Telegraph and Texas Register

Interesting articles from the Tri-Weekly Telegraph flagged by HRC Interns and RA Assignments.

TODO: Look up September 11, 18, October 30, November 13, 17, 1861; January 22, May 14, 19, 1862 issues of the paper. Cited by kerby1972, 448, in a footnote about Salt Works.

1862

February 14

The Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 130, Ed. 1 Friday, February 14, 1862:

  • Re resulting from recent political changes: “Were the Texas and New Orleans road completed the expense of transportating such property would be shorted one half, while the risk from exposure would be decreased in a greater proportion. Probably not less than 30, 000 negroes would be brought over the road each year, giving the road an income of $200, 000, and adding to our taxable wealth $20, 000, 000.” 30,000 negroes arriving annually

  • “WANTED - To purchase, 15 young likely negroes. Apply to F. SCRANTON. 15 Young Likely Negroes

  • “TAKEN UP - A negro boy, who calls himself Jim says he belongs to John Bailey or Boilet, of Polk county, Texas. The boy is of dark color, and about 18 or 20 years of age, and has been run off three weeks. He was committed to jail in this place on the 6th of February, 1862. The owner will prove property and pay charges and take him away. JERRY CLOUD.” Committed to Jail

April 23

The Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 16, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 23, 1862

  • Lost call for the script of a Texas and New Orleans railway contractor for the sum of $50. Lost Railway Script

April 28

The Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 18, Ed. 1 Monday, April 28, 1862

  • J. S. & J. B. SYDNOR Auction sales: “Merchandise, Real Estate, Negroes, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Sydnor Auction Sales

May 9

  • J. S. & J. B. SYDNOR Auction sales: “Merchandise, Real Estate, Negroes, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Sydnor Auction Sales

The Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 23, Ed. 1 Friday, May 9, 1862

May 12

“HOUSE SERVANT WANTED - Wanted to purchase a first rate house servant. For the right … of a woman a good price will be paid. Apply for further particulars at this office.” House Servant Wanted

  • Wanted: “A Negro Woman who is a first rate Washer, Ironer, or a good cook.” Wanted Negro Woman

  • J. S. & J. B. SYDNOR Auction sales: “Merchandise, Real Estate, Negroes, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Sydnor Auction Sales

The Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 24, Ed. 1 Monday, May 12, 1862

May 14

  • Wanted: “A Negro Woman who is a first rate Washer, Ironer, or a good cook.” Wanted Negro Woman

“HOUSE SERVANT WANTED - Wanted to purchase a first rate house servant. For the right kind of a woman a good price will be paid. Apply for further particulars at this office.” Wanted House Servant

  • J. S. & J. B. SYDNOR Auction sales: “Merchandise, Real Estate, Negroes, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Sydnor Auction Sales

The Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 25, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 14, 1862

May 16

Map 19

May 21

May 23

May 28

May 30

June 2

June 4

June 9

June 18

June 20

June 27

  • “I wish to hire by the month or year a Negro Boy between the age of fifteen and twenty, to attend the work of a Dairy” call for slave boy

July 4

  • “Negroes Wanted”: A GOOD Cook, Washer and Ironer, and three or four reliable NEGRO MEN to go with the army as mess servants" J. T. Cyrus. Negroes Wanted

July 7

  • “Negroes Wanted”: A GOOD Cook, Washer and Ironer, and three or four reliable NEGRO MEN to go with the army as mess servants" J. T. Cyrus. Negroes Wanted

  • Auction: J. S. & J. B. Syndor. “Every Tuesday. CASH ADVANCES made on Merchandise, Country Produce, Real Estate, Negroes, Horses, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Auction inc. slaves

July 9

  • “Negroes Wanted”: A GOOD Cook, Washer and Ironer, and three or four reliable NEGRO MEN to go with the army as mess servants" J. T. Cyrus. Negroes Wanted

July 14

  • Auction: J. S. & J. B. Syndor. “Every Tuesday. CASH ADVANCES made on Merchandise, Country Produce, Real Estate, Negroes, Horses, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Auction inc. slaves

July 16

  • “NON-RESIDENTS of this county arriving in the City of Houston, are hereby required to appear at this office and register their names” New residents call

July 18

  • “A FINE FARM, containing five hundred acres, one hundred under fence, with cottage, negro houses, pantry houses, stables, etc” John C. Cutter Sale of Farm

  • “Volunteer Relief Fund” C. S. Longcope Longcope Relief Fund

  • Auction: J. S. & J. B. Syndor. “Every Tuesday. CASH ADVANCES made on Merchandise, Country Produce, Real Estate, Negroes, Horses, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Auction inc. slaves

  • “For Sale or Rent: At Hockley, my dwelling, 3 rooms, kitchen, negro house, stable, garden, etc., and the use of a horse and 6 milk cows. We have the best of water, and no yellow fever” J. T. Heanlein Sale/ Rent of Hockley

  • “WANTED TO HIRE, a compentent and trustworthy boy, to take charge of Carriage Horses, for, which liberal wages will be paid” H. Rosenberg wanted for hire, race not specified

July 21

  • Auction: J. S. & J. B. Syndor. “Every Tuesday. CASH ADVANCES made on Merchandise, Country Produce, Real Estate, Negroes, Horses, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Auction inc. slaves

  • “A FINE FARM, containing five hundred acres, one hundred under fence, with cottage, negro houses, pantry houses, stables, etc” John C. Cutter Sale of Farm

July 23

  • “WANTED TO HIRE, a compentent and trustworthy boy, to take charge of Carriage Horses, for, which liberal wages will be paid” H. Rosenberg wanted for hire, race not specified

  • “A FINE FARM, containing five hundred acres, one hundred under fence, with cottage, negro houses, pantry houses, stables, etc” John C. Cutter Sale of Farm

  • Auction: J. S. & J. B. Syndor. “Every Tuesday. CASH ADVANCES made on Merchandise, Country Produce, Real Estate, Negroes, Horses, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Auction inc. slaves

July 25

  • Auction: J. S. & J. B. Syndor. “Every Tuesday. CASH ADVANCES made on Merchandise, Country Produce, Real Estate, Negroes, Horses, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Auction inc. slaves

