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HIS BIRTH AND BOYHOOD.
ON Sunday, December 16th, 1827, in the town of Woodville, Mississippi, in a cabin on the property of Alec Gray, was born William O'Neal, whose life we now propose to present to the public through the pages of this volume.
It is of little consequence to a man's personal character and worth to inquire into the remote antecedents of his family, hence we shall only say that William was born a slave, the property of Mr. Alec Gray, a Mississippi planter. His mother's name was Laura, and since a master's slaves bore his surname, consequently her name was known as Laura Gray.
As we look back, over the intervening years, great and many have been the changes since William first saw the light of day.
Charles the X. was on the throne of France. Louis Phillippe, the citizen king, had not reached the goal of royalty. There were no swift steamers to bring the news; and not even an electric telegraph wire in the whole world.
The great State of Texas was like a foreign
country, being a province of Mexico; while Florida,
Missouri and Louisiana were the only States in the Union west of the Mississippi river. Louisiana was little less than a wilderness outside of New Orleans, and the population of this city in 1827 was only thirty thousand.
Measured by the enormous strides of civilization during his lifetime, William O'Neal has witnessed greater changes than had occurred in many centuries before. Such were the conditions of the country in which the first scenes of this history are laid.
Three months after the birth of William, in March, 1828, there might have been seen standing in the window of the dining room on Scott's plantation, in Rapides parish, Louisiana, and gazing earnestly through it, Mr. Scott, his wife and children.
They were on the tip-toe of expectation, waiting
for a batch of slaves from Mississippi. Among the
number was to be Laura, the new house-servant. A
vehicle of some kind could be discerned in the road
at a long distance. This road wound along the
banks of Bayou Boeuf. The evening sunbeams fell
athwart the green lawn and on the clustering shrubbery.
A bird flew swiftly across the sky, still
reddened by the rays of the setting sun, uttering its
shrill notes of plaintive melancholy. The air began to
grow cooler, and the surrounding foliage assumed a
violet hue. The only sound that was heard, farther
and farther away, was the groaning and creaking
“I don't think it is they,” said Mr. Scott, “whatever it is coming on at a snail's pace like a wagon. It has two horses abreast at any rate. The driver is whipping them up, too, and see it is coming now at a rapid rate.”
Every now and then the wagon would lose itself behind trees, hedges and turns of the road. On it came; its noise could now be distinctly heard, though the wagon itself was no longer visible. All eyes were bent to see it, and when opposite the avenue that led to the gate, it was heard to suddenly turn off the road and rattle down the broad avenue. Mr. Scott walked out to the gate to be in readiness to receive them. Away tore the children after him, just in time to be at the drawing up of the wagon. It was an immense vehicle, sheltered by a cotton cover, such as was formerly used by emigrant wagons, giving to them the title of “Prairie Schooners;” these, however, have long since disappeared before the advancing tread of civilization and the snort of the “Iron Horse.” This vehicle was followed by a single horseman, Alec Gray of Mississippi, who was kindly received by Mr. Scott.
At this moment a woman jumped out from the
back of the wagon, and at the same time a
copper-colored young woman made her appearance
Here the conversation was interrupted by the ringing of the supper bell, and Mr. Scott gave orders to his overseer to take the four field-hands down to the quarters, and Laura, with her child, William, to a cabin near the house.
Meanwhile Mr. Scott, followed by Mr. Gray, entered the dwelling.
It was a small house, built in a manner common
to southern homes, a wide gallery extending around
every side, into which each outer door opened.
Twenty-five feet back of the dwelling was a tiny bit of a house, built of logs, and having two rooms. This was to be the home of Laura and her son William, and for the present we will leave them to enjoy their much needed rest.
Years succeeded each other; time passes almost imperceptibly when there is little to mark its progress.
Thus eight years have passed since the reader was first introduced to William O'Neal.
Time changes all things, and withal a change has come to Laura and William.
1843 marks a new era in their lives.
Alec Gray, our old acquaintance from Mississippi, is again in Louisiana, but on a different mission from that which brought him here in 1828.
Then, as the reader will remember, it was to deliver a number of slaves, for which Mr. Gray had contracted with Mr. Scott at so much a head per annum; now it is to turn this same slave property into available cash.
Passing strange does it seem to our latter-day ears, this traffic in human beings, having the same souls and sensibilities as ourselves; but reflect, this was in the early dawn of the present century, when such was the custom sanctioned by law and common usage.
So, then, Mr. Gray seeks a buyer for his goods
and chattels, otherwise slaves, and finds one by the
Life had passed with William thus far much as it passes with all children, bringing in its train joys and sorrows; but now he has passed from childhood to boyhood, and stands before us a well-developed, bright quadroon, with a frame admirably calculated to resist fatigue, and an intellect potent with future events.
His boat is launched upon the voyage of life under the domination of his new master, who is to play an important part in his life history.
Touching Mr. Roberts' character I have collected but few particulars; but let me endeavor to bring before the mind's eye of my readers the outward semblance of this man.
He is well-built, able-bodied, and stands about five feet ten inches in height, weight about 150 pounds, with a pleasant countenance, brown hair and eyes. Such was the appearance of Alonzo Roberts at the time of which we write.
CHENEYVILLE—THE ROBERTS FAMILY—CHILDREN GOING TO SCHOOL—WILLIAM'S QUICK PERCEPTION—HIS LITTLE PONY.
DOUBTLESS by this time the reader has a curiosity to know something of our hero's surroundings.
Cheneyville, which is now to be his permanent home, is a picturesque town, lying on the banks of Bayou Boeuf. It is an old-fashioned southern town, with one-story houses, strung out for a half mile on either side of the bayou.
A bridge crosses the stream near the center of the town, and standing on this bridge in the early morning the bayou lies apparently motionless between green and level fields, its surface flecked here and there by a white ripple of foam.
The willows that grow on its banks are rustling in the early morning breeze; swallows are dipping and skimming about the old bridge, and ducks are paddling along its reedy banks, while cattle, sleek and mild-eyed, browse upon the sweet young grass.
