St. Louis (MO) Daily Missouri Republican, "The Lewis County Stampede of Negroes," November 5, 1849

                The Lewis County Stampede of Negroes

   Yesterday’s mail brought us a letter from Tully, dated on the 2d inst., giving some of the some of the particulars of the Negro Stampede in Lewis county.

   The writer says: “We came nigh to having a general stampede amongst the negroes, in our county last night. It occurred about eight miles from this place. About thirty five of them had banded together, and provided themselves with arms, determined to fight their way out of the country. They were principally the property of Mr. James Miller and William Ellis. Mr. Miller was aroused about 3 o’clock in the morning, by some if his negroes entering his room and taking his guns. He ordered them to lay them down, but they refused, and cleared out as fast as possible. The alarm was immediately given in the neighborhood, and it was soon discovered that they were all at the house of Mr. McCutchen, where some additions were making to their numbers, and from which point, it was supported, they intended to move. After day some time, (they, in the meanwhile, being guarded until a sufficient force could be collected,) they were required to surrender and return to their duty, but they refused. Led on by an old man, who was armed with knives and a club, they approached the whites, threatening to kill them. On near approach of the leader, he was shot, and died in a few minutes. The others surrendered. There were among them men, women, and children – they had wagons and teams, and seemed determined to go away publicly.

   There are some of the fruits of Abolitionism.