Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1864-08-12
Twelve ycarsin N KcntucI,y Prison.
ImtcresIina NnrrnfiNc.

In November, 1851, the Rev. Mr.. Fairbank
was in Louisville on business connected with
the Oberln (Ohio) Institute, and while there
was made acquainted with the case of young
slave girl, nearly white, who was endeavorng
to escape TO the Free States. She was the
property of one A. l.. Shortwell of Louisville,
and was named lamar. The story she related
to Mr. Fairbank, though such as thousands in
her condition could truly relate, so worked on
his feelings, and so aroused his sympathies and
indignaton that he determined TO render her
escape certain. On the night of Nov. 2, they
crossed the Ohio from Louisville to Jefferson
vile, Indiana. The girl secre,ed herself in a
field, while he went in pursuit Of horse and
buggy.
Before daylight he got her, cold and benum-
bed, into the buggy. and that day NOV. 81
drove "a miles uto Indiana, placed her among
friends, and himself returned with the horse
nd.buggy 10 Jefersonvie, where he remained
about week. On his way to church the fol-
lowing Sunday, he was assaulted and seized by
VIM. Ronald, then Marshol OF Louisville, Ky.
(now Sherih,) and one Snmlete, watchman,
assisted by said ShOrtwell and thus kidnapped
he was taken by force from Indiana into Ken
lucky. He was thrown into prison in Louis
vile, where he lay about five months awaiting
trial, bail being required in the sum of So 900,
which he, of course, was unable to procure in
that State.
On the 2jth of February, 1882 Mr. Fairbank
was arragned for trial. Although no direct
evidence was offered aud nothing but the slight
est circumstantal evidence given, such as his
being seen in Louisville on the same night the
girl escaped, still being determined TO punish
him under the slavs laws, they convicted him
under their statute relating to enticing ssves,
and he was sentenced 10 fifteen years imprison-
ment. During the time of his imprisonment
he was subjected to the most brutal wicked
and inhuman treatment possible. When he
first entered the prison the profits arising from
| the labor ofthe prisoners were divided between
the State and the warden or prison contractor.
Each prisoner was required to perform an al
lotted amount OF work, which was equal to what
q strong well man could do at the utmost ex-
erion Of his strength and endurance.
Mr.. Fairbanks strength and health soon
| fyiled him, and h. was uterly Incapable OF per-
forming his tasks Then commenced the hor-
rible brutality 10 which he was subjected. He
was put at the hardest, diiliest work, and Or
Gers we're given by Newton Craig, the then
Warden 10 "kill him" The insulting language
constantly addressed TO him, the hated tones of
voice, and insolent and abusive manner, to say
nothing OF the many horrible oaths directed to
| him, were enough to PROSTATE a man OF his re-
fined and sensitive mind. But all this was as
nothing compared to the horrible whipping in.
ficed on his naked person Forced to lean
forward over a stool, chair, or bench, he was
| made 10 strip, and then, with sole leather strap
eighteen inches in length, two inches wide, and
about three eghths of an inch thick, soaked in
water, and fastened TO asbnndle about two feet
j long, he was foggeA sometimes daily, some
times four times day, for not performing q
heavier task than it was possible for him to dc
in his state Of health, He was given from two
to l07 lashes at a time.
Sometimes he would escape hogging for
month"; and once six months passed off wilhou,
his being whipped. During the time of his i'm.
prisonmenl he was brutaly hogged more thar
1000 times because he had not fulfilled through
weaknC IS and exhaustion the task imposed up.
on him. On one occasion, during the last
Winter, keeper named Whteside, and the
only humane man connected with the prison
management, had directed Mr. Faibank to
cord up LOT OF wood. While doing this ar
undet-keeper named Jeffries came along and
asked Mr.. Fairbank roughly what he was do
ing that for. Mr.. Fairbank replied that he wa:
doing it by order Mr.. Wh,eside. Jefries or.
dered him not to cord up any more wood, and
Mr.. Fairbank replied that he must do ns drec
ted by the officer highest in authority Jeffries
in a rage, seized stick os wood and struck
Mr.. Fairbank over the temple blow that cut
TO the skull, knocking him blind and senseless
and which placed him in the prison hospital
for several weeks and from which, owing to
the shock to the brain, as in the case of the as.
sault upon Senator Sumner by Bully" Brooks
he has not yet fully recovered.
How many times the heart OF the poor pris
oner sunk within him how many times h,
prayed earnestly that death might end his suf
lerings how he was kept alive, and was per
mitted to hope on, and live, is known cnly t
his God. Yet it is a great wonder how th,
mind could have been preserved from ute
wreck and ruin; how it was that insanity d
not deprive him long since of all consciousness
of the cruel wrongs he was obliged to suffe
and endure.
But have we not the explanation in tn
knowledge that he surely possessed that ther
was loving and devoted heart, made all lh
more loving, devoted and constant by his civ
{ bondage and the horrors to which he was sub
iected Was il not that he knew, or had fat
to believe, that her efforts in his behalf woul
never ceaseP ? And that he owed tito her,
T not to himself to endeavor to bear with Chris
+ ,ian patience and manly for,ilude the grevou
Affections which he was compelled to exper
ence?
At the time of the imprisonment of the Re,
Mr.. Fairbank, he was engaged to be marie
to Miss Mandona lieston, Of WILLIAMSBURG
q
ions and mental endowmonts. And the quail
! ties both of heart and mind which this estim;
S BILE lady possessed, will be best illustrated b
/ stating that during all the time OF his imprsoI
ment from November, 1851, to April, 1864
{ Mr.. Farbank was the one particular object
. all her thoughts, aud all her devoted affection
q Her loving cheerful, hopeful letters, were
the staff Of life to him. Though stripped of a
his money, clothing and property, when he WI
I. imprisoned, ard after his other means faile
d she sent him money, with which to supply h
= wants, furnished him bed, bedding, towel
:, linen and funds with which to supply himse
= with suitable food, coffee, tea, &C., and TO SUI
y ply such comforts as it was possible TO do, az
& hat he might not be obliged to eat the mise
o able prison fare which was supplied by the wa
d den. She visited him in prison in 1858, 1855
n 1859, 1860, 1868, making constant efforts
It procure his pardon.
l. AT length after twelve years one month m
y six days dreadful Imprisonment in the Sta
o Prison at Frankfort. beside the four months
Is was in jail at Louisville Nh. Fairbank receive
10 and was restored TO his liberty.
E. During the last six years Miss Tileston h
= been residing in Oxford, Ohio, as teaohC
D where she might he near MIR. Fairbank, al
\ where she could be enabled TO furnish him wi
Y, continued means. AS soon as ho was set
IN liberty he repaired at once to her place of re
N dence, where they were married few wee
10 since.
h On leaving the prison he was furnished wi
M SS from, tha nrison I,nI rJ an olJ au,t