barely missing his heart. Ferebee did survive, but was forced to stay in his home until October, when he was allowed to return to school. Early career In 1867, when Ferebee was eighteen, his father moved him back to Elizabeth City. The summer after his move, he was called to Nixonton to take charge of a private school. He taught here for three years, until entering himself in a normal school. He stayed in school until he had almost mastered an English education. Once he felt he was ready, he started learning law, and Latin, with Judge C. C. Pool. After he had completed his learning with Pool, Ferebee moved to teach in his own schoolhouse. He earned himself a good reputation as a teacher by the time he was twenty. He traveled to many different counties as a teacher, and soon had become a "swift politician". Political career Ferebee soon became a popular Republican. In 1872, he was known to be a reliable politician, and he had married a young woman who was named Lucinda Smith. He continued to dedicate his time to politics. He had, because of his outspoken opinion, made himself many enemies in his party (both men of color, and white men). In the same year, he was married, he was rallied against by his political enemies. He was accused, by his peers, of stealing money from T.P. Wilcox. Ferebee was put through many court trials, and was continually found innocent. In the summer of 1873, the Democratic nominee for the Judge in the First District, Mills L. Eure was elected. After winning the election, Eure reopened the forgery case against Ferebee. Eure would not allow for Ferebee to present any evidence that proved him innocent, and the jury found him guilty. After twenty-seven days in prison, he was moved into a penitentiary, where he was to stay for four years. Prison While in penitentiary, Ferebee lost none of his religious reputation. He became the prison preacher. Meanwhile, the inmates and prison guards developed a strong liking to him, and would not abuse, or let others abuse him. After staying in the penitentiary for two years, he was chosen to go to the mountains and take up work there. He got to choose which of the inmates went with him, and after stewarding and cooking for the next five months, he was released. Religious career After