The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-24
An Abolitionist's Story.

An ADOllClOulbC b OCOTy.
Having completed my labors at Selma,
selected Columbus, Miss, for my next
field of labor / had been at work in Col
umbus about two weeks when difficulty
occurred which, hut Cor the faithfulnoss of
a negro, would have ended in my death at
thehands of an Infatuated mob. During
one of my visits to plantation near Col
umbus l met with negro slave of more
than ordinary intelligence. His master
who had burned the initials of his name
into the flesh of several of his slaves, to
render their cap ture more certain in case
they attempted to escape from this mer-
CHESS wretch saw several victims of
his cruelty whose backs would forever bear
the marks of his branding iron and lash.
He was vertable "Legree." On one of
my excursions over his plantation 1 was
accompanied by the slave mentioned.
During our rambles he gave me a history
of his life and sufferings, and expressed an
L
that he could be relied upon and impaired
to him the secret object of my visit to the
South liz listened with absorbing ear
nestness while l explained to him the dam
gers and difficulties he would haye to en-
counter on SO long and pcrilous a journey.
He, however, declared his determination
to make the attempt, saying that death it.
self was preferable to his present existence.
On the following day (Saturdvy) l again
visited The plantation, and selected this
slave for my companion. He informed me
he had decided to start for Canada as soon
as he could communicate with a brother
who was slave on plantation few miles
distant. He wished to take this brother
with him, if possible. gave him instruc-
tons for his guidance after he should cross
the Ohio River; the names of friends at
Evansville, Ind, and Cleveland, Ohio, to
whom he could apply for assistance. l
also furnished him with pistol, knife and
pocket compass, and directed him to travel
by night only until he reached friends north
Of the Ohio River.
4, On the following Monday evening, while
! seated at the supper table at the hotel at
| which was stopping, heard loud and ex-
cited talking inthe adjoining room. In a
few minutes the landlord came up to me
with an excited look, and exclaimed, "Col-
onel wishes to speak to you. You had
better go out and meet him." immedi-
ately rose, and went into the room from
which the loud talking emanated. As
entered, the colonel, in a loud and brutal
tone, said "Thats him; arrest him T.
Upon which a man stepped up and said,
"You are my prisoner" l demanded the
reason why l was arrested. Whereupon
the doughty colonel strobe toward me with
his fist clenched, and charged me with be-
ing an abolitionist, and said he would have
my hearts blood; that l had enticed away
his Niger "Joe"; that the niger had no,
been seen since he went out with me on the
previous Saturday.
crowd of men, who giared upon me with
fierce and fendish looks. i tried to keep
cool, but confess felt that my work was
done. ! knew the character of the col.
onel. and also that he possessed much in
fiuence with the worst class of Southerners
in that section.
In the meantime the constable had pro-
duced a pair of iron handouts and fastened
them around my wrists. After the colonel
had exhausted his supply OF curses and
coarse abuse upon me-for the purpose OF
exciting the crowd to hang mel quietly
asked if would be allowed to say few
words at the same time making Masonic
sign of distress, in hope that there might
be a Mason in that crowd who would have
courage sufficient TO sustain my request
/ had no sooner made 'the sign of dis
tress" than voice near me said, Eyes
let's hear what he has to say" In mo.
ment several others spoke up and said
"He ought to be allowed to speak, Iwas
encouraged, and very quietly said, "Gen'
tlemen, am total stranger here, without
friends am your prisoner in irons. Yor
have charged me with violating your laws
will you act the part of towards by allow
ing this man Colonel to incite you Il
commit murder, or will you, like brav,
men, grant the only request have to max,
that is, n fair trial before your magistrate ?
Several persons at once spoke up in my
favor. among whom was the landlord snl
his brave little wife.
l was then, much to the chagrn of til,
colonel, led to the lookup and consigned
to filthy pen. There / remained al
through that dreary night, fearing to III
down on the straw in the corner on accoun
OF the number of vermin that invested it
In fact, dare not stand still thorugh tea
of being bitten by the rats that kept run
ming about the floor all night. At length
morning came, and was taken, handcufe'
weary. hungry, and filed with dread 20
what appeared my impending fste), before
justice.
A crowd of people had gathered TO .e'
an abolitonist have the mockery OF n trial
Colonel 'Legree" was asked by the justice
to state his case, which he did in true slave
driving style, as if determined to force TIT
case against me, In fact my case seemed
hopeless. saw no way of escape from my
desperate situation. On every side l wa
surrounded by men apparently thlrstipg fol
my blood and anxious to vindicate the out
ragged laws of the State of Mississippi.
Al length the colonel finished his state
ment, which, reduced to simple facts, was
l O.