The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-17
RECALLS ANTI.sLAvERY DAYS
Alba Honeywell Tells ~ Selling
First Copy of "JncIc Tom"

SiNty-twO years ago Alba Uouayvtl
one OF the few early abolitionists sim spr,
viving, sold the first COPY OF Uncle Tom.
Cabin which ever went over = ro--,,.r
at retail. Mr.. Honeywell. a, tho Az. n,
30, is in full possession of his ftrulf.s,
can repair a windmill on the tom ID, ,
sixty foot tower as surcfout,dly As 49,
one, is fully informed as to the prorrs,,
OF the work ON his 200 acre farr. ,,,
keeps abreast OF the news aud uT.h',.,s
OF the day In truly remarkable ras'.,..
| found this interesting person it v,,.
In his office, writes a correspondent uf ila.
Springfield Republican, II isn't Do. ..
means a modern business work hon Co.,,
Ming cabinets. typewriter stouugr e....-
clerks. and so on. Mr Honeywell #.
gentleman OF the old school. and tu. A..
mospherc Of his den reveals IT, Ia ,..
cultivation Of his extensive acres Oh, f....,
and most improved implements sr. u.,t
but in his own sanctum he prefers .,,,.-
tered ease rather than the syst.nl.I. ana
hurried routine OF modern offic, m,,H.I,
AS ! talked with him ! glmps.d pspe,s
and memoranda in the pigeonh1lcs or he
antique desk. which from their yellow ana
faded appearance lent the impression 'ba,
they might not have bern disturb. n
half century. Within reach Of his qaDd
lay a tattered and much thumbcd oon, n.
the first edition Of Harriet Beccaer stowe,
immortal book.
Yes. I sold the frs; published cont, n,
this book" he replied to my iuuuIr, -
was then on the editorial stan of M,
STANDARD in New York city This WON -.
member. was the organ uf tho Nm,-..,n
anti-slavery society and the Official plb'.
cation OF the Liberty parry, As the .boH.
tiOnists were known. Uncle Toms r.b.-.
had been published serially in the National
Era at Washington in 1851 and 1852 az
tracing wide attention. II was brou-b,
out I'm book form by John r. .IoV.., u
Co, Boston publishers. In the latter part
OF 1852. The very first instalm,nt when
came from their press was shipped TO I'm.
standard office and happened to bs s,ard.
Ing by when the consignment was opersd
gentleman whose sNmpathies vera
strongly against slavery had been haunt.
Ing the office for several days. waiting 10
buy the first copy. | picked one ont %
the 10; and sold II TO him.
1t seems strange" he went on look
OF "Reminiscences coming Into his owes chat
or all the men ! knew 50 we'll Iu 'nnss
days ] should be the only one loft II WA,
right In the heat OF tho early anti-slaverv
! conflict II was time when to be an
! abolitionist meant to De ostracizcd 10
large extent ] knew all tire Leaders n
this cause and knew all the leaders vel
William Lloyd Garrison. Wendell TnW.ns
Frederick Douglass. James Russell Lowell
John q. Whittier and others They are
all gone | do not suppose another man
who wrote for the STANDARD In the early
sos Is still alive. But the princ.p'es To-.
which We all worked and labored I have
seen fully triumph
Mr.. Honeywell was a delegate 20 ,b.
second convention Of the liberal psrty N
I Buffalo IN 1874 which nominated IarI,7 q
| Birney Tor the Presidency lie wen IN
Illinois as "a pioneer sixty years ago