Year: 1861




woods that were close by. Lighting fire he cook
ed two Of them, but had scarcely finished the Sec
ond when be heard some footsteps, and naturally
thinking that the owner Of the chickens was in
pursuit. of him he made his way out of the woods
with the other chicken in bis hand as soon as DOS.
sloe. This chicken served him for two days


Near Mississippi village he met with oolored
man and gave him ten cents to buy some crackers
Tor him. This man, in whom Anderson placed
little confidence, after some delOy brought him the
crackers which he greedily dovoured. He cross.
ed the Mississippi by night, using for that pur!
pose boat which he found near the river, and
keeping clear Of the ferry for fear of detection. Il
was now Saturday night and about two weeks
since he had left Mcdonald, and ne had reached
the free State of Illinois, but from the at:em OTIS
made TO capture him in this State be was conyin.
ced that he was almost in as much danger there as
be had been in Missouri.


On Sunday night he went into the house of d
white man, an Englshman, who gave him good
supper and bed. lie was prevented from slee-
ping Tor some time, having his suspicious excited
by gun which be saw in the room, thinking i,
might be used for. overcoming such subjects as
himself. As yet be repOsed no confidence in apv
man. and distrusted equally all he saw. Wea.i-
ness at iaet overeame his terror, and on wGking iu
the morning he found himself much refreshed.
Ills entertainer lent him a razor by which he was
enabled to indulge in the luxury of shave. Hag-
ing got breakfast, and after the good-heared Eng.
ilshmsn had prevailed on him to take some broad
and apples in his pocket John again set out with
renewed strength and spirits. He soon met some
men on horseback who asked him for his pass, but
he pretended to be free. The men, disbelieving
him, pursued, but Anderson was too expert for
them and made his escape to hill, the women
calling out as he passed. In the evening be found
himself By small river, where he sew canoe
sunk Seeing dog some distance before him he
retreated into the woods, and struck another river
He there observed boat crossing, bat being
afraid that his liberty might be endangered if ht
attempted to pass that way, he went back int,
the bush. Having by this time consumed wha
tho Euglishman had given him, and having keer
appetite he made an attempt to capture somt
chickens, bu, was unsuucessful. fue came supor
white mans house into iwhich he ieniered and
pretended he had lost his way. Here he. got hi.
breakfast and bougktva leaf Of bread from the
housewife for ten cents, The farmer promised to
direct him, but when they were but q few yards
from the house. Anderson perceivng the man was
leading him back and seeing his sons some dis
tance before him took TO flight. After two days
he struck branch of the Illinois river which be
crossed, and after proceeding some distance he
came to a railway track with the use Of which he
was acquainted. He next came TO Bloomington
where he obtained some provisions. lie ayais1
himself of the railway track for short distance
north OF Bloomington. Confused and bowildered
be met man who promised him ride 1.-The would
help him with his COW. Anderson consented to
do so and rode with the man to certain village
when he was requested to leave. After leaving
the village Anderson again encountered him and
accompanied him, Notwithstanding his attempts
to shun him. At this mans house he got his sup
per and bed, and started early next morning
before breakfast.


Through some villages which he passed every
one looked on him as curiosity, on account OF
his travel-stained condition-the children running
to the doors to stare ct him.


10 one farmhouse which be entered he had pur-
chased loaf of bread, when a man came in at
whom Anderson took fright and ran out, the house
wife afer him, calling that be had better pay her
the ten cents, which be did while standing by a
fence after he had collected himself. Overtakiug
some teams that were on the road to Rock Island,
be got on one of them and reached that city by
daylight. Here ne hired himself to barber,
though he was quito uninstructed in the art of
shaving. Remaining in that city for two days, he
went to Chicago, the Abolition Society paying his
fare. II is pleasing to note the existence, SO near
the seat of slavery, of such society always ready
to assist the oppressed in asserting their freedom


In Chicago be lived with barber but remain
ed there only three weeks, when be left for Wind
sor being advised by his master to do so. Dur
ing his stay in Windsor. where he got employ
ment as laboIer, he wrote twice to his wife, but
he suspected the letters were opened. A reply
was received stating that his wife was in Detroit
and asking him to 60 over for her. This letter
was probably penned by some slave catcher
Anderson submitted the matter to friend who
told him not to comply with the request, for thele
was likely some evil lurking under it. 1t was
about the beginning of November, 1853, when he
reached Windsor, about six weeks after he made
bis escape from his master in Missouri He work.
I'd as plasterer at Hamilton and Caledonia, and
At the time of his arrest by Mathews, was eugag-
I'D making maple sugar. After being discharged
he went to Simcoe, where ne was again arrested
aud brought before Mathews, who thought that
new he..had tue evidence against him nicely fixed
up. Anderson says. she never knew that there
was so much la,O in the wosld as be found 10 Can
ada"


lie can read very little but cannot write
When about sixteen years of age he got spelling
book, the only book he over had while in slavery,
but did not make use Of it. He is man of great
muscular strength, and Of determined but kind
disposition.


Punch, ever ready to assist all who are in diff
'ulties, and understanding that the secession
States are bothered 10 find ct name for their en-
,ire, respectfully suggests SlaVeownia,