July 28

  • “WANTED: I WISH to buy FIVE NEGRO MEN” A. SESSUMS Call for slaves

  • Auction sale: An invoice MEDICINES, SALTPETRE, DRY GOODS" HOHENTHAL & REICHMAN Auction call

  • Auction: J. S. & J. B. Syndor. “Every Tuesday. CASH ADVANCES made on Merchandise, Country Produce, Real Estate, Negroes, Horses, Carriages, Furniture, &c.” Auction inc. slaves

July 30

  • “The negroes had another Grand Ball last Saturday night, for the benefit of sick soldiers” Grand Ball

  • Auction sale: An invoice MEDICINES, SALTPETRE, DRY GOODS" HOHENTHAL & REICHMAN Auction call

  • “WANTED: I WISH to buy FIVE NEGRO MEN” A. SESSUMS Call for slaves

August 1

August 4

August 11

August 15

At private sale J. S. & J. B. Syndor. sale of plantation

  • 9 lots adjoining Central Railroad Depot For sale

August 18

August 22

  • “For Sale: A farm on Buffalo Bayou. J. C. Cutter farm for sale

  • “PLANTATION FOR SALE: I WISH TO SELL MY PLANTATION, on Trinity River, 30 miles above Liberty” S. F. Noble plantation for sale

  • “WANTED TO HIRE. for the balance of the season, FIVE GOOD DINING ROOM BOYS, at Sour Lake” N. Shields wanted for hire

  • “For Hire - A Negro Woman” For Hire

August 27

  • “WANTED TO BUY - A healthy NEGRO WOMAN, between the ages of 18 and 30, who is honest and competent. Also, a healthy, truthful and good sense BOY, between the ages of 10 and 15” wanted to buy

  • “For Sale: A farm on Buffalo Bayou. J. C. Cutter farm for sale

September 3

  • “WANTED TO BUY - A healthy NEGRO WOMAN, between the ages of 18 and 30, who is honest and competent. Also, a healthy, truthful and good sense BOY, between the ages of 10 and 15” wanted to buy

  • “FOR SALE: 340 acres of land (inc. gin house) J. G. Chatham. For Sale

September 5

September 10

  • “WANTED TO BUY - A healthy NEGRO WOMAN, between the ages of 18 and 30, who is honest and competent. Also, a healthy, truthful and good sense BOY, between the ages of 10 and 15” wanted to buy

September 22

  • “Real Estate, mostly Houston Lots; Land Scrip, 20,000 acres Railroad; and one Negro Man 21 years old, fully guaranteed; also some half dozen Negroes at Private Sale. For information - Negroes are bringing full prices, our sales average from one to four per day, and we have had no negro on sale for a longer time than one week” J. S. & J. B. Syndor. Slaves for sale

  • “FOR SALE: TRINITY PLANTATION, in Polk County, known as the PALMER PLACE, now owned by Mr. T. S. Noble. J. S. & J. B. Syndor. plantation for sale

September 24

  • “WANTED TO BUY - A healthy NEGRO WOMAN, between the ages of 18 and 30, who is honest and competent. Also, a healthy, truthful and good sense BOY, between the ages of 10 and 15” wanted to buy

  • “FOR SALE: TRINITY PLANTATION, in Polk County, known as the PALMER PLACE, now owned by Mr. T. S. Noble. J. S. & J. B. Syndor. plantation for sale

October 1

  • “FOR SALE: TRINITY PLANTATION, in Polk County, known as the PALMER PLACE, now owned by Mr. S. F. Noble. J. S. & J. B. Syndor. plantation for sale

  • “For Sale: Two plantations in Washington County and Brazos County. K. Wambletwo plantations for sale

October 6

October 13

October 22

  • “For rent: Splendid house and outhouses, with 100 acres enclosed and under cultivation. M. Mason. house and land for sale

  • Petition to exempt tax levied on free blacks tax petition

October 31

  • “WANTED - A NEGRO GIRL, as Nurse. Capt. W. S. Good. call for nurse

  • “PEREMPTORY SALE OF MOST VALUABLE REAL ESTATE. We have made heavy advances on Lands, Lots and Negroes…” J. S. & J. B. Sydnor. Auction inc. land and slaves

  • “For rent: Splendid house and outhouses, with 100 acres enclosed and under cultivation. M. Mason. house and land for sale

  • “PLANTATION FOR SALE ON THE COLUMBIA AND WHARTON RAIL” J. S. & J. B. Sydnor. Plantation for sale

November 10

November 12

November 17

  • “FOR SALE OR RENT: A BRAZOS Valley and Bottom PLANTATION, nine miles above Waco, six hundred and sixty acres in high state of cultivation” [Plantation for sale] (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth236449/m1/2/zoom/?q=daily%20telegraph&zoom=5&lat=5674&lon=4500&layers=BT)

  • “House Carpenter For Sale: A NEGRO MAN, a good house carpenter for sale” Jacob Summers. Carpenter for sale

  • “NEGROES are now coming in freely, and sell at from $1400 to $2000 each. J. S. & J. B. Sydnor. NEGROES for sale

November 19

  • “House Carpenter For Sale: A NEGRO MAN, a good house carpenter for sale” Jacob Summers. Carpenter for sale

  • “LABORERS WANTED - I want to hire ten laborers, to work at Harrisburg. John S. Sellers. Laborers wanted

  • “STOLEN- From me in Austin County, on the 26th of May, 1862, a negro girl, named Martha” Stolen slave girl

  • “WANTED TO RENT, FOR the ensuing year, a Plantation containing about 150 acres” Thos. E. Matthews. Wanted to rent

  • “NEGROES WA[N]TED. 15 or 20 good choppers to cut cord-wood at Courtney.” Negroes wanted

November 28

  • “STOLEN- From me in Austin County, on the 26th of May, 1862, a negro girl, named Martha” Stolen slave girl

  • “NEGROES WA[N]TED. 15 or 20 good choppers to cut cord-wood at Courtney.” Negroes wanted

  • “WANTED TO RENT, FOR the ensuing year, a Plantation containing about 150 acres” Thos. E. Matthews. Wanted to rent

