The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-03-20
FRED DOUGLASS ESCAPE.
THE STORY TOLD FOR THE FIRST
TIME.


cences of Slavery and Anti. Slavery"
recently delivered at Philadelphia,
Mr.. Douglass gave the following
rehearsal of his own escape: "While
slavery existed, had good reas ons
for not telling the story Of my escape
from bondage, and now tina the
great trial is over, [ do not know
any good reason why | should not
tell it. People generally imagined
that it was a marvellous recital, but
it is one of the most simple and
commonplace stories that could be
given. | was owned In Talbot
County, on the EASTERN shore of Ma
ryland, III 1885, and few years
after that time made my secape.
l had been sent up to Baltimore by
my master to a brother of his for
sate-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 purdosp. At that time great
vigilance was exercised by the au-
thorIries. Every body was strictl,
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 bushes of s,ship-carpentering
and caulking Here | had frequent
Intercourse with sailors, and in them
/ thought | discovered feeling of
sympathy and kindness. Although
the difficulties and obstacles against
escape were apparently insurmounta-
bic, 1 conceived an idea that [ could
secure my release by dressing in
sailors clothing and making a sur
repitious retreat. But | had no pa
pers by which | could pass from
place to place. Fortunately, | met
with man named Stanley, who
i>el In Baltimore. and who was
fire.. He resembled me in stature,
and from him | obtained suit of
sailor S clothes, and his protection
papers, and in this apparel, provided
with the necessary articles. [. in
September, 1888, secured my lber-
ty. got Isaac Rhodes TO take my
bundle, and, by arrangement, after
the train started he threw it in, and
l ran after and jumped on the car.
1t compelled to buy ticket, it would
have been neces 'ary to undergo the
most rigid examination, and s.ll de
scription in the papers must cores
pond exactly with the marks on my
person. Accordingly, the scheme
Was carried out, and [ soon arrived
at Wilmington. Here | met Fred
erica Skein. tor whom had worked,
but | was so perfectly disguised that
he did not know me. In few mo-
ments the train from Philadelphia,
bound south, arrived, and on this
Was Capt. MCGOWAN, of the Reve-
nue. Gutter, Of Baltimore, whom i
had known intimately, and who also
had been acquainted with me.
When the conductor came through
the train he rudely called Oh all the
passengers for tickets, but when he
cameto me, instead of speaking in
an arrogant manner, told me kindly
that he supposed | had my free pa
Pers. responded in the negative,
but his surprise was great, and his
indignation not apparent, 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 Philadelphia, and proceeded to
New York. got there at 2 o'clock.
and strayed about and slept in the
streets until morning. l did not
know that had a friend there, but
on the next morning ! met Isaac
Dixon, at whose house | had lived
In Baltimore, and he referred me to
David Ruggles, philanthropist and
generous-minded citizen. While in
the city, where remained several
days, ! visited the Tombs, and there
l saw Isaac Hopper, who, for the