Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-03-27
Frederick Douglass Account Of Hi
Escape from Slavery.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. March 10. 1879

The Academy of Music was densely
| crowded this evening, to hear Dir. Fred
erick Douglass rehearsal of his "Remin-
iscences of Slavery and anti Slavery"
Mr.. Douglass gave the following account
of his own escape: "While slavery ex-
listed, had good reasons for not telling
! the story of my escape from bondage, and
now that the great trial is over, do not
know any good reason why I should not
tell it. People generally imagined that it
was marvellous recital, but it was one
Of the most simple and commonplace
stories that could be given. l was owned
in Talbot County, on the eastern shore of
Maryland, in 1885, and a few years after
that time made my escape. had been
sent up to Baltimore by my master to a
brother of his for safe keeping, but it was
a strange movement to send me sixty
miles nearer my liberty When deter
mined on escaping, / looked about for
proper means to accomplish my purpose.
At that time great vigilance was exercised
by the authorities Everybody was
strictly watched, and if a slave
were found outside the limits of
his masters plantation, he would
be liable to show by what right he
was out of place. was put to work in
a ship yard, and commenced to learn the
business Of ship, carpentering and caulk-
ing. Here | had frequent intercourse
with sailors, and in them l thought dis
covered a feeling of sympathy and kind
ness. Although the difficulties and OBJ
stacles against escape were apparently
insurmountable, l conceived an idea that
could secure my release by dressing in
sailors clothing and making surrepti-
tious retreat. But l had no papers by
which could pass from place to place.
Fortunately, l met with man named
Stanley, who lived in Baltimore, and who
was free. He resembled me in stature.
and from him obtained suit Of sailors
clothes, and his protection papers, and
in this apparel, provided with the neces.
sary articles, |, in September, 1888, secur.
ed my liberty. got Isaac Rhodes to
take my bundle, and, by arrangement,
after the train started he threw it in, and
ran after and jumped on the car. If
compelled to buy ticket, it would have
been necessary to undergo the most
rigid examination, and all descrip-
ton in the papers must CORE
spond exactly with the marks on
my person. Accordingly, the scheme was
carried out, and soon arrived at Will
mington. Here met Frederick Skein, for
whom | had worked, but was so per
fectly disguised that he did not know me,
In few moments the train from Phila-
delphia, bound south, arrived, and on
this was Capt MCGOWAN, of the Revenue
Cutter, of Baltimore, whom l had known
Intimately, and who also had been &C
quainted with me- But he, too, failed to
recognize me. When the conductor
came through the train he rudely called
on all the passengers for tickets, but when
he came to me, instead of speaking in an
arrogant manner, told me kindly that he
had my free papers. re-
sponded in the negative, but his surprise
was great, and his indignation not appar-
ent, when told him that my only pass
was an American Eagle. Looking upon
it, he stated that was all right, and with
this assurance / came through to Phila-
delphia, and proceeded to New York. I
got there at two o'clock, and stayed about
and slept in the streets until morning.
l did not know that had a friend there,
but On the next morning I met
Isaac Dixon, at whose house I
had lived in Baltimore, and he referred
me to David Ruggles, philanthropist
and generous-minded citizen. While in
the city, where l remained several days,
| visited the Tombs, and there l saw Isaac
Hopper, who, for the great ofense of as
sisting Tom, we'll character, in
making his escape, was undergoing trial.
Mr.. Douglass said he had kept this story