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 Articles Indexed by TopicFranklin County : African-Americans/ Race RelationsNote: When you select an article from the list below you will be taken to the appropriate page of the newspaper. You may need to scroll down in order to find the particular article you are interested in reading. |
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, May 17, 1861, p. 3, c. 1:
"Outrageous."
Reports that two drunken African Americans went into the confectionery
store of
Mrs. Booth, purchased some "nick-nacks," and then made some "quite familiar" remarks to the
storekeeper. They then proceeded to threaten Mrs. Booth with a pistol before being driven off by
a neighbor.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, May 21, 1861, p. 3, c. 1:
"Fugitive Arrested."
A black woman was arrested in Chambersburg last Saturday, charged
with being a runaway slave. She was remanded to prison for a further hearing.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, June 4, 1861, p. 3, c. 2:
"A Disgraceful and Bloody Affray."
Recounts a shoot-out between a local mulatto, Frank
Jones, and several soldiers at Jones's home in Wolffstown. Jones escaped a mob of townspeople,
which had begun to pursue him after he had shot two of the soldiers. The attorney who had given
him refuge released him to the crowd, which shot him repeatedly.
Valley Spirit, June 5, 1861, p. 2, c. 2: "Horrible
Occurrence."
On Saturday afternoon, a number of soldiers from various companies went to
Wolfstown, the "disreputable quarter" of Chambersburg. For some unknown reason, they
attacked the house of a black man named Frank Jones. Jones wounded two of the soldiers and
managed to escape. Jones hid in the home of George Eyster, where he was arrested by another
band of soldiers. However, the initial band then seized Jones and shot him five times while
beating him over the head. A large crowd then called for him to be burned or quartered.
Valley Spirit, January 29, 1862, p. 4, c. 2: "Deserters
Caught."
Soldiers arrested at an African-American's home for disorderly conduct turned out
to be deserters from Captain Brand's company, and were returned to Camp Curtain.
Semi-Weekly Dispatch, April 25, 1862, p. 3, c. 1:
"Contrabands."
Reports that several escaped slaves arrived in Chambersburg the previous
Tuesday morning and have been "loitering" around town since. The Dispatch remarks that
the fugitives should maintain "eternal vigilance" while there are still Breckinridge Democrats in
town.
Valley Spirit, May 21, 1862, p. 5, c. 1:
"From The Wars."
Nip Scott, a black resident of Wolfstown, returned from service as a
commissary in the
77th Reg't Penn. Volunteers. The Valley Spirit accuses him of cowardice in the face of
fire.
Valley Spirit, May 28, 1862, p. 5, c. 1:
"First Installment."
Over one hundred contrabands arrived in town on Monday and Tuesday
and have taken up quarters in Wolfstown.
Valley Spirit, August 6, 1862, p. 5, c. 1:
"'White Trash.'"
Reports that freed blacks who have been arriving in Wolfstown have
become "saucy"
and have been heard talking about "white trash." The editors warn that they had better learn some
manners or they will meet with a "serious backset."
Valley Spirit, October 22, 1862, p. 6, c. 1:
"A Negro Invasion."
Purports to describe an encounter between some local residents and
some freed slaves. The blacks demanded food and board, much to the chagrin of the
whites.
Valley Spirit, November 12, 1862, p. 5, c. 1:
"The Semi-Weekly Dispatch."
The editors report that their competitor, the
Dispatch, has lost subscribers in the countryside but has supposedly gained subscribers in
the black district of Wolfstown.
Valley Spirit, December 31, 1862, p. 3, c. 1:
"Trouble in Wolfstown."
A report of conflicts in the black village of Wolfstown between
recent migrants from the South and established residents.
Valley Spirit, January 21, 1863, p. 3, c. 1:
"Black and White."
The editors attempt to list the differences, both physiological and
psychological, between blacks and whites.
Valley Spirit, February 18, 1863, p. 2, c. 4:
"A Rich Entertainment."
A variety of entertainments were given on Thursday and Friday
nights at the Wesley (African) Church, a black church in the area.
Valley Spirit, March 25, 1863, p. 3, c. 1:
"Negro Recruits."
A black recruiting officer visited the area last week, but as far as the
editors could tell, did not enlist any recruits.
Valley Spirit, June 3, 1863, p. 2, c. 2:
"A Nuisance."
