This is a newspaper notice announcing that Cesar, a man of about 40 years old, who had been "hired out" to work at the warehouse and landing in Tuscumbia, had escaped. Cesar was described as being of "copper color" and was well known in the "neighborhood for his intelligence and efficiency as a laborer."]]> 1841-02-27]]> This is a newspaper notice offering a reward for the capture of Cato, about 23 years of age, 5' 6 or 7 inches tall, who ran away from the Franklin County plantation of John Bell. ]]> 1826-12-27]]> This is a newspaper notice submitted by A.G. Booth claiming that a mulatto boy named Nathan, about 4 years old, was "stolen" from him. According to Booth, Nathan was "backward when spoken to," and had a "fresh burn on the side of his neck."]]> 1837-02-10]]> Bob and Luke, escaped from the plantation of James Hood]]> This is a newspaper advertisement announcing that two men had escaped from James Hood's plantation, two miles west of Florence. Bob is described as 5 feet 3 or 4 inches in height, "remarkably stout made, thick short neck, and speaks rough, between 23 and 30 years of age." Luke is described as about the same aged, "knock-need, awkward in his walk and appearance, fully 6 feet high, and stout." The two men were thought to be heading towards Tarborough, North Carolina, where they had been purchased the previous summer.]]> 1819-09-14]]> ]]> This is a written history of Burrell Normal and Burrell Slater High School, written by William H. Lewis, professor and principal of Burrell for 43 years.]]> 1973-12-11]]> This book is Willie Ruff's autobiography, and describes his early life in Sheffield, Alabama, his education at Yale University, and his teaching career at Yale.]]> 1991]]> Florence historian Lee Freeman: this is a letter from Reuben Patterson (1836-1929), a cook and former slave who moved to Florence ca. 1868 with his former master, Col. Josiah Patterson, expressing his "heartfelt thanks" to several "white gentlemen" who had presented him with a suit of clothes in gratitude for his efforts with other members of the black community of Florence, in assisting white residents in fighting a disastrous fire on Sunday, December 7, 1868 which destroyed "a whole Square [Court Square, the area surrounding the court house] with the exception of one house." Several homes and businesses in Court Square, including the businesses of black businessmen John H. Rapier, Sr. and the stable of Rush Patton, Sr. were wiped out by this fire (Rush's horses and buggies were saved). Editor Dr. David R. Lindsay (brother of AL Governor Robert B. Lindsay and uncle of Maud Lindsay) of the Florence Journal of Wednesday, December 10, 1868 stated: "The colored folks were out in good numbers, many of whom strove with a praiseworthy emulation, vieing [sic] with the whites in the labor of an imperative duty. The exertions of many of the colored men were noticed, and the names of those of them who labored so faithfully and efficiently are noted down, and will neither be forgotten nor overlooked."
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1869-01-07]]>
This is a letter from Florence liveryman John T. Farmer (ca. 1815-1893) thanking fellow liveryman Rush Patton, Sr. (ca. 1837-1907) and several other black citizens (John Turnley, William Thomas) for their help in extinguishing a recent fire which threatened, among others, the home and business of Farmer.]]> 1885-05-08]]> A May 5, 1896 letter to the editor of the Florence, Alabama Florence Times by Rev. SM Harkins of Birmingham, Alabama, praising the Florence Times as among other things, "broad and liberal, and has thus begotten a spirit of justice that would do credit to any city."]]> 1896-05-09]]> Format]]> This is an article about George Lester, who was accused of, and arrested for, several crimes in Florence in 1914.]]> 1914-10-02]]>