The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-06-21
"Uncle Tom"


Josiah Henson was one of the finest
specimens of his race, shiny black skin,
keen, restless eyes, intelligent face,
framed by full silver gray beard, head
bald only little way back of the fore
head, and covered for the most part with
a wealth of snowy wool. Some years
ago Uncle ST paid a visit to Detroit,
stopping at Mrs. Clay's little cottage,
156 Wilkins street, where the indefsti-
gable interviewer fereted him out, and
got from his own lips the story of his
life.
"In the slave days." he said, "the ne
groes had horror of being sold by the
Sheriff Well, Massa Riley had big
lawsuit at Annapolis, and one night he
came to my cabln-we lived some miles
below Montgomery Court house-and
said: "It's gone agin me; I am ruined,
and you will have to be sold by the
Sheriff." and then he told me that he
wanted me to run away clear to Ken
lucky. So took my wife and children,
and eighteen good slaves, and went to
Kentucky to Mr.. Amos Riley, brother of
my master"
This plantation of Amos Riley and
that of Mr.. St. Clair were separated by
Blackford's creek, small stream in Da-
vies county, Kentucky. Riley's plan-
tation was small one, and the fresh i'm
portation of slaves was more than he
needed. They were consequently hired
out to neighboring planters. 1t was his
good luck to work for Mr.. st. Clair
most of the time, and he told the report
er he was just such a man, and died just
the death Mrs. Stoves book represents.
"And there was. really an Eva st.
Clair" asked the interviewer.
sob, yes, but her name wasn't Eva; it
was Susan; Susan st. Clair, and she used
to read for me; then I would sing for
her. She was an innocent, affectionate
God fearing child" said the old man,
feelingly.
"And did she fall in the water and did
you save her from drowning?"
"Yes, myself and another slave were
rowing her across Blackford's creek, in
a small canoe, to her father, who stood
on the other shore. The canoe rocked,
she became nervous and fell into the wa.
ter. l jumped after her, and I can't
swim either, but the Lord helped me,
just as He always has,"
The hideous Semon Legree OF the
novel was Bryce Lytton, overseer for
Isaac Riley's plantation in Maryland. He
it was who pounded 81 so that he could
not to the day OF his death raise his
hands to the top of his head to wash his
face or dress himself. He could use his
hands and arms on any object that was
in front of him, could shave his master,
and do a great deal of hard work, but he
rnu1J povar ssfoal oh Il a wnol dot nraW IN
de top OBJ his head"
Aunt Chloe, the faithful wife of Uncle
Tom, was Charlotte, the patient wife OF
she does in the play, because Tom would
not run away, she wept when he an
nounced his intention to do SO.
George Shelby, Uncle Toms great
friend, was In reality Amos Riley, Jr.,
and he it was that took ST to New Or
leans to sell him. and while there was
stricken down with yellow fever, taken
back to Kentucky and nursed back to
life by Mr.. Henson. who shortly made
up his mind that the Lord helps them
WHO helps themselves, took his wife and
four children and made his successful
break for the freedom for which he had
really paid thousand times by his
faithfulness to different masters.
I'VE picked mp a few provisions" said
Mr. Henson, land put the two little pick
aninnies in bag and slung them over
my shoulder; my wife, she led the other
littlo ones. A fellow rowed us across
the river, and we trudged through the
swamps and on TO liberty, and last week
/ left the two little darkies that toted
away in the bag, now men grown work
ing the farm ut Dresden" and the old
man laughed until his side ached ~ he
said: MY farm, do You understand? Ny
FARM
Mr.. Henson never was ON . race
track, and never visited thestsr or cir
Gus but 0ncs IN his life, and that was