The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-08

| father, and kiss my brother. On, beg
of You not to curse mel Answer me and
I will be happy in hearing from. you. Re-
member me TO our friends. Nine. Null
er and VI. Rene And my brother, whom
I love, but who I believe, loves me no
| more, but, on the contrary, detestS me.
| Oh, dear brother, love me, and also love
papa and mamma, and give them no
pain! Be sure and write to me by the
next boat.
| Your beloved child, who loves you, and
VINO will always love you.
| LOUISE RIPP. -Alsatian blood.
| This letter is filled with my tears.
| The consul has obtained no clew to
| Nile. Rips whereabouts
FAST FRIENDS OF THE SLAVE
| Two of the Old Underground Railway Ex-
| perfs Pasa Away.
| New York, Sept. death within a
I few hours recently took two of the best
| friends of the slave-William Crafty, a
pioneer in the underground railroading.
| whose prouddistinction it was to have
aided 1900 blacks to escape from their
| pursuers and find safety in Canada, and
| c. Andrews, who was the associate OF
Jules and Frank Fumbard, sang songs
OF freedom and patriotism, and assisted
in the operations Of the famous quartet
that was such a power in recruiting the
northern army. Mr.. Crafty, the father
Of Thomas and Josiah Crafty, the we'll
known Chicago attorneys, passed away
on August 26, at Marysville. Ohio, at the
age of 90, and Mr.. Andrews died few
hours afterward at the Alexian Brothers
Hospital.
There are many negroes in Chicago
who have PERSONAL cause TO revere the
name Of William Crafty, who, at the
time Of his death, was doubtless the old
est Of the pioneers to conduct the hunted
slaves to a safe asylum on British soil.
So successful were his expeditions in the
interest of those ne befriended that he
became a marked man and a price was
put on his head. The slave owners Of
fered reward Of $1,000 to anyone who
Should deliver Mr.. Crafty, dead or alive
south Of the Moson or Dixon line. The
old man glorified in the achievements OF
these early days, and, while there was
no touch Of the braggart in his nara
tons, he loved to tell of his record in
1t was Mr.. Cratty's fortune to live in
Delaware county, Ohio, practically, from
1914 to 1853 Pursued and pursuers were
almost daily sight. The abject condi-
ton OF the hunted creatures appealed
strongly to Mr.. Cratty's sympa thies, and
when, after hts marriage in 1926 with
Miss Candis Bennett, he settled down in
home of his own, he made that home
regular station or half way house for
for the slaves on their way to freedom
The fame OF BILLY Cratty's house"
reached the remotest parts Of the south
The place was a landmark on every fu-
gitive's Chart. The benefactors name
became a byword, and hundreds of
slaves gave their enterprising black
friends who we're bent on liberty the tip
to hunt up Mars Crafty.
Those were exciting days, not less for
Mr.. Crafty than for the slaves. He knew
there was price on his head and he adj
mit:ed later in life that for years he
went to his door to answer a knock az
ter dark that he did not first peer out
to see il it was a fugitive after assist
ance or slave hunter after vengeance
It is enough here here to say that he
was always prepared for either No
slave was ever turned from mis- door with
out food and shelter, and when il was
needed convoy to another safe hating
place. II posse Of slave hunters had
appeared he, as often declared, would
have sold his life dearly and would have
thought he was doing it in holy cause
The time came when the underground
railway mettle was tested. When the
fugitive slave law was passed il became
virtually a crime 10 aid or abet a slave
on his way to Canada in the slightest
way. To give black fugitive crust or
a drink OF water was literally a punish
able offense, and number Of those en-
gagged in underground railroad were
frightened into compliance with the law. !
Mr.. Crafty. however, kept on as he had !
teen in the habit of doing. The slaves |
came as they had been wont and were
cared for. At length Mr.. Crafty was |
called TO task for his open defiance of the |
the law, and it was urged upon him that !
me alder and abettor OF slave who was /
seeking - escape to the north was label |
t. the owner to the full market value OF |
the black. Mr.. Crafty did not finch. On /
the contrary, he said in a publice meet |
ing:
Congress can pass all the laws il |
wishes 1t cannot fetter my conscience /
Liable TO punishment or fine or not,
when an escaping slave comes TO me for |
assistance he will get what he wants.
and l will run the risk. 1 wish you would /
all do the same
Mr.. Crafty was a q his best in telling OF |
the narrowing incidents OF his career as
a conductor OF the blacks 10 Canada He
was wont TO date his deepest interest in
the fugi;.ves TO the fact % his seeing a
negro who had worn the Iron collar"
This was a device 10 prevent the blacks
from hiding IN the thichets or cane
brakes II consisted OF band os iron
-ivited around the slaves neck and sup
porting an archei strip from which de-
pended a bell. The collar could no. be
removed except with file. and the bell
vas too high 20 be within reach The
mans neck was SCARED by this infamous
badge of servitude and cruelty. and on
sight OF the poor sufferer NJ. Crafty
vowed never 20 deny aid 10 the fugi.ives
xnen Il vas asked. Tina: vow ne kept
% me end
There was only break % two years IN
VI. Cratty's operations as an under
ground railroad operator. That was
xhen in 1919 he went with q party %
California 10 Try his fortunes IL the gold
ieids He made the overland trip from