When was it published?

June 20, 1886 in Fort Worth Daily Gazette

Domestic News June 20, 1886

Fort Worth Daily Gazette

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Celebration, Accident, Disaster

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

William J. Merritt, George Kessinger

Q: What keywords are associated?

Emancipation Day, Corsicana, Procession, Carriage Accident, Boy Death, Wind Storm, Hail Storm, Corn Crop Damage

Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas

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What is this article about?

Emancipation Day in Corsicana, Tex., drew 5000 visitors for a procession; a boy, William J. Merritt, was fatally injured by a carriage driven by George Kessinger, who was jailed; severe wind and hail storm ended the event, damaging structures and possibly the corn crop.

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OCR Quality

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Full Text

CORSICANA, TEX., June 19.—Emancipation day was celebrated here by the colored people to a greater extent than ever before. Fully 5000 visitors were in attendance from the surrounding country and towns. In the procession, floats representing the advance of the negro from slavery to his present status were gotten up with living representations which were very effective. During the day a little boy named William J. Merritt was run over by a carriage coming from the grounds, injuring him so that he died in fifteen minutes. George Kessinger, the driver, is in jail. The celebration was cut short by the severest wind and hail storm experienced here for two years. Many roofs, cornices and awnings were blown down, and it is feared that the wind has seriously injured the corn crop.

What sub-type of article is it?

Celebration Accident Disaster

What keywords are associated?

Emancipation Day Corsicana Procession Carriage Accident Boy Death Wind Storm Hail Storm Corn Crop Damage

What entities or persons were involved?

William J. Merritt George Kessinger

Where did it happen?

Corsicana, Tex.

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Corsicana, Tex.

Event Date

June 19.

Key Persons

William J. Merritt George Kessinger

Outcome

william j. merritt died from injuries after being run over by a carriage; george kessinger jailed; storm blew down roofs, cornices, and awnings; possible serious injury to corn crop.

Event Details

Emancipation Day celebrated by colored people with 5000 visitors and procession featuring floats depicting negro advance from slavery; celebration cut short by severe wind and hail storm.