At Somerville, Fayette county, on Thursday, the negroes appeared at the polls several hundred strong, armed like soldiers, although a detachment of Regulars had been sent there to prevent riot. They stacked arms, voted the radical ticket, and marched away. This is one of the methods of conducting a free election.
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 10 Aug. 1867, Page 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
Last Monday night, per appointment, a large number of our citizens, met the agent of the Asylum at the Methodist church. After the object and workings of the institution had been fully explained, an auxiliary society was formed composed of the following ladies. Officers: Mrs. A. ACTON, president; Mrs. Jerome HILL, secretary; Mrs. R. A. WOOD, treasurer.
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 03 Aug. 1867, Page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
Capt. E. L. BELCHER, formerly of this place, but now of the enterprising law firm of Beecher & Belcher, of Memphis, has been sojourning for the past week among his many friends in Bolivar. Our observation leads us to believe the Captain has had a gay time while here, and we hope he may honor us with his presence often.
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 03 Aug. 1867, Page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
Nick LACEFIELD was arrested at Middleton, in this county, on last Thursday, by one of Sheriff McCarley’s deputies and brought to this place for safe keeping. He will doubtless be turned over to the Sheriff of McNairy to answer charges preferred against him there. Not being fully advised of what Mr. LACEFIELD is charged we forbear comment.
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 03 Aug. 1867, Page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
The result of the election throughout the State cannot be ascertained for several days to come, but we have learned enough to know that all of the large towns have given radical majorities. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Columbia, Clarksville, Gallatin, Franklin, Pulaski, and Brownsville gave radical majorities. But it must be borne in mind that all those points the loyal leagues and militia did the work, while in the country districts the radical ticket was not near so successful in proportion to the votes polled. For instance: Memphis gives 2292 majority for Brownlow, while six districts in the county of Shelby cast over three hundred majority for Etheridge.
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 03 Aug. 1867, Page 2. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
Last Saturday, one week ago today, a serious difficulty occurred at Purdy, McNairy county. From reliable sources we gather the following in regard to the affray. Thirty negro militia, under command of one HAMILTON, is stationed there. On the day of the difficulty, eight or ten of the militia were in town; they offered violence to a freedman from the country; Senator John ALDRIDGE, radical, seeing that the militia were imposing upon the freedman, endeavored to persuade them that what they were doing was wrong; failing to accomplish his purpose, he called upon Samuel LEWIS, sheriff of the county, and who was, during the war, a captain in Col. HURST’s 6th Tennessee regiment. LEWIS came promptly to the call, and while endeavoring, in a peaceable, yet determined manner, to discharge his duty, he was fired on and mortally wounded. This somewhat enraged one of his former comrades-in-arms, who drew his pistol and shot the militiaman in the face; the shot was returned by the squad, and two white men were severely, in not dangerously wounded. Great excitement prevailed, during which the militia returned to their quarters, but on Sunday they again came into town and renewed the disturbance, by shooting into houses and firing at almost every living thing they saw. Many persons left the place and are still absent from their homes, as will be seen from the following extract, which we take from the Memphis Avalanche on the 1st;
“The negro militia swept into the town, and were perfectly furious. They shot into houses filled with women and children, poured a merciless volley at unarmed citizens, and inaugurated a reign of terror never known before in that little village. Prominent Radicals tried to stop them, but they were utterly unable to control them. Radicalism was dethroned by its own minions. Judge HURST, to his honor be it said, was active in behalf of law and order, but the negroes would not heed him. Since the murderous affray, the “melish” have patrolled the town at night, and amused themselves by shooting into private dwellings. The citizens, old and young, have abandoned their houses, and the solitude of once happy
homes is only broken by the brutal tread of Brownlow’s negro ruffians.”
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 03 Aug. 1867, Page 2. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
Camp Meeting at Spring Hill, will commence the 9th of August, under the old fashion of tents made of cloth, which is attended with very little expense and labor.
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 27 July 1867, Page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
It is a truth that cannot be disputed; there are in this county and State today many lonely widowed hearts and orphan children; relics of heroes and the offspring of martyrs, whose pale faces, feeble hands and tearful eyes meet around foodless tables and cheerless hearths. Knowing this to be so, is it not the bound duty of the fortunate ones among us to contribute a paltry sum that will go to alleviate the distressed condition of the widow and orphan? Let us devise means by which a few hundred dollars can be collected for the benefit of the poor and distressed. In our opinion quite a handsome sum could be realized by holding a grand tournament here in October…
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 27 July 1867, Page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
All the drinking saloons in Memphis are to be closed on the day of election; and no one will be allowed carry fire-arms on that day.
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 27 July 1867, Page 2. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
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