Year: 1860

NOAS aNe1N -


In the Weatherford Ne1s Of the 9th of
July, we find the following in relation to
the recent fires in Texas. Says that pa
per From some indications shortly af-
ter the great FIRE in Dallas, the suspicious
of the people were aroused, and they were
induced to believe the fires we're not the
result Of accident, and after the burning of
some of the houses subsequent 10 the burn
ing Of the town, some negroes were taken
up, and after being punished, began to
make some disclosures and to implicate
others, stating they would find them armed
and their arms in certain places, which
were found as indicated. These negroes
again made other disclosures, "a Vigilance
Committee having been formed and taken
the matter in handy, until finally one Of
the most diabolical, deed-laid plots for the
destruction of the whole country has been
brought to light, the plans being laid by
white men, some of whom are now in the
Northern States, and assisted or counte-
nanced by some in this country. From q
letter just shown us, which was received
(25th july by gentleman Of this place,
from friend in Dallas, whom we know to
be gentleman Of high standing and every
way responsible, we learn that they have
six of the ring-leaders Of the negroes in
Jail. The writer also says, from recent dis
closures, it appears that poison had been
distributed among the negroes to be admin
istered by them, and that the negroes had
even selected their future wives amoug the
most beautiful single and young married
ladies, after the men and the balance of the
female population had all been killed off,"


One of the agitators was lately executed.
The following is the account Of the trans
action: A man by the name of Craw-
ford, who emigrated from some of the
Northern States to Texas, settled in Fort
Worth, some six months since. Some time
after he came we learn that his familiarity
with the negroes excited some remarks,
but no particular attention was paid to it,
until some few days since. One of Mr..
Turner's negroes came to him and told him
that Mr.. Crawford had been trying to per-
suade himto kill his master and burn his
storehouse in Fort Worth, and escape with
him (Crawford), ETC., etc. The negro
stated at the same time, that if they did
not believe it to send white men and they
could hear it. They went with the negro
to C's house, who knocked and was admit
ted into the house, the door closed and
they staid in conversation for some time.
At last the negro so managed as to get
him out Of the house, and in the hearing Of
the men in waiting, the arrangement was
made be (Crawford) pointing to the
north and telling the negro they would
travel just fourteen days, little tO the
right Of that star, when they would be in a
State where the negro would be free as
any one He cautioned the negro to be
careful, to do his work well, meet him
there the next night with two good horses
and to bring some cotton, etc. The next
morning, Mr., Crawford, who was engaged
as o common labOrer, went out to haul q
load of sand, which was obtained about q
mile from town, and remaining longer thai
usual, some persons went out after him,
and found him hanging on tree near by


a sad warning to oil those who are disposed
to tamper with negro slaves"