Thomas Wright's Diary

October

1, October 1865,

Well, best say what happened as we were a goin home. Thins got bad here, we had ta wait ta cross the river. Soldiers were crossin first, seems might bit a trouble slaves headed north from out Virginia, Tennessee are bein stopped an taken in by the Planters here a-bouts. That ain't right, just ain't right. Those Soldiers asked me ifin Beth was a slave. Why she spoke right up an said, she weren't no slave. She was free ta do as she pleased. Then she said that my stuff in the wagon, goin home with this man ta help out on his farm. I tell them I am Captain Wright, Ohio 60th I Company. Goin home ta farm again.

Well they let us go, seems the War ain't done much, ta truly free thum. Guess best do my part, ta make thum free. Bowman's fields looked dead, think his harvest weren't much good. Look like more fields burned than Theo an Joe say they did.

Uncle Thom set more fires, seems Bowman tried ta set a few crops a fire. His boys got caught, let's say they were a might shot up. Uncle Thom bought himself a Henry, like my Spencer ya can fire an fire again! Sheriff ain't been by, thinkin he may, him an Bowman got somethin planned what I am not sure.

What we got harvested well, it get us by till next summer. That put back money should help out. Till the next harvest. Far as Bowman's debt, it come due in three days. Theo thinkin he not got the money. Out a all this, real good news least that is my thinkin Beth is with child! She say about May maybe June, we haves us a child.

2, October 1865,

Bowman he wants ta meet, with Theo an myself. The Inn over in Ripley. Taday about noon, so me an Theo be leavin soon. We chose the Inn want just a little, bit of backin he won't be stupid in Ohio, he has power not as much as in Kentucky. Best be goin.

Best we can tell, Bowman ain't got the money. He wants Theo ta pay off the debt, in hopes a payin him back end a next season. We both laughed at that. Theo tell him, he has two days ta leave Rivers Edge, it is his property. Then say what it is his Da in the house will be auctioned ta pay the debt. He say Rivers Edge his land not Theo's. He wasn't goin down with out a fight fer it. He could sell part a it, ta pay the debt.

Theo tell him, that his Attorney will be here shortly with proof he owns Rivers Edge. That he should have a drink an dinner on him, then we can discuss what we do. That Morgan showed few minutes later. Him an Bowman stepped away fer awhile.

Theo paid fer dinner, then we made our offer. After we showed him proof, Theo owns Rivers Edge. Bowman say he would fight that Last Will a hers. I tell him he does not have the funds ta fight it, best hear out our offer.

This is the offer we made. All property that is on Rivers Edge not the land or house or clothing. Tack, tools, horses, mules, any other live stock will be sold ta pay his debt. We wanted a total count of slaves. Those would be bought by us, to go towards his debt. He could keep his clothes any personal property we seen fit fer him ta keep, guns, books, one horse. His property would be moved any where he wanted, by us. He say he would think on it, but I still owed him money, the Sheriff be by next couple days ta arrest me.

Mister Baxter Theo's Attorney, say you do that Sir, I'll have him out of jail in less than a hour. You have no grounds to arrest him on debt. That Sir is a court matter, then he say Thomas can protect himself. I now represent him. Bowman an Morgan both got quiet, then he say I will answer tomorrow. Don't shoot me when I come on the land ta tell you. I say just have a white flag, an no weapon on ya.

3, October 1865,

Well befer sun up, just thinkin on what Bowman a do. He was very friendly considerin, he was bout ta lose all he owned. Ya would think, he bout ready ta come like a wild wind storm. My thinkin is, we be in fer a fight. Ifin they take it all an the slaves, are plan is not worth even wet powder. We start on the new Barn taday, ifin all goes as planned fer the day.

That Morgan brought word, Bowman will except our offer; only ifin he can stay on the land live in the house. Theo say he have ta think on it some. Come back with my Da in three hours. Theo tell me, he won't be stayin in the house, might give him a small parcel near the river. One he have ta worry about the river a takin what he has.

Bowman an Morgan showed along with one his, Deputies Uncle Thom was up on the second floor watchin over me an Theo, Joe's boys were front corner the house on the right. Bowman say Theo like ta keep the house, built that fer ya Ma. Theo say Da been thinkin on that. Don't think it proper ya stay in the house, soon slavery be gone. How ya goin take care of it, ya haven't done any work in years. Slaves did it all fer ya. Think ya be best ta move ta Maysville an go back ta Law.

Bowman say, Sheriff do what ya must, enforce the law! I could tell my head an gut told me, this was gonna go all wrong! Befer the Sheriff could even get out two words, heard two shots! Joe's boys done shot the Deputy. Uncle Thom well he killed, the Sheriff damn near blew his head off. Bowman was shoutin I am unarmed! Don't shoot! Theo had his pistol on Bowman, I gently pushed it down, told Theo an his Da. This is done! Ya take our offer, move ta Maysville! I'll blow yar damn head off! That I will do!

Shouted fer Ben ta ride ta the Union camp, bring they Commandin Officer! Bowman yar not leavin till they gets here. This is finished!
It is might late, besides done filled this up. Finish this up in the mornin.

Bowman survived, both Law Officers are dead.

What can be next? Joe's boys go to prison along with Uncle Thom?

Like most of you are thinking, they should of killed Bowman, made them disappear. That I believe they should have done Thomas wanted no part of that.

Thanks for reading, vote make a comment if you so desire.