The Ranchero [Corpus Christi, TX], August 11, 1860
More Startling Developments—Several Negroes hung—Among others the Incendiary who Burnt the Town of Dallas—Investigations still going on—Poison found in the hands of Negroes.
The following letter is from one of the most reliable citizens of Dallas, addressed to the editor of the State Gazette:
Dallas, July 21, 1860.
The excitement consequent upon the revelations made by negroes under examination continues unabated. Already nearly a hundred blacks have been arrested and examined separately before a committee of vigilance, appointed for that purpose. This committee consists of the most respectable and responsible gentlemen of this country, whose proceedings have been characterized by the utmost prudence and moderation. During so much excitement and confusion it seems almost a miracle that so much forethought and deliberation should govern their action. Such developments and such outrages would seem to indicate a speedy resort to extreme measures; but in this instance they have acted with as much calmness as if no public calamity had befallen the community, and as if no extraordinary emergency had called them from their homes.
Crowds of men are in Dallas, anxious and eager to lend their assistance, and ready to quell every disturbance that threatens the peace of the State. The developments are of the most startling character, unfolding the most diabolical plot that the wickedness of man could invent, to destroy this whole section of country.
At the town of Lancaster the same general plot was revealed—to burn the town, to poison the inhabitants, to assassinate the aged females, and to seize and appropriate the young and handsome for their villainous purposes. Thank God! this unhallowed conspiracy has been nipped in the bud, and the country saved from such a scene of horrors.
Investigations are going on in all directions and startling disclosures are being made.
Monday July 23. An immense concourse of people from all parts of the country is here awaiting the action of the committee of vigilance. The stage came in from Waxahachie yesterday, bringing news of the high state of excitement in that town. The conspiracy and insurrectionary spirit extend to that place in all the horrid forms contemplated at this place. Throughout the country as far as we can learn the same thing exists. That town was destined to be burned, the people to be poisoned and slaughtered, and the remaining property to be distributed among the victorious blacks.
On Red Oak Creek the chief prisoner had been arrested and executed. Negroes at Waxahachie have been detected with the poison in their possession; and a rumor was in town yesterday that there have been several executions at that place. We have not yet received the particulars.
The committee of vigilance have been in session all day, and this evening they announced that there of the ring leaders of the insurrection are to be hanged tomorrow. These hardened scoundrels were amongst the number. The decision seems to give general satisfaction. The crowd dispersed after this announcement, and a strong guard was detailed to watch the jail in which are confined six or eight of the criminals. The police are active and unremitting in their efforts, and it would be impossible for the whole abolition fraternity to surprise us now, although we might be easily overpowered. They “would have to fight for it,” however.
Tuesday, July 24. This evening at 4 o’clock the three ring leaders, Sam, Cato, and Patrick, were escorted from the jail under a strong guard to the place of execution. An immense concourse of citizens and negroes assembled to witness their exit from the scene of their wickedness. As they passed through the town they surveyed with composure the ruins of the once flourishing town, that now lays in a blackened mass before them. Patrick Jennings (so called) remained calm and collected during the whole day, and betrayed no remorse or feeling whatever in view of his approaching doom. He it was who fired the town, and that night after its destruction glorified himself for the deed, and pronounced it only a commencement of the good work. These facts were obtained from many witnesses, who testified to the same facts without any hesitations or contradiction of each others’ statements.—Sam smith, so called from the name of his master, was an old negro preacher who had imbibed most of his villainous principles from two abolition preachers, Blunt and McKinney, who lived in the country a year before, and had had much intercourse with said negro; this old negro was a deep dyed villain. Cato had always enjoyed a bad reputation. They met their fate with a composure worthy of a better cause. Patrick Jenning with unparalleled nonchalance died with a chew of tobacco in his mouth, and refused to make any statement whatever. They were hung on the bank of the river above town, and are buried beneath the gallows. Investigations are still going on throughout the country, all of which tend to confirm the facts elicited at this place. The evidence obtained before the committee will be published in due time. More anon.
The Gazette also publishes extracts from many papers in the State, which go to show that abolitionists are actively engaged in fanning the flame of insurrection and incendiarism. Suspicious characters have been seen prowling about Seguin, Fort Worth, and other localities, and the Paris Press says the house of a citizen of that place was set on fire by one of his negro women, and totally destroyed. Public meetings have been held in the different places bordering on the northern frontier, patrols organized, and other measures adopted to suppress any further attempts on the lives and property of [tear in paper].