Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-09-11
A MORTGAGEON HIMSELF.
How Hiram Young Went Into Business
OH Hi, Ow, Hook.
He Bought His Own Liberty and His Wife's
and Then Had t, Sell Back His Family to
Get q Second Start in Business.

Get Sec ond start in Business.
Here is chapter OF the old life
during slavery in jackson county. Mo.
Hiram Young. who died In 1882 at
the age of 81. was a negro OF ebon
blackness. but OF rare intelligence and
force Back in the forties Hiram. to.
gether with his wife, were the chattels
of Judge Sawyer and master and slaves
had residence in Independence. Judge
Sawyer was very easy man with his
people and they possessed us many
privileges as they wished and, al
though his slaves. they were frequent
ly working for themselves or for others
for wages which they collected.
Hiram Young was n sllillful worker
| in wood and could make anything,
| from an axe helve to 4 wagon.
One way and another the enterpris-
ing black became possessor OF 81. 800.
the fruits of axe helvcs and wagon
mending and this hoard his owner.
| Judge Sawyer. kept for him. Ono
I day Hiram held conference with his
master.
"How much money do you want TO-
me, Marse Jedge?" he inquired.
1.-TWO thousand and five hundred
dollars" said Sawyer
Use been talkin' about buyin' my
self, marse jedge," said Hiram. Il
allys wanted to own a nigga, marse
ledge, and Use de mos likely one on
| a. I
could take dat $1,000 OBJ mine an let
me pay de balance as we go long"
The Judge thought he could. so the
bargain was struck. Sawyer took the
$1,000, gave Hiram his freedom papers
and Hiram gave a mortgage on him.
self for 81, 800. Time went on and the
black mechanic prospered. He could
make better 'prairie schooners" than
anyone and with the freighters Of the
Santa Fe trail. Hiram Young became
the local Studebaker. His business
grew and flourished, and although he
could not read or write, he managed
,, his affairs with Judgment and fore
, sight; to such success indeed that his
, wagon factory became an industrial
feature OF independence and employed
. over forty men.
. With his earliest profits, Hiram
:! made another purchase. This time he
took title from Judge Sawyer to the
dusky bride OF his bosom, who had
continued to bear fardels until now her
> letters fell at the touch Of the faithful
: Hiram's growing wealth.
t So the wagon factory was prospecting
9 and the road before Hiram Young
+ seemed broadening toward success.
But it one night abruptly closed in q
calamity which left him penniless.
- The shop burned and the hopes Of ita
u black owner were in its ashes. There
was no insurance, for Young had not
u travelled far enough In business to
~ have such care In his concerns. and 4
y that gloomy morning he paced thu
streets OF Independence without dol
>, lar That day he consulted with hi
/. wife and took an account OF stock
- All he owned was his wife and chilt
q which had been born to them. Tha
8. next day the outcome OF his family
council was exposed in a talk he hat
n with his old master, Judge Sawyer. ~
v. You know about de fab, Mars,
u Jedge?" he asked. f,
u "Yes, Hiram. l know about it."
t. II don't see how I'm ewine to get t
IN runnin' agin without another deal
Marse Jedge."
I'd The result was the judge repurchas
ed Hiram's wife and child.-at tina
In :, time little girl. With this money tn,
= black wagon maker rebuilt his shop
IS. n and business going briskly the cloud
OF his disaster began to lift In
-. comparatively short time Hirrm agai
~ acquired title to his family and lif
~ went even smoother than before an
cd never suffered serious jolt or ja
SO again.
ng In 1882 Hiram Young died as ha
", been stated and left an estate OF som
300, 600. besides a claim of over $50, 90
Ky against the government for wagon
IN taken during the war and which th
lily representatives Of his estate are push
rs, ing in the court OF claims In Wash
az ington. When Uncle Sam In three o
I.' four centuries pays this claim 1t wi
~ be an agreeable little souvenir OF thei
;. enslaved ancestor to Hiram's descend
H. ants II any such there be.
" The widow and daughter OF the en-
terprising African now live in Kansa
NJ City. and the latter is engaged /
training the c0lored mind in one
the local schools.
Knew How to Advertise
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