These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other persons or organizations. They are for individual research ONLY. They will remain the property of the OHGALLIA list serve and may NOT be FORWARDED on to any second party or group. Persons or organizations desiring to forward or use this material must obtain written consent from me or my legal representative and contact the archivist of the OHGALLIA list serve with proof of consent. I have given permission for these files to be stored permanently for free access in the archives of the OHGALLIA list serve. [This article was transcribed without making changes to spelling or grammar.] Athens Messenger September 29, 1887 GALLIA The Providence Baptist Church, located at Mercerville, Gallia county, was burned, it is supposed by an incendiary, last Friday night. Loss $1,200. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the signing of the proclamation of emancipation was celebrated at the camp grounds at Vinton, Gallia county, last Thursday with an immence (sic) gathering of colored people from Gallia and adjoining counties, notably the points along the Ohio river. Speeches were made by Governor Foraker and General Grosvenor.