The Underground Railroad
will of Henry's old master entitled him to his freedom, but the heirs
had rendered said will null and void; this act in addition to the talk
of selling had its effect in driving him to the woods. For a time he hid
in the hollow of a tree, which went very hard with him, yet he was
willing to suffer anything rather than go back to his so-called master.
He managed finally to make good his escape and came to the Committee for
aid and sympathy, which he received.
* * * * *
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
WILLIAM PIERCE.
But few passengers expressed themselves in stronger terms in regard to
their so-called masters, than William Pierce, from Long Green. "I fled,"
said he, "from John Hickol, a farmer, about fifty years old, grey-headed
and drinks whiskey very hard--was always a big devil--ill-grained. He
owned fifteen head; he owns three of my brothers. He has a wife, a big
devil, red head; her servants, she wouldn't feed 'em none, except on
corn bread; she would fight and swear too, when she got ready. She and
her husband would quarrel too. A slave man, a deceitful fellow, who had
been put up to watch on one occasion, when the rest of the slaves had
helped themselves to a chicken, and cooked and ate it about midnight,
though he was allowed to share a portion of the feast, was ready enough
to betray them by times next morning. This made master and mistress
'cuss' all hands at a great rate, and master beat all hands except the
one that told. I was caned so badly that it laid me up for several
weeks. I am a little lame yet from the beating."
Such was William's story. He was twenty-three years of age, of a light
brown color, well-made. Judging from his expressions and apparent
feelings against his master and mistress, he would be willing to endure
many years of suffering in Canada snows, before he would apply to them
for care and protection.
* * * * *
A SLAVE CATCHER CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.
GEORGE F. ALBERTI PERSONATED BY A MEMBER OF THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE--A
LADY FRIGHTENED BY A PLACARD.
One afternoon, the quiet of the Anti-Slavery Office was suddenly
agitated by the contents of a letter, privately placed in the hands of
J. Miller McKim by one of the clerks of the Philadelphia Ledger office.
Said letter it would seem, had been dropped into the box of the Ledger
office, instead of the U.S. box (one of which, was also in the Ledger
office), through a mistake, and seeing that it bore the name of a
well-known slave-catcher, Alberti, the clerk had a great desire to know
its import. Whether it was or was not sealed, the writer cannot say, it
certainly was not sealed when it reached the Anti-Slavery office. It
stated that a lady from Maryland was then in Philadelphia, stopping at a
boarding-house on Arch Street, and that she was very desirous of seeing
the above-mentioned Alberti, with a view of obtaining his services to
help catch an Underground Rail Road sojourner, whom she claimed as her
property. That she wrote the letter could not be proved, but that it was
sent by her consent, there was no doubt. In order to save the poor
fellow from his impending doom, it seemed that nothing would avail but a
bold strategical movement. Mr. McKim proposed to find some one who would
be willing to answer for Alberti. Cyrus Whitson, a member of the
Committee, in Mr. McKim's judgment, could manage the matter
successfully. At that time, C. Whitson was engaged in the Free Labor
store, at the corner of Fifth and Cherry streets, near the Anti-Slavery
office. On being sent for, he immediately answered the summons, and Mr.
McKim at once made known to him his plan, which was to save a fellow-man
from being dragged back to bondage, by visiting the lady, and
ascertaining from her in conversation the whereabouts of the fugitives,
the names of the witnesses, and all the particulars. Nothing could have
delighted the shrewd Whitson better; he saw just how he could effect the
matter, without the slightest probable failure. So off he started for
the boarding-house.
Arriving, he rang the bell, and when the servant appeared, he asked if
Miss Wilson, from Maryland, was stopping there. "She is," was the
answer. "I wish to see her." "Walk in the parlor, sir." In went Mr. W.,
with his big whiskers. Soon Miss Wilson entered the parlor, a tall, and
rather fine-looking well dressed lady. Mr. Whitson bowing, politely
addressed her, substantially thus:
"I have come to see you instead of Mr. Geo. F. Alberti, to whom you
addressed a note, this morning. Circumstances, over which Mr. A. had no
control, prevented his coming, so I have come, madam, to look after your
business in his place. Now, madam, I wish it to be distinctly understood
in the outset, that whatever transpires between us, so far as this
business is concerned, must be kept strictly confidential, by no means,
must this matter be allowed to leak out; if it does, the darned
abolitionists (excuse me), may ruin me; at any rate we should not be
able to succeed in getting your slave. I am particular on this point,
remember."
"You are perfectly right, Sir, indeed I am very glad that your plan is
to conduct this matter in this manner, for I do not want my name mixed
up with it in any way."
"Very well, madam, I think we understand each other pretty well; now
please give me the name of the fugitive, his age, size, and color, and
where he may be found, how long he has been away, and the witness who
can be relied on to identify him after he is arrested."
Miss Wilson carefully communicated these important particulars, while
Mr. Whitson faithfully penciled down every word. At the close of the
interview he gave her to understand that the matter should be attended
to immediately, and that he thought there would be no difficulty in
securing the fugitive. "You shall hear from me soon, madam, good
afternoon."