December 1

  • Sale of “one or two Negroes” J.S. & J. B. Sydnor. Sale of negroes

  • “STOLEN- From me in Austin County, on the 26th of May, 1862, a negro girl, named Martha” Stolen slave girl

December 5

December 8

December 10

  • “WANTED TO RENT, FOR the ensuing year, a Plantation containing about 150 acres” Thos. E. Matthews. Wanted to rent

  • “FOR SALE- A fine two-story dwelling, with all out-houses and two acres of land” F. B. Bailey For Sale

  • “WANTED TO HIRE - Several Negroes, by the year, to work in a Tan Yard.” J. P. Davie. Wanted to hire

  • “NOTICE TO BIDDERS: I will hire to the highest and best bidder, for 1863, the negroes belonging to the estate of G. Pillot, deceased.” Slaves for hire

  • “FOR SALE. 755 ACRES CHOICE COTTON LAND” King Holstein. Land for sale

  • Salt for sale. Salt for sale

December 12

  • “FOR SALE. 755 ACRES CHOICE COTTON LAND” King Holstein. Land for sale

  • “FOR SALE- A fine two-story dwelling, with all out-houses and two acres of land” F. B. Bailey For Sale

  • “WANTED TO HIRE - Several Negroes, by the year, to work in a Tan Yard.” J. P. Davie. Wanted to hire

  • “WANTED TO RENT, FOR the ensuing year, a Plantation containing about 150 acres” Thos. E. Matthews. Wanted to rent

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: One hundred stout NEGROES, for one year from the 1st of January next.” Wanted to hire

December 15

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: One hundred stout NEGROES, for one year from the 1st of January next.” Wanted to hire

  • Salt for sale. Salt for sale

  • “WANTED: AN OVERSEER to take charge of a small force on Oyster Creek.” Overseer wanted

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: 50 negro men for one year to work.” wanted to hire

December 17

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: One hundred stout NEGROES, for one year from the 1st of January next.” Wanted to hire

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: 50 negro men for one year to work.” wanted to hire

  • “BRAZOS BOTTOM LAND FOR SALE OR EX-CHANGE FOR NEGROES” DR. R. B. ENGLISH sale of land

  • “COLORADO FARM FOR SALE … with dwelling houses and negro cabins enough to hold 40 negroes” DR. ROWE. farm for sale

December 19

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: One hundred stout NEGROES, for one year from the 1st of January next.” Wanted to hire

  • “75,000 lbs salt, etc. sale inc. salt

  • “WANTED: AN OVERSEER to take charge of a small force on Oyster Creek.” Overseer wanted

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: 50 negro men for one year to work.” wanted to hire

  • “BRAZOS BOTTOM LAND FOR SALE OR EX-CHANGE FOR NEGROES” DR. R. B. ENGLISH sale of land

December 24

  • wholesale prices for country produce in Houston food and produce prices

  • “FOR CONFEDERATE BONDS - I offer for sale my plantation on the Navidad … also from 20 to 25 negroes , including men” W. H. Howard. Land and slaves for sale

  • “FOR SALE … for Confederate Bonds or Negroes.” Edward M. Glenn. For sale

  • “BRAZOS BOTTOM LAND FOR SALE OR EX-CHANGE FOR NEGROES” DR. R. B. ENGLISH sale of land

  • “Large Sale of Real Estate Etc., … [inc.] Negroes.” Florian & Jefferson. Sale of land and slaves

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: One hundred stout NEGROES, for one year from the 1st of January next.” Wanted to hire

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: 50 negro men for one year to work.” wanted to hire

  • “WANTED: AN OVERSEER to take charge of a small force on Oyster Creek.” Overseer wanted

  • “75,000 lbs salt, etc. sale inc. salt

  • “NOTICE, Wanted to buy or hire, three or four negro boys for hotel service.” Mrs. C. Hulbud. Wanted to buy or hire

  • “COLORADO FARM FOR SALE … with dwelling houses and negro cabins enough to hold 40 negroes” DR. ROWE. farm for sale

December 26

December 29

  • “WANTED IMMEDIATELY - A good overseer to take charge of some 30 or 40 hands, single man preferred” Betty & Rust" call for overseer

  • “HALF A LEAGUE OF LAND FOR SALE… I will take eight dollars an acre in negroes or Confederate money” land for sale

  • “FOR SALE … for Confederate Bonds or Negroes.” Edward M. Glenn. For sale

  • “COLORADO FARM FOR SALE … with dwelling houses and negro cabins enough to hold 40 negroes” DR. ROWE. farm for sale

  • “NOTICE, Wanted to buy or hire, three or four negro boys for hotel service.” Mrs. C. Hulbud. Wanted to buy or hire

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: 50 negro men for one year to work.” wanted to hire

  • “WANTED TO HIRE: One hundred stout NEGROES, for one year from the 1st of January next.” Wanted to hire

  • “Large Sale of Real Estate Etc., … [inc.] Negroes.” Florian & Jefferson. Sale of land and slaves

1864

December 12

  • Wanted to Hire: notice for the hire of 100 slaves to work on Central Railroad.

December 29

  • Wanted to Hire: “Wanted to Hire: 50 Negro men for one year to work on the G.H. & H.R.R.”

1863

January 2

  • “Wanted to Hire”: Ad placed by W. Hyllested, for a “negro boy” Wanted to Hire

January 12

  • “Wanted Fifty Negro Men”: Ad placed by A. Sessums, for “Fifty negro men, to work on the line of the Houston Tap and Brazoria Railroad.” Wanted Fifty Negro Men

  • “Want to Hire”: Ad placed by J.M. Brown, wants “50 negro men for one year to work on the G.H. & H.R.R.” Want to Hire

  • “Send Along the Negroes”: A plea to planters, asking them to obey the order from General Magruder, they need to send their “negroes” to help defend the state. Send Along the Negroes

January 21

  • “Administrator’s Sale”: 138 slaves are for sale, from the estate of John D. Clark Administrator’s Sale

February 4

  • “$50 Reward”: Ad placed by J. T. Gassaway, for “Bob” $50 Reward

  • “Negroes Wanted”: “Two healthy, first class men, from 20 to 30 years old” wanted. Reprinted on February 16. Negroes Wanted

