Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-11-13
Prom the Detroit Free Press.
A Fugitive Slave Case-Riot Stimulated by
Black Republicsns-Laughable Finale.
JACKSON, MICH, Oct. q, 1856.


Our town has been the scene Of consider
able excitement for the last two or three days
II appears that negro was sent to prison for
stealing horse. After he was arrested and
before trial, in Livingston county, the negro
caused his master to be written to in Mis-
souri,, requesting him to come and take him
back to Missouri. His master came, but not
until the negro had been imprisoned. The
negro requested, and made his master prom
Use, to come after him when his time should
be out. In pursuance Of that understanding
his master came here, and sought an inter-
view with the negro. The officers of the
prison at first refused to let him in to see
him. After much effort and perseverance,
the officers let him see the negro. The mas
ter asked him If he wished to go back. The
negro said, mo, he did not want to go back"
After some other conversation about other
matters, the negro was taken back to his
work. The master then publicly stated that
he should not disturb him anywhere, and
should not take him back and that he
should not have come after him had he not
promised to do so. The master then left for
home.
The Republicans then called a meeting,
and agreed on a plan of action; and that was
to get up an excitement on the matter If pos
sible. In pursuance Of the arrangement they
telegraphed in every direction they could for
the negroes TO come to Jackson, and in each
place make all the noise possible. Saturday
our village was filled with "colored gem
men"-perambulating our streets with all
kinds of "arms," and in close confab with the
Republican leaders. Night came, and dark
ness was made still more dismal by these
black republican knights" Prominent Re-
publicans constantly excited the negroes
told them to be sure to have their powder
dry" Clubs, guns, pistols, bowie-knives,
bludgeons, in all the pomp Of war, surround
ed the prison on Saturday night One Of
these leaders stationed the negroes-told
them to stand for their rights-strike for
their brother and liberty and that the Re-
publican party would back them. The clock
finally struck twelve. All waited in breath
less suspense. Each darkey and Republican
cooked his piece-their knees began to shake
Belshazzar.like. Some were suddenly az
fected in the bowels, and had to leave !;
Others took "dram" to keep up their cour-
age and nerves. A noise was made towards
Main street by some mischievous boys. Cuffy
and white man became alarmed, and about
half ran, to fight another day. Capts. Foote,
Wilcox, Beebe aud Treadwell cried for
shame. They tried to rally, but it was no 60.
The editor of the Citizen said he would go
home and get some "horse hniment," which
was so potent on another occasion, and see If
that would not stop such shaking and knock
ing of knees. He left, and has not been
heard of since. After much effort about
800 were rallied. Soon the prison doors
were cpened-the darky made his appear
ance. Hammond, a reverend gentleman,
negroes and white men, surrounded him and
marched to the railroad depot. Each man
had his gun cooked, his sword drawn, and a
bowie-knife fourishing. BY this time, no
foe being in sight, they became brave, valiant.
Many had become intoxicated, and found a
resting place on the ground. Finally, the
cars came in, and poor darkey was sent to
Canada. The next day drunken darkies
were plenty. The more sensible became
ashamed of the farce, and disappeared as
soon as possible. We have some negroes
here now begging money to get home.
Thus has ended the disgraceful farce, got
up by prominent Republicans TO aid their
sinking fortunes. Their party in Congress
voted to extend this fugitive law over Kan
sas and Nebraska. They must love the
law. To-day the Republicans are mad be-
cause the Missourians did not try to get the
slave. They have been heard to say that if
a row could have been got up on this case, it
would have elected Mr.. Bingham Governor.
Mr.. Bingham could have pardoned this dar-
kew, as he has done Others, before his time
was out, and he could have been sent away |
But mol He wanted the excitement for his |
election. But II was ridiculous farce.