The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-05-27
A Reminder of Slavery Days
and of " Uncle Toms
Cabin"

CaDln."
Dan Sullivan came to the Courier
Journal Office, several days ago, and in.
formed one Of the local force that a
building in which some Of the scenes Of
"Uncle Toms Cabin" are laid was being
torn down. "The building in question, +"
said Sullivan, FUSED to be called After.
burns slave.pen it is on First street,
near Market, and is rapidly disappearing
through the exertions Of a lot Of sturdy
workmen. who are taking it down to put
up some business houses" "Does Mr..
Arterburn still live near the old build.
ing ?" asked the reporter. YES" said
Sullivan, "he still lives there on First
street, and can relate to you anything
you may ask about the old pen"
The reporter sought Mr.. Arterburn, to
whom he told his mission. In answer to
a question about Mrs. Stowe, the author
OF Uncle Toms Cabin, Mr.. Arter5urn
eaid, "Ah, yes, | remember her. She
and some gentlemen once called at our
place. The pen was enclosed in high
brick walls, and situated here on First
near Jefferson, east side Of the street. We
always had from ten to hundred negroes
in the pen. When Mrs. Stowe called
there was goodly number Of negroes
on hand, exactly how many l do not re.
member"
"What did Mrs. Stowe have to say ?
asked the reporter.
"She said," resumed Mr.. Arterburn
"that she wished to purchase q likely
young woman to take East | suspected
her real purpose was to examine the ip
side Of slave.pcn, but kept quiet, and
called bright mulatto girl, to whom
gave the wink, and said, this lady wishes
to take you to New York, where yor
will be free and have good time Show
that pretty foot of yours, and tell hel
whether you wish to go or not. Th'
mulatto put out her foot, which was 1
very pretty one, and remarked Il guess
de lady has good home for me in d,
East, but sorter spects 'Cinda 'drathel
stay in Kentuck'
Being asked to sing, she delighted
those present with
The sun shines bright in our old kentucky home
In our old Kentucky home, far away,
The corn tops ripe, the meadows in the bloom,
And the birds make music all the day
"Mrs. Stowe remained in the pen onl,
a short time, but closely examined it
bearings, and asked good many ques
tions, if | remember right"
Have you read Uncle Toms Cabin?'
mot all of it," answered Mr.. AFTER
burn. 81 was reading it once just afte
1t came out, when told of the escape o
seven Of our negroes. l dashed the bool
against the wall, and never looked it vi
again, as the leaves went wide apart"
"Are there any old Kentucky slave
dealers alive except you, sir ?"
Our pen was probably the largest
Garrison had one on Second, near Market
Clark one on Market. between Fifth an,
Sixth, and Powell one where Tompkin'
oixth.street dry goods house now stands
Garrison, Powell, and my brother ant
former partner. Jordan Artcrburn. ar
all dead, Clark keeps toll.gate on tn
work. house road, and | am here. as yo,
see.'
Did you find the slave business p oft
able p inquired the examiner.
"Yes, we made something out Of ' 8,
or 40 per cent head. We fed our ne
groes well, and soon sold them. My bro
ther bought in Louisville, and | sold a
Natchez. once sold negro fo
S2SO0. lie was a blacksmith, and a
excellent one at that"
Have you any bills of sale OF oil
slave advertisements 2" asked the exam
iner.
"Only few, sir Here is one Of ou
old advertisements"
MIR. Arterburn handed the reporter al
envelope on which was printed the fol
lowing 1T. & j. Arterburn, Genera
Agents and Dealers in Negroes, ETC.. Nc
IL First street (between Market and JET
ferson) Louisville. KY"
"Here." said Mr.. Arterburn, "i- tn
bill of sale of woman who is still will
me. She is the best cook 10 Louisville.
The bill of sale was as lolows:-
Received OF j. & p. Arterburn 81.
hundred and seventy.fve dollars in full
payment for negro girl named Lucinda
of black complexion, about ninetee
years Of age, which negro | warrant t
be sound in body and mind and a sav
for life. and will, therefore, defend tn
title against the claims OF all persons law
fully claiming the same Given from un
der my hand June 6, 1858.
p. j. Mutton.
The house which stood 10 front Of Al
terburn's pen, in slave times, was used a
an Office. 1t was subsequently, occupie
as dwelling, and will be remembered O
q long, narrow, frame cottage. The pre-
perty was recently sold to the Jefferson!
whose purpose it is to erect storehouse
on the site of the old building. Zachar
Taylor, becoming president, lived iu tn
house next to the pen, also the propert
Il