The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-02-21
Mrs. Stoves George Harris.
fPittsburg Leader.


In view of the late success of "Uncle Toms
Cabin" at the Opera House, recollection
revived in conversation with Mr.. G. r. Arm
strong while he and Leader representative
were nearing Steubenville in the comfortable
coaches of the Pan Handle the other day, will
bear rewriting. The conversation ran upon
the amusement season, and, touching the re-
vival, Mr.. Armstrong remarked: Ibid you
know that a man who was supposed to have
been the original of the character of George
Harris in Mrs. Stoves novel lived in Pitts
burg for long timer"
The Leader man stated that he did not
know of the circumstances.
Swell, there was" said Mr.. Armstrong.
"His case was written up in the papers At the
time. DR.. j. II. White, of Federal street,
Allegheny, knew him well, and can tell you
all about him.
"Yes," said DR.. j. H. White, "about the
year 1856 there was man who had become
pretty we'll known to some of us taken back
to Georgia as slave. His case attracted no
little attention at that time. Those who
knew him were very much surprised when
the thing came out, for it was never supposed
he was other than white man. / came to
know him through the associations of a mu-
steal quartet, of which l WAS one. We
met in the rear of the store of William Cos
ing, who was engaged in the dry goods busi-
ness on Market street. Mr.. Gosing became
acquainted with the man, who gave the name
of George Ferris He used to come back in
the store in the evenings, and sing with us
about 90 years of age, five feet s inches in
height, smooth faced, and as clear a com.
plexion as nine-tenths of the men you meet
His hair was straight, probably little wavy
but not more 80 than that of many Caucas-
ians. We never had the slightest suspicion
that he mad negro blood in his veins. but, after
the discovery was made, we could recollect q
slight accent of the negro dialect noticeable
when he sang and that he had the negro man.
nerisms in holding the banjo. AT the time
however, we thought this was acquired with
the art of banjo playing. He was brick
layer by trade, and became well-knowr
among that class. He was engaged on many
buildings in the city. He married white
lady in Lawrcnceville, and, I believe, hac
two children by her. The intelligence reached
his former owner that he was in this city
and several men came here with view o
recovering him. The fugitive slave law o
this State was such as to prevent their claim
ing him, and scheme was gotten up II
which several Pittsburgers, it was asserted
took part. Among others, the name of on
Shaw, Who had jewelry store then
was mentioned. They secured place 70
Ferris on one of the public buildings in SOM
place ipsVirginia. He took the job innocentl
and in good faith, went to Virginia, and Their
his followers swooped down on him and too
him back to Georgia"
What became of Ferris wife, the docto
did not know. The whole transaction create
! quite sensation, and did no good for thos
, who had hand in it. 1t was asserted o
! good authority Ferris was the man fror
, whom Mrs. Stowe had drawn the story {
, George Harria The incidents of his escar
; from the South were stated to be identici