Further on are vast stretches of cane and cotton fields, the former waving its long lance-like leaves like an army with banners, the latter covering the rich soil with the fleecy fibre of this “southern snow.”
All the stir and motion of the new-born day are
now upon us, and the quaint old-fashioned
Twice a week was the monotony broken by the arrival of the stage-coach, the only connecting link between the village and the outer world, bringing the mail and perchance a few passengers.
The driver would draw up with a great flourish and parade before the old inn, a hostelry which was one of the land-marks of Cheneyville in those days, but which has long since been removed.
These stage-coaches were the principal means of travel between Cheneyville, Alexandria, Opelousas, Lafattle, and a score of other towns; but travel to the “city,” as New Orleans is almost universally termed by native Louisianians, was mainly by Red river steamboats, involving several days to make the trip, which is now only six or eight hours.
Such was Cheneyville in 1835 when William entered his new home, which was situated in the center of the village.
It was a small house, half cottage, half villa, with a latticed gallery running the full length of the house, over which crept the tangled meshes of a white honey-suckle vine. The front door led into a diminutive hall, on either side of which were two small rooms—the dining-room on the left, the sitting-room on the right.
But two servants were kept, a cook and house-servant.
The mid-day meal was over, but the remnants of
the dinner were visible on the red and blue checked
table-cloth. A decanter of wine and a plate of
Mr. Roberts and his son Lee still kept their seats on one side, while opposite were Mrs. Roberts and the daughter Mary, all engaged in that desultory conversation likely to follow a well-cooked and well-served dinner.
Mrs. Roberts was a delicate, fragile looking woman, with a small face and gentle voice; her eyes were mild and dark, a faint color flushed her face, and her thin brown hair was braided back from her fair forehead. She looked what she was: a gentle, yielding, amiable woman, one who could never rise to any emergency.
They were talking of William and his mother.
Mrs. Roberts was just saying:
“Yes, Alonzo, Laura is all and more than Mr. Scott recommended her to be. She is bringing order out of chaos and the housework moves along smoothly under her guidance. She has a place for everything and everything is kept in its place.”
“And,” said Mr. Roberts, “that boy William is a perfect prodigy for his age. No professor of mathematics could be more exact than he is. My orders once given never have to be repeated, like a machine he continues his work until it is complete.”
All this time Lee and Mary were listening with attentive ears and bright faces to the praise of little William, who had become a great favorite with them.
Soon the time came for the opening of the school season, and Monday, September the 3d, finds Mary and Lee all excitement, eager to begin their first session at school.
This day marks an epoch in the life of every child, to be remembered through all after-life.
As Lee and Mary left the front gate morning after morning with their satchels well filled with books, and night after night they studied their lessons well, all this could not fail to pass unnoticed by the bright eye of William.
The question occurred to him: “Why am I not like the white children, with my books going to school, and learning to read and write?”
His youthful mind has not yet grasped the fact that he is a slave, and that schools and books are not for him.
As William realizes that he is somehow different from the other children, he reasons within himself: “Why should Lee go to school and I be deprived of this same privilege?” And as he meditates he investigates with the same mathematical precision characteristic of his nature, and enters into a personal examination of himself.
One day about this time, the children being at school and his mistress out visiting, William enters the house and surveys himself in the mirror, and as he looks he says: “Yes, I'm white just like Lee;” but the more he ponders the further he gets from the solution of the question, and as a last resort he appeals to his mother.
One night when alone with her he asks: “Mammy, why can't I go to school like Lee?
They were sitting by the fire, and she looked
steadily into the blaze as she replied: “Hush, child,
you are a slave's child, and there is no use talking
about schooling for you. Slave children can't go to
How galling this was to our young hero you may imagine. At first it was all unbearable. Over and over again he told himself that he would run away and escape to a land where these distinctions do not exist; all his hope had flown and his self-conscious importance disappeared forever.
Had the discipline William was subjected to been transient, lasting for a few months or even years, it would not have seemed so unendurable; but when that kind of mortification continues for life, its effects are lasting as life itself.
He now realizes for the first time his true condition: Fate had made of him a slave, nothing more than the “goods and chattels” of another man. The accident of birth had placed him below the station for which Nature had evidently fitted him by brain and will-power. It cannot be doubted that the blood of some noted ancestor flowed through his veins, but capricious Fate had played him a trick and placed him below his proper sphere in life.
William endured his troubles with the best fortitude he could, and as time wore on he grew to feel them less keenly; habit reconciles us in a degree to the worst of things, no matter what that worst may be. He gained experience meanwhile; his very nature was changed. His one thought, his chief aspiration, and the main incentive to every deed, was to be free.
This was the bright day-star of his hope and the lode-stone of his every thought.
The love of liberty is a principle deeply implanted in every human breast; and dull indeed must be the soul which does not kindle at the sound of those magnetic words of Patrick Henry's which shall go forever ringing down the corridors of time: “Give me liberty or give me death!”
To the history of William we may add at this point some observations on his general character.
In all his habits he was remarkably temperate. His talents were above the average, and he had acquired much knowledge by continued observation. His perception was quick. His comprehension, if not so ready, was thorough. It would be difficult to overestimate this faculty, so well developed in William, and to its influence he owes in a large measure his success in after-life.
Thus seven years have passed in Mr. Roberts' family; while step by step William has worked himself upward, fitting himself for the active duties of life.
Faithful service to his master has given him a stalwart frame and a healthy coloring to the somewhat square outlines of his face.
His broad, high brow gave good promise for his future; the strong, square chin, the firmly closed lips, the grave, gray eyes, in fact the whole aspect of frank, unconscious daring, seemed to make that promise good. He looked like one born to command, and no one knew his powers and capabilities better than himself.
I have been thus particular in describing William,
because in these ingenious days one cannot but
One man finds you out by your handwriting; another by the tone of your voice; a third judges exclusively by the shape of your hat; and many decide upon your tastes and disposition by the lines in the palm of your hand.
In the year 1843 an event occurred which changed the entire current of his thoughts.
He had a younger brother, Charles, who gave him a young pony.
As William looked upon his little bay pony his heart swelled with pride.
For the first time in his life he could now say concerning anything of value: “This is all my own.”
