pulled one; Wages sometimes spelled me, and I would steer the boat,
and the women would sometimes spell each other, and we run at the rate
of about ten miles an hour. About eleven o’clock that night we passed
Shreveport, and before day sometime, we passed Natchitoches, the point
we were striving to make, for we knew there was a bayou about five
miles below, where we could hide ourselves and skiff through the day.
We put into the bayou a little before day, and at daylight we landed
our skiff in some bushes and high grass, and we all went on shore in
a thick palmetto swamp, built a good fire, cooked and eat, and drank
good whiskey and every one slept what they wanted; and about sunset
we left and rowed into the river again. By this time they all had got
themselves more accustomed to rowing, and made better headway and with
more ease. We run on in the night and lay-by in the day; and the third
night we reached the mouth of Red River and lay in the swamp that day;
and the fourth night, about midnight, we reached Tunica, and run our
skiff in a creek just above; made a fire in the swamp and remained till
daylight. After daylight sometime, we eat breakfast and Wages and I
made an excuse to go to the village of Tunica to buy some cigars, and
to get some eggs, etc. The negroes set us over with the skiff; we went
down to the village and went to the tavern. There we found our old
friend, Welter, and Harden, and three other men whom Welter introduced
us to as his friends and acquaintances, but they were in fact his
“strikers.” Harden immediately after we left him at Shreveport had gone
down the river to Welter’s and informed him where to meet us.
We held a consultation as to the best plan to pursue, and we all
finally agreed that the safest and best plan was to let Welter take
all the negroes and pay us for them. He was to pay Harden for the two
free fellows one thousand dollars in cash and his note for one thousand
payable in six months. He was to pay Wages and I for our seven negroes
and the skiff with all the apparatus, eight hundred dollars in cash
and his note for four thousand dollars, payable in six months. After
this arrangement was concluded Wages and I went to the skiff, took
our guns to go a hunting, and then returned to the village. About two
hours before sunset Welter took Harden and his three men, got a small
boat and went up to the creek where all the negroes were. But before
they got to the place they tied Harden’s hands behind him to make the
negroes believe that he was a prisoner for negro stealing. Welter and
his men surrounded the camp and took all the negroes prisoners, and
then brought up Harden tied. Welter then informed the two free negroes
that he was the United States Marshal, and that it was his duty to
take them and Harden back to Shreveport, where they would be tried for
the crime of negro stealing, and that the punishment would be death
or the penitentiary for life; but that he did not know that he could
prove Harden guilty, and then asked them if Harden had been with them.
They declared he had not. Welter then told the negroes that he knew
them; that they had been stolen once before and sold in Louisiana,
and that he knew all about them, and made them confess the truth. He
then told the free negroes that their case was a desperate one; that
it would be impossible for them to escape; and then asked them which
they would prefer, to stand their trial or be sold as slaves for life.
They said they had rather be sold as slaves; so he tied their feet,
after putting them in the boat, and took in all their dunnage, and the
other seven negroes. Upon their positive declaration that Harden was
not concerned he was released, and a little after dark they rowed down
to the village. Welter placed his three “strikers” to guard the boat
and negroes, while he and Harden went on shore, and we all went into a
private room in the tavern, where we executed bills of sale for the
negroes, dated them in Buncombe county, N. C., and signed fictitious
names and witnesses. Welter paid us our money according to contract
and executed the notes, after which we took a good supper together
and drank three or four bottles of wine, and Welter left us. We went
with him nearly to his boat and bid him good-by and good luck, and he
rowed off down the river for home. Wages, Harden and I returned to
the tavern, went to our room and to bed and slept very sound. Next
morning we arose much refreshed, and greatly relieved in mind. We went
very early to a coffee house, took a cup of coffee and our bitters,
and returned to our room to consult as to the best course to pursue.
We concluded to leave in the first boat for Natchez. We accordingly
got breakfast, paid our bills and placed our guns and baggage at the
nearest depot to the landing. We had to wait till late in the day
before we could get a boat. We at last saw one coming, and procured a
skiff to put us on board. At a signal the boat rounded to, and we went
on board, registered our names (all fictitious) and paid our passage to
Natchez.
