Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-11-14
An Extraordinary Incident Of Slavery Times.
CAAPED EIGHT YEARS IN SIGHT OF
HIS MASTERS HOUSE.

ROCKBRIDGE RUNAWAY SLAVE EN-
CAAPED EIGHT YEARS IN SIGHT OF
HIS MASTERS HOUSE.
Letter IN the Lexington Gazette.
Two miles southwest of Lexington the
Buffalo and Bolivar Mill road intersects
the main valley stage road at right angles.
In the corner Of the field bounded by these
two roads. a strip of timber inside the field
was suffered to remain for many years, ex-
tending along the Buffalo Greek road one
or two hundred yards and perhaps fifteen
OF twenty steps wide; considerable under
growth had accumulated. as it Stems to
have been but little frequented except as
shade in the summer time for stock. On
an eminence commanding view of the
premises described StOud the mansion
house Of Capt. John Bower. at that day
the county, and Owler ut thee tate. which
has since passed into tlirr alrtis wh
have cleared the land and it is Ow under
cultivation.
Capt. B,wyer was the owner of numel
Gus slaves, amOngS, them man uams,
Watt; this II an made his escape from SCI
vitude, and not whisper of hi. where
abouts was heard 70, about tlgl, Ion
years thereafter. Time lad IVA tally nl,
liberated the memory Of Watt, wh-., an.
ether man servai tef Capt. Is disappeared
and for two years the most profound mys-
terry hung over his destiny. 1t was taken
for granted the fugitives had found friends
and asylum in a free State. al d were lost
to their master. perhaps forever Not so,
however. the veil was removed, and the
master and community were alike amazed
at the revelation. Negro Nc. presented
himself at the door of his owner with over
lures OF Surrender-aS unexpected an event
as if one had risen from the dead. He dis.
closed the fact that when he disappeared
two years before, he joined Watt, his fell
low servant. and the two had lived har-
monious.y together until that time, and
now that they had quarreled, he determin-
ed to return to duty himself and make
known their mysterious hiding place. The
astounding revelation made was that q
den had been constructed in the narrow
| skirt of timber described. inside the field,
within few yaros OF the public highway,
and within call from his masters front
porch, where cOncealment had Tor go long
| a period been perfect.
Watt was drawn from his murkY quar-
| tiers, and returned to favor, quite an OBJ
ject of curiosity, his career savoring some
what of the heroic. None doubted his
skill as an engineer, or shrewdness in adj
ministration. During the years of retire
ment from public duties. Watt was fur
nished by confederates of the homestead
AS blind in winter, when snow tracks
might betray him, bird traps were placed
near the den, and frequented. SO as to fur
nish an outlet for the underground deni.
Zens; cooking utensils and sleeping fix
tI,a f,,rn of tho do ri
domain. Doubtless Watt often epitOmiZed
the soliloquy Of Alexander Selkirk, and
would in the anguish of his soul ejacu
late:
s'Bettcr dwell in the midst of alarms
Than reign in this horrible place."
The fidelity of Watts friends excites oul
wonder, If not our admiration. The per-
fidy of the traitor, even in the humble
slave, we instinctively condemn.