February 11

  • “Wanted”: “A negro boy, about 10 years old, to work in-doors.” Wanted

February 16

  • “$50 Reward”: Ad placed by J.O. Wade, for “Phil” $50 Reward

February 20

  • “Negro Girl Wanted”: “Wanted to hire, small negro girl, to nurse, Jo. Smallwood, at this office” Negro Girl Wanted

  • “Wanted at the Telegraph”: “A good stout negro” Reprinted on April 24, 27, 29. Wanted at the Telegraph

March 2

  • “Wanted”: “A negro girl, 14 or 16 years old, to attend a child.” Wanted

March 23

  • “Wanted to Hire”: “An experienced negro woman for nurse.” Reprinted on March 27. Wanted to Hire

March 30

  • “$100 Reward”: Runaway ad for “Tom” $100 Reward

April 15

  • “Negroes for Sale”: “108 Negroes will be sold by us by auction”, ad placed by J.S. and J.B. Sydnor Negroes for Sale

  • “Galveston Fortifications”: Orders planters to send “one-fourth of their male negro population, of the ages between 16 and 50 years” to work on fortifications for Galveston Island. Reprinted on April 24. Galveston Fortifications

  • “For Sale”: Ad placed by M. Reichman, selling “one negro boy, aged 13 years” For Sale

  • “Auction Sale”: Reports on a recent auction at Col. Sydnor’s auction house, where there was a large sale of “negroes”. Auction Sale

April 29

  • “Letter to the Editors”: From John N. Arnold and J. E. Paine, “Having heard so much complaint and dissatisfaction as to the treatment and management of our negroes in Government employment, we determined to visit them and ascertain the actual condition of affairs.” Reports that there is nothing for planters to be concerned about. Letter to the Editors

  • “Sale of Negroes”: Reports on the recent auction of Gen. H. P. Bee’s slaves. Sale of Negroes

  • “Negroes at Galveston”: Reports on the treatment and working conditions of the “negroes” working on fortifications in Galveston. Negroes at Galveston

May 1

  • “Boy for Sale”: Ad placed by M. Reichman, sells “A No. 1 boy, 18 years old, weighing 140 pounds, complexion black” Reprinted on May 4. Boy for Sale

  • “For Sale”: Ad placed by WM. Clark, sells a “young and likely negro boy” For Sale

  • “Auction Notice”: Reports that J.S. and J.B. Sydnor have an auction every Tuesday, includes the sale of “negroes”. Reprinted on May 4, 6, 8, 15, June 26 Auction Notice

  • “Wanted to Hire”: “A black woman for house servant.” Ad placed by Mrs. G. Schirmer. Reprinted on Reprinted on May 4, 6. Wanted to Hire

May 6

  • “No. 1 Cook”: “A No. 1 Cook, Washer, Ironer, Milker, Nurse, a thorough house servant, aged about 50 years, for sale by M. Reichman” Reprinted on May 8. No. 1 Cook

May 8

  • “$200 Reward”: Ad placed by P.T. Wade, for Kit Houston, Tom, Bob, and Pugh. Reprinted on May 15, 22. $200 Reward

May 13

  • “Auction”: Report about a recent auction at Sydnor auction house, where “negroes” were sold for a lower price than in previous weeks. Auction

  • “Ranaway”: Ad placed by Donald Campbell, for “Moses”. Reprinted on May 15. Ranaway

  • “$25 Reward”: Ad placed by G. W. Gooch, for “Willis”. Reprinted on May 15, 18, 20, 22, 25. $25 Reward

May 15

  • “Source of the Supply of Salt”: Describes the source of salt for Western Texas. Source of Salt

  • “Courthouse Auction”: Describes the sale of “fourteen negroes” at the city courthouse. Courthouse Auction

  • “One Hundred Dollars Reward”: Ad placed by Dr. Saml C. Oliver, for “Hiram” Reprinted on May 18, 20, 22. One Hundred Dollars Reward

  • “The Salt Mines”: Tells of a Salt Mine, “Seven miles west of New Iberia and near Vermillion Bay” The Salt Mines

May 20

  • “To Refugees and Others”: “Wanted to Hire for a few months, or until the 1st of January, twenty hands (men and women) with or without families.” Reprinted on May 22, 25. To Refugees

May 22

  • “Boy for Sale”: Ad placed by C. C. Newhard, has a “negro boy” for sale. Reprinted on May 25. Boy for Sale

June 5

  • “$200 Reward”: Ad placed by P. T. Wade, for “Kit Houston” Reprinted on June 8, August 10, November 30, December 2 $200 Reward

June 10

  • “Ranaway”: Ad placed by W. P. English, for George, Sam, and Alford Ranaway

June 24

  • “Auction Sale”: Ad for a slave auction at Sydnor’s auction house on Tuesday, July 14. Auction Sale

June 26

  • “Auction Sale”: Ad for slave auction at Sydnor’s auction house, selling “25 Likely Young Negroes” Auction Sale

  • “Large Sale of Negroes at Auction”: “Description of 37 superior Negroes, to be sold without reserve, by Messrs A. C. McKeen & Co.” Reprinted on June 29, July 1 Large Sale of Negroes

  • “List of Negroes for Sale”: Ad listing the “gang of likeliest and most desirable negroes” for sale by Sydnor’s Auction House Reprinted on June 29, July 1, 3, 6, 8, 13 List of Negroes for Sale

June 29

  • “Wanted”: “Fifty Negroes, to work on G.H. & H. R. R. Wages $40 per month, with board and medical attendance” Reprinted on July 1, 3, 8, 15 Wanted

July 1

  • “For Sale”: “2 likely negro boys. Also 2 negro women” are being sold by Smith & Shaw. For Sale

  • “Unreserved Auction”: J. S. and J. B. Sydnor announce the sale of “200 Negroes”. Reprinted on July 3. Unreserved Auction

July 3

  • “Sold Yesterday”: Reports on the “negroes” sold by Messrs A.C. McKeen & Co. Sold Yesterday

