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Columbia Tenn.
May 18th 1868

Genl. O.L. Shepherd
Some time in the year 1843 or near that time, a colored man, then a slave, was removed from this county in a very misterious manner and sold near Pickensville Ala. This man's name was Washington or as he was generally called "Wash." He had been the body servant of Col Willis H. Boddie of this county. He was a great favorite with his master Col B. who was a batchelor and man of great wealth. Col B. was very fond of horse racing and "Wash" was a pretty good trainor and fond of fine horses and accustomed to their care. Soon after the death of Col B. this man "Wash" was seized, sent to jail and subsequently sent South as above stated and sold. He was sold near Pickensville to a man by the name of Stone. In a year or so Stone sold him to a man in Conecuh County Ala. by the name of John or John C. Hunter, who owned many fine horses and was to a considerable extent a patron of the turf. Since the war it has leaked out that "Wash" was sent South because as the confidential  body servant of his old master he knew of the existence and contents of a will which Col B. had made and as this will was never produced, he had