The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1869-01-12
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AZ AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE.

Who among us does not know our
fellow townsman, Mr. John White, a
resident Of Manchester now nearly thir-
ty years \? His name betokens not his
hue, though he is not the less respect
ed and honored for his department and
correct habits. He has long been sex
ton Of TIE Congregational Church in
this village, and when superseded for a
time because he did not appear to un.
derstand the principles Of ventilation, he
was much to his satisfaction, restored to
the position within a year or two, with
tue appreciation Of ALL In wood yards
and in gardens, at house-cleanings, in
stove-fxings carpet-shakings and white
washings be has been a ready helper.
And when while ago, impaired health
rendered him less efficient than former
ly, it seemed difficult to supply his
place. But after the Emancipation
Proclamation Johns years were fairly
renewed his yigor returned and his
Strengthened form aud cheerful, spark
ling face, bespoke freedom and might
in a sense never by him understood be-
fore. Yes, be was runaway slave
when be reached the North in 1910,
and the odious breath Of oppression
never ceased to weigh him down until
the memorable event Of 1868, which for
ever released the bondman hom the
hard grasp Of his master.
For many years, John said little about
his early circumstances, and special
whereabouts. That he had seen four
years Of swamp-life near the James riy-
or in Virginia, sustaining himself by
selling fish to the boatmen and sailors
on the river, before he could got safely
on board Of vessel for the North, eIic-
tied our earnest sympathy, with strong
desires chat his present retreat might
prove secure one. But when the
Fugitive Slave Law was passed, tile
'lorg agony in Johns breast was re-
newed He provided himself with a re-
yolyer which be kept loaded, and he
was suspicious OF newcomers around if
they showed any special interest in hum
His eager step became one Of lassitude,
and bis strong frame was bowed before
its time.
With the first flags raised here in 1861
to indicate the purpose Of the people
ITO stand by the Union, after the Sc
cession Of tho southern States, and the
fall Of Sumpter, John raised a flag staff
on his own house, and the stars and the
stripes foated there on the breeze, the
flag retaining its position till worn out
by the winds and storms; contrasting
slrkingly with that Of the country it at
first repsented.
After these events John was free to
speak Of his condition while in bond
age. And when Petersburg, and Ber-
muda Hundred, and City Point became
common nouns, he could describe them
all Bermuda Hundred being his birth
place. his home chiefly in Petersburg,
and his escape made from City Point,
He was no WORSE of than the majority
Of the slaves, and did not change own
ers till after lie was thirty years Of age.
Then, ID consequence Of deaths and the
division Of property - the families to
which he succesaively belonged, be was
sold four times HIS last owner was
cruel and tyranieal man, Of whom he
would have feed himself By purchase,
bat this he was not allowed 70 do. his
sefuees as a carpenter being too high
~ vslnod. Thence forward he deter
mined to be ires aud the Lord helped
him, a. tAro ire aud water, lie waa
pursued and shot at, and again came
uaar being eaaght, bot escaped into a
stream oi water, thrust.ng his head into
the rnshes taat lined .he bank, the dogs
jig parsais u ham thereby losing the
sesnt A. loasth aame friendly sailors
hsd hlm. doubled up n tae iorecastle Of
a vessel leaving Ci3 Po.aL lis wss lod
from time 10 tame wath soaked Aari tack,
that the nolse q ersshipglt aight not
lead 70 a search ior rats daring the yoy.
age Or 9theswiaa excite suspicion. Ar
rived iH New York. iha pas agera were
a.l landed beiofe aask, sod tha captain
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