Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-09-12
The Refugees.

The Refugees.
One day in 1879 1 received q posta
card which read thue:
20 say, friend, how does MY Old Ken
lucky Home turned loose on the devot-
ed head of bleeding Kansas, affect YOU
elfactoriee? Whew! how much you must
odor! wish you joy of this last tide o.
emigration. 1t is the first time l have
been thankful that I lived in Missouri
instead of adoss tho river. Yours this
side the color line. FANNY"
1 laid down the card with smile and
looked across the river t. "the barracks, u
where tents and cabins cleaned, new
and shining, in the morning sun. 1t was
true that this year, as in wheat so in ref
uIees, Kansas had the lead. In truth,
she carried large and we'll selected, as.
sorted sizes OF "culled pussuns" as could
be found in the United States.
We had, as it were, gone to sleep peace
fully one night, and walked the next
morning to see our streets filed with
contrabands. They came by steamer, by
railroad, on foot, on mules-any way; but
they came. Men and women, with old
hats, red turbans, Tapping sun bonnets
and nondescript garments, leaned against
the sunny side of walls or rested on door
steps and dry goods boxes. The picka-
aDinnies seemed as plentiful as the bun
dies of rags, or tin cups. or gaping satch-
els, and all overlooked on to the side
walks, into the streets, and waited.
The crowd might have rained down
like meteoric stones or like shower of
toads or have blown from the sooty
mouths of thousand furnaces, but they
were there.
They were quiet, respectful, silent
enough, but their great black eyes had
an imploring, pleading look that haunted
you worse than if they asked charity.
A flock Of wild, hungry pigeons or
starving rabbits would have won from us
corn and grain and why not these?
In truth we had no choice, vii or nil +,
abolitionist or fire eater, Northern or
Southern, we reached forth instinctively
and fed the hungry, clothed the naked,
and gave fire and shelter.
Had that postal from Missouri never
oeen written, neither would this tale.
But mental protest arose from state
pride and l suddenly resolved to aid the
>contrabands if could.
We belonged to an eastern family
whose instincts grew strong and assert
i've at the color line. Our theories came
down filtered with family traditions.
A great-grandfather in New York had
held slaves when that was q slave state.
When his slaves became free our ances-
tor naturally revenged himself in bitter
invection against the slave race. The
feeling had been transmitted and here
in the third generation We all disliked q
niger"
six thousand voters, black as the ace
OF spades, to vote in this country" said
Cecil, descendant of Lord Baltimore), as
J he read nv postal. I'VE have it hard
enough to feed and clothe them, but
:. when it comes to their votes. what are
we to dor
nMake friends of them," said 1, and
one iay we visited "the barracks"
These were laid out in camp style, with
streets snd avenues between tents and
cabins. The last boat load were unpack.
ING, and the bushes were brilliant with
gay bandannas, and striped cotton gowns.
A white. haired old man was making a
fooat, and crooned to himself as he
worked. Were never gwine to die any
more, any more. Good Lord"
Hegave us cheerful good morning,
: and said, You look too old, uncle, to
f. be at work" "For bless you lady," he
, replied, Il is 100 years old, but love tn
work"
"What brought you from your home at
your time of lief" we asked.
"Brees your heart, chile, want to die
free, Down in Loozionny hain't slep q
night in monfs for fear of kuklnxes."
Il guess that was all talk, uncle"
-"Bress your heart no, chile. dun
been took out o'bed one night and
whipped awful, and told me not to 20
vetin' and medlin' with polyticks no
nOre."
care YOU not lonesome and homesick
here in 6 strange countryw We asked.
With, q smile of incredulity on the
worn old face he looked pityingly at us q
moment. and said: Use not alone. De
Eor' Jesus he dun come along here wild
me. An VOC knows He say when all nd.
der frens forsake He will take me up. /
tell you Use glad to lay my ole body
down in free land. An if I die to-day
Tee glad cum, hress de Lord" and his
face lighted up with look of perfect
content and joy.
.Have you any relatives here'" we
asked.
"No child; only Mariar. An she's no
Ain, only she's arful good to me. More'n
lots o'kin is. Poor gal, de Lord leads her
-ober q rough road, but it will end in de
New Jerusalem. I wish you'd see her
lady-yon, in the new cabin for her,
Lizzy died this morning"
We went to the cabin indicated and
entered rom, rough and poor, but
ecrupulous clean. A very stal wart man,
Jet black, lay in drunken sleep on the
bed. Two young men, of . light color,
were sitting beside woman, who rose
to greet u.s. At first glance We thought
~ashe is white" Tall, graceful in figure
With long black hair smooth and
straight, and face gentle and refined.
I'VE heard you, were in trouble and
came to seeif we could do anything" We
said.
She stood silent moment; then LEI