The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-20
HOW HE HELPED THE SLAVE
DR.. Alexander Ross NJ no Conducted an
Underground Railway Talks.

Underground Railway Talks.
Chicago, March 19-Dr. Alexander
Milton Ross Of Toronto. Canada, an old
time conductor of the underground
railroad, who for the past few days has
been visiting his daughter, Mrs. Charles
Simpson, No. 1880 Washington boule-
ward, returns 10 his home today.
1t was in 1856. when newly graduated
in medicine, that DR.. Ross left mis- ma
tive Canada, at the age of "A years, and
became actively and earnestly engaged
in the anti-slavery crusade in the Unit
| ed States. His prominence in the work
is seen in the two circumstances that
John Brown spent part of his last night
on earth in writing to him, and that the
poet Whittier addressed 10 him an ode.
THE outlook is dark and unpromis-
ing" wrote the young physician, on I'M
dertaking his enterprise, but my faith
/ in the Justice Of the cause is SteadfaSt
and my hope in the future Undimmed
/ by the prevailing political fogs and the
treachery of politicians and dough-
! faced friends"
He mad been at work about two weeks
when a difficulty occurred which, but
for the faithfulness of a negro, Joe,
would likely have ended in the doctor S
death at the hands of an Infatuated
>
able Legree, who had burned the in
itials of his name into the flesh of sew
eral of his slaves, branding them like
cattle for more easy Identification and
capture should an escape be attempted.
Joe told me- said the doctor, that
/ he intended to start for Canada as soon
as he could communicate with broth
er, who was a slave on a plantation a
! few miles distant, and / gave him nee
1 essary information how to proceed after
/ crossing the Ohio river, with the names
of conductors who would pass him along
| through Indiana and Ohio. The next
evening, while at supper, L was bounced
| in upon by Colonel L, who said he
would have my hearts blood because l
| had enticed away his negro, Joe. I
was arrested, hand-cuffed, and tried,
and at the climax great commotion oc-
! CURED at the door, and a shout was
raised. Here's Joe, Here's Joer
Into the court room walked Joe, and,
| going up to the colonel. he told him that
he wanted to see his brother powerful
| bad He had gone without leave TO the
neighbOring plantation, and an accident
| had prevented him from getting back in
| time to go TO work at day-break. OF
course, l was discharged. The sequel
! to the story is that Joe and his brother
who was waiting for him in Kidding in
! a convenient swamp, went off the same
night and succeeded in escaping the
! bloodhounds and reaching Canada. This
was in SO. Today both the brothers are
still living and in good circumstances,
in Canada"
In another adventure, in Delaware,
| Dr. Ross was aiding a female slave to
esca pc. having her. indeed, in the bug
gy with him, driving toward the home
of Mrs. Cox, just across the border of
| the little slave state. While yet in the
limits of the latter site, DR.. Ross be-
came aware that he was being pursued,
and presently such very forcible argu-
ments as pistol bullets began 10 fly
around aim. Nothing daunted, he arose
in his vehicle, noted the distance his
pursuers were from him, and then,
drawing his own revolver, and allow
ing them to approach near him to be
within pistol shot. he fired four times at
their horse, killing it with the last shot.
and was then enabled to make good his
| escape into Pennsylvania and convey
his charge safely TO the kindly care of
Mrs. Cox. with whom the fugitive re-
manned for some time. and finally DIR.
Ross took her safely 10 Canada.
Once. when in Nashville, he aided no
fewer than seven slaves 20 obtain their
liberty. but woke up one morning to
! find the city placarded with an offer Of
! 81 200 for his arrest. The doctor thought
| il time to go. and after many perilous
| adventures. reached Canada. taking
with him TO a place of safety female
slave.
John Browns farewell letter to DR..
Ross reads thus:
Jail. Charleston, Va, Dec. 1st. 1859
~ J. A..
| jailer. has just handed ME your most
kind and affectionate letter. / am sorry
your efforts to reach this place have
| been unavailing. l thank you for your
| faithfulnesS. and the assurance you give
me that my poor and deeply afflicted
family VIII be provided for. 1t takes
from my mind the greatest cause of sad
ness l have experienced since my i'm
| prisonment. In a few hours. through
| infinite grace. in Christ Jesus. my
| Lord" I shall be in another and better
| state Of existence. l feel quite cheerful
and ready 10 die. My dear friend. do
not give UP your lahors for the poor
| that cry. and them that are in bonds"
Farewell, God bless you: your friend.
JOHN BROWN.
In Dr.. Ross museum Of study in
| Toronto is treasured a pike. "one Of
u
which he intended n arm the slaves for
the proposed attack on Virginia" He
also points with satisfaction % an easy
chair and tells You that John Brown sac
in il when he visited Toronto.
During the rebellion the doctor was
employed by President Lincoln as
confidential correspondent in Canada
and rendered very important service TO
the government.
John u. Whittier addressed him these
| lines:
For his steadfaSt strength and courage
In a dark and evil time.
When the Golden Rule was treason,
And 10 feed the hungry. crime.
For the poor slaves hope and refuge,
When the hound was on his track.
And saint and sinner. state and church
Joined hands 10 send him back.
| Blessings upon him=What he did
For each sad. suffering one.
| Chained. hunted Scourgei and bleeding
Unto our Lord was done.
The doctor has been knighted by 4
number Of European sovereigns for his
labors in natural history He declined
the Jitle Of baron. bestowed upon him
by the king Of Bavaria. but recently has
accepted a magnificent ring from the
/ Car Nicholas II. The doctor is as
| sIaunch British subject as he is
| s;alwart reformsr. \ lneaI ancestor
/ vas Roger Williams Of Rhode Island.
and another the sixth and last earl OF
Ross Of the old family.