WAGES’ AND HARDEN’S PLOT TO KILL ROBERT LOTT AND THOMAS SUMRALL.
When we landed at Natchez we all stopped at different hotels, but while
there, some ten days, we had interviews and consultations every day. It
was then that Wages and Harden made the plot to kill old Thomas Sumrall
and old Robert Lott, and for that purpose Wages furnished Harden a map
of all the roads in Perry county, Miss. Harden then informed us that he
had a partner in Tennessee by the name of Goodwin, and that he expected
Goodwin had, in a cave in the Cumberland mountains, several negroes
then waiting for him to run off and sell, and that he must go up with
the first rise of water so as to come down with the spring freshet. We
all then made an arrangement to meet in New Orleans at a certain place
on the Fourth of July coming, so as to collect our money from Welter,
and for Harden to get the money on his draft for the negro sold on the
Arkansas river, which he had deposited in bank for collection.
Our ten days in Natchez having expired, Harden and I took passage on
a steamboat, Harden for Tennessee, and I for Vicksburg to await the
arrival of McGrath. Wages was to be at Vicksburg in three or four days.
I landed at Vicksburg; Harden went on. I went to one of the hotels,
put up and waited for McGrath. On the sixth day Wages came, and went
to another hotel, and we both waited there another week and still no
McGrath. We began to get uneasy. However, three or four days after,
I was standing on the bank of the river, when I saw a man dressed in
coarse negro clothing, black and ragged, an old flapped hat, a pair of
old saddle-bags on his arm and a big stick in his hand. He came up to
me to inquire the road to Jackson. I did not know him at first, but he
soon made me know him. It was McGrath. He inquired for Wages; I told
him Wages was there; I told him to go to the cheapest boarding house,
which he did, and his appearance caused him to have to pay his dollar
in advance. That night we all got together, Wages, McGrath and myself;
we went below the city and had a long consultation. We told McGrath
what we had done, and gave him a full history of Harden and his two
free negroes, and where Harden had gone, etc. He next gave us a detail
of his voyage through the camp meeting and since, up to that time.
He said the next day after the seven negroes had left the camp ground
he saw their mules and wagon, and no person appeared to be about them.
A very likely young negro watered and sometimes fed the mules, and on
the second day he went to the negro and asked what had become of the
negroes that came with that wagon and mules. The boy answered first he
did not know, and looked confused. He then said to the negro to tell
him the truth and he would keep the secret and not expose him; the
negro then told him the whole truth about the matter, and then asked
McGrath’s advice. He told him to take care of the mules and wagon
until the meeting broke up, and then take them to their owner, and
inquire of him why his negroes went off and left their mules and wagon
so long, and not return at all, and give him the trouble to bring them
home; and if any person attempted to whip him to make him tell anything
about the matter he was to run away, and on the next Sunday night to
meet him, McGrath, at a certain place and he would tell him what to do,
and to be sure and keep everything a profound secret.
MR. MOORE AFTER PREACHER M’GRATH, IN TEXAS.
With this understanding the meeting went on until the sixth day; the
meeting broke up; the negro geared up his mules to the wagon and rolled
off; drove them to the house of the owner and reported himself. It was
late in the night. The old gentleman told him to feed the mules, get
his supper and come to him in the morning and tell him more about it.
The next morning the boy told the old man that he did not know but one
of his negroes, and that was the fellow that asked him to feed and
water the mules a day or two, and on the third day the negro did not
return, and he asked the advice of one of the preachers, who told him
to take them home. The old man asked the boy where that preacher was,
and the negro said he was sick at a house about six miles from there.
He then asked the boy who he belonged to, and the negro showed him his
“pass,” which told the truth. He then dismissed the boy and sent him
home, and about ten o’clock, McGrath said, “here comes the old man.”
He rode up to the gate and hailed, and inquired if Brother McGrath was
there. They told him he was. He alighted from his horse, came into the
house and said good morning, very short. “Well, Brother McGrath, how do
you do?”
“Oh, I am very sick, Brother Moore.”
“What seems to be the matter?”
“Oh, I have caught a cold, and have a very severe pain in my side; I
think it is side pleurisy.”
“Well,” said he, “did you see anything of my negroes at your meeting?”
