[Marshall] Texas Republican, August 25, 1860, p. 2, c. 2
[illegible] Mr. John [illegible] Evans, who has made a turn through the counties of Upshur, Rusk, and Cherokee informs us that the crops although very light, will turn out much better than was anticipated. There will be a larger yield of both corn and cotton. In the most of neighborhoods there will be sufficient corn for bread. About a sixth of a crop of cotton will be gathered, but of a very trashy and indifferent quality. He also informs us that what was supposed to be poison in the hands of the negroes in Cherokee county, when subjected to chemical analysis turned out to be a harmless preparation. And yet the negroes stated that it was poison, and that they had been instructed to place it in the wells and in the food of their masters. Very little reliance can be placed in testimony obtained by coercion or intimidation. It is a matter of history, that during the prevalence of the plague in the 17th century, many persons acknowledged themselves as having been the cause of it by poisoning the wells, &c. In Massachusetts, during the witch excitement, a great many innocent people were put to death who confessed their guilt, some of whom acknowledged direct intercourse with the devil. These things should teach caution.