Year: 1870

The Geley Smith Fnrm DialcsIty Collision
Correspondence Associated Press.


Fort MONROE, Va, March ga serious
disturbance occurred between the squatters and
the authorities, in the vicinity of Hampton, yes
terday, which has not yet been settled, and
which it is feared will result in bloodshed.


The difficulty occurred on farm situated on
Hampton Roads, about three miles out from
Hampton, known as the Celey Smith farm. 1t
had been settled on by the colored people during
and since the war, and has since been occupied
by them. The farm was in charge of DR..


William Vaughon, who was the administrator of
the estate, aud who sold it to man in Massa-
chusetts named j. w. Blackmore, who was
going to use it for raising truck. He sent a
man down to put up buildings on the place,


but the colored squatters rallied and
drove them off, saying they had been
placed there by the Government, and would not
leave unless ordered to do SO by the Govern
ment. Yesterday morning the Deputy Sheriff,


who is a colored man, was sent out to talk with


them and try and convince them of the folly of
their conduct, but they were not in q humor to
listen to his advice, and told him to leave the
premises, or they would shoot him. He returned


to Hampton and reported these facts to Captain
Titlow, the Sheriff, who determined if possible
to serve the processes. This morning he col
lected posse of men, some forty or fifty in


number, and started for the scene of the dis
turbance. 1t is proper to state in this conucc-


tion that the necessary papers were issued in
! the county court for this purpose some six


months previously, and that the Sheriff had in
the meantime been endea Voring to persuade


them to abandon the farm in peaceable man


ner, which they persistently refused to do.
The party left Hampton about half past Q
o'clock this morning for the farm, but before
arriving there, and when about half mile dis
| tant, the Sheriff thought it advisable to make q
| last appeal to them to leave the farm in peace.
| He accordingly rode on alone, and was met by
| large crowd of men, women, and children,


who seemed very much excited, and not dis


posed to listen to anything reasonable. The
| Captain spent nearly an hour in talking
| to them, telling them what the law
was, and advising them to comply. They
would not listen to him, and made a


rush for his horse, and threatened to kill him.
He then returned to where he had left his
posse, and told them the state of affairs at the
farm, and asked them what was best to be done.


He further stated that, as near as he could
Judge, there were about hundred and fifty
men, and nearly as many women, armed with
all sorts of weapons, from a fint-lock musket to
navy revolver. After q short consultation the
Sheriff proposed to lead charge on them but


his posse being but indifferently armed, con-
sidered it would be useless, and advised him not


to do so. The party then began to return to
Hampton, and were making their way lesurely
when they were overtaken by about q hundred
infuriated men and women, who opened Ere on


them The Sheriff was on horseback and


made dash at the ringleader and grabbed him


by the collar, took out his pistol and snapped it
twice at the fellows head, but it missed fire. and
the man broke loose and escaped. While he was
doing this negro woman, who was on bank


above him, fired three shots from revolver
which came in close proximity to his head but


fortunately missed him, and a brickbat hurled
from the hand of burly negro at his head also
missed its aim, but came entirely too close for


comfort. negro seized Dr. Shields, of Hamp-
ton, who was also on horseback, by the collar
tore it off, ripped the bosom from his shirt and


came near unseating him. The party made the
best of their way back to Hampton, and fortu-
nately no one was hurt There was some fifty


or sixty shots fired, and it is miracle that some
of the party were not killed.


The negroes are in possession of the farm and


are entrenching themselves, and they say they


are prepared to die there rather than leave.


They sent to Norfolk yesterday, we are informed


and purchased keg of powder and keg of old
bullets, and SO are well prepared for defense
Captain Tatlow has telegraphed to Governor
Walker for instructions, and asks the assistance


of the military in order to carry out the law. II


is deeply to be regretted that this affair should


have occurred at the present time, so close on


the heels of the States admission, but such is


the lamentable fact. Captain Tatlow is a strong
Republican and q good friend of the coored


man so long as he obeys the law, but has his


duty to perform and does it without fear or


favor. We await with anxiety the result of this
matter.


Colonel Charles w Thomas, Depot Quarter
master at this post, has gone North on short
leave of absence, and will bring his family with
him on his return.