The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-29
Missouri OaTkey Last Ever Sold
Under Uncle Sam.
TRADE MADE AND PRICE PAID.
Buyer Finally Bestsd and Freedom Secured
Through Protection OF Union
Soldiers.

II think I was the last man in the
United States to sell negro" said Peter
Tilton, leaning back I'm his chair and puff
fing comfortably at his pipe 1T was this
way: When the war broke out / was liv-
ing at Bolivar, Mo- Things were not very
comfortable there after while. for both
the Union and Confederate sides were
we'll represented. and no one knew one
day what might happen TO him next.
owned several slaves and was suspected
OF having southern sympathies only
wanted TO be let alone. but some people
would not have II that way. so / quietly
removed to Illinois. where | had rela-
tives and could live in peace.
after awhile things settled down out
there a little the Unionists being i'm con-
troll, and in 1863 paid a visit TO my old
home to look after some business matters.
When left my slaves scattered; they
were freed by the emancipation procla-
nation, and l. of course, had no further
control OF them. On my return I found
but one of them. Dave. an old fellow.
strong and hearty and with plenty OF
sense. He had always been favorite In
the family. and although he had been
running at large for a long time, was not
very happy.
DAVE, ONLY SLAVE LEFT.
"At that time a story had gone abroad
20 the effect that all men loyal 10 the
Union would be paid for the slaves they
owned a the rate OF $1,000 apiece. and the
H.
did not believe that 7 would get pay for
my darkles. and would rgobably have
never given the matter a thought had /
not run across Judge Burr Emerson, who
lived In Bolivar and who was tho Judge
OF that circllit The Judge evidently be-
lieved In the story about Union men get
ting paid FOR their slaves and he pro-
posed trade, I told him that Dave was
the only one OF my dsrlxies left
DO YOU think N ] buy him he will
stay with me-?
I" OF course. ] answered. At any rate
you might ask him
80 we agreed OF 2 price, which was
$500 and a new carriage which the Judge
owned and did not need. ana I went 10
md Dave. Tle was working here and
there where he cor,ld fnd anything 10 do,
end was not very We'll satisfied.
Dave, ] said, i have chance 20
sell YOU
Yes. and explained matters 10 him.
and being a,smart dar<y he took I'm the
situs tion and readily agreeo 90 the sale.
! promising To give him q Few dollars. Az
ter giving him careful instructions as 60
What he should say took him 20 Judge
Emersons office.
TRADE MADE. PRICE PAID
Dave said the Judge, L am thinking
o. huvug YOU
4 hope you will AiaSsa Judge Massa
Pete. he done gone ayay anu left me,
and I got no hume and no place 90 stay.
You Nill stay with me. than n 4 buy
you?
Cose will III STAY With you as
long ss YOU got button on YOU coat.
Al! right, then, we will make the
trade.
so the papers were made out and
signed and Dave became the Judges prop
srtv. He paid me $500 In money and gave
me an order tor the carriage, which was
On store AT Jefferson City. sold the car
ragc for $500. 40 | realized $500. less the
feg dollars gave Dave. out of that
trade
what became Of Dave7"
'soh. that's the best part OF the story.
Some time afterward ] was again In
Bolivar met Judge Emerson. who
greeted me with the remark that the Mig
ger had sold him was a damned rascal.
=" What dld he do7' ! asked.
"'Whv said the Judge. 4 bought him |
. pew sat Of clothes and put him TO work |
or sns place I'm the edge OF the town and |
h seemed oontended enough.
RATHER BEsTED THE JUDGE.
Two or three months after I bought |
him a company Of Union cavalry came by |
the place. lie was piowing In the field |
by the road and he stopped them 10 ask |
a !. n. f.fA