The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-01-29
rCambrian.1
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD;
OR,
"reminiscences of Slavery Times.
BY THE LATE LEVI COFFIN.
THE v1cE-pREs1DENT's SLAVE.

BY THE LATE LEVI COFFIN.
THE vIcE-PREsIDENTs SLAVE.
Jackson, the subject of this story,
was the property Of Vice-Presldent
King, of Alabama, who was elected to
the Office with Franklin Pierce.
While the master was at Washing
ton, the slave ran away from him and
came to Cincinnati. He was barber
by trade, and after remaining here un-
molested for some time, he opened a
shop, in which he served several years,
having a number Of patrons and be-
ing liked by all who knew him. By
some means his master learned OF his
whereabouts, and sent an agent to Sc
cure him. The man arrived in Gin
cinnati, and without procuring writ,
as the law required, resolved to take
forcible possession of Jackson. He
gathered posse of men with pistols
and bowie-knives, had the ferry-boat
in waiting at the wharf at the foot of
Walnut street, in readiness to take
them across to Kentucky as soon as
they came on board, and about noon,
one day, pounced upon jackson at the
corner of Fifth and Walnut streets.
as he was going to his dinner, and
dragged him down Walnut street to
the wharf Jackson struggled with
all his might and called for help, but
the most of the men of the stores had
gone to their dinner at that hour, and
the policemen, who were generally on
the side of the Shareholders, remained
out of sight. Thomas Franklin, a
friend, who was passing, attempted to
interfere and rescue Jackson, but the
men threatened him with their weap-
ons, and he was obliged to desist.
Jackson was hurried aboard the ferry
boat and taken across to Kentucky,
where his captors bad no fear OF his
rescue.
He was bound and carried back to
Alabama, where he remained in sla-
very two or three years, and where he
married free woman, Creole, OF
Mobile. who possessed some property.
She was portly in form and had hand
some features, with straight hair and
olive complexion. When dressed up,
she presented the appearance Of an ell
egant Southern lady. A plan was
soon formed to gain Jackson's liberty.
His wife was to act the part of lady
travelling to Baltimore on business,
and Jackson, who was small in stat
ure, was to be disguised as woman
and accompany her as her servant.
When all the preparations were made,
they sent trunks on board the regular
vessel for New Orleans, and took a
passage for that city, in their newly
assumed characters.
At New Orleans they took an up
river boat for Cincinnati. On the
way the lady stated that she was go
ing to Baltimore on business, but that
she intended to stop short time at
Cincinnati, and ordered her servant
about in naughty manner, keeping
her in her room when not engaged in
service for her comfort. Some of the
Southern ladies on board advised her
not to land at Cincinnati, as Ohio was
free State, and the laws of that State
declared all slaves free as soon as they
touched it's borders, when taken there
by their owners, but to stop at Cow
ington, on the opposite side of the
river, and leave her slave there while
she transacted her business. She in
formed those kind ladies that she had
no fears Of her servants running away
or being enticed off by the abolition
lists, for she was much attached to her
mistress, and would not leave her un-
der any circumstances.
On the other hand, several North
ern ladies, who were on board, took
private opportunity to speak to the
servant when her mistress was not
near, and inform her that she would
be in a free State when she reached
Ohio, and that she had better seize
the opportunity to escape.
Her answer was, that she would not
leave her mistress, and the abolition
ladies desisted from their attempts to
advise and counsel. pitying the infatu-
alton of one who had rather be slave
than be free. When the boat reached
the wharf at Cincinnati, the lady took
a carriage, and, with her servant,
drove to the Dumas House, a public
hotel kept by colored man. Jack
son was well acquainted in the city
and knew where to find friends. A
few hours afterward received mes
sage requesting me to call at the Du-
mas House, as lady there wished to
see me on business. I went, accom-
panied by John Hatfield, a colored
man, who was prominent worker in
the cause Of freedom, and who had |
received similar message. The land
lord conducted us upstairs to the la
dies parlor, and introduced us to the
lady from Alabama. She was fine
looking, well-dressed Creole, with |
straight black hair and olive COM
plexion, presenting the appearance Of
the ladies one sees in New Orleans
and other Southern cities. She was
polite and ladylike in her manner, and
us that she had sent for us,
though she was a stranger to US both,
that she might consult us on matter
of business. She went on to say that
she had servant with her whose lib
erty she wished to secure, and she had
been referred to us for advice. She
was not very well acquainted with the
laws of Ohio, and felt at loss how to
proceed. We advised her to have a
deed of emancipation made out |
inquired if it was male or female
servant that she wished to emancipate,
and she called "Sal" to come from the
room. {
The servant came, and made a
graceful courtesy to US and stood look s
ng at US. 1t was Jackson, dressed in s
clothes, but we did not rec {
ognize him, though both of us had
been acquainted with him before he ,
vas taken away. S
The lady then ordered her servant
% go into their bedroom and open her c
;runk and get out that bundle. We I
mnnnsed that she referred To some ma =