The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-10-08
THE KIDNAPPER.

THE KIDNAPPER
Upon the outer page will be noticed an account
of gross outrage on humanity ut Worcester, Ms
! bv wretch named Shearer. 1t is gratifying to
| learn that the victim Of his fendish spirit has been
found aud is likely to be soon restored to the boz
som Of his ANXIOUS parents.
| There are many miserable wretches, made in
the shape Of man, who live by abducting colored
persons in the free States, and carrying them to
the South, and there selling them to the highest
bidder as slaves, to exc out miserable existence
far away from kindred and home, Sometimes they
are clain,ed as fugitive slaves, and no doubt hun
dreds and thousands Of free born citizens are now
toiIing in The low miasm ac regions of the "sunny
South" in servie sub lection 10 the whip who wei e
born 70 the nesmable Inheritance ofpersonal free
dom in the Gland ofthe free and home Of the brave,
and who have been stolen, most Of them in early
youth from their parents by the professional deal
ers in the souls and bodies Of men. The increased
vigilance, however, Of the people of the north TO
the rights Of their coored brethren, has cut off TO
some extent the occupation Of these inhuman mon
sters and should the efforts Of the aboIitioniss in
behalf Of the coored race stop here, and not
extend beyond the preservation of the rights Of
those already free, their labor will not be in vain.
In addition to the article upon the first page Of
to-day's paper, copy the following from the
Worcester Egis, one week later
THE KIDNAPPED BOY.
The colored boy whose abduction from Worces.
cester was mentioned III columns last week
was recovered from captivity at Gainesville in
Virginia, in the possession of named Will
Knson, who was arrested and conveyed with the
boy to Fredericksburg, where he was examined
and it is understood has been detained
There is reason to believe that there is gang Of
rutians, organized for the purpose Of carrying on
the detcsrable business of kidnapping, having nu.
mcrous associates, and extensive arrangements for
man stealing.
person arrested last week. and brought
before magistrate in this town, charged with par.
tcipatIng in the abduction of the colored boy Sid.
ney Francis. He was enlarged on giving bail in
the sum of two thousand dollars for his appearance
at future time for further examination.
warrant has been issued against another indi-
vldua implicated in the conspiracy who has proba-
bly, been arrested
1t is said that another colored boy has been car.
ried away from Lumenburg in this county, and sold
into slavery. Some judicial proceedings in rela
uon to the matter have been held in Middlesex-
person named Wilkins or Wilkinson is supposed
to have been concerned IN this outrage.
The municipal officers and citizens Of Fredericks
burg are entitled TO high praise for the energy and
zeal they have manifested in recovering the cap.
tive boy, and in aprI ehending those by whose Gun
ming cruelty he carried away. The humane
exertions described in the following Letter, address
sed to one Of our townsmcn, ARE honorable to the
sentiments of the citizens of the South.
FRfD BURG, Sept. o. 1889
To the Hon. Lew LINcoLN:
AR SIR-On The 10Th ult n man calling him
self Dickinson Shearer, arrived here. with coiored
boy about or yeats OF age, and sold him to "A
trader, under circumstances that created suspicion;
which reaching The ears of the Mayor, the purcha-
ser was pursued, arrested, and brought back with
the boy, who calls himself 'Sydny Orrison Francis
He says his father is n shoemaker lives in Wor.
cestrr, IN the house with Samuel Johnson, black !
man, aud works Tor Boyden ~ Fcnno. He saws
Francis t. Bigcow aud Leonard Flagg know his
father The boy states, that Shearer persuaded his
father to let him go to live with hun at Palmer, but
did not stop there, and came directly on To Vir
Snia. There Is reason TO appreh nd, that there is
organized band of Williams, who kiduap the free
negroes of the north, This man is charged with
another act OF the same kind 1t is desirable TO
have him convicted, and of course to prove the
boy freedom and all The facts surrounding the
transaction. Shearer and his associate in GUS
tody, ana an examination will be had before II
court on the I'd of October, If the evidence can he
procured from Worcester by tina, time if not the
trial VIII be had on the ION Of October 1t is de.
sirabc TO make an example of this monster : our
laws punish the offence with ten years imprison.
ment they ought to punish it MS piracy. The boy
is in safe hands, and will he protect, and humane
" treated until his parents shall send for him but
it will be desirable that the authority from his par.
ents should be we'll authenticated, there is reas-
on to believe many persons are implicated Know.
ing you by reputation, have taken the liberty to
address this to you, having 10 doubt humane feel.
ings will be interested fol the boy and his parents,
and that you will cause proper steps be taken to
further the ends of Justice.
l am sir, very respectfully,
n. b. BARTON.
Al