Viewing page 17 of 298

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

in his report for July 1866 under the head of remarks states "nothing done this month freedmen and employers getting along very well.

Fielding Hurst Supt of McNairy County Tenn in his report for July 1866 states that on the 22nd inst two white men named Russell and Barker came to Bethel Station M. & O RR four miles west of Purdy - Russell saw a colored man named Albert and drew a revolver rushed upon the boy Albert and swore he would kill him. The boy with much difficulty escaped and made his way to this Office and gave the following statement. About the last of June he (Albert) and two other colored boys engaged to labor for Barker and had been put off and delayed their pay until they were compelled to seek other employment to support their families - whereupon this man Barker followed them up took the shot gun of Russell and killed two of the boys. Albert being very expert made his escape went to Corinth Miss and reported the facts and came on into Tenn where he was assaulted by Russell. the same night Barker called at his house about midnight, told his wife he would be God-dammed if Albert should live on this earth.

This kind of bullying is carried on this same road to deter colored persons from claiming their rights as laborers for the road or its contractors. These men Russell and Barker are contractors for the road and live six miles south of Corinth Miss.

In Shelby County Tenn the freedmen do not as a general thing get justice done them outside of the city of Memphis

The City Authorities and civil Magistrates in the City