Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-04
JOHN A. LoGAN,s BLACK LAWS.
The Two Cases of Leggins and "Nigger
George"

Referring to the frequent articles lately
ON the "Black Laws of Illinois, says a
correspondent of the st. Louis RepubH-
can, am reminded of two instances in
which the same were not a ''dead letter."
but were a lively force on the parties for
whom they were intended.
In 1867. at Mt. Vernon, H., on cold,
snowy day colored man named Logglns,
who had been working all winter round
chopping, husking corn and other useful
emploYments, came into our office In
great excitement, saying that "they were
after him" for being in the State without
permit, and unless he got away that
day he would be arrested. Nelson. my
partner, was for giving him a certif-
cate Of good character and freedom, but
L suggested that should he do this
he would be prosecuted under the
statute. However. after some parley, we
ISSUED firm paper certifying that the
bearer, Loggins. had worked for us and
we had known him so long as peaceful
and industrious man; that from his repre-
sensations we believed him to be free
man, and recommended him to the public
on his way North, also giving him small
sum of money. That night, after the
negro had gone on his journey, the town
was searched, including our office and
Nelson's house and barn, with lanterns,
guns and dogs, and although 1t was never
certainly known that we aided LOgglns
off, it was always suspected and we were
threatened arrest for ''aiding and abet-
ting" under LOgan's law.
The other case to which refer was that
of George Bowlin Niger GeOrge) of
CarrolltOn, ILL.,, who had come into the
State years before against LOgan's black
bill and married Julia. a colOred woman
long in the employ of the late John Evans,
and to whom Mr.. Evans had given
house and lot.
George had worked long time about
town and was a useful man. only at times
subject to liquor. About 1860 he was ar
rested at the instance of an infOrmer I'M
der the State fugitive law and brought up
to a Carrollt0n Justice. The circum-
stance caused great talk. Rev. Justus
BulkleY, then pastor of the Baptist
church, talked to me about the case and /
told him if they wished to defend George
it could be successfully done, as the "Of-
fense," if any, was committed over
eighteen months prior to the prosecution,
and by the statute would De barred. The
friends passed it around, and learning
that the Justice had expressed himself
averse to such a defense and no one rails
ing the limitation, George was fined $50
for coming into the State, together with
costs, and sent to Jail till fine and costs
were paid according to the letter of the
law. He remained in Jail till the statu-
tory notice could be given, and was In
due time sold at public cutlery by the
Sheriff at the east door of the court house,
and bought by Felix Morris, of Wood
vile, at six months or years time, l
don't remember which, who took his pur-
chase in ropes on his wagon home, and
put him to work under the law and order
of the court. Mr.. Morris told me after
wards that George worked out his time
and skipped.
These facts will be readily remembered
by the people Of CarrOlltOn, ILL.,, and pro-
duced a great scare among the cOlored
folks of Jacksonville, Jerseyville and
towns around.