Minneapolis spokesman., 1956-06-29

at roFt SneIllng. 1 refer brief
who had been brought 10 the I
ing been purchased in ST. Louis
back 10 St Louis and there sued
Emerson for his freedom.
There was another slave Incl
dent in Minneapolis which prob
ably Is not so well known. II is the
case Of Eliza Winston, a slave who
was brought to Minneapolis by
Colonel Christmas from Mississip-
pi. Eliza had lived with her hus-
band in Memphis. Tenn, before
going, or rather being taken to
Mississippi as security for a
mortgage on a loan. Finally, the
mortgage, was foreclosed and she
became the property of Christ
mas, a rich plantation owner.
This story was called TO my at
tention by Tom Moore Sr,, who
had found an old newspaper in the
cornerstone OF the old Winslow
House when 1t was being wrecked
few years ago to make way for
construction OF the present Coca
Cola Bottling Co. plant.
(Mr. Moore was interested as he
usually is about things pertaining
to the minority groups. He often
discusses some of the hardships he
suffered as youngster In Boston,
Mass, as a member Of the Irish
Catholic minority there.)
Eliza Winston. a Negro. came
to Minneapolis in 1850 with her
masters family, She was the Wild
ow of a free Negro who had died
in Liberia while on a mission
there. Her husband had owned
house and lot in Tennessee. When
1t was decided that Eliza could not
become owner Of the property be-
cause she was a $ lave, the pro-
perty went TO her master.
The widow Eliza had become
the property of Colonel Christ
mas by way OF mortgage. as pre-
viously pointed out. while In Mis-
sissiPpi. After coming to Mime
apolis with the Christmas family
she complained 10 some Minneapo-
lis Negroes that her husband had
left her some property from which
she could not even collect the rent.
The Christmas family lived out
near Lake Harriet. This was in
1850.
One day Eliza Winston asked a
Negro barber's wife II there were
any white men in Minneapolis
who might help her secure her
freedom, The BARRIERS wife told
the story Of Eliza TO a white wo-
man who in turn related Il to w
ID. Babbitt. a pioneer citizen and
abolitionist. Mr.. Babbitt asked
for and received the help OF VII.
lam s. King and r. r f. Cornell,
a lawyer.
King was editor OF the Mime
apolis Atlas, a so-called radical"
newspaper which never passed up
the opportunity 10 assail the in
stitution Of slavery.
The three men mentioned above
began work on EliZa's freedom.
Cornell, the lawyer went TO court
and obtained a writ Of habeas cor
pus. Colonel Christmas was warn
ed Immediately by some friends
that there was a movement on
foot TO take Eliza from his house
hold
He told the slave. Eliza ~ she
saw any strange men around 10
go and hide in the wooded area
near the Lake Harriet cottage
where the Christmas family was
living Several times she found Il
necessary 10 follow her masters
advice
Finally deputy sheriffs with
several other men went 20 the
Christmas home. apprehended
Eliza, and took her before a Judge
Vanderburgh
A Mississippi lawyer who was
r guest in the winslow House re-
presented Colonel Christmas in
this case and c0ntended before
Judge vanderburgh that under the
ruling in the Dred Scott decision
a precedent had been set.
When the arguments were over
Judge vsnderburgh decided the
case in favor Of Eliza Winston. 4
southern friend Of Colonel Christ
mas was heard TO say in a loud
voice Well Colonel vpu have