The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-10-08
NHHSCEIFIHlA NEIOUS.
From the Worcester (yls.) .Egis, Of Sept. 25.
EXTRAORDINARY ABDUCTION.

Foster Francis resident of this town, was frau
dulently seduced away from his parents, and
! there is reason TO believe, has been sold int
slavery in Virginia
Having had.occasion TO become acquainted
with some of the circumstances of most afro
| cious transaction, we have given below an alb
slract of the evidence collected in an examna.
ton for judicial purposes, as derived from the
relations of witnesses.
On the twelfth day OF the present September
two men, one calling himself Perey Shearer, the
other John Dickinson, and both describing
| themselves as residents OF Palmer, i'm Massachll-
sets, accosted Samuel Johnson, coored citi-
zen OF Worcester; and inquired il he had boy
whom he would he disposed to place in store
about six miles distant; there TO do errands and
light work on beng informed that Johnson had
no such child, but that there were mary such
in town, and that they could probably find one,
| they left him.
They were afterwards SEEN in Pine Street,
where they met the boy Sidney, and inquired
| Of him whose child he was On being told
his name they went with him TO the house, J.
f. Francis, who was then absent at his work on
one of the Rail Road Depots. On entering the
house, they asked the mother if she wished to
get place for her boy? She replied, that the
father had talked of putting his son out, if he
could find a good situation. Shearer said that
he wanted to take boy--that he would do well
by her boy if he could have hiln-that he would
clothe him well--send him to school duriug part
OF the time, and the other part should want him
to do light work about n store in Palmer and to
tend a horse-lat he lad one colored boy with
him for five years pass, but the parents Of that
child, being about 10 remove away sixty miles
desired TO take their son to their new home -
that he liked colored boys better than Others
and that he hoped the mother would let her
child go with him. Dickinson declared that he
himself had been with Shearer two years. and
that he never should want to live with a better
man. .-..-.. .-r.- ~-.~..-.,,-.~, .......-.~
with apparent sincerity, the boy was sent with
the men TO seek the father and to obtain his con
sent to the arrangement proposed. similar IN
ducements were held out to Mr. Francis and fl
naliy it was agreed that Sidney should 60 TO live
with Shearer, at Palmer, on trial. On their re-
turn to the house, the mother made preparations
for her sons departure the father took down IN
writing the names given ny both men ahd al
ter some time they went away with the boy
Two DAYS AFTER Mr. Francis, having heard
some unfavorahe representations or Shearers
character. became uneasy, and set ont to ascer-
tam the condition of the boy. On reaching Pal
mer, and learning that Shearer was not i'll that
town but had gone about forty miles westward,
he proceeded in pursuit, ond has not yet return
ed.
On Monday last, letter was received from
the Nluyor of Fredericksburg, in Virginia, adj
dressed 10 the chief civil magistrate of this town
bv title more honorable than any of our mum
,cipaI officers can claim, and TO the post MASTER
which threw light on the fate OF the boy, ana
the motives which had influenced those who
entced him away from his home. Inc com
muuica,ion states so fully what is known OF the
incidents abroad. and is so honorable to the JUS
tice of our Southern fellow citizens, that 1t Is
copied entire. 10 ooo
FREDERlCKsBURa, Sept. 10, 1889.
To the MANOR of the tom Of Worcester, Mass.
SR-On the 18th instant, II man calling nm
self Dickinson Shearer, arrived here and had
Franklin, and whom lie called his slave. lie
parted with this boy last night, and it is fearet'
! sold him TO a trader. The circumstances were
so suspicious as to lead to inquiries, and to nis
arrest. On his examination he admllteu 'he
boy to be frey,that he came with him from Wor-
cester where his father and mother resIded,-
that he did not know their names, and had new
er seen them but once, 81 then for an hour only
and they permitted this boy to come with him
admitted that he did rot tell them he was bring
ing the boy to Virginia. The story is so absurl
ms TO create a strong impression that he is kid
4 manner and information is sent to you that pro
per injuries may be made, and, IT possible, evi
u dence sent here to procure the boys freedom
and to identify him. This, of course must b'
some white person, and the aboitionist 1t there
be any among you, have now ar opportunity
displaying their humane feelings. ~,
y The man says he came from Peinatn, Massa
} chusetts and and has brother, Doct. smear
err, residing there Inquiries OF the run o
This statement mny be material. All that hn
mainly requires will be done here to recover IN
unfortunate boy. messenger viii ne ae2a'c CT,
! ed to night IN pursuit. ana the CONSTITUTE" q"
\ thorities invoked to aid him.
Q This man (SheareD is in custody, but oann l;I
0 be long detained without evidence. You VII
0 therefore, reply by return of mail, and let In
0 statements be made on oath, and let the perso
to identity be sent Immediately
l am, Sir, respectfully, your 90 s1n ,.
u IL Ia k X
N Two of our townsnen have proceeoeu
" Fredericksburg to identity and reclaim the 90!
70 if he shall have been recovered, ana 10 .ufnis
E such evidence as may he necessary fof 'he w
- tention of the person arrested, that ne may !
,g brought before the proper tribunals. Shou
m the fact of the abduction of free colored pc