St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-09-06
The Minneapolis EslaVe" Case


in their attempt to make capital out of the
case Of Eliza Winston as they were in that
of Henry Sparks. After all their charges
that Eliza was persuaded to leave her mas
ter by "Abolitionists after the dirt-eat:
ers Of st. Anthony and Minneapolis, head
cd by Mclean Of the Winslow House, had
offered indignities and threatened violence
to the person Of Mr.. Babbitt and others, it
turned out that Eliza, when she left Mis-
sissippi, was fully determined to assert her
freedom as soon as she reached the free
soil Of Minnesota. If there is any shame
left in these miserable toadies, we should
think they would not now dare to look an
honest freeman in the face. T..
We have before us an extra from the Of
flee of the Minneapolis Atzas, giving the
full facts Of the whole case. From this it
appears that no citizen of Minnesota, from
first to last, had any agency whatever in
prompting the woman to assert her rights.
1t was her own idea possessed before she
left Mississippi, to assert and secure her
rights: in Minnesota, unless her master
would give her free papers, which he re-
fused to do Having thus determined, she
applied for aid, when it became apparent
to her that she would be compelled to re-
sort to our courts to secure and maintain
her liberty. After having satisfied them
selves that the woman was anxious and de-
termined to get her liberty if possible,
MeSsrs: Babbitt and Bigelow, applied to
Judge Vanderburgh for writ command
ing the Sheriff to bring her before him, in
order that the facts in the case might be
inquired into. The writ was served, the
woman brought into Court, and there in
formed that she was free to 20 where and
with whom she chose.
The following affidavit of Eliza gives the
full particulars as to the manner in which
she became free. We bespeak careful
reading Of 1t by men of all parties: ~
STATE OF MINNESOTA,
Hennepin County. 3d.
ELIZA WINSTON being duly sworn, de-
poses and says: - ~y...:
My name is Eliza Winston, am 80 years
old. / was held as the slave of Mr.. Ghol-
son Of Memphis, Tennessee, having been
raised by Mr.. Macklemo, father-in.la OF
Mr.. Gholson. I married free man Of
color who hired my time of my master, who
promised me my freedom upon the pay.
ment of 81 900. My husband and yseli
worked hard and he invested our savings
in house and lot in Memphis, which was
held for us in Mr.. Gholson's name. This
house was rented for $8 per month. My
husband by request; went out with com.
pany of emancipated slaves to Liberia, and
was to stay two years. He went out with
them because he was used to travelling
and it was necessary to have some one K
assist and take care Of them. When ht
returned, my master was to take our house
and give me my free papers, my husband
paying the balance due, in money. Ny
husband died in Liberia, and my master
Mr.. 'Gholson got badly broken up in naon
ey matters, and having pawned me to Col
Christmas for $500, died before he coull
redeem me. was never sold. I have
always been faithful and no master that
ever had has found fault with me. Mr.
Macklemo, my first master, always treated
me kindly and has tried to buy me Of Col
christmas, a good many times. 1Whe1
Mr.. Gholson married Mr.. Mocklemo,
daughter, I went with my young mistress
I became the slave of Mr.. Christmas
years ago last March. They have otter
told me I should have my freedom ano
they at last promised me that II shoul hav.
my free, papers when their child was sever
years old. This time came soon after w
left home to come to Minnesota. I hat
not much confidence that they would keel
their promise for my mistress has Away
been feeble and she would not be willing
to let me go. But [ had heard that
should be free by coming to the North, .ne
had with my oolored friends made all tn
preparations which We thought necessary
I had go+. little money and spent it il
elot1e:, 1 ,I ny eolored friends srve. me som eon'
good supply. Of clothing in my trunk: sufh
cient to last me two years and Of kline