That innate sense of ownership which is inherent in every breast, was thus awakened by his brother's gift.
The pony's name was “Toby,” and since Toby is to play an important part in this history, we will reserve a further description of him for another page and chapter.
PLOT TO RUN AWAY—INTERVIEW WITH RUSS—TIME FIXED—FAILURE—SECOND INTERVIEW WITH RUSS AND THE ABANDONMENT OF THE PLAN.
“A HORSE! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!” were the words of Richard III. when he was unhorsed at the battle of Boswick. Richard did not obtain the horse, and so lost his kingdom.
The horse, the friend of man, has ever played an important part in the history of the world.
Now, we would not have the reader suppose that the horse spoken of in our last chapter was a war-horse, such as Richard so much coveted. No, Toby was only a pony of the horse tribe, a handsome little bay, fleet of foot, and much beloved by his master. Toby did not gain for his master a kingdom, but what is better, he trained for him freedom from bondage, and laid the foundation for his great success in life, which will be more fully developed hereafter.
William bestowed much care upon Toby, and he is three years old at the time of which we write.
Active, useful and gentle, he has become invaluable in the eyes of his owner, and how to turn this property to use is the great problem which agitates the mind of William for several days. “What shall I do with Toby?” And, like inspiration, the thought came to him one day: “Toby can carry me anywhere, why not run away?”
To be free was the highest ambition of his life,
and here was a chance to escape, and upon his own
pony. The more he reflected the more feasible the
plan seemed.
All that day he turned it over and over in his mind, and the more he considered the matter the more fixed became his determination to execute it.
But how could he carry out his plan alone?
Whom could he trust?
This was a momentous question, upon which depended more than we, at this distance of time, can realize.
The slave had never been taught to regard the first principles of honor, even among themselves.
Many were ready to betray their best friend, if by so doing they could gain the favor of their master. Hence it was important that William should move in this matter with great caution. One misstep and all was lost.
The task before him then was to thoroughly mature his plans before committing any act which might in the smallest degree imperil his safety.
To cautiously sound the minds of the men around him, and ascertain how far they relished the notion of quitting home and making a stroke for liberty, was the most important business at present. This was no small undertaking for a boy of fifteen summers.
The great lesson of life is patience, and this was fully developed in our young hero. Backed by an indefatigable will, he moved forward with this one end in view. All else paled into insignificance, compared with this one thought—escape. But he moves slowly, cautiously. He sounds first this one, then that one, and again another.
At last he thinks he has found a man by the name of Russ, the slave of Hadley P. Roberts, engaged in driving an ox-team on the place now known as the Keary plantation, five miles below Cheneyville, on Bayou Boeuf.
This man Russ was about thirty-two years of age, tall and square-shouldered, with dark hair, but complexion so light that he could easily pass anywhere for a white man. Such was the appearance of the man whom William had selected to be the companion of his a adventurous undertaking.
But selection was not enough; this man must first be made a fast friend before William can unfold his plan. Step by step he leads Russ along until he has succeeded in gaining his full confidence, and the conversations with William have become a bright spot in his monotonous life.
Those visits to the humble cabin of Russ were to William a matter of business; but to Russ, who was like the majority of slaves (“Come day, go day, God send Sunday”), they appeared to have no other object than that of the present moment.
William was playing his cards well, and as yet had
not shown his “hand.” Like a wily general, who
seeks to first learn the weak points of his enemy,
William had discovered that if he was to enlist Russ
Sunday, May 31st, 1842, might have been seen a boy and man sitting under a large live-oak tree situated on the Keary plantation, engaged in earnest conversation. The boy seems to be doing most of the talking, and as he talks he is drawing or sketching something like a map on the ground. As we draw near to them we discover the boy to be William O'Neal and the man his friend Russ.
William is saying:
“Do you see this ring? Well, that is Cheneyville; now right up this line running northwest is Lecompte; here we will make another little ring. Now follow this line and it takes us a little to the west. Thirty miles from Lecompte we cross bayou on this line and then following this road, which runs directly west, we come to Leesville, in Vernon parish. We will then be forty-five miles from Sabine river. A road runs from Leesville to Devil's Ferry; here we can cross the Sabine and be in Mexico, where we are no longer slaves but free men,” and his eyes kindled at the sound of those magic words.
Russ, meanwhile, is intensely interested, his eyes
are shining like young moons, and his mouth is wide
open. He looks at the boy in undisguised astonishment,
and says: “Bill, how did you find all this
out?” William explains to him that for three years
Many things yet remained to be done. The plans and their capacity for executing them seemed as yet in doubt. Of course, he had a week in which to further mature his plans, and now came into play the practical good sense of William, as the reader will perceive. The following week soon passed away, but to our young friend it seemed like a month, so anxious was he to be up and away—and then freedom. It was his only thought by day and his dream by night. At one time he would be on Toby flying like the wind, again he has crossed the Sabine river, and is now in the land of the free. Such is the power of mind over matter. But the week at last drew to a close, and Sunday, June the 8th, finds the plotters together once more.
As William seated himself on the ground, Russ
said: “Well, my boy, now for your scheme.”
William looked his companion straight in the eye.
“Russ, you are old enough to be my father, and
when we get out of this neighborhood you can and
must pass for a white man; if any one questions us,
I'm your son; do you understand?” The idea
seemed to strike Russ favorably, and William
As William concluded, silence fell on the two conspirators. Russ broke the silence by saying: “Yes, my boy, your plan is a good one. I don't think there will be much risk. They will not miss us until Monday morning, and if we push our horses we can cross into Mexico early Monday morning. You have everything ready for the start on Saturday night, and let us meet at this very place and be prepared to ride as soon as darkness falls.” With this they shook hands as a pledge of fidelity to each other, and separated for the night.
As William sprang on Toby's back, and started
homeward, he could not help but think to himself,
“this is the last Sunday night I shall spend in
Rapides.” No thought of failure had entered his
mind. Does not the poet say: “In the bright
lexicon of youth, which Fate reserves for a brighter
manhood, there is no such word as fail.” He
believed that the thought of freedom was as sweet to
Russ as it was to him, and never doubted that
Saturday night would find him ready to go. Having
indomitable courage himself, he was ready to
judge Russ by the same standard.
