Uncovering Dark Family Secrets: From Prison Records to Unsolved Deaths
My journey into family history took an unexpected turn when I began investigating why my ancestor Moses Crosby was imprisoned in 1870. Through the Tuscaloosa County court records, I discovered he was also known as Moses Hughes, a freed man who had been acquitted of gambling charges related to a game called "10 pins." This initial charge, however, wasn't what led to his imprisonment.
Delving deeper into historical newspapers revealed more about Moses Hughes. An 1868 article described him as a "school teacher and head loyal leager" who was involved in an altercation with a white man named Hollingsworth. The newspaper's racist language and connection to a Klan founder provided crucial context for understanding the post-Civil War period my ancestor navigated. Another disturbing family mystery emerged when I found conflicting newspaper accounts about my great-grandfather Thomas Richardson's death in 1923, with one report claiming he drew a weapon and another stating he was shot in the back while fleeing.
Key Takeaways
Historical court records and newspaper archives reveal our ancestors' struggles within deeply racist post-Civil War systems.
Conflicting newspaper accounts of violent incidents often obscured the truth about violence against Black Americans.
Family histories often connect to broader patterns of injustice, requiring careful investigation of primary sources to uncover truth.
Moses Crosby's Legal Troubles
Moses Crosby's interactions with the legal system during Reconstruction reveal much about both his life circumstances and the challenging social environment of the post-Civil War South. Court documents and newspaper accounts provide insight into his experiences with law enforcement and the justice system of 1860s Alabama.
Bowling Game Charges
Court records from Tuscaloosa County show that Moses Crosby faced legal charges for betting on ten pins, a game similar to modern bowling that authorities classified as gambling at the time. The digitized court documents, part of the Seventh Floor Records Project, clearly indicate that while he was arrested for this offense, he was ultimately found not guilty. This particular case, though minor, provides a glimpse into the types of activities that could bring a freed person into contact with the legal system during this period.
Multiple Names During Freedom
Records reveal that Moses Crosby was also known as Moses Hughes. Court documents specifically note "AKA Moses Hughes, Freed Man" alongside his case information. This practice of using multiple names was not uncommon for formerly enslaved people during the Reconstruction era. The alias usage becomes particularly significant when tracing Moses through historical records, as newspaper accounts from April 1868 reference him solely as "Moses Hughes," identifying him as both a schoolteacher and a "loyal leager" - suggesting political activism during this volatile period.
Historical Record Investigation
Further exploration of newspaper archives provides crucial context for understanding Moses's legal situation. An article from the Independent Monitor dated April 1, 1868, describes an altercation between Moses Hughes and a white man named Hollingsworth in Northport. The newspaper's account contains hostile racial language typical of post-Civil War publications with Confederate sympathies. Notably, the Independent Monitor was edited by R. Randolph, who openly identified as a founder of the local Ku Klux Klan, placing Moses's legal troubles within the broader context of racial hostility and violence during Reconstruction.
The ten pins case alone does not explain Moses's imprisonment in 1870, suggesting that other legal matters - potentially connected to racial tensions documented in these newspaper accounts - may have led to his incarceration.
Historical Context of Moses Hughes
The Press Coverage in Tuscaloosa
The Tuscaloosa news archives provide valuable insights into Moses Hughes' life. In an April 1, 1868 article, Hughes was identified as a schoolteacher and "loyal leager" involved in an altercation with a white man named Hollingsworth in Northport. Court records also reveal that Moses Hughes was known by the alias Moses Crosby, which was not uncommon for formerly enslaved people during this period. These records indicate he was once charged with "betting on 10 pins" (a bowling-like gambling activity) but was found not guilty of this offense.
Journalistic Language During Post-Civil War Era
The newspaper accounts of Moses Hughes contain highly charged racial terminology typical of the post-Civil War South. Terms like "infernal negro" and other derogatory phrases were commonly used to characterize Black Americans during the early Reconstruction period. This inflammatory language reflects the intense racial tensions that existed following emancipation. The tone and framing of these articles demonstrate how journalism often reinforced racial hierarchies and presented biased accounts of interactions between white and Black citizens.