McGrath told him: “I saw them there the first day with you when we
went. After you left, Brother Moore, I don’t recollect seeing them,
and I thought you had ordered them home until I was asked by a strange
negro what he should do with the mules and wagon. When I examined them
I saw they were yours, and I told the negro to drive them to you and
report himself. I would have gone with him, but was too unwell and had
to stop here.”
“Well,” says the old man, “your great meeting has caused me to lose
seven negroes, I fear.”
McGrath said: “Oh, I hope not, Brother Moore.”
“Yes it has!” said he very short, “and I wish there never had been a
camp meeting in the world; and I know,” said he, “they are stolen,
and they went by water. Some of them picayune steamboat captains have
stolen them, and they are now in Florida or Georgia. I will go and
make some inquiry in Shreveport, and along the river, to find out what
boats left about that time, and,” said he, “I will go to the owner of
that negro that brought the wagon home and have him tied up and whipped
till he tells the truth about it, for I believe he knows all about the
matter.” McGrath said he tried to pacify the old gentleman, but it was
all no go, so the old gentleman left.
McGrath said the times then were beginning to be rather equally. He
pretended to improve very fast; was able to ride in two days, and set
out to help Brother Moore hunt and track his negroes. On the next
Sunday night he was at the place where he was to meet the negro, and
the negro was there also. McGrath told of the threats against him, and
asked him if he wished to run away and go with him, if he did he would
find him a good master, or take him to a free State. The negro said he
would go. McGrath asked him if he could steal a good horse, saddle and
bridle. The negro said he could. McGrath then asked him if he could get
over Red river and meet him at a certain place on a certain day. He
said he could, three or four days after.
McGrath then went to the house of Brother Moore to inquire if he had
got any tidings of, or from his negroes. The old man was very mad and
talked very short, and said “no,” adding: “Mr. McGrath, I want you to
leave my house, and never again set your foot in it.” McGrath tried
to reason with the old man, but all would not do, so he left. He had
collected among the brethren some five hundred dollars or upward and
a considerable sum from the negroes at the camp meeting. He then went
to Shreveport and procured some articles he wanted (and among them two
half gallon jugs, one full of brandy and the other of whiskey), some
bread and cheese, and crossed the river.
After he got across he saw three men come down to the ferry and wait
for the ferryman; he watched them; they conversed with the ferryman
awhile and rode back. McGrath rode on three or four miles, came to an
inn and stopped. It was not night, but he had come to the conclusion
now, that it was necessary for him to watch as well as pray. A
little after dark up rode three men, and inquired if a traveler had
passed that evening, and what time—how long before dark? They were
informed none had passed; one had put up, a little before dark.
They alighted and came in; enquired from McGrath his name, where he
was traveling, his occupation, etc. He told his name, and said he
was going to a quarterly meeting, some seventy-five miles from that
place. They listened to him with keen, shrewd looks and very doubting
air, and McGrath saw from their manœuvres that they were after him
in particular, and he well knew it would require his best skill and
ingenuity to evade their vigilance. They bid him good night and started
on. McGrath pretended to walk out carelessly and watch them; they
turned back.
He started next morning and traveled about thirty-five miles and
stopped for the night. Just before night, the same three men passed
the house. Next morning, after breakfast, he started again, and in a
few miles came to their camp. “Well,” said one, “we have met again.”
