Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-02-15
ALL GOOD NIGGERS DEAD.
Ante-Bcllum Darkey Denounces Pres
emit Generation before Jury.


Not in many months has such hilarity
the usual stern serenity Of
the city court Of Richmond county as was
occasioned when Uncle Bob Ross. erst-
while member OF the State Senate Of
South Carolina, took the witness stand to
testify against Ed. williams. a negro be-
ing tried for stealing pair Of shoes.
Uncle Bob, an ante-bellum negro Of tho
type which Is fast disappearing. is "a years
of age, and was "honered" by the "slec-
torate'' with a seat in the Senate Of tho
State Of South Carolina in 1865, when the
reconstructionists invaded the South. He
is AN arniable old darkey. and, though un-
lettered. Is not without a certain quality
Of eloquence as was demonstrated in the
court. much to the merriment OF the court
attaches, as well as the spectators. So
eloquent, indeed. did he wax before con-
cused Of stealing the shoes that tears
streamed from his eyes. indicating his sim
certify. He refused to be seated while
relating to the jury his information rela-
tive to the alleged theft and did not want
to be INTERCEPTED by the solicitor-he
wanted to tell his story in his own way.
and he did.
But preliminary to his recital, Mr.. Curry
asked: ''Uncle Bob. do you know the
prisoner"
"Yassur' that nigger's face am familiar
to me-" was the reply. Then turning to
the jury, he said: 'C,cntlemens Of the
juror, I wants you to look right at me
while tells you bout this niger. He has
three times come near maxim me lose a
good Job. and you oughter give i'm the
Limit or the law. M l was sittin' in yo'
place, I'd give i'm a hundred yeara''
Uncle Bob then rose to his feet, support
| ing his lame leg on q stick. a gyratmg
with the other hand, all the while deliv-
ering himself Of q scathing denunciation
OF present-day negroes. 'AIl the niggera
worth while Is dead and gone to heaven
with dey ole masters and misusses." he
declared. He told of the negro on trial
coming into the Office Of the Spivey Con.
struction company at the new Haughtoa
school building. whore he was Waterman
and on pretext OF wanting to use the
telephone. the intruder grabbed the pail
OF shoes and fed. right under Uncle Bob:
very eyes" And then Uncle Bob. him
self. was accused OF stealing the SHOES
and came near losing the Job. he declared
On cross-examinatdon Mr.. Dick Cham
bers, defending the accused, addressed
Uncle Bob as SENATOR" which evidently
flattered the old darkey, for he ''openet
up proper" trying to convince Mr. Cham
beers OF the guilt Of his own client, al
though the senator mistook Mr. Cham
bers for the solicitor. 80 addressing him.
But You are a preacher now, senator
and 90 around preaching repentance an,
forgiveness. don't your" asked the attor
ney.
"Yassur. I is a preacher, but God get
tired er fergivin' folks sometimes TIL
Bible says. Thou shalt not steal an
Thou shalt not bear false witness again.,
; thy neighbour" which he claimed tho pris
oner was guilty Of trying on more tina
: one occasion to lay crime at his door.
Don't you ever steal anything"" aske
Q Mr. Chambers.
''Nawsur, not In twenty-five years has
stole anything" was the reply.
n Then how do you get along" aske
! Mr.. Chambers.
: THE Sisters of Mercy helps me, III
l. white folks gives me easy jobs and Il,
q white ladies is good to me. Nawsur, NJ
d Solicitor. Use 'ristocratic gentl man an
! don't has ter steal' was the declaratio
o Of the old negro in his reply. which ca,
y ped the climax and brought down II
court room In boisterous laughter.
% an Augusta (Ga) Item In the Greenvil
n "a. c. News.