Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1904-02-25
The Underground Railroad.
by DR.. c. Pickett
CHAPTER XIV

child, who belonged 20 different
master, a person living in Louis
vile. Jims master was rather
indulgent more so than most
masters and allowed him the
privilege of visiting his wife
frequently. Jims parents having
grown old and worthless in the
sense of property, had been en-
ancipated by their masters and
as they could not, according to
the laws of Kentucky, remain in
that state and be free, they had
been sent to Ohio, and settled at
New Richmond, twenty miles
above Cincinnati where some of
their relatives; free colored peo-
pie were living. After they had
lived mere a year or so, Jim
solicited the privilege of visiting
him and carrying some little pre-
sents to them. The work of the
summer was over and Jim had
saved up little money enough
to pay the expenses of the trip.
After some deliberation his mas
ter consented to give him a pass
and permitted his little brother
about 10 or IL years old to go
with him and visit week with
his parents, He thought there
was no danger of Jims not return
ing promptly, for he knew he
was much attached to his wife
and child and thought he would
not leave them. But Jim had a
burning desire to be free al
though he had a kind master, he
we'll knew that the situation was
liable to change very suddenly.
His master might die or become
involved in debt, and thus be
compelled to sell him, or his wife
and child might be sold from him.
These thoughts Jim had been re-
volving in his mind for some time
and he resolved to make bold
stroke for freedom. Dear reader
you say he betrayed the confidence
reposed In him, we'll perhaps he
did, please place yourself in his
place and then think would not
you do so too, yes you would if
you had the courage of louise.
You know you would go and l
know would go if the heavens
fell. Jim also had another plan
besides getting himself, brother,
wife and child free and that was
to help friend of his, who we
will call Tom, to secure his free
dom. Tenn belonged to a man
living about thirty miles from
Louisville, but who being treat
ed cruelty by his master ran
away, and secreted himself
among some colored friends in
the city. Jims plan was to nail
his friend up in goods box and
ship him to New Richmond, pre-
tending that the box contained
some things which he was taking
to his parents at that place. By
the aid of some of his colored
friends this part was accomplish
ed without exciting any sus-
picions. Tom disposed himself
as comfortably as he could in the
box, the cover was nailed on and
it was directed to Jims father in
care of Jim himself to New
Richmond, Ohio. Then it was
conveyed to the wharf on a dray
to be placed on board the Cincin-
natl pachet boat as freight. Jim
had gone to the boat before and
paid the price of passage of him
self and little brother to Cincin-
natl. He showed his pass to the
captain and informed him that
he had box to take with him
to his father on which he wished
to pay the freight in advance,
which being satisfactory to the
captain and the freight beng
marked on the box Jim paid the
freight required. The mate
ordered the box rolled on board
but Jim thinking that it might
not be a very pleasant trip for
Tom to be rolled over a dozen
times or so, took hold and helped
the deck hands carry it on deck,
and took care that it was placed
right side up. The boat arrived
at Cincinnati before daylight
next morning and landed at the
foot of Main street. Jim wished
to know if his friend was all
right, and watching his oppor-
tunity when the deck hands we're
engaged in another part of the
boat, he leaned down and whis-
pered through crack in the box,
ITO is you dar," The answer
came back in muffled tones Use
heah all right" The wharf of
the Maysville packet where Jim
was to take MASSAGE to New