The week glided slowly by; Saturday night has
come at last. It was a glorious night, as if specially
ordered for this occasion. The heavens were bright
More than a week passed before William had an
opportunity to see Russ and ask the all-important
question. Russ had various reasons to assign for
his failure to keep his appointment under the live-oak
tree, and so glib were his excuses, and so plausible
his explanations, that William was induced to
try him once again. The second date is fixed to
make their escape; but, like the first, it proved a failure.
Even the third time William was induced to
trust him; but, alas! his confidence was misplaced,
Russ has deceived him again and again, until William
had become almost desperate. The last interview
was a most stormy one, and ended by William telling
1848—DR. HAWKINS—NORTHERN MEN—BUILDING OF THE SUGAR-HOUSE—SETTING UP MACHINERY— WILLIAM AS AN ENGINEER.
WILLIAM can never forget the deep anxiety
with which he awaited the coming of the
night, that night ever memorable in his life,
when he was to escape from his bondage and be a man
among men; the feverish restlessness which
possessed him, the exultation with which he
contemplated his scheme, the miserable anguish with which
he was compelled to acknowledge failure, all
remained stamped
Six years had come and gone, drifted away forever on the great ocean tide of time, and William O'Neal was still a bond slave. Yes, a slave, in all that word implies.
The discipline he was undergoing was making a man of him, somewhat subdued, but a good man. And so he went on, reconciled only in a degree to his life. He could look forward to nothing better, the prospect seemed entirely hopeless. His future seemed dark indeed; no star of hope brightened his pathway. In this sad and deplorable condition William reaches manhood, which brings us down to the year 1848.
In the spring of this year he was hired by his master to Dr. Hawkins, a sugar planter who lived about three miles below Cheneyville on the west bank of Bayou Boeuf, on the place now known as the “Waverly plantation.”
The doctor was building a large sugar-house, and William was to assist in its erection.
The builders or contractors were northern men, and William being industrious and active, soon won the confidence and respect of these men and became quite a favorite with them.
William had many conversations with them upon his condition as a slave. They sympathized with him, but extended no helping hand. He soon realizes that he must work out his own freedom, if ever he is to be free. They advised him to save his money until he had enough to purchase himself. This seemed a Herculean task to William, who was well aware that the price of an able-bodied man far exceeded his small earnings. But still he thanked them kindly for their interest, although he could see no prospect that their advice would ever be realized.
His opportunity to make money was limited, each day of his time belonged to his master. The night only could he call his own, and many slave-owners objected to night-work, unless it was for their own benefit. Some were more liberal, and permitted their slaves to earn a little for pocket change, but at most this would amount to only a small sum.
Few good mechanics are able to lay up in a lifetime
as much as William would sell for; then how
could he hope to acquire in the few short hours
While we must give these northern men credit for the best of motives in thus recommending to William to save his money, could they have realized the import of the word “slave,” they would have seen that such advice was only to mock him.
In the interviews with these men William had hoped that they could give him some encouragement and possibly assistance; but he soon saw that such a hope was worse than useless.
From them no light was reflected, and with a saddened heart he toiled on. In a novel, people die of broken hearts, which is a very convenient way of disposing of them; but not so in real life; we do not die when all that makes life worth living dies to us.
There is the never-ending and all-important round of duties to be gone through with, whether the heart is grave or gay. William could only wait, and work and hope.
The summer is half gone, the carpenters' hammers have ceased their clinking, and the great sugar house is nearly completed.
Daily the big engines, sugar kettles and coolers are arriving, to be set in position by a new gang of engineers and brick masons. To this gang William is assigned as helper, and August and September is a busy time with them.
Much remains to be done before the sugar-house
will be ready for the grinding season. It is push
and drive with everybody, for the cane will be ready
for the mill by the 10th of October, and everything
The Hawkins plantation is the largest sugar plantation in Rapides parish, and a failure to be ready on time would involve the loss of thousands of dollars, hence every workman is pushed to his fullest capacity.
William, by his activity and energy, won for himself the praise of all. This was the history of him in all positions in which he was placed. The footfall of his master never caused him to quicken his pace; he did his whole duty faithfully and conscientiously, not as an “eye-servant,” as the Bible phrases it, but as a man who fully realizes the importance of the work in which he is engaged.
William had an ever present ambition to be something better than a slave; he longed to rise above his present condition, and it needed not the eye of a prophet to foresee that he would make his way in the world. He had put his hand to the plow, and did not mean to turn back until victory should crown his efforts. With such a principle actuating his very nature, it is no wonder that he gained the admiration of all with whom he came in contact.
By October the tenth the sugar-house is ready for grinding; the fires blaze in the great furnaces, the wheels begin to revolve, and it has become a thing of life.
William has been inducted into the mysteries of engineering, and as we glance into the sugar-house we see him managing the great engine with that deliberation characteristic of his nature.
The grinding season is a merry time on the sugar
plantation, everything grows sleek and fat. All are
full of life,
Ah! there is romance indeed lingering about the old sugar plantation, distinctively characteristic of Louisiana. The broad acres of waving cane, where the keen knives glisten in the morning sunlight, wielded by a hundred sturdy hands.
The heavy two-wheeled carts roll by, laden with juicy cane, its purple stalks like the bloom on the ripened grapes of Italy. Long trains of these immense vehicles are coming and going, in the vain attempt to satiate the maw of that great colossus which is continually belching forth smoke and flame.
No time for idling now; for day and night all through the grinding season, which lasts until the last stalk of cane has passed through the crushers and emerged from the immense evaporators in the form of commercial sugar, all hands are kept busy. Thus ended the first season at the new sugar-house of Dr. Hawkins.
William has gained experience during the year now drawing to a close; but no ray of hope has gladdened his heart. Liberty, so sweet to contemplate, now seemed as far in the distance as when a boy of fifteen he met his first failure.
JAMES COOK—TOBY SOLD—LEARNING THE COOPER'S TRADE—FALLING IN LOVE—MARRIED—AT DR. HAWKINS' AGAIN—BUYING HIS WIFE.