July 6

  • “Auction”: Advertises the Sydnor auction house sale of “25 to 30 negroes”. Reprinted on July 27. Auction

  • “Negroes to Auction!”: Advertises the sale of “20 to 30 young and likely negroes” by A.C. McKeen & Co. Reprinted on July 8. Negroes to Auction

  • “Wanted to Hire”: “15 Negro Men, to do the ordinary work on a sugar plantation”. Reprinted on July 8. Wanted to Hire

July 13

  • “Fifty-Five Negroes for Sale”: By A.C. McKeen & Co. Reprinted on July 15. Fifty-Five Negroes for Sale

  • “$50 Reward”: Ad placed by G.W. Gooch, for “John”. Reprinted on July 15, 27, August 3, 5, 10. $50 Reward

July 15

  • “Fifty Dollars Reward!”: Ad placed by John Ewing, for “Abe” Fifty Dollars Reward

  • “$50 Reward”: Ad placed by R.S. Blount, for “Edmund” $50 Reward

July 17

July 24

  • “Notice to Planters”: Notice from the Labor Bureau, regarding “The frequent escapes of negroes from the different Departments to which they have been assigned to labor” Notice to Planters

July 27

  • “At Auction”: “50 Likely young negroes”, sold by A.C. McKeen & Co. At Auction

August 3

  • “$50 Reward”: Ad placed by J. C. Bullington, for “Calvin”. Reprinted on August 5. $50 Reward

  • “Negroes at Auction”: A. C. McKeen & Co. is auctioning off “15 young boys and girls”. Reprinted on August 5. Negroes at Auction

August 5

  • “Ranaway”: Ad placed by R. W. Bennett, for “Peter” Ranaway

  • “Auction Sale”: “25 negroes” will be for sale at the Sydnor Auction House Auction Sale

August 10

  • “$150 Reward”: Ad placed by Randolph & Hudson, for “Hutchinson”. $150 Reward

  • “Auction”: J.S. and J.B. Sydnor will be selling “25 to 35 negroes”. Reprinted on August 14. Auction

August 14

  • “Auction Sale”: “30 Valuable Georgia Negroes” are being auctioned off by A.C. McKeen & Co. Auction Sale

September 2

  • “Ranaway”: Ad placed by John H. Carter, for Mike. Reprinted on September 4. Ranaway

September 4

  • “Refugee Negroes”: States that there are “many negroes, belonging to refugees” in Texas, who are idle. Asks refugees to “bring their negroes here” because “labor is very scarce in Houston”. Refugee Negroes

September 7

  • “Information Wanted”: L. M. Powell is looking for information about his father, Mordecai Powell, who is a refugee from Louisiana. Information Wanted

  • “Auction Sale”: A.C. McKeen & Co is auctioning off “16 likely negroes” Auction Sale

  • “Ranaway”: Ad placed by N. C. Killough, for “Haywood”. Reprinted on September 9. Ranaway

  • “$1000 Reward”: Ad placed by Sam P. Sweeny, for “Sam”. Reprinted on September 21. $1000 Reward

September 11

  • “$500 Reward”: Ad placed by James A. Hardin, for “Ellen”. Reprinted on September 14, 16. $500 Reward

September 16

  • “$100 Reward”: Ad placed by P. W. Gray, for “Henry”. $100 Reward

September 25

  • “$100 Reward”: Ad placed by S.W. Sims, for “Lewis”. $100 Reward

  • “Confederate Shoe Factory”: “Planters or others having negroes capable of making shoes will send them forward immediately to assist in filling our orders to shoe the soldiers now in the field” Confederate Shoe Factory

October 7

  • ”Ranaway”: Ad placed by F. G. Banks, for “Frank”, “Isaac”, and “Charles”. Ranaway

  • “$100 Reward”: Ad placed by W. G. Foote, for “Ephraim”. $100 Reward

October 14

  • “Exempted”: Lists “negroes” who are exempted from impressment because of their work with manufacturers. Exempted

  • “$300 Reward”: Ad placed by J. S. Dodds, for “Madison”, “Mansfield”, and “Catherine”. $300 Reward

October 19

  • “Lodged in Jail”: Ad placed by Henry Merscburger, Sheriff, for “John”. Reprinted on October 21. Lodged in Jail

  • “To Louisiana Refugees”: Ad placed by W. W. Oliver, offers land to refugees who will cultivate it. Reprinted on October 21. To Louisiana Refugees

October 21

  • “For Hire”: “A lot of good house servants, men and women, negro boys suitable for drivers or body servants”. For Hire

  • “$100 Reward”: Ad placed by J. D. Waters, for “Peter Wilson” and “Joe Algiers”. Reprinted on November 10. $100 Reward

October 30

  • “$100 Reward”: Ad placed by J. W. Shipman, for “Jim”. Reprinted on November 2. $100 Reward

November 9

  • “Refugees to Our State With Their Slaves”: Observations regarding refugees and their slaves, offers suggestions on how this influx of people could be handled. Refugees to Our State

  • “Valuable Negroes”: J. S. and J. B. Sydnor are auctioning off “Forty likely young negroes”. Reprinted on November 10. Valuable Negroes

November 25

  • “Ranaway”: Ad placed by R.B. Love, for “Jack”. Ranaway

November 30

  • “100 Negroes for Sale”: Ad placed by B. H. Buckner. Reprinted on December 2. 100 Negroes for Sale

December 11

  • “Notice to Owners of Negroes”: Discusses how “negroes” working for different Government departments are escaping. Notice

1864

January 1

  • “FOR SALE - A likely Negro Man, young, strong, and active” sale of slave man

  • “FARM FOR SALE - Consisting of 467 acres of good land, 160 acres under fence, excellent range; a very good dwelling house, and convenient outhouses with or without negroes and inventory” J. H. Krancher. Farm for sale

January 4

  • “FARM FOR SALE - Consisting of 467 acres of good land, 160 acres under fence, excellent range; a very good dwelling house, and convenient outhouses with or without negroes and inventory” J. H. Krancher. Farm for sale

  • General orders, # 254. General orders inc. reference to slaves

January 5

  • “FARM FOR SALE - Consisting of 467 acres of good land, 160 acres under fence, excellent range; a very good dwelling house, and convenient outhouses with or without negroes and inventory” J. H. Krancher. Farm for sale

