[Marshall] Texas Republican, August 18, 1860
A letter of the 21st ult., from Dallas to the Austin State Gazette, says:
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 county, whose proceedings have been characterized by the utmost prudence and moderation.
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 the villainous purposes.
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, so far as we can learn, the same thing exists. That town was 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 poisoner had been arrested and executed. Negroes at Waxahachie have been detected with the poison in their possession; and a runner in town yesterday reports 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 three of the ring leaders of the insurrection are to be hanged tomorrow.
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. As they passed through the town, they surveyed with composure the ruins of the once flourishing town that now lay a blackened mass before them. Patrick 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 the night after its destruction glorified himself for the deed, and pronounced it only the commencement of the good work. 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 county a year before, and had much intercourse with him. Cato had always enjoyed a bad reputation. They met their fate with a composure worthy of a better cause. Patrick, 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.