Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-07-07
From the New York Tribune.
A FUGITIVE SLAVE IN IOWA.
BURLINGTON, Iowa. Juue %, lSj

There was quite an excitement here this morn
ing owing to the seizure of an alleged fugitive
from Slavery. | went down Immediately on hear
ing of the affair and saw 4 crowd rapidly collect
ing around a two-horse wagon in the middle Of the
street containing two men, tile pretended fugitive
and DR.. James, n worthy man, living about five
miles from Burlington, who was said to have been
caught assisting the negro on toward freedom
Over the wagon and its occupants kept watch and
ward two dark-skinned Missourians armed to the
teeth, and uttering ever and anon sundry bloody
oaths and desperate threats toward all who might
be supposed to differ from them as to the Justice
of their measures. No writ had been issued, and
these law abiding persons had taken justice into
their own hands after the most approved Southern
fashion. 1t seems that the negro came to the
house of DIR. James early this morning and asked
to be helped on his way. The Doctor in the kind
ness of his heart, guided rather by the spirit of
1I76 than of 1850, took him in his wagon to the
shore of Illineis, and having reached it was Just
turning from the highway into q more obscure
path, when the aforesaid darkskinned individuals,
having in the m,anwhile crossed in the other boat,
presented themselves before him and ordered him
to stop. lie at first refused, bnt showing their
weapons like true-bred highwaym?n they proceed
ed to enforce their command. He at length assem-
ted, and turning round, drove oa to the boat again.
At this %Juncture n Burlington man seeing how af-
fairs were going, asked the claimants to show their
papers. As they had no such documents in their
possession ne lJIu Ut. James 10 drive on, but the
hirelings Of the boat, having been promised n
bride, rnloosed her and brought the whole party
back to the Iowa shore. The heroes of the bowie
knife and revolver, then marshaled their captives
uptown as far as the Post-Ofice, where first saw
them. They remained here guarding them in this
way for nearly three hours while the writs wore
being drawn, the crowd and excitement continual
ly increasing. No effort, however, was made at
a rescue. About II o'clock the writ was brought.
and the negro was taken to a Justices Office in
the second story Of a little wooden building, to
which access was gained by n narrow flight Of
stairs. No persons were admitted but the fugitive
his pursuers, they did not claim to be owners,)
their counsel, and two or three others. A regular
tool Of Slavery guarded the door. lie is said to be
the City Marshal. This great pacifcator assured
the crowd below that he "did not want a fight"
that he desired peace" "UW you respect Bur.
lington ?" said he.
The pursuers made affidavit that the negro be-
longed to Thomas Ruthford of Clark county. Mo.
and escaped on the 2lst of this month. Not hay-
ing all the proof that they wanted, the case was
put of until next Wednesday, and the black man
lodged in Jail. lie is called Dick. The hounds
bay:ng on the track of Dick are called Young and
Rose, and are said to be of noble breed, Onlv n few
beside damask-faced bloats favored the claimants
These crimson gentry ranted and canted greatly
about our duty to obey the law-probably forget
ting the Maine Law. This affair is q novelty here.
and a great deal of excitement is expected next
Wednesday. If | am in this region then will
write more.