Trouble in Hale County

Title

Source Type

Newspaper

Author

N/A

Publisher

Alabama State Journal

Publication Place

Montgomery, Alabama

Publication Date

September 1, 1871

Transcript

"Trouble in Hale County. We have been credibly informed that several nights ago, while the freedmen in the Eastport neighborhood were holding services in their church, near Sims' plantation, they were fired upon by some unknown persons and one of their number wounded. The negroes (as a matter of course) became, very much alarmed and fled in every direction. Being much excited and incensed the proceeding, they resolved on retaliation; consequently on Sunday night, without any evidence that Mr. John Monette, a young man living in the vicinity, was one of the parties that did the shooting the previous night, about 20 or 25 negroes went to his house and hailed him, and on his going to the window a number of shots were fired at him without effect, although the window near which he was standing was perforated with buckshot.

A Mr. Robinson, who was spending the night with Monette, and at the time was in the yard bathing, was also fired at several times, while retreating to the house, and barely escaped being killed. The two young men being inside of the house and armed, fired upon the negroes, when they retreated. The next morning one of the negroes was found dead, near the scene of action, with the top of his head shot off. The examining physician gave it as his opinion, before the jury of inquest, that, from the nature of the wound, the man was accidentally killed by one of his comrades.

The would be assassins are believed to be from the Herndon plantation, as the paper used by them for wadding contained the written name of Thomas H. Herndon and that of another man who has charge of the business of the place.

We have been told that the negroes publicly threaten vengeance on young Monette and others, and swear that they will yet have Monette and besides burn everything on his place. At last accounts no arrests had been made. Comment by us now may be regarded as hasty. We'll wait and see. [Eutaw Whig.]"

Sources for

AMP065-18710820