In five minutes after this interview Whitson was back to the
Anti-slavery Office with all Miss Wilson's secrets. The first thing to
be attended was to send a messenger to the place where the fugitive was
at work, with a view of securing his safety; this was a success. The man
was found, and, frightened almost out of his wits, he dropped all and
followed the messenger, who bore him the warning. In the meanwhile Mr.
McKim was preparing, with great dispatch, the subjoined document for the
enlightenment and warning of all.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCEEN:
BEWARE OF SLAVE-CATCHERS.
Miss WILSON, of Georgetown Cross Roads, Kent county, Md., is now
in the city in pursuit of her alleged slave man, BUTLER. J.M.
Cummings and John Wilson, of the same place, are understood to
be here on a similar errand. This is to caution BUTLER and his
friends to be on their guard. Let them keep clear of the
above-named individuals. Also, let them have an eye on all
persons known to be friends of Dr. High, of Georgetown Cross
Roads, and Mr. D.B. Cummings, who is not of Georgetown Cross
Roads.
It is requested that all parties to whom a copy of this may be
sent will post it in a public place, and that the friends of
Freedom and Humanity will have the facts herein contained openly
read in their respective churches.
"Hide the outcast; bewray not him that wandereth." Isaiah xvi.
3.
"Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant that has
escaped from his master unto thee." Deut. xxiii. 15.
This document printed as a large poster, about three feet square, and
displayed in large numbers over the city, attracted much attention and
comment, which facts were quickly conveyed to Miss Wilson, at her
boarding-house. At first, as it was understood, she was greatly shocked
to find herself in everybody's mouth. She unhesitatingly took her
baggage and started for "My Maryland." Thus ended one of the most
pleasant interviews that ever took place between a slave-hunter and the
Vigilance Committee of Philadelphia.
* * * * *
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1858.
HENRY LANGHORN _alias_ WM. SCOTT.
This "chattel" from Richmond, Virginia, was of a yellow complexion, with
some knowledge of the arts of reading and writing; he was about
twenty-three years of age and considered himself in great danger of
being subjected to the auction-block by one Charles L. Hobson. Hobson
and Henry had grown up from boyhood together; for years they had even
occupied the same room,--Henry as a servant-boy and protector of his
prospective young master. Under these relations quite strong affinities
were cemented between them, and Henry succeeded in gaining a knowledge
of the alphabet with an occasional lesson in spelling. Both reached
their majority. William was hired out at the American Hotel, and being a
"smart, likely-looking boy," commanded good wages for his young master's
benefit, who had commenced business as a tobacco merchant, with about
seven head of slaves in his possession. A year or two's experiment
proved that the young master was not succeeding as a merchant, and
before the expiration of three years he had sold all his slaves except
Henry. From such indications, Henry was fully persuaded that his time
was well nigh at hand, and great was his anxiety as he meditated over
the auction-block. "In his heart" he resolved time and again that he
would never be sold. It behooved him, therefore, to avert that ill fate.
He at first resolved to buy himself, but in counting the cost he found
that he would by no means be able to accumulate as much money as his
master would be likely to demand for him; he, therefore, abandoned this
idea and turned his attention straightway to the Underground Rail Road,
by which route he had often heard of slaves escaping. He felt the need
of money and that he must make and save an extra quarter whenever he
could; he soon learned to be a very rigid economist, and being
exceedingly accommodating in waiting upon gentlemen at the hotel and at
the springs, he found his little "pile" increasing weekly. His object
was to have enough to pay for a private berth on one of the Richmond
steamers and also to have a little left to fall back on after landing in
a strange land and among strangers. He saved about two hundred dollars
in cash; he was then ready to make a forward move, and he arranged all
his plans with an agent in Richmond to leave by one of the steamers
during the Christmas holidays. "You must come down to the steamer about
dark," said the agent "and if all is right you will see the Underground
Rail Road agent come out with some ashes as a signal, and by this you
may know that all is ready."
"I will be there certain," said Henry. Christmas week he was confident
would be granted as usual as a holiday week; a few days before Christmas
he went to his master and asked permission to spend said holiday with
his mother, in Cumberland county, adding that he would need some
spending money, enough at least to pay his fare, etc. Young master
freely granted his request, wrote him a pass, and doled him out enough
money to pay his fare thence, but concluded that Henry could pay his way
back out of his extra change. Henry expressed his obligations, etc., and
returned to the American Hotel. The evening before the time appointed
for starting on his Underground Rail Road voyage, he had occasion to go
out to see the Underground Rail Road agent, and asked the clerk to give
him a pass. This favor was peremptorily refused. Henry, "not willing to
give it up so," sat down to write a pass for himself; he found it all
that was necessary, and was thus enabled to accomplish his business
satisfactorily. Next day his Christmas holiday commenced, but instead of
his enjoying the sight of his mother, he felt that he had seen her for