THE pendulum of the clock swings to and fro, ever advancing and retreating. To the casual observer the ceaseless “tic-tic” means only dreary monotony; yet there is real progress made; you may not see it by watching the pendulum, but up higher on the face of the clock there is evidence of an onward and forward movement.
So it was with William; his time was busily engaged in doing his duty, and gaining in experience and wisdom every day of his life.
He was on the forward march which was to ripen into success, and although he could not see it, he was advancing towards freedom, the boon which he so ardently craved.
The year 1849 finds his condition somewhat changed; having filled out the contract with Dr. Hawkins, his master has hired him to his son-in-law, Mr. James Cook.
This year we have William as a farmer, for Mr.
Cook is engaged in that business. The work is not
as congenial as the sugar-house was to our hero, but
he never murmured or complained. The pendulum
has seemed to swing backward while he is buried in
the cotton and cane fields; but, though buried, he
Mr. Cook, when he employed William, knew that he could be trusted. Hence we find that Mr. Cook allowed William more liberty and latitude than the other servants, and often talked over his business with him more like a friend than a slave. William realized that all this was to his advantage, and endeavored to cultivate the good will and friendship of his master or temporary owner.
He still owned the pony, “Toby,” given him by his brother Charles; and one day, while conversing with Mr. Cook, William said to him: “I should like very much to learn to be a cooper, and if you are willing, I can sell Toby for forty dollars and give it to you if you will allow me two months to work at the cooper's trade.” Mr. Cook readily agreed to this, and soon Toby is sold, and William hires his time for two months, paying the forty dollars.
At Cheneyville was a cooper shop, run by a man
named G. C. McCormick. He had come to Cheneyville
a few years before the events we are relating,
and established himself in the cooperage business.
He was a fine workman, and very industrious, having
been born in the State of New Jersey, where the
soil is so sandy that it will scarcely sprout a goober-pea,
hence he was raised in a school of economy and
industry. Under this man William is to work at
the cooper's trade two months. The only pay he is
to receive is that Mr. McCormick agrees to advance
him as rapidly as possible. William started out in his
new occupation with the determination to learn all
During this time Alonzo Roberts and his son-in-law, James Cook, have a falling out, resulting in a separation of hands. Mr. Roberts takes those belonging to him, and William finds himself again under his old master. When his time expired with Mr. McCormick, that gentleman was so much pleased with his work and behavior that he offered to hire William from Mr. Roberts for the year at a good price.
About this time our hero met a fine looking young woman, by the name of Ellen; to her it seems, judging by after-events, he surrendered his heart. To use his own language in speaking of this event: “I was anxious to have a wife, as all young men are; true, I did not count the cost or know the responsibility.”
The summer and fall passed away in love-making and working at the cooper's trade. By this time he could turn out as many barrels a day as any one in the shop; and when he considered this, it gave him some idea what his freedom would be worth to him. This strengthened his hope, and gave him courage to press forward. So well pleased was Mr. McCormick with him, that at the beginning of the year 1850 he offered Mr. Roberts three hundred dollars per year for his services, which offer was promptly accepted.
In March of this year William was married to
Ellen. This increased his responsibilities, and
made him more thoughtful and sedate. At the close of
this year William completed his trade, and won the
reputation of being among the finest coopers of his
race. This he had accomplished with no aid from his
In January of the next year Dr. Hawkins offered William's master four hundred and fifty dollars per year for his services as foreman in his cooper shop, on the same plantation where William assisted in building the sugar-house in 1849. He entered upon his duties in a new shop on the old plantation, and for three years he works and manages the cooperage on the largest plantation on Bayou Boeuf.
At the expiration of this time, under the employment of Dr. Hawkins, to use his own words: “I have now won public confidence, anything I wanted to go in, I had friends to help me.”
William and Ellen had now been married three years, but those years had not been all sunshine.
Ellen's mistress had died in 1849, and her master wanted to take his children to their grandmother in Tennessee. This would compel a separation between William and his wife.
It is difficult for us, at this period of time, to
realize the workings of the old ante-bellum system of slavery—the forcible separation of husband and
wife being one of its most cruel features.
It must be said, however, to the credit of the
majority of slave-owners, that such cases were very
rare. Sometimes it would happen in the division of
an estate that the husband would fall to the share of
one heir and the wife to another; but, even in such
a case as this, unless widely separated by distance,
the conjugal relation was kept up, and the children
Ellen's master was willing to sell or buy, but Mr. Roberts was not willing to sell William.
Mr. Roberts had a talk with Ellen, and finding that she was grieving so over the prospective separation, he said to her: “Never mind, I will buy you. I am willing to give one thousand dollars for you.”
When Ellen reported this to William, he said to her: “If anything should happen to you, I am powerless to aid you; and I am afraid that I am an injury to your interest. I would rather you would stay with your present owners, as you are doing well now, and at some future day we may see each other.”
They had no children, and the reader must remember that this was a matter of considerable importance in those days. Naturally her owner was disappointed in his expectations, and the consequence was Ellen was continually being offered for sale.
Under these circumstances William was so much
He had a friend, a man by the name of William Scott, to whom he went, and laid the whole case before him. Mr. Scott sympathized with his feelings in the matter, and agreed to let him have the money, one thousand dollars, at ten and a half per cent. interest, with which amount William purchased his wife, and so got rid of the fear of having her separated from him.
But who can describe Ellen's feelings at finding herself freed from the haunting dread of being torn from the arms of a loving husband, and perhaps transported to some far distant State? Words are inadequate to portray the happiness which filled her breast at the thought that she was no longer the “goods and chattels” of a white man, but the sole property of her husband in deed and in truth.
When the time came for a settlement, Mr. Scott charged William two hundred dollars hire for a boy belonging to him, who had been learning the cooper's trade. This caused some hard feelings and words, so that Mr. Roberts was called in to arbitrate the matter. The bill was an unjust one, but William, being a slave, could not protect himself, so he paid the two hundred dollars, and submitted to the fraud with the best grace he could.
