Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-05-26
A Reminder of Slavery Days and of
uncle Toms Cabin"

Journal office several days ago and in
formed some of the local force that
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 Arterburn's slave-pen it is ON
First street, near Market, and is rapidly
disappearing through the exertions Of
lot Of sturdy workmen, who are taking
it down to put up some business houses"
Does Mr.. Arterburn still live near the
old building?" 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 question about Mrs. Stowe, the au-
thor of Uncle Toms Cabin" Mr.. Ar
terbun said: "Ah, yes. remember
her. She and some gentlemen once
called at our place The pen was in
closed in high brick walls, and situated
here on First street near jefferson, east
side of the street. We always had from
ten to a hundred negroes in the pen.
When Mrs. Stowe called, there was a
goodly number of negroes on hand, ex.
actly how many / do not remember.
What did Mrs. Stowe have to say 2"
asked the reporter.
"She said," resumed Mr.. Arterburn,
that she wished to purchase a likely
young woman to take east / suspected
her real purpose was to examine the in
side of slave-pen, but kept quiet, and
called a bright mulatto girl, to whom
gave the wink, and said: This lady
wishes to take you to New York, where
you will be free and have good time.
Show that pretty foot of yours and tell
her whether you wish to go or not The
mulatto put out her foot, which was
very pretty one, and remarked: / guess
de lady has good home for me in de
East, but | sorter 'spects 'Cinda 'drather
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 only
a short time, but closely examined its
bearings and asked good many ques-
tions, if remember right"
Have you read Uncle Toms Cab
in?"
Not all of it," answered Mr.. AFTER
burn. :" / was reading it once just after
it came out, when told of the escape of
seven of our negroes. | dashed the
book against the wall and never looked
it up 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 street near
Market, Clark one on Market street be-
tween Fifth and Sixth, and Powell one
where Thompkin's Sixth-street dry goods
house now stands. Garrison, Powell and
my brother and former partner, Jordan
Arterburn, are AL dead. Clark keeps
toll gate on the work-house road, and
am here, as you see.
Did you find the slave business profit
able? ?" inquired the examiner.
Yes, we made something out Of it
80 or 40 per cent head. We fed our
negroes we'll and soon sold them. My
brother bought in Louisville and / sold
at Natchez. l once bought negro for
s1700. and sold him for s2S00. He was
blacksmith, and an excellent one at
that"
" Have you any bills of sale or old
slave advertisements ?" asked the ex-
aminer.
"Only few, sir. Here is one of our
old advertisements"
Mr.. Arterburn handed the reporter an
envelope on which was printed the fol-
lowing ct. q j. Arterburn, General
Agents and Dealers in Negroes, ETC., No.
IL First st. (between Market and Jeffer-
SOM, Louisville, KY"
Here" said Mr.. Arterburn, is the
bill of sale of woman who is still with
me. She is the best cook in Louisville"
The bill of sale was as follows
Received of I. & J. Arterburn six
hundred and seventy-five dollars in full
payment for anegro girl named Lucinda,
of black complexion, about nineteen
years of age, which negro warrant to
be sound in body and mind, and slave
for life, and will, therefore, defend the
title against the claims of all persons
lawfully claiming the same Given from
under my hand June 6, 1858.
Z. j. MILTON.
The house which stood in front of Ar
nan in slaxa tip,as xras ,,e,J q.