Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-03-16
TIMES CHANGES.
The Fugitive Slave of IS and the
Man of III

Inc Futtt1ve shave OF 'J9 ana the
Man Of I'll
We were shown a letter yesterday from
Mr. Charles Fisher, member OF the Leg
islature of Louisiana, to one of our well.
known citizens, in which the writer al
ludes to the earlier days of Leavenworth s
history.
The general reader will ask, very natu-
rally, what there is interesting in the fact
of a Leavenwerth citizen receiving sue b
letter from Louisiana Legislator.
(which we rise TO explain.
In 1853 poor, hunted, travel.worn fu-
gitive slave made his appearance in Leav
enworth and besought aid to enable him
TO escape from the bloodhounds who
were hot upon his track.
At that time the Fugitive Slave Law
was si-class " institution" and those
who violated its sacred provisions were
more than likely to find themselves
caught in tie raeshts Of q government:
prosecution.
But still even fugitive slave was not
altogether without without friends in
Leayenworth, and the negro alluded to
was generously cared for and closely Sc
creted- But owing to the treachery oil
certain parties, from whom better things
were expected, his pursuers ascertained
bis hiding place, from which he was re-
lentlessly torn at an unguarded hour, and
after being terribly beaten and heavily
ironed on wrists and ankles, was taken
over to the sacred soil" of Missouri in
skih, by band Of hired human blood
hounds. Once there lis captors relaxed
a good deal o. their vigilance and took
Off the poor ,el'ow's irons, but placed a
strong guard over him with instructions
| TO shoot him dead If be made any attemp
TO escape.
But "CharIey for so the fugiily,
was called--loved freedom more than be
feared death, and in a short time after
the leading kiknappers had turned in
he made a desperate bounp. got outside
unhurt, though heavy yolley was direct
ed at him, swan the Missouri at full tide,
and again reported to some reliable
friends OF human liberty in our city. ;
Again he was secreted and again par
sued. Two thousand dollars were Offered
for him dead or alive. Once again h,
was betrayed, bnt there was such q rally
of the obi Free State boys around hin
that no attempt was made to repeat Tia,
kidnapping business Charley's owners
knew that The law was with them, an(
quietly awaited a decision. Meanwhile
Charley himself was placed under tn
guardianship of Deputy United State
Marshal--one Garvin--and several dcpu
ties and his trial proceeded
| Between the hours of holding court
Charley was kept in the second story o
the Planters House. One night a galian
attempt at his rescue was made by som,
Free State boys" But the darkness
uncertainty concerning the room, ant
other unexpected drawbacks, combined
10 make the attempt failure, and to rem
der the slave hunters correspondent,
audacious and confident.
And so the fugitive's trial dragged il
slow length along His captors change,
their abiding place every night to bali
any other attempt at rescue.
One night they had the poor slave Il
the Mansion House A. little after mid
night six brave fellows entered, walket
direct to tie roor where Charley AM
his captors were concealed, broke dow
the door and carried Charley to th
street, lung him on horse that stoo'
ready, and carried him off to that free
dom from which he has grown and dc
veloped till now we find him-ths hunt
ed and prosecuted slave Of l858-trans
formed into the Hon. Charles Fisher, o
the Louisiana Legislature
The party who claimed Mr.. Fisher q
q slave in 1853, was Mr.. B. B. Taylo
who subsequently edited the Leavenwort
InQnirer-a paper which the indignar
people of our city were compelled to d
stroy, giving to its editor-the slave
hunter Of earlier days. few hours I
leave the city forever.