Thomas Wright a young teenager starts his Diary in July 1858 America. Northern Kentucky, Mason county near the Town of Dover and Lees Creak. across the Ohio River the town of Ripley Ohio. Hot bed of Abolitionist movement. between befriending a slave...
As you can see, Thomas and Beth's story is closing out. What may come is only what Thom tells me. Thanks for all the comments and votes, those of you that have followed along, I would give a good shout out, but you all know each other. Been reading each others stories, so I have no need to do that.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Lynchings were a common practice to control people of color. Some were burned, then strung up. Others dismembered and parts taken as souvenirs. This could occur just from being uppity or even thought of raping a white women. Uppity was used if the person didn't answer, continued to walk or run away, not leaving room for a white person to pass. What ever thought it could basically mean.
6, June 1870
Found Aunty May lynched from the maple tree, out front cross burnin in front her, heard a shot in the distance. Only reason I woke. Note was attached ta her, it say my half white children an my nigger bitch a be next, that I would watch as they done thins ta Beth. Then they finish me, like the nigger lover I was. One night I need rest. They come! Shoulda known better they was due!
Had Beth cut the rope, as I held her now have ta go check on Jeb, May wouldn't be out with out him. Found Jeb few other men were lookin at his burned body. They didn't have fear in they faces, hate vengeance was what I saw. It took all I had ta keep thum from ridin out lookin fer those that done this. Told thum in the mornin I am sendin fer help, I would take care this!
Went got Ma, left Joe a note on his door, get Theo goin fer help in New Richmond, ya an Theo brin guns! Come ta the house fast! New Ma would be safe till dark. Those don't want ta be known wear hoods on they heads, only come at dark. Besides few friends be stayin till I get back. Told Ma ta tell thum ifin I ain't back by mornin ta start ta look fer me.
Took the train ta New Richmond landin crossed by ferry. Well befer dark. We hitched ride on a beer wagon ta New Palestine. Found Philotis, he didn't hesitate he say Beth an the children can stay here. Get my guns, we can head ta Leonard's place. Told the wife two year ago I would help no matter ifin ya needed it. Took his wagon ta Leonard's he was loaded an ready less than hour. Made it back after midnight, amazin how fast ya can travel by train.
10, June 1870
Nothin no riders, no fear through the Village. Can't keep these fellas tied up here, they got work need done. Might hold off do like normal hit us next Saturday. Tell thum nothin happens by Saturday, they could go on home. They all just say no we stay another week after. Might take thum awhile ta work they nerve up after warnin ya.
18, June 1870
Well, it happened last night. Twelve a thum showed up. It was a might messy. Befer I go inta what happened. Tell how we was set up. Ma was watchin the back from the second floor window, Joe he had the back door in the kitchen, Theo front window second floor, Leonard an Philotis had the front porch. I was out by the maple tree. Had both my Griswolds an Spencer on me.
