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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 134/340

A History of Columbia County, Florida
leveled against the Democrats in the election of 1876. In two of the
precincts in Columbia County, ballot-altering allegedly was prac­
ticed by Democratic inspectors. Since many of the black voters
could not read, the Republicans printed ballots marked with an
easily-distinguishable emblem. The Democrats printed similarly
emblazoned ballots, but with their own candidates listed.43
Federal troops were sent to several Florida communities
during the election period. Squads of ten men and one officer each
were sent to Lake City and Quincy while a force of twenty was sent
to Madison.44 One story, which may be more legend than fact,
concerns a squad of black soldiers sent to Lake City in November
1876. The most complete version of the story found so far was told
by James H. Bunch of Jacksonville at the Ellis Family reunion at
O’Leno on October 14, 1951.
As related by Bunch, a force of Democrats led by Joseph Baya,
a Lake City merchant, and John T. Bunch, a farmer from the
southern part of the county, had secretly assembled. They were
waiting in Lake City as the train from Jacksonville arrived with a
squad of ten black soldiers with their white officer. The squad
marched up and down Marion Street, but the town was quiet since
Baya and Bunch had instructed all Democrats to stay indoors and
report all actions of the troops.45
As evening approached arrangements were made to feed the
squad at the “Hancock House,” a boarding house operated by Mary
Ellis and Martha (Mattie) Ellis Hancock. The boarding house was
located on the site of the later Blanche Hotel. The Hancock sisters
did not want to feed the black soldiers until Baya and Bunch told
them that it would help the cause of the Democrats. The Hancocks
reluctantly agreed and prepared a sizeable meal of “hog and

^Ibid., pp. 88-100; Shofner, Nor Is It Over Yet, pp. 312-13.
44 U.S. Congress, House Ex. Docs., 44th Cong., 2nd Sess., No. 30, Ser. 1755, p.
45James H. Bunch, “Hog and Hominy Lick Carpetbaggers,” Selected Articles
on the History of Columbia County Folder, Columbia County Historical Society.
132

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