The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-12
KIDNAPPING NEGROES.

How COlored Men Are Impressed and Put to
Work in the Oyster Beds.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11.-One of the leading
bureau officials here is the authority for the
statement that there exists in this city a regular
organized system for the kidnapping of negroes
for imprisonment to work upon the oyster beds
in Chesapeake bay. There he is worked as hard
and punished as severely as in the old slave
days He said that colored men every now and
then disappear from Washington, and it was
only quite recently that these disappearanees
had been explained He gave an instance that
had come under his personal knowledge He
said:
A young colored man was walking along the
street in October looking for work. He was ac-
eosted by a passer-by, who asked him if he
wanted a job, and upon receiving an affirmative
answer, he asked:
What kind of work do you WANT"
81 want Job of waiting on the table
'Well, now that's lucky. There is a steamer
/ belong to lying at the Seventh street wharf
that needs walters, and | can insure you job.
Come on and I'll 90 down with you.
Upon arriving at the wharf they of course
found that the steamer had just sailed for Balti
more. In order not to lose such good place the
Steamboat man induced the young colored fellow
to go to Baltimore by train, so as to catch the
boat there. AT Baltimore, with the promise of
meeting the steamer he was induced to go out
in a small boat He was taken to an oyster boat
out in the river and when once on board he had
no chance of returning to shore He was taken
down the bay to the oyster beds, and is now
there, compelled by the most cruel treatment TO
work at all hours and in all weather. sick well.
The friends Of the young only recently
learned his whereabouts and are endeavoring to
secure his release. He is consumptive, and it
is feared he viii not stand the hard life till
spring.
How did they find out where he WASP was
asked.
'Another young colored fellow of this city,
who was also pressed into the oyster service,
made up his mind to escape from his captors,
and he promised his sick friend that if he sue
ceeded in reaching Washington he would let his
folks know his Whereabouts. This man did es
cape by Jumping overheard and swimming
ashore. He succeeded in making his way up to
Washington and upon arriving here kept his
promise. He tells heart rending tale of the cruel
Treatment they received at the oyster beds The
sick man, he says, is compelled to work at the
windlas, when he is physically unable to do a
stroke of work A refusal only brings on blows.
This is not the only man down there he says,
who has been pressed into the service by some
clererly- plan. Now this is not fiction
that / have been relating to you, and if the mat
ter IS properly Investigated. much more than
what have told you will be discovered. Make
inquiries in Baltimore and see if they don't ac-
knowledge the existence of a press gang, but that
they are unable to break it up. OF course, it is
none of my official business, but l happened tc
hear the story and should think steps ought to
be taken to liberate the poor fellows and any
others who may be similarly situated"