The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-01
WHY FRED DOUGLASS FLED.
Didn't Care to Stand Trial i'm Vfr-
Efntn I'm the John Brown Case.
Wolcott IN. Y) Special

ginin I'm the John Brown Case.
Wolcott IN. Y.) Special
Col Arson S. Wood, Deputy Secretary of
State under Secretary Carr, speaking of the
late Frederick Douglasss Supposed COM
piiclty in the John Brown raid at Harpers
Ferry. Said
1T was my good fortune, by the merest
chance, to escort Douglass to Canada when
ne made his hurried flight following Browns
ing law business at Lyons, N. ", when
the interests of a client called me suddenly
Rochester saw in an evening paper the first st
startling unverified rumors of trouble at the
a FER At Lockport l had to change cars.
car filled to overlooking, excepting the one
next to the baggage car, which was dark
ened, locked and apparently empty. / tried
the door, determined to enter, and had
warm discussion with the conductor, who
was, was Just as determined n, that should go
was greatly surprised to see face appear
at the window of the car, and, tapping upon
conductor moment later asking that be
admitted. After some parley this was done,
sns afagp sas the the ana Of Ere
Douglass, whom | knew well.
We remained together tn Clifton, Ont,
Douglass explained that his fight was due
to the knowledge that Brown must inevita-
bly, be captured, and that he Douglass)
would surely be arrested for completely in
the plot, which had been Matched while
Brown was his guest at Rochester. Doug
the plot. but most emphatically denied hav-
ing had any part In so hare-brained a
that he had used every argument in his
power to get Brown to give. up the raid,
no arguments had any effect on the stout
hearted old mononaniac. Douglass stated
further that he was not at all afraid do OF
but that his friends-who had been hur-
riedly called together that very afternoon
had united in the, belief that he would GER
tainly be dragged to Virginia, where con-
victon would be equally certain to follow.
tantiy DECIDED ed to seek safety in Canada
I'VE parted company, once upon British
soil, the much-relieved conductor releasing
us as soon as were fairly upon the
suspension bridge. Douglass had been
placed in his care by high officials of the
among the friends summoned to the con-
clave at the formers house The conductor
man when he saw that was so determined
to enter the car, as he feared that was
Of the fight and that in fancy he already
saw himself In prison for abetting high
treason; | understand that ne was SUP,
ness"
After describing Douglass's triumphal
tour of Great Britain, whittier he went al
most Immediately from the Dominion, and
Wood spoke of a little inside history OF
another public event in which the colored
orator was prominent IN ls7a as s., Is 8, well
returns of the New York electoral college
from Albany to Washington. A majority
of the delegates then wished to honor the
BLACK Giant by making him chairman of
the college. General Stewart l.. Woodford,
honor, and calling upon Colonel Wood, who
as deputy Secretary of State acted as sec
Mr. Douglass at the ,atters roc room n in the ne
Delavan House, and propose compromise.
Tell him said General Woodford, that
there is only empty honor in the chairman
ship, but very liberal compensation in act