The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-03-30
reacon Gray Helping Of Fugitive,

There is something very peculiar about
tho Gray family. J. W. Gray, of tho Piain
Dedier, though most unscrupulous Demo.
cratic politician, seems now and lhon quite
Anti-Slaycry in his notions. Ilo has 4 broth.
or, also connected with tho Plain Dcdler,
known as Deacon Gray, who, if We may
credit his own story. is much better than
his politics A meeting was held at the
Court. House IN Jefferson, Ashtabuia Co., on
tho evening aglur the execution of Stevens
and HaSett, which was addressed by John
Brown, Jr, James Rodpath, Owen Brown.
Barclay Coppoc and Deacon Gray. We
quote from tho Sentinel:
Deacon Gray of tho Cleveland Plain
Dedter,who had como to report tho meeting
tor nis paper, was loudly called for he
arose and said :
lie could not believe, after tho courtesy
he had met in jefferson, that his audience
called him out for tho purpose of kissing
him down. (Crios of No No! Go on, 81. J
1t they could SEQ his hoart thoy would know
that hc was not so far in feeling from any o!
them, us they might think. Ho had moth.
| ing to hject to in tho remarks of John
Brown, or In tho quaint, odd speech OF
Owen; and although no could not endorse
the position of MIR. Redpath, he had nc
quarrel with him. He would no, mako a
speech, but ask to be let Off by telling O
story,
They might know that thoro wero two
Grays--J. w. Gray of tho Plain Deaier
and himself, or Deacon Gray, as peopl,
called him. Uaughter) He Uhe spuak er
was once Deacon of tho ProshvteriaI
Church, at Pittsburgh Quo day he saw
negro limpng along and white man follow
log with dt-wn rovoIvor in his hand -
Now, said tho speaker, mind you, I'm no
talking of my theories but practice. Uaugh
ter.) This negro was fugitive who haC
once eacaPcd into Penn, but had beon fol
lowed, shot down and takon back. Th
was the second tmo no had boon captured
These two men--black aud whte--wor,
crossing q oovcroi bridge at one end ol
which was tho Presbyterian Church. A
; tho negro was some ways ahead, ho 9TH
speakor) managed to push him into tn
, church door, at which tho Sexton happene
! to DO standing. They thon locked tho doc
and ran tho negro up tho stoeplc and ther
they looked down upon tho slavcholdor
:, who was passing about in all directions,
trying to iud whore tho negro had gono t
Three chcors woro given for Gray's Don
It ocratic practice.
If This speech was wonderfully woll r,
ceieivod. Tho Deacon's humorous style
telling tho story. and his cool confession
practical hyPocrcy wero iuimitabio in the
way.
% John Brown, jr,, roso and asked Mr.. Grl
o' il he would be willing to answer ono que
Of tion
d Tho whole audience became still, and tl
-. Deacon rose with rathnr uneasy and
cdudly serious face, and said-certnnly,
ID John Brown, Jr.-"Woll, sir, lot me a.
II, you II you did not feel nearer Heaven VIII,
W. you were up in that s,eeplo with tho nogr
- than while standing on tho Cincinnati pll
form?
nh Tho D1acon dropped as If he had be
u shot through tho hoart, and thu whole au,
NC ence roso and cheorcG. The hit was SO u
,L expected and complete that it was long 1
'" fore quict was restored. Wo suspect it "
10 DO sOmo time before tho Deacon hears t
S. last Of that question.