Timeline: 1876

August 1: “Celebration of the abolition of slavery in Sidney. Audience was mixed race. Orations.” Champaign County Gazette, Aug 9, 1876, page 6

George W. Smith of Raymond Township purchased his first 80 acres of land. Formerly enslaved, he joined the Union Army as a scout in Tennessee and came north after the Civil War.

Albert A. Gaines moves with his step-father George W. Smith to Raymond Township. He later marries Dora Earnest, daughter of Jacob Earnest and establishes his own farm.

“At a Republican meeting last Saturday a ‘disreputable mob’ attacked colored torch bearers. The newspaper took offense calling this cowardly.” Champaign County Gazette, August 23, 1876, page 8. Further discussion of the incident is in Champaign County Gazette, September 6, 1876, page 4.

“Colored Republicans organized a Hayes and Wheeler club at Bethel AME Church.” Champaign County Gazette, July 26, 1876, page 1.