McGrath said “yes,” and asked them which way they were going. They
said to purchase beef cattle, and asked him how much further he was
going that route? He told them he was going to a missionary station to
see the preacher there; that it was about forty miles there, and he
wanted to get there that night. He bid them good morning, rode off, and
traveled slow until he got out of their sight, and then pushed and rode
about twelve miles. He came to a cross road that passed near where the
negro was; here he left the road in a direction opposite to where the
negro lay; tied his horse in a thicket some distance from the road,
and concealed himself to watch. The men soon came to the place and
examined for the track of his horse; they finally took the road which
the horse’s track had followed and pushed on. He went to where his
horse was, stripped him, held him to graze some cane, and took a little
of his good brandy; stripped his Methodist coat off and rolled up his
broad-brimmed beaver in it and tied them on his saddle; and put on a
common oiled cap, and another coat. Night came on; he saddled his horse
and rode through the woods, near the road, to the distance of about two
miles from where the negro was to meet him, and tied his horse about
two hundred yards from the road. After it was fully dark, he started on
the road on foot and left his horse, for the place appointed to meet
the negro; and his only fear then was that the negro might have been
bribed to betray him. He had two good single-barrelled pistols, and
would be certain to save two of his assailants and take chances with
the balance. He went on, got within a very short distance of the place
appointed, crept up very close and stopped to listen. All was still. He
discovered, a short distance from him, a large tree and a thick bunch
of bushes around it. He crept easily to that, and squatted down at the
root of the tree to listen. He thought he heard a stick crack or break
close to him. He then gave a low whistle like that of a bird; it was
answered immediately, within twenty feet of him. He then gave another,
which was as promptly answered. He then gave a slap of his hands, which
was answered, and the negro advanced to him. He asked the negro if
there was any person about, and where was his horse? The negro told him
about two hundred yards from there.
They started and went about half way, and McGrath stopped and told the
negro to go and bring his horse there. The negro went and brought his
horse. McGrath said he then became better satisfied that the negro was
no traitor, and told him to go with him to the road and ride about
thirty yards behind, until they got opposite where his horse was, which
he did. They were not long in getting there. When we got to the place,
he made a signal, and the negro rode up, and McGrath turned square
off from the road and told the negro to follow him. He went about one
hundred yards and told the negro to tie his horse and go back and watch
the road, until he saddled and brought his horse. When McGrath had
saddled his horse and returned, he found the negro at his horse, with
everything ready to mount and be off. He asked what was the matter?
“My God, master! we have had good luck; just as I went up close to the
road I heard horses’ feet, and hid in the bushes; I saw by starlight
three persons pass the road; two of them I could see had guns, and if
we had been ten minutes later we should have met them.” McGrath pulled
out his little jug of whiskey and gave the negro two drams and took one
himself; they mounted their horses and started. He instructed the negro
to travel about thirty yards behind in case of surprise, so as to make
his escape and save them both.
They traveled hard that night, and by daylight they had made near sixty
miles. At daylight they left the road and lay-by that day. It happened
that the negro had near a half bushel of corn, and some meat and bread,
and McGrath some bread and cheese, so they made out pretty well that
day. Night came on and they set out again, and traveled until near
day. They arrived close to a ferry on the Washita. Before getting
there, they left the road a short distance, and McGrath left the negro
with the horses and went towards the ferry. As he got near the ferry
house, which he intended to go round, some person hailed—“who is that?”
He turned his course and made back for the negro and horses. He had not
time to get away before they passed in pursuit, and he heard them say,
“that damned preacher is here somewhere, and we will have him yet.”
They halted a moment, and he heard their horses’ feet, some going back
and some the other way. McGrath mounted his horse and told the negro to
follow him, and he took to the woods and steered a west course, which
he knew was up the river, and traveled till he reached high land, and
continued after day until near twelve o’clock, sometimes in sight of
plantations, which he would go round.
By and by he came to a road that had the appearance of being much
traveled, and leading north. Here, some distance from the road, he
halted, stripped their horses and let them graze in a cane-brake, and
remained there till dark without anything to eat. At dark they started
and traveled ten or twelve miles, passed several houses, and came to
a house and passed down a hill into a lane, and at a short distance
came to high timber land, which he knew was near the river. He stopped
and left the negro with the two horses, giving him instructions if any
alarm was heard, to turn and run back to a little branch and stop till
he came. He went on to the river, and luckily there was no spy there,
and the ferry-flat was on his side. He hurried back, took his horse and
the negro and his horse, and got into the ferry-flat and went over.
They mounted their horses and traveled until daylight; passed several
houses and plantations. At daylight he found himself bordering on the
Mississippi swamp. He turned off the road and stripped their horses to
graze in a cane-brake.
Nothing to eat now for two nights and one day, with plenty of money,
but was afraid to go to a house, for fear of discovery.
He went to waylay the road, saw no person pass except emigrants, from
whom we obtained a little bread, some salt and a small piece of meat.
