Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-02-22
From the Buffalo Com. Adj. FEB. 2.
SAD REVERSE OF FORTUNE.


From The Buffalo Com ADJ Feb 2.
SAD REVERSE OF FORTUNE.
We have rarely beard ola case involving
more loss of properly and its attendant CON-
forts, appealing more feelingly 10 the SYM
pathies Of our nature, than the following
The particulars OF which have been recently
communicated TO us by friend conversant
with the circumstances, which are thus stat.
ed:
An aged gentleman named HEzEKIAH
MosBY, who owned large plantation with
slaves, &c. near Richmond, Va, some three
years ago, became anxious to emancipate bis
slaves, and expended much money in edu-
eating and fitting them fol their contemplate
ed freedom. Some time in 1886, he sold his
plantation, and was offered some $4,000
for his negroes--bu he preferred giving
them their liberty He furnished them with
money to bear their expenses 10 this state,
and personally accompanied part Of them,
| for the purpose OF seeing them we'll and com
fortably established where they could be
earning support. He succeeded in pro-
curing situations on farms for all the males
but one-providing them with provisions,
implements of husbandry, and means neces-
saTy to cultivate their farms. He likewise
devoted much time in visiting and advising
them in their pursuits. They had been de-
| voted 10 him, and he was much attached 10
them.
The remaining male, named Charles with
family consisting of his smother sisler,and
four children, were brought by Mr. Mosby
into this neighborhood, and finally settled
upon a farm on Grand Island. leased OF
free colored man residing in this city. who
had formerly lived on an adjoining plan!s:
manning with them short time. as the man
Charles was not very capable OF conducting
affairs, and he wished to aid him by advice,
sc.
In the fall Of 1887, Mr.. Mosby and
{" Charles had occasion TO Cross over TO this
side Of the river. to obtain provisions, leaving
none at home but the children, the two f.
males being also absent at the time.
|" Charles" proceeded TO this city, while Mr..
Mosby in consequence of a high wind which
rendered crossing the river somewhat dan
gerous. remained all night on this side, al
the house of black man named Ephrai,
Knight, who did not come home ill past l2
o'clock. During that night, some person
went to the house upon the Island occupied
by" Charles" and stole Mr. Mosby's trunk,
containing $4,000 in dollar pieces. which
was all that then remained OF his former
wealth
A person living on this side of the river,
opposite. was taken up at the time, on susp-
cion ofthe robbery, bu. discharged, there be-
ing no evidence OF guilt found against him.
Thus stripped in moment, OF the means
he had reserved to carry him comfortably
through the few remaining days OF bis earth
ly pilgrimage this philanthropic but unfor-
tunate man, was thrown in his feeble old
age, upon the hard necessity OF obtaining a
support by the labor OF his hands-for which
his previous habits Of life and the nfirmi.
lies OF age, but lily fitted him. and it was diff
6cult even to obtain such employment as his
strength, would enable him TO perform To
add to the burihen, the only female of the
family able 10 assist much in their house
hole, was taken sick and died, leaving her
aged mother and the helpless children. de-
pendent on the precarious support which
might be CLEANED by the laboIs of the old
gentleman and his former slave Charles.
AS if their deplorabe condition was not
already sufficiently pitiable, the cololed man
in the city from whom the farm on which
they lived was leased. came 10 the house
while all the family except the children
were absent at work, on this side of the is.
land, eight miles distant from home. and on
the heartless pretext that the house was
his" turned The children out Of doors, and
fastened up the entrance leaving them
exposed, in the bitter and Indictment month
Of November. 1886. without a shelter for
their heads They. however. remained
about the house, and put up two boards
against the building, which served as a par.
iial protection from the weather, while some
refuse vines gathered from the garden, thrown
upon the frozen earth, was all they had 10
sleep upon. In this situation, these poor
children actually remained more than
week, with nothingto eat except few beans
and vegetables, which had been lelt on the
ground in the garden, and which lhey ate
uncooked -
On the return Of the adult portion OF the
family, they could only procure log hui.
nearly roofless, and otherwise uncomiorta-
BILE, upon the island In that condition.
without bed to lie upon, have this old gen,
lleman and his former slaves since remain
ed''and be has been himself compelled 10