Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-09-05
:. MORTGAGE ON HIMSELF.
low Hiram Young Went Iuto Business
Oh Hh 0w II ook.
Hs Fought Fl, Own Liberty and His wifes
and Thea Had t. Sell Back His Family to
Get second Start in Business.

Get a second Start in Business.
Here is a chapter OF the old life
during slavery in jackson county. Mo-
Hiram Young. who died in 1882 at
the age of 81, was negro OF ebon
blacSness, 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 as 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 a skillful worker
in wood and could make anything
from an axe helve to wagon.
One way and another the enterpris.
ing black became possessor of 81, 200,
the fruits OF axe helves and wagon
mending and this hoard his owner,
Judge Sawyer, kept for him. One
day Hiram held conference with his
master.
How much money do you want TO-
me, Marse Jedgep" he inquired.
1.-TWO thousand and five hundred
dollars, said Sawyer.
Use been talkin' about buyin' my
self, marse jedge." said Hiram, II
allys wanted TO own a nigga, marse
jedge, and Use de mos likely one on
the place. l don't reckon how you
could take dat 81, POO OBJ mine an let
me pay de balance as we go 'longP"
The judge thought he could. so the
bargain was struck. Sawyer took the
81, 200. gave Hiram his freedom papers
and Hiram gave 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
-iio ohdiio WIN JuuRHlcub anu lOre-
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.
So the wagon factory was prospering
and the road before Hiram Young
seemed broadening toward success.
But it one night abruptly closed in a
calamity which lett him penniless.
The shop burned and the hopes of its
black owner were in its ashes. There
was no insurance, for Young had not
travelled far enough in business to
have such care in his concerns, and so
that gloomy morning he paced the
streets of Independence without IA dol
lar. That day he consulted with his
wife and took an account of stock.
All he owned was his wife and child
which had been born to them. The
next day the outcome OF his family
council was exposed in a talk he had
with his old master, Judge Sawyer.
You know about de fab. Marse
JedgeP" he asked.
Yes, Hiram. l know about it"
81 don't see how I'm gwine to get to
runnin' agin without another deal,
Marse Jedge."
The result was the Judge repurchas-
ed Hiram's wife and child,-a that
time a little girl. With this money the
black wagon maker rebuilt his shop,
and business going briskly the clouds
of his disaster began to lift. In "a
comparatively short time Hirrm again
acquired title to his family and life
went even smoother than before and
never suffered serious jolt or jar
again.
In 1882 Hiram Young died as has
been stated and left an estate of some
500, 600, besides a claim of over IS }. 900
against the government for wagons
taken during the war and which the
representatives of his estate are push
ing in the court OF claims in Wash
ington. When Uncle Sam in three or
four centuries pays this claim it will
be an agreeable little souvenir of their
ensIaved ancestor to Hiram's descend
ants if any such there be-
The widow and daughter OF the en-
terprising African now live in Kansas
City. and the latter is engaged in
training the colored mind in one OF
the local schools.