Thomas Wright's Diary

1858 November

        18, November 1858

When I gots ta the new place, Ma was cryin Betsy was huggin her. Asks what is wrong. Ma says Patten showed up, lookin fer ya. He tried ta get Betsy I stopped him, he hit me Tommy! Tore my dress, he was drunk mean drunk. Two places close a drunk fella can gets a drink Ripley or Maysville. Do know Patten has a boat tied up near Rivers Edge. Told Betsy an Ma I was goin after him, this ends taday! 

I found him in Joes Saloon. More than a snoot full,
Told Joe kick him outside, he needs a bit of learnin.
Joe told me not ta mess with him, he was just a might nasty mood. Told him send him out! Done hurt my Ma! Poppy ain't here, besides it's my fight! Not Poppys.  Joe told me, wrong side the river son,
Kill him here certainly go ta jail. Ta late Patten done seen me.

Ain't never hit a man so hard, swore I heard bones break. He went back abouts four steps. Slung that damn whip out! Damn if it didn't gets my left hand, burnt like fire it did. That was ee nough of that! Lost all thought all control mad just tooks over! Think that whip hit me few times had my coat on not sure. I rushed him, pulled Gramps pistol, beat him with it. I mean beat! Fool, mess with me Betsy then Ma! Nope never again! Took few fellas ta pull me off, Patten was a bloody mess. Told Joe when he wakes ifin he does. Next time I will kill him.

Gots home Ma was curled up with Betsy in Poppys wing back chair. Both sleepin. I went up ta my room. That was my day.

                           20, November 1858

They founds that Patten in his boat this side of the river deader than hell. Sheriff didn't investigate don't know ifin it was my doin or not, don't rightfully care. One less terror ta have round. Poppy and myself had a meeting with Mister Bowman, he gave me ten bounty fer Tully, seems they came up with 60 dollars, he took that in full.

The other reason he wanted us, wants Poppy ta go pick up few things from the foundry in New Richmond. Then he hands Poppy some money ta pay for it. Then pulls out long ridin crop. Ma an Anna say Grace should be whipped good. I'd like you two ta come along when it's done. He slapped it on his desk. So if you will follow me.

Dear, now I never been ta a whippin before. Don't much care ta see one, why we gotta go. Saw Ma Bowman rip hide only it wasn't public whippin just swing that switch she had till she was tired.

Poppy let Mister Bowman get a few steps in front of us. Told me, no matter how awful it gets, don't look away. Show no feelin about it. Son we are protection is all, ya show weakness. Bowman won't trust ya, the nigra watchin think ya be easy ta take and such. Watch don't turn away, won't be but a few minutes. Once we leave ya can spill out ya hatred for it.

Grace she was tied ta the post, when we gots there.
Dress off her, bein nice or not wantin ta replace a shredded dress. Mister Bowman yelled, can't have ya runnin! We lost Tully cus he ran, hung by northern white folk! Grace I is sorry I have ta do this ta teach y'all not ta run! Fer runnin Grace will get 10 lashes. Thinkin some, theys wanted ta humiliate her naked an all. Mister Bowman leaned back, first blow hit her small of the back, just above her butt. Ma Bowman shouted harder son! I didn't hear a smack! Second, hit her thighs. Grace didn't scream, heard a little squeak with hard blow of air.

Ma shouted first two don't count ta the discipline!
Boy ya best hit harder or I'll take over. She grabs the crop, I'll do it out the way! Ya won't sit fer a week nigris! All I heard was smack, smack, know it was at least 20 hard hits. Grace was bloody, her ass was riped skin lay open. Ma Bowman had a smile and she cackled loud an hard. She shouted ya need some salt rubbed in it bitch nigris! Ya don't run niggers! I'll send these two ta get ya!

After we left and out of sight. Told Poppy never do I want ta see that again! Never! Didn't need ta go that far. I broughts her back. That should show theys can't run. Ain't none got away! Poppy you and Thom none gots away from ya! Poppy shook his head, Mister Bowman didn't want this, his Ma and wife did. Most don't run from here they treated decent.

                             23, November 1858

Grace is in a bad way, seems the poison has set in.
Fever the wounds aren't healin. They looked like meat gone bad. Told Betsy, she say know in a few days. Fever don't break, figure be gone in a week at most. Tully dead because I didn't fight thum.
Grace probably die cause I brought her back. Talbert shot him he deserved it, Patten that one don't think so, course could have he deserved it even ifin I wasnt the cause. Just know, doesn't feel right an all. Gots ta help Poppy, to dangerous ta work alone any more.

Mister Sophor wants ta buy Betsy! Told Ma no damn way! She stays here, don't trust any one else ta own her! Ma shook her head, Tommy ya can't love her, bed warmer fine, ya ain't married yet. Find good lady marry her. Betsy is nice an a good person better than most people. Tommy she is a slave! Best figure that out!

Been thinkin an all, death it follows me. Why at my age has it chose ta follow me? Tired long day.

You may think I've made a Slaves life easy. Days off, allowed to fish. Well most Plantations gave Sunday off, when not working they could do things on the plantation. Fishing would of supplemented what food the Owner gave them to survive. Although most days they worked from sunrise to sunset.

Slaves did help take care of the Owners children. House slaves, had life a little easier, not work in the fields or stables, even the trade jobs could of been held by slaves. Leather work tanning leather, working in a mill spinning thread or clothe. Foundry work. Clearing trees for new planting space. Building structures for the Plantation. List goes on.

Yes they were owned, they still managed to build a subculture. Some ran, found Freedom some ran only to be caught. Some died along the way. Tully was hung, that part was pure fiction. Although fighting a white man probably would of got him hung like that.
Even in a free state, you had people that thought the Black people to be stupid or animals. Free states even had laws against interracial marriage and sex.

The part where Thomas was stopped, with Tully and Grace in New Richmond, is based off a true story from the town history. My Great Grandfather said the Railroad wasn't always guided. They were told how to get to the next point sometimes. Some just ran with no help. These first few parts let you get to know Thomas and how he lives, next few prewar chapters, will deal with the news around him. Few other historical points. Oh before I forget the Lager Thomas likes Moerlein was a real brewing company established 1853, they shipped beer to Europe and as far south as South America. The Company didn't survive Prohibition. Just a little fact I found interesting.

Thank you for your support. Vote comment, you can PM me if you have questions on the story.