The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-12-31
EARLY ANTI-sLAvERY TIMES,
And Men Around ItichDlOnd.
BY JACOB b. JULIAN,
Richmond Palladium. I

SldnQS. NE earliest settlers were largely
from North Carolina, and with few excep-
tions, were members of the society of FRIENDS
and all were alike impelled by their hostility
to the institution Ofslayery to abandon their
old homes and seek new where they
would be secure from the curse of its pres
ence. A few families among the best in the
little colony, the Holmans, Rues, &c, were
from Kentucky, though they shared their
neighbOrs' views on the subject of slavery
and Joined with them in their resistance to
its introduction. When this was attempted
the people OF Wayne county were therefore a
unit in opposition to it. Aid when in the
year 1903, formidable party, sustained by
Governor Harrison himself, formed with
a view to its Equalization in the territory the
people OF Wayne county, true to their con-
victions, united one man in securing Its
defeat. Jonathan Jennings, then a very
young man, was their candidate for terrific
rial delegate in Congress, and under his gal
liant leadership the opposition was triumph
ant. We can at this day scarcely realize the
importance of the issue submitted to the vO-
tiers of the infant territory in that contest.
By the ordinance of 1857, the entire north
west was dedicated TO freedom. So I'M
derstanding it, the people from the slave as
well as the free States focked to it. The
territory of Indiana got her share, very
small proportion OF whom favored the intro
ductiOn of slavery, or at any rate We're will
ing to tolerate IL, and through them the mo-
mentous question was forced on the people
for settlement whether the ordinance so be-
nefcently provided by our forefathers should
be broken down or Observation-Disclosures free
dom or slavery should be the rule. The
struggle was fierce one but decisive in its
results, establishing as it did the principle
that slavery was to have no foot hold on the
soil of the territory. With the knowledge
of the result there poured into the territory
largely increased emigration of such peo-
pie as favored the line of policy thus inaug-
urated. And during the years following the
settlement, under the stimulant it afforded,
large accessions to the population of Wayne
county were made and anti-slavery senti-
ment readily took root and made solid
growth in the minds OF people so disposed
toward it. In the new accessions, as in the
original settlement, the Society Of Friends
predominated, and in the contests over the
question which from time to time came up
its whole weight was thrown on the side of
freedom. This might well have been ex-
pected from society into which, according to
its discipline, no slave holder ever was or
could be admitted. This disciplinary rule
is as old as the society itself, to whose ever
lasting honor be it said, it never failed of
| enforcement During these years the little
society then formed and worshipping near
where Richmond is located, sent committee
| consisting OF Andrew Hoover and Benjami in
Harris, two of its most influential and honor
| ed members, to Vincennes to confer with
| Governor Harrison on such subjects as were
of interest to the society, including the sla-
! very and Indian questions, and the subject
of the assessment of fines for tie non-perfor-
nance OF military duty. The Governor lis
| tened to them respectfully and treated them
with great kindness and entertaining them
at his own house in the most hospitable
manner; so much so, that their mission be-
ing at an end, they returned to their homes
full of his praise | remember of hearing
David Hoover, son of one OF the committee
say to his father jocularly, that the commit
tee were so captivated by the generous treat
ment of the Governor, that they forgot to
mention the object of their visit and left
| without referring to it. This was, of course
mere joke, for the COMMITTEES was made up
of true men, conscientious and fearless i'm the
| discharge OF their duties and unyielding in
their convictions. remember both of them
well, one OF them, Andrew Hoover, being my
grandfather, and, as | always believed and
as they now appear to me, they were among
the best men OF their day There were in
these years, or down to 1880, or Whereabouts
no Abolition societies, anti-slavery leagues
or other organized bodies in open hostility
to slavery in Wayne county. The failure tc
introduce the institution for the time seemed
to satisfy the people, though in their hearts
they despised slavery and the SHAREHOLDERS
as well, and ii did not take much to awaken
and bring into full life this feeling thus tenn
porariy slumbering. When, therefore, {
fugitive from bondage found his way int
the neighborhood he was among friends and
the recipient of kind treatment. A knowl
edge oil this fact reached not only the slav,
but his master, and when the former disap
peared the latter with his agents turned theil
steps in the direction of the town of Rich
mond, then beginning to grow, and its vicin
ity, where it was supposed he would b
found. Some very exciting scenes occurred
in the neighborhood in connection with at
tsmpts to capture and restore to their mas
tiers their runaway slaves. One of these i
was my fortune to witness.
There had lived for several years in tn,
little cabin on the farm of John Morrow, tw,
miles northeast of Richmond, now owned
and occupied by Abram Gaar, one Bartlett
Reynolds, man of color, whose wife was
good looking mulatto. They had becom,
well known, and were worthy and popula
with the people of all colors. 1t was know
too that though Reynolds was free, his wifi
was an escaped slave, and liable to he seizet
and returned to her master at any time
This was known and talked about anon!
the people, and there was much synpath,
felt for her and her husband, accompanied
with pretty sturdy resolves on the part o
the colored people, participated in by not
few of the whites, that she should not b.
spirited away. They were often disturbed
by rumors of the presence in the neighbor
hood of suspicious looking individuals, VIII,
the people, and the wife spent many day
and nights secreted in the woods and field
to avoid them. Early in the winter of 1925
shortlp before dark, authentic information
reached them that an attempt to take he
away would be made that night. They de
tcrmined to abandon the plan of conceal
ment and to prepare for and resist any effor
that might be made to abduct her. Witt
this view they carried into the house goo.
supply of fire. wood and water and building
large wood fire, placed on it kettle filled will
water, and kept it boiling dursng the night
they whetted up the butcher knife an,
placed the axe conveniently for use and bar
red the door safely. With such a fire send
ing up its heated air and smoke the assail
ants could not come down the chimney no
could they in any other way gain admission
AS was feared the men made their appear
ance, and by persuasons followed by fraus
and force sought to gain admission but di,
not succeed. They loitered around tn