  • “All departments, railroad companies, or other persons having negroes in their employment, will report at the end of each and every monththe number, names and the county from which they were received” tracking slaves on the railway company

  • “FOR SALE - A likely Negro Man, young, strong, and active” sale of slave man

  • “FARM FOR SALE - Consisting of 467 acres of good land, 160 acres under fence, excellent range; a very good dwelling house, and convenient outhouses with or without negroes and inventory” J. H. Krancher. Farm for sale

January 8

January 9

January 11

January 19

January 20

January 21

January 26

  • Obituary to deceased mistress who was kind to slaves Obituary

January 27

-“WANTED TO HIRE - Thirty Good Coopers.” Slave or free unstated. Wanted to hire

January 28

  • “WANTED - One Hundred Negroes, for whom the highest wages will be paid” J. M. Brown. Wanted to hire

-“WANTED TO HIRE - Thirty Good Coopers.” Slave or free unstated. Wanted to hire

January 30

-“WANTED TO HIRE - Thirty Good Coopers.” Slave or free unstated. Wanted to hire

  • “WANTED - One Hundred Negroes, for whom the highest wages will be paid” J. M. Brown. Wanted to hire

February 1

  • “WANTED - One Hundred Negroes, for whom the highest wages will be paid” J. M. Brown. Wanted to hire

February 2

  • “WANTED - One Hundred Negroes, for whom the highest wages will be paid” J. M. Brown. Wanted to hire

February 3

  • “WANTED - A negro woman or girl to do house-work for a small family.” Wanted ad

February 4

  • “WANTED - A negro woman or girl to do house-work for a small family.” Wanted ad

February 5

  • “FOR HIRE - Two large and healthy negro …” For hire

  • Special order # 33 with reference to blacks. Special orders

  • “WANTED - A negro woman or girl to do house-work for a small family.” Wanted ad

1865

July 24

  • Article praising Marshal Lord for a plan to deliver water by cart during the summer months.

July 28

  • Local columnist notes that “Some people blame [him] for his bitter animosity against the negro population.” He responds with racist invective.

August 7

  • Racist note in “The City” column warns that neighborhoods where Black people are congregating pose a public health risk: “we trust the Board of Health will stir them up with a sharp stick.”

August 18

  • “The City” column reports that Provost Marshal turned over prisoners in the guard house to “City Marshal Lord” for work cleaning the streets.1 Same column refers to a purported lynch mob against the white proprietor of a grocery “in the rear of Mr. Sessum’s store” for allegedly selling poisoned candy.

  • See also comment on crowded Black neighborhoods

August 23

  • “The City” column note on Lord’s focus on arresting Black men.

September 11

  • Racist note in “The City” column blaming “nine-tenths of the burglaries and other rascalities” on “vicious” set. “We hope the city police will watch these fellows sharply and trap them in their villainies.” Same column says, “The jail of this city is now being repaired thoroughly. Sheriff Lord is determined that the boarders shall not take French leave of him.” Another notice in same column reports on a recent street fight in which Black man and white youth were sentenced very differently.

October 6

  • Page 2 has an editorial calling for Black defendants to receive fair treatment in District Court: “It is due to ourselves as an enlightened, humane, and christian people that it should be.” Yet the same page also contains a racialized complaint: “We think the authorities ought to take notice of the fact that some of the negroes are carrying arms,” noting several recent examples “where negro men have had revolvers belted upon their bodies.”

November 22

  • “The City” column with racist allegations about “obscene” behavior of youths: “The city Council have it in their power to abate the nuisance. Will they make a movement to do so?” - link. Same column reports the closure of the Provost Marshal’s office and the return of law enforcement “to the civil authorities.” Notes that under the PM, “Men have been fined from one to five hundred dollars for striking insolent negroes when the officials themselves would have done the same thing under the same circumstances.” Same column: “The abolition of the Provost Marshal’s office in this city will throw the entire enforcement of the laws upon Marshal Lord [I. C. Lord]. We have every reason to believe that he will be found equal to the task.” Mentions a concern about white and Black boys roaming the streets together to cause “mischief.” See also a note about Lord’s plans and requests for additional police on an earlier page, and a fuller editorial by Cushing about the closure of the PM office, which takes a slightly different tone.

December 8

  • “The City” column says that I. C. Lord is requesting more police due to impending holidays; he currently has “21 boarders” in the jailhouse. Same column reports that “a party of white men went to the house of an honest negro, in the vicinity of Frost-town, in the 2nd Ward, and fired their pistols … severely wounding him. We hope the miscreants will be detected and receive their just deserts at the hands of a Texas jury.” Same column refers to the Calaboose, noting that because the Recorder’s Court was not in session, “the culprits now in the calaboose will have another day’s board bill to pay.” Also see page 11 for a racist report about a burglary and another reference to the calaboose, as well as a concern about increase in vagrants. “Cannot something be done to do away with the nuisance? We hope the City Council will take hold of the matter forthwith.” Also locates Marshal Lord’s office at “the bell-tower.”

December 27

  • “The City” column warns of “suspicious faces on our streets” and also notes a recent street fight between soldiers and a group of Black Houstonians.

1866

January 15

January 19

  • “The City” - racist allegations about recent “vicious” horse thieves - link

January 22

  • “The City” - racist allegations about “vicious” burglars and thieves - link

January 24

  • “The City” - “We have seen scores of freedmen passing through town lately riding fine horses.” (link. Later in same column, “A small detachment of negro cavalry passed through Main street yesterday afternoon.” This issue also contains an interesting note about an arrest of a freedman who confessed to a burglary; the city recorder in the case turned the man over to the Freedmen’s Bureau instead of housing him several months in jail, in order to “thereby save the people from heavy taxation in supporting the villains in jail.” Another note also calls on “the city fathers” to abate a “gift enterprise establishment” set up right outside two churches. It also calls on the city council “to pass a stringent vagrant ordinance.” This prompted a reply from an alderman published on page 4. The local column has several notes suggesting that the reporter is paying close attention to grievances being filed with the Freedmens Bureau. Later, on July 13, the city council did in fact pass an ordinance regulating “gift enterprise” selling on the streets that creates large congregations; the salaries of police officers set at the same time.