WILLIAM'S INTERVIEW WITH MR. ROBERTS—SELLS HIS WIFE—BUYS HIMSELF—FIRST PAYMENT— TROUBLE ABOUT RECEIPT, IN WHICH THREE TAKE PART—LEE DOUBTED—LAST PAYMENT—ANDREW JACKSON HOLDS DEED—WILLIAM A FREE MAN.
IN the fall of the same year William's master, Mr. Alonzo Roberts, saw an opportunity of buying a plantation, the first payment on which was one thousand dollars cash, the remainder, fifteen hundred dollars, to be paid in two years. Mr. Roberts sent for William to know whether he wanted to buy himself. This long cherished desire of his heart now seemed about to be realized.
Mr. Roberts had always been so opposed to selling him, that it was with great surprise William now listened to his proposition, but managed to conceal his astonishment and ask for time to consider the matter.
William spent the next few days in seeking a purchaser for his wife, being careful to find one from whom he could purchase her at any time he could raise the money. He finally found the right sort of a purchaser in the person of Mrs. Johnson, who bought Ellen for the sum of one thousand dollars, giving him the privilege of redeeming her at any time for a like sum.
It can readily be seen that Ellen had unbounded
confidence in her husband, else she would never
With this money he then presented himself to his master, ready to make the purchase of himself. After paying Mr. Roberts the sum of one thousand dollars, William asked for a receipt.
Mr. Roberts jokingly replied: “Go on, my boy; I would not cheat you any quicker than I would my son.”
This was not at all satisfactory to William; but, realizing his condition, he was forced to depend upon this verbal promise.
During the next year, 1855, William worked hard, encouraged by the thought that Mr. Roberts' word was as good as his bond, in that he had always been a good and kind master.
When the time arrived for the next payment, which was in 1856, William thought he could gladden the heart of his master by paying him more than he expected; so he paid him eleven hundred dollars, instead of the one thousand dollars, which he expected, making a total of twenty-one hundred dollars which he had paid him.
This time William endeavored to reason with him about the receipt. He said: “Mr. Roberts, is it not fair and just that I should have some sort of writing to show that I have paid you twenty-one hundred dollars?”
Mr. Roberts' reply was: “Why, boy, you are crazy; I would not cheat you any quicker than I would my son.”
William continued to expostulate with him. He said: “Mr. Roberts, if you will only give me something to show what I have paid you, then, in case you should die, I will not have to talk so much to explain. All I would have to do would be to present the paper, which would show for itself.”
Again his reply was: “Go on, my boy; I am not going to die; neither am I going to cheat you.”
This was all the satisfaction which William could get out of him.
Mr. Roberts then went out in the yard to feed the pigs, while William remained in the house, conversing with Mrs. Roberts.
He said to her: “Miss Sarah, the reason why I wanted writing to show that I had paid twenty-one hundred dollars was in order that I could prove it should the occasion ever arise.”
Mrs. Roberts arose and went out where her husband was, and said to him: “Mr. Roberts, William is disposed to believe that Lee will act the rascal.”
William denied it promptly, but explained over and over again why he wanted the receipt.
Mr. Roberts still put him off with the same words: “Go on, my boy; I would not cheat you any quicker than I would my son.”
This was small comfort to William, but such as it was he was forced to accept it; so he took courage and went forward in the discharge of his duty. He only owed now the sum of five hundred and sixty-six dollars. This amount fell due in January, 1857. Promptly William was on hand to settle the debt.
Mr. Roberts said he was going for Lee to witness the final settlement, and at the same time give the deed.
He went and found his son, who asked him: “How did you sell William to himself?”
Mr. Roberts replied: “Why, he paid twenty-five hundred dollars for himself. He paid one thousand dollars cash on this place. On the second payment he paid eleven hundred dollars; now he's ready to pay the balance on the final settlement.”
Lee asked: “Did he pay four hundred and fifty dollars rent for his services last year and this?”
“No; but he paid interest on the fifteen hundred dollars.”
“Then a hundred men could not make me give him a deed, unless he pays that nine hundred dollars.”
Mr. Roberts said to him: “Lee, you ought not to do this; that boy paid for this place. I hate to go back and tell him what you said.”
Lee continued to affirm that he would not sign the deed, unless William paid the nine hundred dollars.
Mr. Roberts came home, and told William what Lee said and of his objection to giving the deed. Then William reminded him of what he had said on a previous occasion, when Mrs. Sarah had been so offended at the idea of Lee acting the rascal.
William saw that he was powerless to prevent the
imposition, so he asked Mr. Roberts if he would
allow him the interest on his money for two years,
as that would only be fair and just to himself. Mr.
On the appointed day William was so eager to find out if they were coming that he went out to see and met them both. They tried to persuade him to accompany them back, but he excused himself on the plea of business, and went on. When he returned he found a message that he should come to the hotel, as they wanted to see him. He declined to go. Next morning they were up very early, looking for him. They said to him: “William, if you wish, you can go to work and make your money back.”
They also told him that in case he bought himself he could not remain in this country, but would have to leave.
But such was William's determination to be a free man, that these arguments had no effect upon his mind; and he told them that he had already made arrangements to go to Mexico.
Lee told him to “Go ahead; I see you are hell-bent on going.”
It was at this point that they consented to give him a deed, which they did, although they made him pay nine hundred dollars more than he bargained for, thus taking advantage of his situation.
William now went to Andrew Jackson, and placed the deed in his name, there being no other alternative for him. He remained in the name of Mr. Jackson until he paid the four hundred and fifty dollars which he had borrowed from him, with ten and a half per cent. interest. He then got a lawyer to draw up a fictitious deed and made Mr. Jackson his agent.
Ellen and Mrs. Johnson being such close friends, he left her with Mrs. Johnson until after the surrender. Afterwards he proved his gratitude by sending one of Mrs. Johnson's sons to school.
When the war began William was induced to follow Andrew Jackson's son, who had enlisted in the army. He went as far as Camp Moore, and there he got enough of “war and guns,” only remaining four days. He saw an opportunity of returning home, which he did, fully satisfied with his experience as a soldier. He came home, and as he always endeavored to better his condition, he took the part of the Confederacy. By so doing he avoided being forced to do public work. He was detailed to make coffins for the soldiers.
