Year: 1859

The next day after their arrival, Mr.. Oldham
was attacked with typhoid dysentery, and was
soon reduced to a critical condition. in which he
fingered for some three weeks, and died. Having
formed an acquaintance with DIR. r. l.. Rea, Of
Oxford; Ohio and having great confidence in his
skill as physician, at Mr.. Oldbam's request the
Doctor came to his bedside, watched over him un-
i'll death ended his sufferings, and then accompa-
MED bis mortal remains back to his desolate home
in Mississippi.


When Mr.. Oldham became convinced that he
must die, his concern for the freedom of his youn-
gest daughter was intense. The eldest Emeline
was with him in Ohio, and was therefore free; but
tho younger by lingering amid the loved scenes of
her childhood, exposed to be inventoried
among the other chates of the estate, and sold at
high price because of her light com pexiop, her
beautiful ringlets. and her graceful FORM and the
dying father knew it, and bitter anguish stung his
| soul.


lie knew too that the laws Of Mississippi forbid
emancipation within her borders, and further. that
he could not by his will make her free to be sent
out OF the State, nor could he will her In trust to
another for the purpose making her ffee neither
yet could he sell her to any one for that purpose
Thus was the dying parent beleaguered on every
hand by the monstrous cruelty of the law, hedg-
ing up as it does every way by which he might Sc
freedom to his child and thus save her from a
dreadful fate. In this strait he applied to Hon.
Philemon Bliss, Of Elyria for counsel, whose clear
head and warm heart were soon enlisted in what
would seem the hopeless task of enabling wealthy
father to free his own child from eternal slavery.


a will was soon executed. in which the facts of
the parents earnest wish were clearly set forth,
and by the terms Of which the daughters were
made free, and the sum of four thousand dollars
bequeathed for their support and education, and
the noble Doctor Rea was appointed Executor of
the will.


1t wai also provided that the whole of the above
sum should be expended, if necessary, to secure
the freedom of the youngest girl should an at
tempt be made to prevent it by the heirs under the
laws of Mississippi, which wise provision, with
the energy and frmness Of DR.. Res, proved more
than match for slaveholding cupidity and slave
holding law, as is shown in the fact that
both Emelne and Cyrena are now safe in
Oberiin, where their wants will be supplied and
their education provided for under the direction o
DR.. Rea.


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a severe struggles every point being warmly con
tested by greedy heirs with wicked laws on one
side, and ths determined Doctor and righteousness
on the other. For time it seemed almost certain
that the cormorants would succeed, and that the
money as well as the liberty of Cyrena would be
lost; indeed so sure were they of success that the
heirs bid Doctor Rea bold defiance.


At length point was decided by the Supreme
Court of Mississippi in a case involving some i'm
portant oues in this, and the controversy was
broughtto close by a com promise, in which the
Doctor r. secured the freedom Of the girl and
three thousand dollars of the money.


A few days ago Doctor Rea might have been
seen leaving the plantation of the late James Old
ham in a large canoe freighted with his precious
charge, the tender Cyrena unwilling exile from
her chdhoods home, and making his devious
way for nine miles through recently cut gorges
and eddying currents made by the turbid waters
of the Mississippi, back to Friars Point where he
embarked for the purpose Of reinstatng these sis
tiers in Oberlin, the very place chosen for them by
the dying honest stakeholder, where they can be-
come free, yirtuous and intelligent women.