St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-04-09

This morning at the barracks, here il
Topeka, a noble soul passed away from
earth. 1utsie, poor old colored refu
gee, who came here short time 40,
from Mississippi, has gone from these
scenes of suffering and sorrow up to
mansion in his Fathers house. As
stand by his cold remains these words
come to me
Tread softly, bow the head
| In reverent silence bow.
| There's one in that poor shed
| One on that humble bed
| Greater than thou.
1ustie was hero. Since the war he
had worked faithfully and hard in his
native state, had provided his family
with comfortable home, and was the
owner of considerable land, but the
wish to come North filled his heart. as
well as the hearts of his neighbors, and
he sold his Southern possessions. With
over four hundred dollars in his pocket,
after the tickets of passage had been
purchased for all his family, he waited
upon the wharf for the boat to come
that was to carry him to Utopia, long
looked and waited for. His purpose
after he got to Kansas was to invest his
money IN farm somewhere near Tope-
ka, where he and his family could en-
Joy, as he said, ''de full rights oh liber-
ty." Standing upon the wharf waiting
Tor the boat were twenty-five more col
ored people, anxious, like himself. to
get TO Kansas, but they had but little
money-not enough to pay full fare
and the captain, when the boat landed.
refused to let them come on board. just
before the plank was pulled away, Yut-
sic, witnessing the distress and disap-
pointment of these poor creatures, step
ped up to the captain, and taking out
his money, paid the requisite price.
When he arrived here with his COMPANY
he had not dollar left. On being ask
ed why he impoverished himself and
family to bring these refugees with him,
he replied: 81 couldn't bar nobow TO
see desc poor niggers hove back again
into de woods. I'd rather suffer myself
dan lebe dem down thar after | come
away"
1utsle was powerful man-very
tall, with broad shoulders-and it was
long time before we could find any
garments among our supplies that
would lit him consequently he was
obliged to wear his thin summer gar
mentsduring some of our coolest wealth
er. lie took heavy cold, which finally
terminated in pneumonia. On being
asked during his sickness, if he was not
sorry he came, he replied, "No. 4
wouldn't wish myself back dar, not if
ebery one of us dies out here. / felt it
was right for me to come. l done quit
llbIng dar, and now de good Lord NAV
do what he links best for me. | reckon
he won't make no Mistakes
No person can imagine what staying
at these barracks implies unless they
have visited them. The people are
literally packed inside, and each small
apartment contains four or i've families
the sick and dying all huddled to-
gether. A donation of lumber sent
from Chicago has been received. and a
hospital is being built with it, which
VIII soon be ready for the sick ones.
Five hundred refugees drew daily ra-
tlons here last week. An incomprehen-
sIble motive power seems to impel these
people to come to Kansas. Il trust de
Lord to bring me out of all dis trou-
6le," is the invariable answer when
they are questioned as to the future.
lhls Exodus is something unparalleled
since the days of the children of Israel.
1t is vexed problem to the finite
mind, but as Charles Kingsley said.
I'VE are all under rule He that sit
teth upon the throne will in His own
good time bring light out of darkness.
Airs. s. I. Perry in Christian at
Work.