Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-07-09

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the wood-piler"
Eyes, that may be So" replied the
abolitionlst, ~but the poor trembling
slave was not discovered that time"
Mr.. Maris then related an incident of
a colored man being sent by freight all
the way from the South to Philadelphia.
Air holes were pierced in the sides and
a quantity of victuals placed in it, The
box came safely by sailing vessel to
Philadelphia and ultimately reached its
destination at Mr.. McKim's house there.
Mr., Maris was present when the box
was opened. The freight was alive but
barely so. The poor negro was in a
terrible condition.
Lucky for him." one of the party re-
marked, "that the shipment was not
made during the time of the modern
baggage smasher."
THOMAS GARRETT's DEFIANCE.
Delaware was a slave State, Mr.. Maris
continued, and Thomas Garrett, it
should be recorded, was the only Will
mingtonian who openly at all times de-
fled the authorities and the slave enact
ments. OF course there were scores and
scores of sympathizers in Delaware.
But he was the only openly confessed
abnlitionist who at all times in public
and private dared his life and property
in helping runaway slaves.
On one occasion the county authori-
ties with posse surrounded his house.
A certain slave-owner had full proof
that his property was concealed In Mr..
CARROTS house. The papers were duly
sworn out and given into the sheriff's
hands for due execution. Every one
knew that the slave woman was hidden
there and Mr.. Garrett knew that they
knew it, and was at length persuaded
that there was no use in pretending that
the woman was anywhere else. At
length the plucky old abolitionist
emerged from the house for a parley
with his enemies, who completely
encircled the place.
an tell you what I'll do" said the
crafty old gentleman. "You can have
the negress if you will give me ten
minutes for myself and my wife to get
away safe out of this unframed"
Certainly you can do that All we
want is the slave" was the sheriif's
reply, who had previously made ii al
straight with the master.
Mr.. Garrett retired back into the
house and quickly reappeared with his
vile leaning on his arm. The pair
walked quietly out through the crowd,
who respectfully and without the slight
est suspicion made way for the couple.
On going back to the house Mr.. Gar
| rett had obtained a complete set of his
wife's clothing. This was given to the
female slave who quickly attired her
| self in it. A black vail was added TO
the bonnet and then she, with her
| quick-witted rescuer, walked out as de-
scribed
The ruse was completely successful.
The trick was not suspected for some
| time as il was taken for granted that the
negress in her extreme peril would take
advantage of some one or other of the
numerous hiding places always provided
at these stations" which We're known
only to the initiated. Mr.. Garrett and
his trembling protege had plenty of time
70 escape. Other provision was not
wanting for their quick transportation
beyond immediate danger.
The risks run by Mr.. Garrett and his
abolitionist friends can be understood
when it is known that in Delaware the
penalty for aiding runaway slave was
81 600 in each case and one years i'm.
pris 9nment. Mr., Garrett lost all his
property in this way. A price was sci
! tpon his head by the Southern slave
owners.
The underground railway was run
ming all the year round, winter ant
summer. Most of the runaways cam,
through here after New Year, as tina
was the negroes Christmas holiday
time when for week or two they die
no work on the plantations.
Many slave masters would also COM
on In the fall hunting abolitionists,' a
they called it,