Nesbitt Memorial Library Journal, Volume 5, Number 2, May 1995 Page: 101
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The Freedmen's Bureau in Colorado County, Texas, 1865-1868
the work completed and to deduct the cost from the rent. In addition, he asked for
permission to hire a horse so he could give notices in complaint cases, claiming that such
an expense was essential because both complainants and defendants in bureau cases
needed to be officially notified and the mails could not be absolutely depended upon.99
Almost as soon as Goodman arrived in Columbus, he received a visit from
Dick Green, a Colorado County freedman. Green recounted that in 1863, while on his
way to the Rio Grande, he saw two yoke of oxen trying unsuccessfully to extricate
themselves from a chaparral thicket. He had released the four animals and made them
part of his herd, expecting to find the owner as he proceeded south. He also had
frequently inquired about the animals in attempts to find out who might own them, but
without success. Green brought the oxen to his home in Colorado County, where they
had remained since. No one had ever questioned his ownership until the end of the war,
when a Mr. Harris of Fayette County had had Green arrested for stealing the four
animals.'10oo
Green stated that he had had a hearing before a magistrate in La Grange and
was subsequently bound over for trial. The black man also informed the bureau agent
that L. Price, a La Grange judge, had the case in hand and knew all about it. Goodman
immediately contacted Price to determine what the charge against the freedman entailed
and to intervene on Green's behalf. He asked Price to relate to him the facts relating to
Green's predicament. Justice notwithstanding, Goodman believed that if Green was not
guilty of any intentional offense, he should be spared the loss of time and money that
would result if the matter was taken before a grand jury.101
Another conflict immediately arose that involved another black man, Tom
Tate. On Sunday, April 22, 1866, Tate was at an assembly of fifty black men in
Columbus. The assembly, which would later be characterized by a grand jury as a riot,
was apparently nothing more than a customary Sunday worship service that attracted
blacks from outlying areas within Colorado County as well as surrounding counties.
Though the information is garbled, it appears that a young freedman named Dimpt
Burford was also at the assembly. He had been arrested, probably at the service, by
George Johnson, and was being held there by George Metz until a formal warrant for
the arrest could be issued. While waiting, Burford disturbed the worship service in some
manner. Tate chastised him, remarking that if he was his son he would give him a good
whipping and send him home, then told Burford to "get out of here." Burford started to
obey, moving through the crowd. Metz, perhaps nervous about his position, allowed him
to go, but Ira Harris, who was also present, warned Tate that he would be arrested if
Burford got away. Tate asked why, then ordered Burford to come back and stand beside
Harris. Burford did so, and dutifully remained there until the warrant was issued and he
was taken to jail. True to Harris' warning, about a week later, Tate was arrested anyway,
99 J. Ernest Goodman to Oliver O. Howard (commissioner), May 14, 31, 1866, vol. 72, pp. 5, 10-
11; Goodman to Captain Samuel J. Wright (acting quartermaster), June 8, 1866, p. 13; Goodman to Mrs.
S. A. Winnow (Prairie Point), July 27, 1866, p. 17, both in vol. 72. Whenever a volume number appears in
a citation to an agent, it refers to the field records of the sub-assistant commissioner. They have not been
microfilmed and are only available in the National Archives.
100 J. Ernest Goodman to L. Price (La Grange), May 14, 1866, vol. 72, p. 4.
101 Ibid.101
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Nesbitt Memorial Library. Nesbitt Memorial Library Journal, Volume 5, Number 2, May 1995, periodical, May 1995; Columbus, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151394/m1/33/?q=nesbitt%20memorial%20library%20journal: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Nesbitt Memorial Library.