January 26

  • An editorial about the “excitement in the city consequent upon the election of City Recorder.” Editorial attributes this to the high salary, maing it “in the way of emolument” one of the best offices in the state.

January 29

  • “The City” column comments on strict enforcement of vagrancy ordinance by I. C. Lord.

January 31

  • “The City” - Tri-Weekly contains a report of an attack on “one of the African churches in this city” and a “deadly feud” between members of Methodist and Baptist churches, leading to several “church disturbances.” See link.

February 2

February 5

February 7

  • A brief notice about taxation and the small rate available to the City Council. Cushing recommends raising occupation taxes.
  • In the “City” column, a brief, racialized comment about urban work: “We see few idle negroes on our streets now-a-days and the majority of them have found out long ago what the blessings of freedom were and have gone to work.” But compare the comment on February 9 urging white laborers to the state because Black Texans “under the teachings of abolition fanatics, imagine themselves superior to their former masters, and do not regard their contracts, and therefore cannot be depended on.”

February 26

May 25

  • Report that “Yesterday the scholars attending the negro school in this city turned out to enjoy a Pic-Nic. … They went some distance from the city where the coronation [of the Queen of May] was effected.” The day spoiled somewhat by rain. Same column contains a note about the work of the City Record and Deputy Marshal being a plum appointment.

1868

Houston Daily Telegraph

April 4

  • “Execution of Sam Johnson, Freedman, Yesterday”:

Our city was yesterday the scene of an extraordinary excitement, occasioned by the execution of the sentence of death upon the freedman, Sam Johnson, convicted of the murder of Dick Taylor. From an early hour in the forenoon, a vast crowd surrounded the jail, where the condemned was confined, completely blockading the traffic through Preston street. Amid this throng, which probably numbered two thousand persons, our reported noticed but few whites, other than the usual quota of noisy and ill-behaved juveniles.

There appeared to be a great diversity of opinion prevalent among the colored people as to the approaching spectacle, and while the majority seemed willing to acknowledge the justice of the penalty about to be inflicted upon the prisoner, there were scarcely any who felt disposed to treat the occasion otherwise than as one of awful solemnity.

During the forenoon a number of citizens visited the prisoner in his cell and found him fully awakened to the terrible reality of his situation, but professing a full degree of hopefulness as to the future. It is, perhaps, worthy of note that during the past few days Johnson had manifested an ardent desire for spiritual advice, and that he quite frequently engaged in prayer with the colored minister [later identified as C. W. Bryant] who attended him in his cell.

About 12 o’clock our reporter visited the spot where the gallows had been erected—a piece of woodland near the old City Cemetery. Here he found an assemblage of all colores and ages, surrounding the formidable platform that had been constructed for the occasion. … those who came in their vehicles and on horseback enjoyed a decided advantage over the others, excepting the little boys, black and white, who, perched amid the branches of the trees, amused themselves and annoyed everyone else with their cat callings and parrot imitations. …

April 5

  • “Miscegenation” - “There is a white woman and a black negro living together in the Third Ward as man and wife. The Grand Jury should take cognizance of this, and have the guilty disciples of amalgamation punished.”

April 8

  • “The Galveston Republican copies a notice of a meeting of the K. K. Club, of this city, and heads it ‘Ku Klux Klan Movements.’ We would inform the editor that our K. K. Club is a social organization, having no secrets from the rest of the world, unless it be their title, which is now generally understood by outsiders to mean ‘Kakes and Koffee.’ We hope no one hereafter will confound them with the bloody and mysterious Ku Klux Klan.”

Jesse Ziegler seems to refer to this same place, calling it the “Kaffe Klatch.”

October 1

Weekly Telegraph contains articles on “social unfriendliness” (a discussion of the possibility of social equality and those “who would open the doors of theatres, schools, hotels, steamboats and other places to the white and black man alike”) and on suffrage (including anti-suffrage editorials addressed “To the Colored People.”

1869

June 4

Report on the Wednesday night meeting of the Republican Club (location unspecified) in preparation for upcoming convention next Monday. Named attendees: J. G. Tracy, John Keppard (“colored”), R. Allen (c), and —– [sic] Half (c), along with 10 white men: A. H. Hall, A.K. Taylor, Henry Cline, R. G. Rawley, Batchelder, Kaumheimer, J. W. McDonald, Quick, Clayton and Scanlan; “the balance were colored, and we do not recollect their names.” W. E. Horne and Batchelder speak.

Editorial opposes Black police officers: “Let the negroes have their rights, but do not place them in positions in which they can arrest white men. This is plain talk, but there is not an honest white man in TExas, whether born in the North or the South, who does not feel it.”2

1870

May 30

Front page story criticizing Sumner’s “social equality” bill

1872

May 2

May 16

May 30

  • Editorial comments on the civil rights bill and on the impending defeat of the Radicals.

July 11

  • Report of a barbecue with Republican speakers, attended largely by Black men, women, and children, outside Austin

1874

May 27

Daily Telegraph

  • “Whose Horse?” - “Just in the rear of the colored Baptist church, on the bayou, in the Fourth Ward, a large, bald-faced horse has fallen down the bank and is in a position from which he cannot extricate himself, and where he may die if not recovered by the owner.”

June 11

Daily Telegraph

  • “Emancipation Day” - “The 19th will be celebrated in this city by our colored citizens and visitors from other counties. The festival will be upon the Festival Grounds, southeast of town, and continue for three days, with speaking, music, dancing and sports. There will be a grand procession also. The privileges on the ground have already been sold, and a regular jubilee is anticipated.”

  • “Convict Killed” - “Information was brought to the city yesterday that John Henry, colored, who placed the ties upon the railroad track near Waverly lately, and who proved to be an escaped convict, was shot by the guards at Huntsville penitentiary on Tuesday. He was again trying to effect his escape.”

June 13

Daily Telegraph

  • “Ice Cream Saloon” - “Mr. Klein announces the opening of an ice cream saloon, on the corner of Main street and Texas avenue, expressly for ladies, and promises polite attention and courteous treatment.”

