Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-06-03
From the Chicago Tribur


Mr.. A. E. Mathews formerly ofStark eoun-
ty, Ohio, has just accomplished one of the se-
verest Journeys ever undertaken in America
by one who is not exactly a fugitive slave
having travelled on foot from Houston coun-
ty, Texas, to IrontOn, Missouri, sleeping in
woods and swamps, traversing prairies and
mountain ranges and suffering alternately
from the ravages Of vigilance committees and
vermins. Mr.. Mathews left Tex4s in the last
week of April and reached Ironton on the
oath of the present month, whence he was
brought, footsore, exhausted and pSnniless, to
Chicago, by the kindness of the railroad ofi-
GERS. -tl
When the news of the bombardment of
Sumter reached Houston county, the hostili-
ty to persons of Northern birth became so
violent that Mr. Mathews deemed an early
departure essential to his personal safety.
When this was followed by the news of Presi-
dent Lincoln's proclaim ton, he was required
to loin the rebel army instanter, or take his
chances in what they denominated & court
martial He determined TO do neither, and
thereupon, with the north star for his beacon,
and the night for his leave taking, commenc
ed his long and wearisome march for the
Free States. What with frequent bewilder-
mentin the woods and more frequent dodge
ing and retreating to escape vigilance COM
mittses Mr. Mathews thinks that be must
have travelled fully eight hundred miles be-
fore reaching an atmosphere where he could
safely say that he was born on this side Of
Sason & Dixon. At Archedelphia, Arkan-
sas, be was tried for the offence of travelling
northward, and after escaping from the ma
jority of the jury, by means Of q tax receipt
and favorable notice in a Texas paper, be
was taken in hand by the minority and
threatened with hanging in true Arkansas
style. he managed TO elnde them in the night
and secrete himself IN one Of the mountain
ranges north Of that place A short time
previous to his escape, three persons hunting
for cattle in the woods south west of Archi-
delphia were hung by band of regulators
merely because, in ,heir terror, they became
confused, and were unable 70 give such an
account Of themselves as would be satisfae-
tory to their captors. Traekless woods and
swamps, deep rivers and heavy rains, contin-
ual arrests and prosecutions, were bis portion
during the whole OF his journey until be
reached the Missouri line.
In many parts Of Arkansas, Mr.. Mathews
found Union men, and 10 some places,
(Batesville for instancsl they were in the
majority. These persons lived in perpetual
terror, and were longing for nothing SO much
as the sight OF column Of Federal troops to
reinstate the supremacy Of the laws. The
price of corn in that part of Texas in which
Mr. Mathews lived was between three and
four dollars per bushel, and all their supplies
came from New Orleans BY way of Shreye-
port. Among the poorer classes there was
great suffering for the necessaries of life, and
be believes that inspite Of all tha; is being
done to increase the production of grain at
the South, the blockade at Carlo will stsrve
cut the rebellion. Is there q reign Of ter
TOR in the South2 Apply to Mr.. Mathews
foi an answer, and read it in his wan iea-
lures, his swollen feet, his crippled limbs,
his dilapidated clothing, and his shattered
health, .a'e' sz7a, p g