R. Randolph's Influence
The newspaper coverage of Moses Hughes gains additional context when examining its source. The publication that reported on Hughes' altercation with Hollingsworth was the Independent Monitor, edited by R. Randolph. Randolph was not merely a newspaper editor but a significant figure in post-Civil War Alabama. He described himself as the founder of the local Ku Klux Klan chapter, which explains the newspaper's explicit racial bias. The masthead of the Independent Monitor contained the telling phrase "White man right or wrong, still the white man," clearly indicating the publication's stance on racial matters and its editorial perspective.
Examining Thomas Richardson's Tragic End
Death Certificate Analysis
The death certificate for Thomas Richardson reveals crucial information about his final moments. Listed as "male, colored," Richardson died on May 26, 1923, at the young age of 33. The official cause of death is documented as a "gunshot wound through right breast." This detail immediately raised questions since family lore had long maintained he was shot in the back, creating the first significant discrepancy in understanding his death circumstances.
News Coverage Investigation
When examining historical newspapers, contradictory narratives emerge about Richardson's death. Two different publications present notably different accounts:
The Pittsburgh Press reported:
Headline: "Negro Killed When Cop Beats Him on Draw"
Claimed Richardson drew a weapon first
Stated he was shot in the breast
Described a confrontation involving Richardson, two Black companions, and a white man
The Pittsburgh Daily Post presented a different version:
Described Richardson as "attempting to escape" when shot
Stated the bullet struck him "between the shoulders" (back)
Mentioned Richardson had been previously disarmed
Indicated he was running away when shot
These conflicting accounts from reputable newspapers suggest deliberate misrepresentation or careless reporting of the facts surrounding Richardson's death.
Narrative Inconsistencies Examination
Several troubling discrepancies appear when comparing the official records with newspaper accounts:
Location of wound:
Death certificate: chest/breast
Pittsburgh Press: breast
Pittsburgh Daily Post: between shoulders (back)
Sequence of events:
First account: Richardson drew a weapon, officer "drew quicker"
Second account: Richardson had been disarmed, then shot while fleeing
Officer's justification:
Press: Self-defense against armed suspect
Post: Shot fired at fleeing, previously disarmed man
These contradictions strongly suggest the possibility of a cover-up or manipulation of facts to justify what may have been an unjustified shooting of an unarmed Black man.
Historical Context Consultation
Consulting with historians provides important perspective on interpreting these contradictory accounts. During this period, newspaper reporting about Black Americans was often heavily biased and inaccurate. Publications frequently presented narratives that protected white authority figures, particularly police officers.
The early 1920s represented a period of significant racial tension in northern cities like Pittsburgh. Law enforcement frequently operated with limited accountability when dealing with Black citizens. The inconsistencies in Richardson's death narrative fit a common pattern where official accounts justified police violence against Black men.
Family oral history maintaining Richardson was shot in the back while unarmed deserves serious consideration against official accounts, especially given the documented discrepancies between official records and newspaper reporting.
The Tragic Death of Francesco Leopoldo Biani
The Incident in Castelnuovo
On March 7, 1911, the small village of Castelnuovo was shaken by a violent tragedy. Zelio Larki, a recent settler in the area who operated a lime kiln business, fatally shot Francesco Leopoldo Biani. The shooting happened around 6:00 PM just outside Café Morelli, a local establishment that still stands today. According to court records, Larki fired a single shot at Biani, with the bullet striking the back of his head in the occipital region and exiting the opposite side, causing immediate death.
The murder rattled the small community. Biani, who worked as a kiln operator from Cascina, had apparently exchanged just a few words with Larki before the shooting occurred.
Examination of Judicial Documentation
The official indictment from the Lucca Court of Appeals provides critical information about the case. These documents reveal that in January 1911, Larki had purchased a lime kiln business from Dionisio Biani, the victim's father. After acquiring the business, Larki employed Tito Biani, the brother of Francesco Leopoldo.
Court records indicate that the night before the shooting, Larki had allegedly been "insulted and beaten." This prior altercation may have contributed to the fatal encounter, though the exact motives remained unclear to investigators at the time.
