti under Presi-
dent Graut, was also once Governor OF
the negroes.
Tobias's election came through his wonder
full grit and endurance. Warmers tavern
stood at the easterly end Of the Hunting
ton bridge. In front Of II ran the principal
street Of the village, Main street. On the
westerly side Of this street, descending
abruptly to the turnpike which skirted
the Housatonic River, was a treacherous
n bank, SO steep that it was considered
a remarkable feat for a man TO climb ii
safely, even under favorable conditions.
The ~governship at this election was
to go to the negro who should first climb
this bank and place his banner on tho tavern
porch, all the candidates being lined up
Mt the bottom and GAnt AwaV WiIh thu
pistol. Tobias was long and lean and
went up the bank like an antelope, leaving
his competitors either stuck In the sand
or rolling to the bottom In u cloud Of dust
Tobias had taken pride In drilling the
colored men in this place and il was at
the parade following his election that he
brought out his troop to show the white
people how well they We're drilled. One
evolution, which seems 10 have been origi-
nal with the governor, was executed upon
the command Fire and fall OIL"
The entire troop moving at a smart
trot would discharge the fire arms and
then fall OF the horses. IL was "a very
funny thing to see these gayly dressed
troopers tumbling into the sand without
regard for their tInery.
John Weston, who belonged to the family
of Gen David Humphreys, Gen. Washing
| toms aide, was also once a governor, a. were
his sons, Nelson and Wilson, the latter
being the last OF the negro governors. and
holding Office only a few years before the
Civil War.
Roswell Freeman, a son Of Quash, was
once elevated TO the Office. Like his father
he was a large man, but did not possess
unusual strength. He was a great hunter
aud so successful was no In killing foxes
that he wes called the farmers friend
The board on which lac stretched the skins
OF the foxes he killed showed a record Of
S31. as he made a notch on II for every skin
stretched. He was a negro Of fine DISPOSE
ton and it is said that he never made an
enemy.
This burlesque government disappeared
when the times grew turbulent just before
the war. The reason Is unknown, but it is
presumed that the agitation In those DAYS
caused the negroes TO com before the
public as little as possible. Perhaps they
nd a notion That they were 70 have a part
Ia a real government and decided TO put
wanay foolish things.