New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-04-12
Arrest OLA FREE MANN CoVING TON
KIND FEELINGS PRODUCED By RETURN OF
GAINES SLAVES.

F,on he Cfnctasdr Gcfets
EVERYBODY knows Founten II Wis, the foreman 1T the
old Frenohman Ferries barbershop, on Fourth street.,
two doors west of Main. He has been there twelve or
fourteen wears Yesterday Lewis mad a check on the
Farmer Bank Of Kentucky, from Mr. Swegert, oil
Frankfort. He offered t at bank here, out ~ was
refused and be went over 70 the bank in Covington
and collected it. As BE- returning he met two men
on the levee Who said he had no business there no
how" and demanded his ree-papers. Dr. Is. ID.
Wheeler dentist, whose Office l. on Sixth street, near
Elm stepped up and vouched for Lewis-he had known
him az free man for twelve years-but they seemed
10 lock upon him as Abotonist, because be lived
in Ohio, and would not take his testimony. Lewis then
said he knew Covington lawyer by the name OF Se-
versop and Mayor Foley, and would 60 with them 10
either of them They said that was MT their business
BE- must go to jail.
DR.. Wheeler tier demonstrated with the captain Of
the ferry boat for not saying word for Lewis as he
knew he had taken him over, for not having told
him that be would be ia danger there. He replied
butslly: =" | don't care d-n about It. They can 60
over when they please, provided they pay me three
cert.)-tbe HI Of it is to get back"
Dr. Wheeler came over on the boat, but the Ken
tuckians on board manifested much indifference
about the kidnapping of free man. that he felt that
Lewis would nd no one take bis part there, and he
poposed to Skeen that they should go back together
and tn to get him out. They applied TO the JaCr out
be refused TO 40 anything. They then sought the
Mayer.
hayor Foley told them the law under which Lewis
was arrested was an ole law but had never been en-
forced VI III since the reQel-hlOn TOT
that they were now doing it for spite work. that every
free gro could by proving his freedom, and paying
the cost, get certificate from the Clerk which was
good for 80 days, but must be renewed at the end OF
every month.
A. soon as Mayor Foley saw Lewis he recognized
him. and shook hands with him. Lewis bad shaved
him only last week. The Mayor told Dr.. Wheeler ne
did not need biz testimony; that he himself would
vouch for him. lie knew Lewis TO be free, and would
let him out for go. Lewis paid the So, and then
wanted the Mayor to give him pass TO go TO Cncin
natl, but his Honor said the police were al at dinner
then and be could get over without il.
Accompanied by DR.. Wheeler and Mr.. Skeen, he
started for Ohio On the ferry-boa the same boat at
which the arrest occurred for there only boat
running yesterday tie captain questioned him closely
and seemed strongly inclined not to let him pass. He
could not believe colored man to be iTee-at any
rate rot on the testimony OF any man from Ohio; but
DR.. Wheeler and Mr.. Skeen said they had already
taken too much trouble about it to think of letting any
man s.op Lewis them and the captain, seeing they
were determined finally concluded to let him pass.
SO generous, Lospitable Kentucky got-fcr nothing
two dollars of the hard earnings of poor coored
barber.