He inquired of them the road and distance to Vicksburg. They told him
from seventy-five to one hundred miles. He inquired if they had met any
person on horseback. They said no. He then left them and returned to
his negro and horses; found the negro had killed a large, fat possum,
and had it cleaned and was roasting it; the salt he had got then came
in play. They cooked and eat, drank their liquor, and rested that
day. A little before night McGrath went to the road to examine if any
horses’ tracks passing toward Vicksburg could be seen. There were none.
He returned and saddled his horses, and a little before sunset they
started and traveled all night, and until next day at ten o’clock.
They came to the Tensas Bayou, crossed at a ferry, and inquired of the
ferryman, who was a negro, how far it was to Vicksburg? The negro said
about thirty miles. McGrath then inquired if there were many settlers
on the bayou. The negro said there were plenty up and down the bayou
on both sides. They left the ferry and went on a few miles, and turned
to the west from the main road, up the bayou, along a new road that
carriages had traveled, and went about ten miles—passed several large
plantations. About twelve o’clock he came to the house of a small
farmer; his horses were very tired, and he asked if he could get his
horses fed and some dinner for himself and boy. The man told him to
alight; the horses were soon attended to, and dinner was soon prepared
and they eat.
McGrath then told the man he was from Mississippi; the negro he had
with him was all he had; that they were about to sell him for a
security debt; that he had to run him to save him; and that he had to
travel a long distance and was much fatigued, both himself and horses,
and that he would like to rest himself and horses a few days. This was
agreed to. He then told the landlord that he was fearful they might
follow him and that he did not wish to let many people know that he was
there. He also told him that he would like to sell his negro, if he
could get a good master for him, and that he would like to sell his two
horses and go home by water, by way of New Orleans, Mobile and up the
Tombigbee river. He also promised his landlord, if he would help him,
and effect a good sale of his negro and horse, that he would make him
a present of one hundred dollars, and that the negro might work in his
farm while they were looking around. This was also agreed to, and it
was concluded to rest the horses a week.
McGrath and the landlord (Mr. Chance was his name) rode up the bayou
to see a blacksmith that wanted to purchase a negro. They traveled
about thirty miles; saw the man and made a conditional trade with
him, to sell him the negro for thirteen hundred and fifty dollars, if
the negro could “blow and strike” in the shop, which the negro said
he could. They then returned to Chance’s, took the negro and the two
horses and returned to the blacksmith. He tried the negro one day and
said he was satisfied, and paid McGrath his money. The negro then told
his new master to buy the horse that he had ridden; there was no better
horse in the world. The master inquired the price; McGrath told him two
hundred dollars; but as he had bought the negro he might have the horse
for one hundred and seventy-five dollars. The blacksmith told him he
would have to borrow one hundred and twenty-five dollars, but he knew
where he could get it if they would wait until the next day; and he
thought he knew a man that would give two hundred dollars for McGrath’s
horse. They consented to wait, and sure enough the next morning quite
early the blacksmith returned with the money and a man with him, who
soon closed the trade with McGrath for his horse, and they paid him
the money for the two horses, saddles and bridles, three hundred and
seventy five dollars, making the whole sum seventeen hundred and
twenty-five dollars. McGrath gave the negro one hundred dollars as
a present, and asked him if he was satisfied. He said he was well
satisfied. McGrath and Mr. Chance they left for Chance’s residence,
which they reached that night.
M’GRATH IN DISGUISE.
On their way down McGrath made a bargain with Chance to carry him in
his little wagon to the ferry opposite Vicksburg, for fifteen dollars.
The next day he paid Chance one hundred and fifteen dollars; made the
landlady, Mrs. Chance, a present of ten dollars for her trouble; and
after dinner they started for Vicksburg landing. He told Chance he
wished to travel in disguise for fear he might be followed, and for
that purpose Chance procured for him a negro’s old jacket and trowsers,
and an old flapped hat and Chance’s old saddle bags; “and in this
garb,” said McGrath, “I landed on the other side of the river last
night and camped there with my friend Mr. Chance. We parted early this
morning, he for home, and I for this place; and here I am this 25th
day of January, 1841, and” said he, “I have kept a regular diary of my
travels ever since we parted on Red River, before the camp meeting,”
and he showed us his memorandum book.