In 1863 the Federals made a raid through this country, staying here a month. They returned to Fort Hudson.
In the fall of 1863 the slave-holders were running their slaves to Texas, either to sell them or prevent them from enlisting in the Federal army.
William had a brother, who was included in this general exodus, and William wished to buy him in order to keep him from going. He thought that he would have to pay about five thousand dollars for him, but to his surprise he was able to purchase him for three thousand dollars.
After the surrender William felt his deficiency from an intellectual standpoint, and decided to go to New Orleans to school. However, owing to his limited means, he did not remain there longer than a month, after which he returned home and resumed his former business.
In January, 1866, he purchased a place in Avayelles parish for eighteen hundred dollars, paying six hundred cash. He built on it two cabins, and put two families therein. They made a very fine crop on halves, but after making it they stole both cotton and corn little by little. William's brother caught one of them in the act of stealing and reported him.
Soon after this the men met and quarreled, and hard words led to blows, resulting in William's brother shooting the tenant, who ran into the house for his musket. Being followed by William's brother, he shot him through the eye, which wound resulted eventually in his death. William was about fifty yards from the scene of the conflict, and ran to the relief of his brother. Finding him wounded, and the pistol lying beside him, he picked up the weapon and ran to the window, where he saw the man loading his gun. He shot in the window at the man who was standing by the bed. As he jumped on the window, the man's mother struck him with an axe. He jumped in and fired two shots. The first took effect in the man's arm and the second in his hip. He fell as if he was dead.
When William looked where his brother was lying on the ground, and saw standing over him the mother of the man he had just shot; he was very much enraged and fired at her also, but fortunately the pistol snapped. When he came out all had fled except the two wounded men.
Of course, he was arrested and tried before the justice's court, but was acquitted.
The wounded man recovered in due time, but William's brother died from the effects of his wound.
This unfortunate affair was the cause of his giving up the place and returning to Cheneyville, his old home. He had only four hundred dollars left after this trouble, with which he purchased a house in Cheneyville and gave it to his mother.
In buying the house from Mr. Mark Marshall, William told him that was all the money he had, and asked him what would he do for supplies, or who would furnish him that year. Mr. Marshall replied that he would supply him, which he did.
This little incident, though but a trifle in itself, shows the confidence which the white men had in the honesty and integrity of William O'Neal.
WILLIAM RETURNS TO HIS OLD BUSINESS—MAKES A NEW PURCHASE, AND HAS TROUBLE ABOUT THE DEED TO THE LAND—CONFIDENCE BETRAYED BY ONE HE TRUSTED—NOT DISCOURAGED, HE TRIES AGAIN, AND THIS TIME HAS BETTER LUCK—HIS CIRCUMSTANCES IMPROVE, AND HE BEGINS TO REBUILD HIS FORTUNE.
IN 1871 Mrs. Johnson's place was advertised for sale. Mr. I. C. Johnson, her son, had Col. Vincent, of New Orleans, to buy the place in. William O'Neal was living on the place at the time, and as he had long been wanting to buy a home, he bought twenty acres from Mr. Johnson, thinking he was the real owner. He paid one thousand dollars for the twenty acres, and afterwards, when there was an additional ten acres adjoining the twenty which he had first bought offered for sale, he purchased that also, paying Mr. Johnson five hundred dollars for the same. Up to this time he had received no titles for either of the pieces of land, but having unbounded confidence in Mr. Johnson's integrity, he was not at all uneasy about the titles.
In 1872 William accompanied Mr. Johnson to New
Orleans, for the purpose of seeing Mr. Vincent, and
getting the titles or deeds to the land fixed up. They
left home on the first of March, and remained
several days in the city without seeing Mr. Vincent. It
William replied: “Mr. Johnson will inform you.”
Mr. Johnson appeared to be greatly embarrassed, and said to Mr. Vincent: “Did you do what I told you?”
Mr. Vincent answered: “What?”
Mr. Johnson began to stammer, when William interrupted him, saying: “I have bought thirty acres of that place in Rapides, and paid for it fifteen hundred dollars. I paid the last five hundred yesterday to this man, Mr. Johnson.”
Mr. Vincent's reply was perfectly astounding to
William: “I don't know anything about that, but
you can't get that place until you pay me, for it is
mine and not Mr. Johnson's.”
Quick as a flash William saw the trap he had been led into, and with the swift decision which was characteristic of his nature, he immediately made up his mind that he would have the place if he had to pay for it over again. So he said to Mr. Vincent: “Will you take my notes for the purchase money?”
To this Mr. Vincent replied that he did not know whether he would or not.
William said: “If they were endorsed by my merchant?”
“What merchant?”
The answer was: “Renshaw& Cammack.”
He said: “In that case, yes,” and immediately sent a messenger around to the office of the commission merchants to inquire into the commercial standing of William O'Neal. Much to the gratification of all parties, Renshaw& Cammack readily expressed themselves as willing to do anything to oblige William.
As soon as possible William got a notary to write up the deed and signed the notes, which were then endorsed by Renshaw& Cammack. Thus, through the duplicity of a trusted friend, he was made to pay twice for the same place.
On his return home by boat he met Mr. Johnson on the same steamer, but did not reproach him for his breach of confidence, thinking that he could perhaps, by waiting, get some of his money back. Mr. Johnson, however, approached him, and asked him if he got his business fixed up. Upon William replying that he had, Mr. Johnson then said: “Let me see the deed.” This favor he granted, knowing that it could not make any difference now one way or another. His money was gone, but he still had hopes of inducing the man to return at least a part of it. So he asked him: “What did you do with that five hundred dollars I gave you that day in the city?”
The reply was: “I spent it.”
Not another word of explanation or extenuation to the man whose trust and confidence he had so shamefully betrayed.
William controlled himself so well that no trace
of the indignation he felt showed itself upon his
countenance; this was but another proof of the
What hand can picture or pen portray the feelings which filled his bosom as he returned home to meet Ellen, the wife of his bosom, confidently expecting the deeds to a home, bought and paid for?
