The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-08-31

clared that she should have no peace till she
knew the contents of that box.
\ Thrilling Story.
Some of the particulars of the recent kid
mapping case at Clifton, ILL.,, have been given
to the public The Chicago Press and Tri-
bune gives the whole story in The annexed
statement
"On Sunday, June 3, three colored men
living in or near Clittor-a village near Ash
KUN, station on the Illinois Central road,
about sixty miles from Chicago were entic-
ed by seven or eight whites into a country
store or grocery, and when there were pounc-
ed upon by their armed decoys, now turned
assaants, and under threat of instant death
from revolvers pointed at their breasts, were
compelled to submit to the commands of
those who by force and fraud had overpower-
ed them. They were Immediately hurried of
to Ashkum, and their captors, having timed
their movements to correspond with the mo-
tions of the down train, thrust their prey,
still: guarded by an array Of pistols and bow
ie-knives, into the cars, and bore the poor
men of. All this was accomplished without
process of any sorl-by brute force alone,
illegally and diabolically. Tie indignation
of the quiet community in which this occur
red was thoroughly aroused by the outrage
but all parties, the wronsed and the wrong
doers, were gone, hid in slave State, under
the shadow OF the institution that justites ali
such atrocities-and everybody despaircd of
being able to bring The captives back, or the
scoundrels to the punishment that they had
richly earned.
The kidnapped men were carried to ST.
Louis as fast as steam could convey them,
jealously guarded all the way. Arrived
there. they were thrust into negro pen,
which still disgraces that free-soil city, and
the work, with view to the profits of the
great crime, was commenced In answer to
the inquiry directed to each, who is your
master ~ one averred that he was then, and
always had been, free man another refuS-
ed to answer, while the third the man jim,
said he had been the property of Aime Per-
nard, farmer near Caronde!et, seven miles
from the city. The man who claimed to be
free, and his silent fellow prisoner, wre tied
mp and cruelty .foggcd, the one to refresh his
recollection of the scrvituGe that his captors
suspected, and the other 20 open his mouth
to confession which he would not make
Whipping proving Of no avail, other forms
of cruelty-hunger the most potent-were
tried but with no better success. At last,
both these men-one torn ru,hlessly from his
wife and children, and the other from a
neighborhood in which his industry had
made him respected, and each from life of
freedom and enjoyment-uere sent South
and sold. They were made prisoners of war,
and as such in this time of peace were COM
PEELED to submit to their captors will.
While this whipping. shipping and selling
was going on, Aime Pernard, the owner of
Jim, was visited by one Of the kidnappers.-
lie wem wih offers to Juy Jim, running
buy the chances Of capture after five years
of absence. One hundred dollars was the
price named for this fugitive piece of flesh
and blood. But it was Indignantly refused.
The sum was doubled, trebled, quadrupled
and at last multiplied by ten but all temp
tations failed to get them legal title to theil
prey. They served this purpose, however,
The owners suspicious were aroused by the
amount offered by the scoundrels, and theil
unconcealed eagerness to effect trade. Or
Saturday, then, a week after the capture, hi
sent negro woman into St. Louis-the wo
man, by the way, mother Of Jim-to make
. the inquiries that the case seemed to de
mand. Her mothers instincts led her tt
: the right place. Admitted to the pen, sh'
: recognized her son, learned from his lips hi
t sufEerings and danger and then, with sucl
speed as she could command, hurried bacl
to the masters house. Her story sent hin
: into the city, and to the slave pen direct
i Jim's story was repeated with such emphasi
: and particularly that every drop Of tha
! masters blood tingled in his veins. Hi
< haggard appearance, his wounds and mark
l Of stripes, attested to the masters sight tn
, truth Of the words that fell upon his ears
!; He called the keeper Of the place, command
;. ed the humane treatment of his property,ant
e left with the promise that he would return
j. and relieve him of his charge. This was ol
Sunday morning. Bright and early on tn
e day following, Aime Pernard appeared at tn
y prison gate. To pay the sum (s1oV allowe'
= by the law of the State to the captors of
y fugitive, the Jail fees amounting to So
r more, and to rig Jim out in new suit whic
J. his master had brought along, was but hall
;, hours work. When done, the two wen
/ back to Carondelet, Jim yet doubtful of hi