Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-01-19
SLAVE, THIN FREEDMAN.
Interesting Life History Of the Late
william jackson Of Detroit,

utoo ShuuuEy ~, AVVOt oSou 80 JV"''
He was one Of this best known colorsd
men in Central Kansas. His life bis
tory is exceedingly interesting
Until about the age Of thirty he
was q slave in southern Virginia,
owned by a Mr.. Reynolds. But one
Sunday, in the fall Of 49, bic two
brothers and two cousins came to
him with the information that they
were intending an attempt to scape
and asked him to join them. Mr..
jackson tried to dissuade them with
a recital OF the fearful dangers oisuch
an attempt at that highly excited
state OF affairs in the country. Find
ing them determined, he decided to
assist them, hence started with them
that night on the perllous uudertak.
ing. Providence favored them for Q
time; but as they neared the state
line, after suffering many hardshiPs
and while they were hidden in timber
20 restons morning, 81 being asleep
except Mr.. jackson, he had a premo-
milton Of danger. He aroused bis ex-
hausted sleeping companions, four
men and three women with their
babes. They laughed at him. never
theless he reconnoitered aud found
that they were overtaken and dis
covered by band Of horsemen.
He again aroused his sleeping COM
panions and they attempted flight.
They were soon overtaken and sur
rounded. On being admonished that
they might as we'll give up, as they
were helpless, they all lost heart e1-
cept William, who declared they could
never take him alive. He was very
powerful man, and having a corn
cutter which he had brought for such
an emergency, he drew it upon one
Of the negroes saying "Dave, drop
that chile and fight like the -o or
I'll kill you" Whereupon the battle
for liberty commenced.
After lengthy struggle Mr.. Jack
son cut off part Of the hand of Con-
greSsmae Edward s. Armstrong and
otherwise crippled him SO that for
he was unable to return
home, but spared his life upon Condi-
tion that the pursuit be called off
During this fight one man ran into
a house crying, "the niggers are after
me, they will kill me-" and dropped
dead Of fright,
Abolitionists from the Pennsylvania
side ran to them by scores apd cheered
the negroes. Other shareholders
came to the assistance Of the whites.
But the women and children were
conveyed to safety by the abolition
lists and the five slaves won the battle
by sheer endurance. They were
secreted in Pennsylvania aud assisted
north. While they were at Union
town, Pa, warrant was sworn out
Tor their arrest but they were not
though SIS, 0OOreward was
offered for VIM. Jackson. Further
north a grand supper was given for
them. Then for the first time they
earned that the women and children
whom they supposed had been car.
lied back into slavery were safe on
he way. M l.
At last after many nights they
anded on the free soil Of Canada and
he corn knife sword, with which the
eader fought his own and iellowG'
way to liberty, was hung in the
Baptist church at. Windsor, Canada,
Ind'still hangs there.
Mr.. jackson later moved south Into
Michigan where at Detroit be married
Miss Mary 3. Payne; to them were
porn three sons and two daughters, /,
me Of whom, Miss Minnie, is az or
lAined minister 10 the o. B. church
md remains to comfort her mothers
lecllning years. /,
Mr.. jackson was converted in the
church In Adrian, Mich, |
bout the year " and to the day Of
lis death loved the teaching Of that
cot. On removing with bis family ,
o Detroit, Kansas, he followed the
arewell advice OF the good old
Quaker brother, walking daily with
be Master but uniting with thu band
4 servants nearest to his choice, the
J. B. church, Of which he has been .
Aithiul member.
At the funeral the church was
.if.l kkrurk - - d. .e--- l.