We all know something of the joy of possession, be it ever so small and simple a thing; and it is the dearest desire of every woman's heart to possess a home of her very own, where she can be queen in her own domain. Think, then, what must have been the feelings of William when he returned home and felt compelled to tell Ellen that the desire she had so long cherished was but “the baseless fabric of a dream.” Fifteen hundred dollars gone, and not a thing to show for it—verily this was enough to discourage the stoutest heart.
Ellen received the news with a sad heart, but womanlike, in times of adversity she only clung the closer to her husband, and endeavored to encourage him by kind words and caresses.
Soon after this William determined to try again and see if he could not induce Mr. Johnson to return him at least a part of the money which he had been defrauded of. So he went to Mr. Johnson and told him that he would take a part in cotton, of which he had a large crop; but greatly to his surprise and chagrin, Mr. Johnson told him he was in honor bound to ship that cotton to his merchants. William could not refrain from saying: “Don't you think you owe me some honor?”
To this Mr. Johnson retorted: “You talk too much.”
This was the last effort that William ever made to secure any part of his lost money; he now realized fully the kind of man he had to deal with, and from this time on he applied himself with renewed diligence to his business, straining every nerve to accumulate the amount which would fall due soon to meet his notes given Mr. Vincent for the place. Yet, even in the midst of such a trial, it is characteristic of the man that he did not denounce the one who had so grossly betrayed his trust, but out of consideration for the family of this man, to which family he was indebted for many favors, and whom his wife loved very much, he held his peace and endured all things, even extending to the man himself such small favors as he could, consistent with his straightened circumstances. He worked hard the remainder of this year, and greatly to his relief, and to Ellen's joy, he was able to meet his notes in the fall as they fell due.
It was with glad and grateful hearts that he and
Ellen were at last installed in their comfortable little
The words of the poet could now be fully appreciated by this loving couple:
VICTORY FROM DEFEAT—RE-ESTABLISHED IN BUSINESS—CONCLUSION AND FINALE.
WHEN the human heart desires some certain object, and the entire mind is bent upon obtaining that object, whatever it may be, and the whole energies of the man are devoted to the attainment of that end, success is certain. Richelieu is made to say to the timid embassador, who is entrusted with a diplomatic mission, and fearful of failing in his quest, inquires of his Holiness: “But, sire, what if I should fail?” In tones of thrilling magnetism, and drawing himself to the full height of his majestic figure, the grave and reverend Cardinal replies: “In the bright lexicon of youth, which Fate reserves for a brighter manhood, there is no such word as Fail!”
Thus it was with William O'Neal; for years he had yearned to be the proud possessor of a home and land of his own; for this object he had toiled incessantly, early and late. For this purpose he had endured many hardships, and hardest of all for a man of spirit to endure, he had submitted to the basest imposition at the hands of a so-called friend; but, as we have seen in the preceding chapter, the indomitable will of the man rose superior to all these obstacles, and finally wrested victory from defeat.
After redeeming his notes and securing a bona
fide title to the place, which he now calls home,
In 1892 his mother died, and this place became
the subject of litigation among the several heirs.
William was forced to resort to law to establish his
claim, but finally won the suit after many delays
and much expense. In the meantime, however, he
had opened up a store and put in charge of it a
young fellow named Joe Johnson, a nephew of Mr.
I. T. Johnson. When we remember how much
William had suffered at the hands of Mr. Johnson,
we are struck with the magnanimity of his nature,
to so readily forgive an injury and endeavor to
befriend the man who had done him the wrong. But
this arrangement did not turn out well; young
Johnson failed to make a success of the business,
and William was called on repeatedly to furnish
money (made by his own hands at the cooper's
trade) to run the store. After trying various
persons and plans, he finally concluded to clerk for
himself. This year, by careful management, he
came out even. He continued to farm at the same
time, and one day, while he was picking cotton, he
reflected what a position he was occupying,
“The world,”he said to himself, “regards me as a merchant, for I am continually receiving price-lists and circulars, while here I am under a cotton stalk. ” This will never do, he thought. “I must stick to one business or the other,” so he decided to resume his place as a merchant and let others do the cotton picking.
True to his resolution, he has attended to his mercantile interest from that day till this, and success has crowned his efforts. He has amassed a considerable fortune in all these years, and numbers among his customers both white and colored. No man stands higher in reputation for integrity and fair dealing than William O'Neal, and the fact that he is rated in Bradstreet's equal to the other merchants in Cheneyville, proves how good is his credit in the mercantile world.
He has been a member of the Christian Church for nearly forty years, and has contributed largely to the support of the gospel. No cause of charity ever appealed to him in vain and no beggar ever turned empty-handed from the door. “Freely ye have received, freely give,” has been his motto, and to-day he has more persons dependent upon his bounty than almost any other man in Cheneyville. Quiet and unostentatious in his charities, it will never be known until the last day how many he has befriended in their time of need; but we know that at the day of reckoning “the poor shall rise up and call him blessed.”
In summing up this brief and imperfect sketch of the life history of William O'Neal, we feel that we have done but scant justice to the subject; but such is his modesty that he has only given the writer the more salient points of his career, leaving many things to the imagination of the reader, and many more deeds of charity never to be revealed until the great Day of Judgment. A true Christian himself, he has followed the injunction of his Master, the meek and lowly Nazarene: “Let not your right hand know what your left hand doeth.”
Take it all in all, a more checkered career was never penned by the hand of the novelist, and in his case we have an exemplification of the old saying: “Truth is stranger than fiction.”
Born a slave, freed by his own efforts and indomitable will and industry; not content with this until he had purchased the priceless boon of liberty both for his wife and brother; amassing, by slow degrees, the money which would have made him independent, only to see it swept away by the perfidy of a trusted friend; still undaunted, with sublime courage he sets to work to rebuild his broken fortunes, and finally succeeds in attaining the desire of his heart: a place of his very own, coupled with a reputation for uprightness and veracity second to no man. All this in the face of such obstacles as would have daunted the courage of a weaker man, but which to him were but added incentives to renewed endeavor.
Now, at the age of sixty-nine, he pursues the even
tenor of his way, attending to his daily business
Truly may it be said of him: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many.”