The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-14
FUGITIVE JERRY,
THE SLAVE.
A Stirring Account of His Rescue
at Syracuse, N. Y.
An Attempt to Enforce the Fugitive Slave
Lsw in the North-Ths Arrest and the
Wild Excitement It Caused.
Written for THE MORNING CALL.

the S0-cailed Omnibus Bill, and eS-
pecially with one Of its most impor-
tant and far-reaching provisions. THE
Fugitive Slave Law" At the time Of its
passage the entire country became agitated
to degree almost equal to the excitement
during the rebellion occurring little more
than a decade after.
The principal provisions of the act per-
mitted the owners to follow them anywhere
in the United States at Government ex-
pense. Any citizen of free State refusing
to assist in capture was subject to fine
not exceeding $1,000 and Imprisonment not
more than one year.
1t was during the administration of Gen
eral Taylor that the law was presented to
Congress, in May, 1850, but it was not
adopted until the following September,
when it was signed by President Fillmore,
General Taylor having died in the mean
time.
The Wings, who were responsible for
placing The PRESIDENT in the chair, were
loud in their denunciationS of the measure,
and party strife waXed hot.
CLAY AND WEBSTER.
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster arrayed
themselves ON the side of the act, by reason
of which they both lost popularity, especi-
ally Webster, who in one of his speeches
declared: The Fugitive Slave law shall
NC tlllUlCSu, tlliJ III Vic l1ltOt VI tLo
representatives Of the Liberty party" AS
he Numbered out these words in a magnifi-
cent burst of oratory he shook his cienched
fist at those who opposed his sentiments.
1t was in the early fall that this speech
was made in Syracuse n. Y, in the year
1850. History tells whether the prophecies
proved correct or not. A few months
elapsed and then the same town was
stirred to the center; riots became immi-
nent, and the shedding of blood was pre-
vented only by the GOODNESS Of the leaders.
Like many other great events the begin
ming was small and occurred in this man
ner, as related by j. B. Brigham, enc of the
participants.
Jerry Was a negro, and unlike the COM
mon run of his class was educated and
gia by the underground railway, and sup
posing that all in the North were his
friends, had obtained work in cabinet
makers shop.
The officers in the South, hearing that
negro had recently arrived in Syracuse,
followed up the clew, swore out the neces-
sary papers for his arrest, seized him while
at the work bench and brought him before
the United States Commissioner to procure
legal process requisite for his return.
ACTION BY THE LIBERTY PARTY.
At the same time the members Of the
Liberty party were in session. They closed
the doors and went Int a committee OF the
whole for the safety of the Union. AScer-
tanning all the facts, q committee, consist
ing of many Of the leading citizens, was
appointed to take suitable action in the
case. Employment had been found sooner
than had been expected.
Repairing to the Commissioners Office,
where the examination OF jerry had al
ready commenced, they formed double
line from the desk to the door. AT Il given
signal jerry rushed from the room. The
Liberty party boys, in their zeal to catch
him hlQpkpl fine Tins giving him
minutes start Down the tow-path he
rushed, after crossing the canal, with the
officers close behind. On they flew, the
pursued melted by hopes Of liberty, and the
pursuers by mere mercenary motives of re-
ward.
The chase was of short duration. What
chance had man on foot against horse
men? A mile from the town Jerry was
overtakeD, and, in his struggle for freedom,
was knocked down aud cruelty beaten. AL
most stripped of his clothing, he was
thrown into cart like dog, and two great
ruffans seated themselves upon his body.
Tie novel spectacle of bleeding, half
naked man being driven through the pub
lie streets caused the widest excitement.
Curses loud and deep were hurled at the
officers, and several attempts at rescue
were made. Alarmed at the attitude of tho
citizens, the officers made detour and
reached the Cllnton-street station on the
bridge.
ut ulSpdINbto DtEtii W N.Y. anu HOIoC-
men were sent in every direction carrying
the news to the surrounding country that
an escaped slave was arrested and would
be taken back to bondage. Plans hur-
redly made, though with great foresight,
were rapidly executed. Syracuse was in a
blaze Of excitement. Carloads of eager
men came into the city from neighboring
towns, Oswego, Auburn and Utica furnish
ing the majority. Speeches had been made
in the afternoon eff nature not calculated
TO allay the agitation.
THE PLAN OF ESCAPE.
An arrangement had been entered into
that the signal for the commencement of
the rescue should be throwing stone
through the window OF the police station.
To mislead the officers the small boys We're
given leave to throw pebbles at the windows
from time to time.
The center OF interest was the station,
and the fact that the Commissioners had
arrived was passed from mouth to mouth.
A silence followed. Men waited with bated
breath, wondering what would f0llew. Sud-
denly shrek broke the stiffness. A cob
blestoue was hurled ut the window, and
six men disguised as negroes beat their way
into the prison; six determined men rushed
to The door OF Jerry'S cell and broke 1t open
with sledges.
Deputy Marshal Bush, who had locked
himself in with his prisoner, met the at
lacking party, and discreety fired his re-
yolver over their heads, then for his own
safety jumped from the window upon the
heel path, and, falling on a barge, broke
his arm.
FREE AGAIN.
In twinkling Jerry was on the side
walk. his irons clanking heavily at each
step. Surrounded by his friends, he was
taken to the Office Of DR.. PeaSe, where an
anvil, sledge-hammer and blacksmith were
awaiting him. Four strokes and the shack
les fell to the floor. At this point it.was
necessary TO resort to ruse, as the officers
were receiving re-enforcements. Two bug
gies, exactly alike, were procured, and jerry
was slipped into one of them.
The crowd led by two OF the committee,
followed, hooting and yelling, after the car
riage IN which Jerry waS-uot, while the
other carriage was driven to the house OF a
prominent citizen. whose political views
were entirely different from those of the
rescuers.- The companion Of the slave en-
tered the house.
Friend" said he, II have brought you
human being in distress. none the less
human for being black. He is fugitive
slave, and the friends Of humanity throw
him upon your generosity
'By - and the citizen swore ter
rible oath, whoever takes him out takes
him over my dead body"
Those who knew him were satisfied that
he would keep his word. A place was ar
ranged in the garnet and Jerry installed
there, being made as comfortable as his
bruised body would permit From Wednes-
day until the following Sunday evening he
remained in strict seclusion then, during
furious storm, he was removed in close
carriage under proper guard to Oswego,
thirty-six miles distant, and put on board a
vessel just leaving for Canada, From this
asylum ne afterward sent a handsomely
carved cane to Charles A. Wheaton, one of
the gentlemen instrumental in effecting his
escape.
Disappointment, party hate and personal
of the ringleaders, most of whom were
leading citizens and prominent business
men, Gerrit Smith. the philanthropist
being among the number. True bills were
found in most of the cases, but the trials
were postponed and adjourned from
Albany to Auburn and then back to
Albany, finally resulting in the disagree
ment of the jury in all save one. A special
LII Il. IL Liz