Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-02-02
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For the Democrat and News
kidnapping at Io~a City-Great abolition
Hu6bub.-Nigger in The Wood Pile
Iowa CRY. Feb. lst, 1860
MRssEs. EpIroRs Our white population
Of the "colored persuasion" have been thrown
into a" conniption," Oh account of the abduction
of two negro girls from this city on Saturday
night last. aged respectively nine and twelve.
The alleged kidnapper is one Curtis, gen.
tleman of respec,abili;y and the owner Of con-
siderable property in this place. an the "vic-
tins" are couple Of jet black females. which
were the lawful property of his wife when he
married her in Missouri, but since their remov-
al to Iowa, they have been bound to Curtis by
the County Judge. in due form as apprentices
until eighteen years Of age.
The Abolition eleehept-ever restless-work.
ed itself into storm. when it was known that
these poor. .uufor tunate Ethiopisns were in the
hands Of one who firmly held them as "human
chattels." and a persistant effort has been
made by certain parties ever since Curt came
into the County, to break the bond and get the
girls out of his hands, pereeeuting himself and
wife, as abolition msdilers only know how to
do. and eudeavoring to find cause for COM
plant on the score Of ill-treatment or some
sort Of violation Of the legal compsct by which
they were held. in order to get them into their
own inhuman and filthy clutches
The only ground lot complaint, however,
viii ch vac ever fonnd, was Curtis alleged re-
fusal to school the children in public schools,
and petition was sent to the Judge for can
cella,icn of the bond for this cause.
Meanwhile, Curtis determined to keep the
children out Of abolition hands, started off
on Saturday night with them 10 charge, and
destined. as 10 supposed for Missouri, where
Mr.. Curtis has relations and where the darkies
wou uld be in peace and in safe keeping.
The hegira was discovered on Sunday, and
afidavits were made to Judge Miller, probably
setting forth an intention to kidnap. warrant
vas Issued. and couple Of officers sent in pur-
suit l. is generally supposed. however, that
if Curtis was bound to Missouri, . is safe bv
this time.
We are reliably assured that Curtis sole oh
JeCt - W Keep tue cnIluren out OF Dad hands
and in so doing he has the sympathy Of every
conservative citizen.
He knows well the hollowrees Of Abolition
sympathy. He knows that out OF the hands
of their natural protectors, these little girls
would be cast loose upon the world. degraded
and homeless. and quite cure to find their d.
Hvevevs ~ the last persons in the world to give
them couotenance, g ucation or shelter.
They have uniformly been treated humane
ly-ars . free ~ any white children in the
State-clingine naturally to their old mistress.
- children to parent and should properly
remain in her keeping.
This is but another instance OF the mad and
despicabls policy Of abolition interference With
other peoples business-that sort of inter
ference which starves and scourges the white
bond. and yet overstrides all the common
deeeneiss Of life to exercise its mock ami heart
less philanthropy for the Ethiopian
Anything fresh in regard to this matter I will
fnrnish youn promptly,
Truly yours, PRO PATRIA.
P.S-The oficers returned last pieht (Tues.
day. minus their game, and with large flsas in
eaeh ear.