June 19

Daily Telegraph

  • “The handbills posted about town announce that Hon. J. G. Tracy will deliver the oration at the colored jubilee to-day.”

June 20

Daily Telegraph

  • “THE COLORED population celebrated the natal day of their freedom yesterday, with a great deal of spirit. The turnout of their various societies in public procession upon the streets was exceedingly creditable. Two bands of music were in the procession, and about a dozen societies, each arrayed in its peculiar uniform and regalia; and all well dressed and orderly. After marching about all the morning they proceeded to Freedman’s grove, in the southern suburbs. Their celebration will continue to-day and to-morrow.” New Paragraph. “A word of friendly counsel to this portion of the population will not be amiss. They have certainly made great progress, considering the circumstances in which they have been placed. They have made far more and better progress here in Houston than in any other city in the South. Of all the communities from which accounts have from time to time reached us, there are none in which so good a feeling between black and white, so little disposition of the one to encroach upon and crowd the other, so much ambition for real improvement has been shown by the black as here in Houston. We had had, to be sure, to encounter the massing of the black vote by white Radicals, for their selfish purposes; and that has cost us some years of subjection to the sway of those who were not of us; but this has been less offensive than our brethren of New Orleans and Charleston, and even of Galveston, have had to bear. ….” New paragraph. “It may be like preaching to the win to tell them not to divide upon color, but until they learn that such division is to their own injury, will they fail to reap the advantages of citizenship.” New paragraph. “We trust that their present celebration may be a harmonious one, and that the tone of their speeches may show a disposition to rise above the demagoguery that too often characterizes the orators of such occasions; …”

  • “Sidewalk Notes” - “The day we celebrate so overcame some of the civil righters yesterday as to cause their early incarceration in the city bastile. Their ‘emancipation day’ is this day.”

  • “Emancipation Day. Ethiopia’s Annual Jubilee. The Procession to the Grounds.—The Festival Grove.—Tracy and Others Orate.—Scenes and Incidents” - Two columns of text. See full PDF on Dropbox.

June 21

Daily Telegraph

  • “More Festivalisms.” See full PDF on Dropbox.

September 16

Daily Telegraph

  • “To-night we understand there will be a grand ball at the Fair Grounds. We have never attended one of these Fair Ground hops, but we imagine they are very pleasant. The music is always good, and the dancing pavilion cannot be excelled.”

1875

April 21

Daily Telegraph

  • “The Pic-Nic Yesterday. A Magnificent Display. The Fair Grounds a Sea of Beauty. ‘As an Army with Banners.’ Pic-nics are historical. As far back as the oldest of us can recollect, there are pleasant incidents in our lives associated with these delightful spring-time out door festivities, and what fond memories cluster around them. The Sunday-school pic-nic yesterday, given to the scholars of Christ Church, was no exception to the general rule, save in that its display was more magnificent than anything of the kind ever before witnessed in our city. [New para.] Promptly at 8 o’clock in the morning, the teachers and the scholars began to assemble at the church, and a few minutes before nine a procession was formed, which, headed by a brass band, and the beloved Rector of the church, with banners flying, moved to Main street, up Main to McKinney, and down McKinney to Travis street, where street cars were in waiting to convey the noble little army to the Fair Grounds…..The procession presented a most beautiful and pleasing sight, as it marched up Main street. Arriving at the Fair Grounds, the young and old folks at once entered into the various sports of the day, a prominent and pleasing feature of which was a spirited game of base ball, in which Rev. Mr. Clemens, Rector, took a lively hand. Croquet, hop-scotch, dancing and roap-jumping [sic] filled the measure of enjoyment for the misses, while the agile representatives of the sterner sex resorted to more athletic sports, including a run around the mile track.”

April 29

Daily Telegraph

  • “The Pic-Nics Yesterday.” The Baptists held theirs at the Fair Grounds.

April 30

Daily Telegraph

  • “Sale of the Stands at the Fair Grounds.” Lists Frank Vance as successful bidder for Ice cream and Baptist Church for “Restaurant.” There is also another ice cream stand awarded to Carroll and a restaurant awarded to Ladies Aid Society.

May 9

Daily Telegraph

  • “Ex-President Davis” - He is expected to arrive today. “…He comes to mingle with the citizens of Texas, to speak encouraging words to the farmers, mechanics, and all who are engaged in developing the resources of our empire State. He comes to talk to the old and young, to say cheering words to those who, with him, have had to encounter defeat and misfortune, and his counsel will be to look upward, and press onward, and let the past be buried. He comes to wish the fathers and mothers, and children of Texas God speed, and to look upon the faces and take the hands of many who fought through the war with bravery and honor, and are not ashamed of the reord on every battle field. [New paragraph] God bless Jefferson Davis, and may he live long enough to see his beloved South once more prosperous, her desolated fields blossoming as the rose, and her people prosperous and happy.”

June 3

Daily Telegraph

  • “Sidewalk Notes” - “Parties desiring to visit the Fair Grounds, during the ‘heated term,’ will find Frank Vance ready to serve them with cool refreshments.”

June 5

  • “Colored People’s Fair” - “The colored people have been having a fair, for some purpose, during the past two nights, at a building on Travis street. Last night we endeavored to ascertain the object, so we questioned a number of darkies concerning it. All the information we could get concerning it was, ‘Dat it was fur de benefit of some star;’ ‘Guiden’ star,‘’Young star,’ ‘Risin’ star,‘’star ob de eben,’ or ‘some oder ’ciety.’ We suppose ‘de risin’ star’ will guide ‘de ’ciety’ fair-ly through the benefit.”

June 13

  • “Sidewalk Notes” - “A big buck negro entered the coffee stall kept by Mrs. Roper, yesterday, and demanded refreshments. He was refreshingly told ‘to git, and he got.’ … A noted civil righter, colored ex member of the Legislature, entered the Metropolitan saloon, Friday, and called for ‘drinks for the party.’ He didn’t get them—at the counter.”

  1. See also August 16.↩

  2. According to merseburger, 51, there was a rumor “later to be proved untrue” that a Black policeman had been appointed around this time.↩