The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-20
Kidnapped Colored BOY Restored, and Ar
rest OF the Kidnapper.


from the Rochester American Dec 1911
Yesterday morning early train from the brought
having in charge tho colored boy John He who was
kidnapped and sold by N Van Tuy whose arrest and
discharge on bail have already been mentioned 1t will
remembered that two boys Kidnapped but OF
them made his escape at Carlisle station in Ohio Having
prepared himself with requisition from Governor King,
Mr. Walker started In company with Mr. Lay, for whom
Hte had worked and who could readily identify him. de-
termned to follow him until the object of his mission
For the following history Of the case we are indebted to
the Cincinnati Gazette and to Mr. Walker, with whom
had brief interview before the train left for Geneva:
On the up from Cleveland, Van Tuy the kdDapper,
fell in company with three Kentuckans-Barton W. Jen
kins OF Port Royal Henry county and Henry Gner and
sented the boys as runaway and solicited their
getting them back to Tennessee from which State Van
Tuyl asserted they had escaped The three gentle
men named placing implicit reliance In the story
Of the kdnapper, who gave his name as Paul
Lensington, rendered him such assistance as was
in their power, and when the boy Daniel Prue, who Il
seems had overheard part Of the false tale of Van Ty
attempted to get of the at Carlisle Mr. Jenkins made
an effort to keep him on succeeding subsequently
back with Van Tuy in search OF him, and after
wards arrested at Franklin on charge Of kidnapping but
discharged for want Of evidence The other gentlemen
placed him in JAIL to await the arrival OF the supposed
owner hardly necessary TO say that the kenuckians
completely imposed upon by Van Tuy and far as
they took any part in the matter did entirely ignorant
of the fact that the boy ohethAn escaped slave
Van Tuy or Lensington as he was known to the Ken.
tuckians day two after, and made sale of
the boy jenkins for $500 alleging in the bill that he
nineteen years OF age of copper color, and that he
was the and lawful owner Of said boy, and that he
slave for life which he signed Pau Lonsington"
The bill of sale made out for $780, but $500 only was
paid the balance being voluntarily deducted by Van Tuy
for the trouble of the purchaser In aiding him TO
his " property" Subsequently the negro was sold to
Lorenzo Graves by Mr. Jenkins for $3.50 who took
him Warsaw, KY but afterward sent him TO Louisville
be confined until he should require his services else
This brings the history Of the down TO tho
arrival Of Mr. Walker with the requisition from the Go
On the arrival Of the two New York officers warsaw,
planning to him their business, and exhibiting tho evil
dence their possession that the negro free that
gentleman, with disregard Of self which does
his head and heart the greates honor, replied 81 am
satisfied he free negro and that he has been kid
mapped" He spoke with Indignation and contempt Of the
kdnapper and the he had perpetrated and pledged
his that the boy should be placed in their hands
and safely conveyed to free State Like honorable
man he kept his word IN every particular r.,
party proceeded TO the residence OF Mr. jenkins
who had made the sale to Mr. Graves and that gentleman
was rs much astonshed had been Mr. Graves that he
had been fouy imposed upon by the rascal Van Tuyl
end Immediately refunded to Mr. Graves the amount ef
the $500 psd to Van Fuyl merely reminding the oncers
any portion of the amount could be obtained from Hr.
Lensington," that it should be forwarded. Matters
being satisfactorily arranged thus far, the whole
party started for Louisville, where Hte still in
neent and Mr. Graves not only opened the prison doors
the captive with his hands and deve him to Mr.
Walker but he accompanied the gentleman with the boy
Cincinnati gave the latter money to spend the way
and on his arrival there bought several acceptable
presents send the boy mother at Geneva In reply
to Mr. Walker he about leaving for home on the
mail boat Saturday noon who thanked him for the trouble
he had taken the matter and for his honorable conduct
throughout, Mr.. Graves sad:-'sI promised that you
Should have the boy free territory unmoested and
have kept my work. was satisfied foul wrong had
been committed and have done what could to right it.
only hope the laws OF New York will be equally prompt
in Furnishing the guilty party"
is unnecessary to. say that Hte Is overoyed at his
escape from slavery In his transfer to different parties
he had told them he free negro, for fear he
might be sold further South and his escape thereby
trey Of but it is probable that had he informed Mr.
Graves Of the fact he would have found in him honor
able He held to be worth 81 200, and in good
times would have brought 81 400 He Is nineteen years
of age healthy aud strong and his appearance indicates
least ordinary intelligence for his circumstances.
Messrs. Walker and lay express high opinion Of the
Kentucky gentlemen whom they had occasion TO meet.
They acted promptly and honoraby in every particular.
Van Tuy has been liberated on bai-too paltry il
TO us-and If he does not run away will certainly
have pay the penalty prescribed, which is forfeiture
OF $500 to the party aggreved and term 10 the State
prison not exceeding ten years.