Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-07-11
BURLINGTON. IOWA JULY IL, 1850.

"hosC "eSoH "tHl W tIic LES MOtHeS
river after the negroes. Don. know how
the negroes got to Salem, or where they
staid the night before. 1t was Monday
Heard the rumor on that day. Heard
John Pickering say there were men from
Missouri in the vicinity looking for ne.
groes, and that his horses had been hired
by Eli Jessup 10 go to the Des Moines te
take a methodist minister to an appoint
ment. They went down before carriage
and came back with a wagon. They were
returned on Sunday morning. Didn't
hear John Pickering say the negroes came
in the wagon, nor whose horse was rid.
den from Salem. Has heard Frazier say
nothing about the matter. John Conner
said they did not come in the wagon. He
spoke of runaways from Missouri. Said
they were not in the county, and that he
did not assist in their escape. Jesse Cook
denied having anything to do with the
matter. John Pickering spoke of the hire
as an independent fact. | accused him OF
having something to do with the negroes,
but he denied it.
Samuel Slaughter sworn. Saw VIM
Dagss, the son Of Ruel Daggs, on Satur-
day, and was requested TO assist him and
Mcclure in finding some slaves he was
looking for. He said they had been traced
to the Des Moines, near Farmington.-
Stopped with Mcclure all night al Mr.
Ways. Started towards Salem next morn
ing. Soon noticed fresh wagon track,
and followed it for several miles when
came in sight it. Rode on after it three
or four miles. 1t was driven very fast.
Had a top on it. l, stopped in the bushes
about half mile from Salem. | rode up
and found three yourg men in it-rode
into Salem with them. The driver was
called Anderson or Andrews. About an
hour afterwards Mcclure came up
Next morning we rode round the bushes
a little. and finally went to the place
where | overlook the wagon. Within a
short distance we found black man, a
yellow man, ,threewomen and four children.
We took possession of them. Yellow
man refused to 90 with us at first. At
last got him on the horse. Concluded to
go back to Salem for Mr. Brown and Mr.
Cook. Left Mcclure with the negroes.
When | got back from Salem, found a
number Of other men there. Elihu Fra
zier, Clarkson Frazier, a man whose name
was told was WIN Johnson, and others.
They objected to taking the negroes. 9th
er persons were running down. One of
the FraZiers said we must prove they
were slaves. Considered their appear
ancc hostile. One ofthem pulled the ne
gro away from me. Some one Of them
said he would wade in Missouri blood be-
fore the negroes should be taken. Went
into the innn~ ~St-Pr~<l "a ti- sia,,o hnus q
and the negro sat down. An old lady
came out and prayed for the negro and
myself. Clarkson Frazier said he would
not allow me to take the negroes. Moth
ing said then about agency. Got descrip-
,ion of the negroes from Dacc> and Me-
Clure. The crowd seemed to act united
", and understand could not take the
negroes unless | went before the magis-
trate. One of the Frazicrs walked with me
to the meeting house. The crowd went
there and the negro. Required a certificate
from the clerk OF the court in Missouri
with his seal to prove the property. The
Justice refused to take cognizance of the
case. Said the negroes were not proper
" before him. Saw the wagon before a
brick house. Consented to go to town
because we were not strong enough to
take the negroes.
Cross examined. Reside two and a
hall miles from Pennington and was going
to Charleston when met Daggs. Found
the negroes half mile south Of Salem,
about 200 yard. to the right of the road.
There were two men, three women, and
four children. Were in the road when
| 90, back from Salem with Brown and
Cook. Had not moved exactly towards
Salem. Was detained in the road 10 or
30 minutes. Clarkson and Eiihu Frazier
were there with others and would not
permit me to take the negroes towards
Missouri. A man Of the crowd told the
muattc to knock me down it | touched
him again. Did not take the women and
children all the way TO the house. One
of the negroes assured me that il he went
back they would. At the stone house a
woman brought out something for them To
eat. Did not hear Mcclure refuse to
permit them to eat. Did not touch him
after he was told to knock me down.
heard the man was named Johnson who
told him to do so. The crowd seemed to
be unanimous. offered to prove by Nc
Clure that Daggs owned the negroes
When in the house Button asked that the
negroes should be discharged. They we're
taken out. Told Buttoni would 90 home.
Did not say had no authority. Never
saw The negroes at Dagg>'. Heard Nc.
C!urs was run out Of town-did not see
it. Clarkson Frazier advised me 70 leave.
Thought could get them if consented
TO trial. Fraziers said they would not
injure me, bv, that l could not have the
slaves. Did no, hear all that was said to
Mcclure. The company was scattered
as we went into town. The street was
full when l heard the man say he would
wade in Missouri blood. may have told
some one that was beaten and would &C
home--not honorabiy beaten. May have
said | thought ma iority Of The citizens
would sustain me. Could not have said
was honorably beaten, thought | was
treated badly. Met man about ] Of a
mile, OH the road to Pennington as | left
Salem. Did not tell him so. Saw sever
al men in The woods apparently look