The editors complain about the frequent loud gatherings of black people near
"Wallace's corner" in Chambersburg, and ask the police to disperse them.
Franklin Repository, July 8, 1863, p. 1, c. 1:
"Invasion of Pennsylvania!"
The Repository provides a detailed account of the Confederate
invasion and occupation of Chambersburg, which began on June 17. It reports that Jenkins
prevented much damage, but "robbed" stores (paying with "bogus money"--Confederate scrip) of
most goods. His men took whatever arms and horses were found in the town as contraband of
war. Many horses and most of the black population had escaped to the mountains.
Franklin Repository, July 8, 1863, p. 5, c.1
"The Invasion!"
Provides a lengthy report of the rebel army's invasion of Chambersburg,
before (starting on June 22) and after (the evening of July 3) the battle at Gettysburg.
Franklin Repository, August 5, 1863, p. 6, c. 2:
"Another Outrage Committed by a Drunken Soldier."
Reports that a soldier stabbed George
Bell, an old and crippled black resident of Carrstown, without any provocation or warning. The
soldier was confined in jail.
Franklin Repository, September 2, 1863, p. 8, c. 2:
"The Draft."
Describes the "jolly" and agreeable atmosphere during the draft proceedings.
The author notes that twelve blacks in Chambersburg and twenty-three in Antrim Township were
drafted. Despite the objections heard to black enlistment, all seemed "pleased" with the drafting
of blacks.
Franklin Repository, January 20, 1864, p. 4, c. 6:
"Acknowledgment."
The Repository acknowledges the receipt of forty-five dollars and
twenty cents contributed to the Bethel Church.
Franklin Repository, January 27, 1864, p. 5, c. 2:
"The Human Organ."
Article about "Sawnee, a contraband about 18 years of age," who was
picked up in Chambersburg by Robert Criswell last year. Criswell, who relocated to Brooklyn,
has "exhibited" Sawnee, showing off his "wonderful musical powers," at a number of places.
Valley Spirit, February 10, 1864, p. 5, c. 3:
"'At a meeting of the citizens . . .'"
At a meeting at Plough's School on Wednesday, February
3, a group of Green
Township citizens wrote to the township authorities to inform them that they are responsible for
the education of "the colored families of Africa, located at the southern end of the
township."
Franklin Repository, February 10, 1864, p. 5, c. 3:
"'Our Friends in Green Township . . .'"
"Our friends in Green township remind the good
people of Greencastle, by advertisement in today's paper, that trading in borrowed American
freedmen of African descent of the male persuasion, carries with it certain responsibilities.
Greencastle, over foremost in good works, will doubtless honor the draft."
Franklin Repository, April 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 6::
"Statistics on Miscegenation."
The Repository details the disproportionate number of
"mulattoes" in the South relative to the North.
Franklin Repository, June 1, 1864, p. 5, c. 2:
"Broke Jail."
Mac Hamilton, a black man awaiting trial for murder, and five men arrested as
deserters--John Helurg of Co. M, 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, William Van Dyke, Jacob Van
Dyke, and Jacob H. Coons, all of Co. B, 5th New York Artillery, and William Sissom of Co. G,
120th New York Vols.--escaped from the Chambersburg jail last Wednesday. They asked for a
pail of water and struck the girl who delivered it when she opened the door, rushing past her and
making their escape. Hamilton returned to the jail voluntarily on Saturday (a move the author of
the article cannot fathom, because Hamilton will die if he is found guilty as charged). Hamilton
reported that he had left the deserters in Amberson's Valley. Citizens are urged to capture
them and claim the $30.00 reward offered for the arrest of any deserter.
Valley Spirit, June 15, 1864, p. 8, c. 3:
"A Race For Glory."
Notes that a Pennsylvanian named William D. Kelley is waging a
campaign to have the state recognized for providing the soldier--a black soldier--who allegedly
shed the first blood in this war.
Valley Spirit, March 29, 1865, p. 2, c. 2:
"Doctor Martin R. Delaney."
Paints a negative portrait of Martin R. Delaney, a black doctor
recently appointed
regimental surgeon by President Lincoln. Accuses Delaney, formerly a resident of Franklin
County, of taking part in John Brown's failed raid of Harper's Ferry and then continuing to plot
against "the peace and safety of the people of the United States" in the years
thereafter.