The specificity of the court documents provides a clinical account of the murder:
Date and time: March 7, 1911, early evening
Location: Outside Café Morelli in Castelnuovo
Weapon: Gun (type unspecified)
Cause of death: Gunshot wound to the occipital region (back of head)
Newspaper accounts from L'Orno reported that the village was "dismayed by an event that greatly saddened the inhabitants," indicating the significant impact this violence had on the small community.
Utilizing Digital Collections
Digital archives offer a wealth of historical information that can help researchers uncover details about their ancestors and historical events. These resources include digitized court records, newspaper databases, and vital records that were previously difficult to access. By using these tools effectively, family historians can piece together narratives about their ancestors' lives and understand the social contexts in which they lived.
Exploring Electronic Records Systems
When researching historical figures, digital court record databases can provide valuable insights. For example, county court records that have been indexed and digitized through projects like the Seventh Floor Records initiative allow researchers to search by name and discover legal interactions. These records might reveal information about arrests, charges, and case outcomes, which can help establish timelines and circumstances of an individual's life.
Newspaper databases constitute another crucial resource for historical research. Sites like newspapers.com enable keyword searches that return articles spanning decades or even centuries. When searching these databases, researchers should:
Try multiple name variations (including nicknames and aliases)
Experiment with different date ranges
Include location names to narrow results
Look for both positive and negative mentions
The language and perspective in historical newspapers often reflects period biases. For instance, post-Civil War publications might contain racist terminology when referring to formerly enslaved individuals. It's important to examine the source's credibility by checking the publication's masthead and understanding who controlled the narrative.
Death certificates and other vital records found in digital archives can reveal surprising details about family histories. These documents may include:
Information Type Details Provided Personal data Age, race, occupation Medical information Cause of death, attending physician Family connections Names of parents, spouse Residence details Address at time of death
When conflicting information appears across sources, as often happens with historical records, researchers should consult multiple documents to establish what likely occurred. For example, different newspaper accounts of the same event might provide contradictory details about the circumstances of a death, reflecting biases or attempts to shape public perception.
Historical court documents such as indictments can provide precise details about events, often including exact dates, locations, and witness accounts. These formal records typically contain more factual information than newspaper reports, making them valuable for verifying family stories or challenging historical narratives.
The Enduring Value of Family Heritage
Why Genealogical Discovery Matters
Family history research connects us to our roots in profound ways that shape our identity and understanding of ourselves. My journey through genealogical records revealed unexpected truths about my ancestors that changed my perspective entirely. When exploring court documents in Tuscaloosa County, I discovered my ancestor Moses Crosby (also known as Moses Hughes) had been arrested but found not guilty of gambling through a game called "ten pins," similar to bowling. This initial finding led to deeper investigation.
Newspaper archives proved invaluable, revealing Moses Hughes was actually an educator and "loyal leager" in 1868, approximately when he was 48 years old. The newspaper account described a confrontation with a white man named Hollingsworth, though the racist language used by the newspaper's editor (a self-proclaimed Ku Klux Klan founder) revealed more about the post-Civil War social climate than the actual events.
Another branch of my family tree held equally significant discoveries. Death certificates and newspaper accounts revealed conflicting stories about my great-grandfather Thomas Richardson's death in 1923. While one newspaper reported he was shot in the chest after allegedly drawing a weapon on a police officer, another account stated he was shot "between the shoulders" (in the back) while attempting to escape - suggesting he was likely killed while running away, contradicting the official narrative.
The European side of my lineage contained its own dramatic chapter. Court records from Italy documented how my great-grandfather Leopoldo "Telio" Laesi was involved in a fatal confrontation outside Café Morelli in Castinello. The indictment clearly states he fired a shot that struck Francesco Biani in the "occipital region" (back of the head), killing him instantly after some prior altercation.
These discoveries demonstrate how family research often uncovers uncomfortable truths about injustice, violence, and the complex social forces that shaped our ancestors' lives.
Key discoveries in my genealogical journey:
Moses Hughes: Educator and community leader falsely characterized in racist publications
Thomas Richardson: Likely victim of police violence with conflicting official accounts
Leopoldo Laesi: Involved in a fatal shooting in Italy following a business dispute
Through these records, newspapers, and court documents, I've pieced together a family narrative that goes beyond names and dates to reveal the actual lived experiences of my ancestors.
