The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-11-11


Farmer 10 Reduce two Ercc
Negro children TO slavery.
Considerable excitement was produced in
Cleveland, last week, by rnmor that Chris
topher Edick, farmer residing in Russell .
In this County, had obtained from the City |
Infrmary, two negro children, for the pur' .
pose Of taking them to Missouri, and selling .
them into Slavery. 1t was stated that he
had even gone so far as to purchase tickets
for ST. Louis, which was probably mistake
The facts which gave rise to tho rumor, "cfo
as follows: Last winter, negro ilm'y
named Conner, residing in an old building
on the corner Of Eric and Bolivar Streets
Cleveland, were found to be in very destitute .
circumstances Tho family consisted OF ,
man. bis wife and throo children. On the |
death of their mother, which occurred in
March, tho children were taken to the City |
Infrmary. In August, Mr. Elick called, .
with his vito and daughter, at that institu.
tion, and represented to tho Superintendent,
Mr. spraguo, that, owning farm in Goau-
pa County, he was desirous to obtain two
children to bring up upon it. lie selected
two of the Conner children-A!boIt, aged =
and Louisa, aged ycnrs-ond took them
homo on trial. This little negro boy and
girl having given good satisfaction he again
visited tho Irfrmnry, on the 8.a OF Sep
tember, when Mr.. Warner acting member
of tho Board OF Directors, made OUT tho Ia.
donturcs of apprenticeship.
At tho first, and perhaps at both OF his
visits TO the Iufrmary, Mr. Eiick alluded
10 tho fact that he had lard 10 Missouri.
hut he did not intimate his intention to re.
move to that State. Mr.. SprGgua status that
had he done so. ho could not have obtained
the children. 1t 10 proven, however, that
he had desired, for somo tlmo previous, to
dispose of his property in Russell, and that,
about the timc he obtained the Children, he
sold his farm, with the declared intcntion
of removing to Missouri.
On Thursday of last week, Judge CaufieId
Probate Judge of this County, on relation
of Myron Soule, Of Russell, issued writ oi
haJeds corpus, Which was served by th'
Sheriff Of Lake and Deputy from Thu
County, at the residence Of MIR. EdcEs son
in. law, in WiIloughby, whore his famiI!
were stopping. Tho children were brough
to this place, on Friday, and given into 'h'
custody of Sheriff White. Tho case was GO
for hearing on Wednesday Of this wock, u
O'Clock. +. NJ when VIM o. Forrist, Esq
appeared in behalf of tho childron, and MI
Edick in his own behalf.
Mr.. Sprague, Superintendent. Mr.. BIacl
Director, and Mr.. Warner, Clerk OF :h
Board of Directors Of tho Cleveland Infiru
ary, and Mr.. Conner, father of the children
testified, in substance,to what VIC have ubov
stated.
Mr. Elijah Barber. Of Chester, tcstife
chat ho had conversed with Mr. Edick all
bis wife, in regard to tho proposed sale
the farm, and removal to Missouri, an
that it was his intention to remove this ia
or next spring, though well aware Of Il
suspicious his conduct was creating tn
Mr.. f. had said to him, if any ono wantC
iho children, he was willing to givo up Il
indenturGs, but that, if thoy should
stolen from him, he would not follow thor
A young man by tho namo of Bnfiugto
OF Willoughby, testified that Mr. Edick sai
In his presence, last woek that he bad boz
told he had no right to take tho children
Missouri, but that no held tho indcnturo
and no ono could prevent it.
The Court,on hearing tho evidence, ,decid,
that tho indontures had bocu forfeited, 81
orderod that tho children be rcmandcd
the custody of tho officers os tho Clovclar
InArmary. There was no evidence to thro
suspicion upon those officers, who had @,
IDENTIFY acted in good faith.
Tho motives of Mr. Edick may DO iufcrr
from the above statement oe facts. Weh
seon him once before this trial, hnyi
printed somo hond.L for tho sale of
personal property; yot wo know but lit
about him. He is said to DO an Old Ii
Democrat, which there is no reason to dou
IIe has also boon represented as n shift
man, with what truth We do not knC
Whatever his motives may havo been,
was pursuing wrong course, and jus
Incurred suspicion. when making nrran
ments to remove, with those negro childr
to Missouri.
Tho children are bright and active, O
would undoubtedly soil for fair prico
any of tho Slave States ; yot they arc fr
and Wo trust likoly to remain so,
Suicide in Montville.
Christian Ernst, a German, As years