The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-05
MAKING A WAY In THE WORLD.
The Romantic Story of Ben Thornton's Break
for Freedom When Eleven Years Old.

'In 1861 said Col Oran Perry, II was SER
geant-major of the Sixteenth Indiana While
we were encamped near Charestown, in the
Shenandoah valley. building bridge across the
Shenandoah river. great many colored men
and boys came into camp. They were runa-
ways, and at that period and for a long time
afterward these fugitives were returned by some
regiments if the masters appeared and claimed
them. One day round-headed, fat little darby
came into camp. He was quick and intelligent.
and the boys were having good deal of fun
with him, the youngster being Only eleven years
old. l saw the boy, and, upon questioning him.
ne told me his story He had run away from
his master, who lived in the neighborhood and
wanted to go with 'Massa Linkume' men.
asked him if he could black boots and the little
rascal, with all the assurance imaginable said
he could do mostly anything gave him the
backing kit and told him to 60 and black the
Coloners boots. He went to Colonel Hackle-
mans tent, and the Colonel no sooner set eyes
on him than he took great fancy to the active,
intelligent boy. That very evening his master
and number of his neighbors all doubtless
fine Virginia gentlemen rode into camp, accom-.
panied by sheriff with an order from General
Banks to return the boy TO his master. Colonel
Hackleman, who didn't like the manners of these
imperious gentlemen OF the Old Dominion re-
fused to pay any attention to Banks's order and
in very vigorous language told the entire posse
TO get out of camp, intimating that their time
was limited and they couldn't get out any too
quick.
'Tobe' as we called the boy, was given to me
to care for by Colonel Hackleman, and he was @
treasure He was polite, attentive, industrious
and seemed never to get tired, being able to keep
mp with US in all our marches. The other
darkies in the camp and we had good many
of them at first used to impose on lobe, but tho
little fellow was grit, and in a short time fought
his way to an honorable peace. The Sixteenth
was one-years regiment When we were
mustered out at Washington city, I wanted to
leave my protege in good place. SO left him
with Col W. 7. Dennis, in that city. He wanted
to go with me. but told him he
had better stay where he was; It was
good place and was going back into the
army. I left Tobe sitting on a fence post In
front of Colonel Dennis's residence. sobbing as
If his heart would break went home to Rich
mond. The fourth day after my arrival there
lobe turned up again. There he was at my
door at o'clock in the morning He had got ON
the freight train that brought the officers
horses and making himself useful, had worked
his way through.
''When went into the Sixty ninth Regiment
as adiutant, lobe wanted to go along with me-
told him he was too little, and tried to brighten
him. With great difficulty finally persuaded
him to stay in Richmond. He got place in an
clearinghouse where he staid two or three years,
and then came up to Indianapolis, whore he
worked for Jason Carey and went to school, acs
curing good common school education"
"Tobe" is other than Ben Thornton. the
wellknown policeman. BY close attention to
business, and shrewd, saving habit he has 40.
quired quite an amount of property, and is now
worth Sc, 900 or more He is one of the best off,
GERS on the Metropolitan police force-there is no
better-and has made many important arrests.
He has better acquaintance with tho wrongs
doors of the city than any officer here especially
among those of the coored population.
He has memory of faces that is sim
ply wonderful and when Thornton has
once taken good look at man he never forgets
him He makes a frst-class witness, always
giving his testimony in clear and direct man
ner and with confidence that is assured by
good memory. Six or seven years ago he went
back to Virginia to see lis former master. Upon
his arrival at the old place they made much Of
him, and he waa pressed to stay and take charge
of the farm. This Thornton could not be pre-
vailed upon to do. Old Virginia had got too
slow for the boy who. at eleven years, had gone
off and joined the 'Yanks."