The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-12-01


Toward the close of the next day, Mary again
appeared at the prison door for admission. and
was soon by the side Of him whom she so arden:ly
loved. While there, the clouds which had over
hung the city for some hours, broke, and The rain
fell in torrents amid the most terrific thunder and
lightning. ju the most persuasive manner possible,
Mary again importuned George to avail himself OF
her assistance to escape from ignominous death.
After assuring him that she, not being the person
condemned, would not receive any injury, he atlast
consented aud they began to exchange apparel.
AS George was Of small stature, and both were
white, there was no difficulty in his passing out
without detection; and she usually left the cell
weeping, with handkerchief in hand, and some
times atiher face, he had only 10 adopt this mode
and his escape was safe. They had kissed each
other, and Mary had told George where he would
find small parcel of provisions which she had
placed in a secluded spot, when the prison-keeper
opened the door and said, 'Come, girl it is time
for you to CO. George again embraced Mary,
and passed out of the Jail.
1t was already dark. and the street lamps were
lighted, SO that hero in his new dress had &c
dread of detection. The provisions were sought
out and found, and poor George was soon the
road towards Canada But neither of them had
once thought of change of dress for &c, rye when
he should have escaped, and he walked but a short
distance before he felt that change of his apparel
would facilitate his progress But he dared not GO
amongst his colored associates for fear of be-
ing betrayed. However, he made the best of his
way on towards Canada, hiding in The woods dur
ing the day, and travelling by the guidance of the
North Star at night.
One morning George arrived on the banks OF
the Ohio river, and found his journey had termi-
mated, unless he could get some one to take him
across the Ever in secret manner, for hs would
not be permitted TO in any of the ferry boats;
1t being penalty for crossing slave, besides the
value OF the slave. Ho concealed himself in the
tall grass and weeds near the river, to see if be
could embrace an opportunity to cross. He had
been in his hidins-Place but short time, when he
observed man 10 small boat, f5ating near the
shore, evidently fshng> His first impulse was to
call out to the and ask him to take him over
to the Ohio side, but the fear that the man was a
stakeholder, or one who might possibly arrest him
deferred him from it. The man, after rowing and
floating about for some time, fastened the boat to
the root of a tree and started to neighboring
farm house. This was Georges moment, and he
seized it. Running down the bank, he nfastened
the boat, jumped in, and, with all the expertness
one accustomed TO boat, rowsd across the river
and landed on the Ohio side.
Being now in a free State he thought he might
with perfect safety travel on towards Canadr. He
hnd, however, gone but a few miles, when he dis
covered two men on horseback coming behind him
He felt sure thlt they could not be in pursuit OF
him, yet he did not wish to be seen by them, SO he
turned into another road leading 10 house neal
by. The men followed, and were but short dis
tance from George, when he ran up to farm
house, before which was standing a farmer-lookine
man. in broad brimmed hat and straisht-co!lared
coat, whom he implored to save him from the
slave catchers." The farmer told him to 90 into
the barn near by he entered by the front door,
| the farmer following and closing the door behind
George, but remaining outside, and gave directions
to his hired man to what should be done with
George. The shareholders by this time had dis
| mounted and were in the front of the barn de-
mandng admi'tance, and charging the farmer with
secreting their slave woman. For George was
still in the dress Of woman, The Friend, fol
the farmer proved to be member of the Society
of Friends, told the save-owners that ifthey wish
ed to search his barn, they must first get officer
aud search warrant. While the parties were
| disputing, the farmer began mailing up the front
door, and the hired man served the back door in
the same way. The Shareholders, finding that
they could not prevail 90 the Friend to allow them
to get the slave, determined to go in search of an
officer. One was left to see that the slave did not
escape from the barn, while the other went off al
full speed to Mt Pleasant, the nearest town.
George not the slave of either of these men
nor were they in pursuit of him, but they had lost
a woman who had been seen in that vicinity, and
when they saw poor George in the disguise of a
female, and attempting to eude pursuit, they felt
sure they were close upon their victim. Howev-
er, if they had caught him, although he was not
their slave, they would have taken him back and
placed him in jail, and there he would have re-
manned until his owner arrived.
After an absence of nearly two hours, the slave
owner returned with an officer, and fund the
Friend still driving large nails into the door In
triumphant tone, and with corresponding gesture
he handed the searct-warrant to the Friend, and
said,
There, sir, now will see if he can't get my
Niger"
"Well," said the Friend, thou hast gone to
work according to law, and thou can'st go into
my barn.
"Lend me your hammer that may get the
door open," said the stakeholder.
LET me see the warrant again. And afte,
reading it over once more, he said, e. see nothing
in this which says must supply thee with tools &c
open my door; if thou wishes to go in thou mus,
got hammer elsewhere
The sheriff said, ." will go to neghboring
fam borrow something which will introduce us to
Miss D.nah :" aud he Immediately went off in
search of tools.
In shorttime the officer returned and they
commenced an assault and battery uron the barn
door ,,lob sooD x;aided. and in want the sIpve.