The Underground Railroad
leader), who was engaged to Emily, concluded that the knot might as well
be tied on the U.G.R.R., although penniless, as to delay the matter a
single day longer. Doubtless, the bravery, struggles, and trials of
Emily throughout the journey, had, in his estimation, added not a little
to her charms. Thus after consulting with her on the matter, her
approval was soon obtained, she being too prudent and wise to refuse the
hand of one who had proved himself so true a friend to Freedom, as well
as so devoted to her. The twain were accordingly made one at the
U.G.R.R. Station, in Syracuse, by Superintendent--Rev. J.W. Loguen.
After this joyful event, they proceeded to Toronto, and were there
gladly received by the Ladies' Society for aiding colored refugees.
The following letter from Mrs. Agnes Willis, wife of the distinguished
Rev. Dr. Willis, brought the gratifying intelligence that these brave
young adventurers, fell into the hands of distinguished characters and
warm friends of Freedom:
TORONTO, 28th January, Monday evening, 1856.
MR. STILL, DEAR SIR:--I have very great pleasure in making you
aware that the following respectable persons have arrived here
in safety without being annoyed in any way after you saw them.
The women, two of them, viz: Mrs. Greegsby and Mrs. Graham, have
been rather ailing, but we hope they will very soon be well.
They have been attended to by the Ladies' Society, and are most
grateful for any attention they have received. The solitary
person, Mrs. Graves, has also been attended to; also her box
will be looked after. She is pretty well, but rather dull;
however, she will get friends and feel more at home by and bye.
Mrs. Wanzer is quite well; and also young William Henry
Sanderson. They are all of them in pretty good spirits, and I
have no doubt they will succeed in whatever business they take
up. In the mean time the men are chopping wood, and the ladies
are getting plenty sewing. We are always glad to see our colored
refugees safe here. I remain, dear sir,
yours respectfully,
AGNES WILLIS,
Treasurer to the Ladies' Society to aid colored refugees.
For a time Frank enjoyed his newly won freedom and happy bride with
bright prospects all around; but the thought of having left sisters and
other relatives in bondage was a source of sadness in the midst of his
joy. He was not long, however, in making up his mind that he would
deliver them or "die in the attempt." Deliberately forming his plans to
go South, he resolved to take upon himself the entire responsibility of
all the risks to be encountered. Not a word did he reveal to a living
soul of what he was about to undertake. With "twenty-two dollars" in
cash and "three pistols" in his pockets, he started in the lightning
train from Toronto for Virginia. On reaching Columbia in this State, he
deemed it not safe to go any further by public conveyance, consequently
he commenced his long journey on foot, and as he neared the slave
territory he traveled by night altogether. For two weeks, night and day,
he avoided trusting himself in any house, consequently was compelled to
lodge in the woods. Nevertheless, during that space of time he succeeded
in delivering one of his sisters and her husband, and another friend in
the bargain. You can scarcely imagine the Committee's amazement on his
return, as they looked upon him and listened to his "noble deeds of
daring" and his triumph. A more brave and self-possessed man they had
never seen.
He knew what Slavery was and the dangers surrounding him on his mission,
but possessing true courage unlike most men, he pictured no alarming
difficulties in a distance of nearly one thousand miles by the mail
route, through the enemy's country, where he might have in truth said,
"I could not pass without running the gauntlet of mobs and assassins,
prisons and penitentiaries, bailiffs and constables, &c." If this hero
had dwelt upon and magnified the obstacles in his way he would most
assuredly have kept off the enemy's country, and his sister and friends
would have remained in chains.
The following were the persons delivered by Frank Wanzer. They were his
trophies, and this noble act of Frank's should ever be held as a
memorial and honor. The Committee's brief record made on their arrival
runs thus:
"August 18, 1856. Frank Wanzer, Robert Stewart, alias Gasberry Robison,
Vincent Smith, alias John Jackson, Betsey Smith, wife of Vincent Smith,
alias Fanny Jackson. They all came from Alder, Loudon county, Virginia."
Robert is about thirty years of age, medium size, dark chestnut color,
intelligent and resolute. He was held by the widow Hutchinson, who was
also the owner of about one hundred others. Robert regarded her as a
"very hard mistress" until the death of her husband, which took place
the Fall previous to his escape. That sad affliction, he thought, was
the cause of a considerable change in her treatment of her slaves. But
yet "nothing was said about freedom," on her part. This reticence Robert
understood to mean, that she was still unconverted on this great
cardinal principle at least. As he could see no prospect of freedom
through her agency, when Frank approached him with a good report from
Canada and his friends there, he could scarcely wait to listen to the
glorious news; he was so willing and anxious to get out of slavery. His
dear old mother, Sarah Davis, and four brothers and two sisters,
William, Thomas, Frederick and Samuel, Violet and Ellen, were all owned
by Mrs. Hutchinson. Dear as they were to him, he saw no way to take them
with him, nor was he prepared to remain a day longer under the yoke; so
he decided to accompany Frank, let the cost be what it might.
Vincent is about twenty-three years of age, very "likely-looking," dark
color, and more than ordinarily intelligent for one having only the
common chances of slaves.
He was owned by the estate of Nathan Skinner, who was "looked upon," by
those who knew him, "as a good slave-holder." In slave property,
however, he was only interested to the number of twelve head. Skinner
"neither sold nor emancipated." A year and a half before Vincent
escaped, his master was called to give an account of his stewardship,
and there in the spirit land Vincent was willing to let him remain,
without much more to add about him.
Vincent left his mother, Judah Smith, and brothers and sisters, Edwin,
Angeline, Sina Ann, Adaline Susan, George, John and Lewis, all belonging
to the estate of Skinner.
Vincent was fortunate enough to bring his wife along with him. She was
about twenty-seven years of age, of a brown color, and smart, and was
owned by the daughter of the widow Hutchinson. This mistress was said to
be a "clever woman."
* * * * *
WILLIAM JORDON, ALIAS WILLIAM PRICE
Under Governor Badger, of North Carolina, William had experienced
Slavery in its most hateful form. True, he had only been twelve months
under the yoke of this high functionary. But William's experience in
this short space of time, was of a nature very painful.
Previous to coming into the governor's hands, William was held as the
property of Mrs. Mary Jordon, who owned large numbers of slaves. Whether
the governor was moved by this consideration, or by the fascinating
charms of Mrs. Jordon, or both, William was not able to decide. But the
governor offered her his hand, and they became united in wedlock. By
this circumstance, William was brought into his unhappy relations with
the Chief Magistrate of the State of North Carolina. This was the third
time the governor had been married. Thus it may be seen, that the
governor was a firm believer in wives as well as slaves. Commonly he was
regarded as a man of wealth. William being an intelligent piece of
property, his knowledge of the governor's rules and customs was quite
complete, as he readily answered such questions as were propounded to
him. In this way a great amount of interesting information was learned
from William respecting the governor, slaves, on the plantation, in the
swamps, etc. The governor owned large plantations, and was interested in
raising cotton, corn, and peas, and was also a practical planter. He was
willing to trust neither overseers nor slaves any further than he could
help.
The governor and his wife were both equally severe towards them; would
stint them shamefully in clothing and food, though they did not get
flogged quite as often as some others on neighboring plantations.
Frequently, the governor would be out on the plantation from early in
the morning till noon, inspecting the operations of the overseers and
slaves.
In order to serve the governor, William had been separated from his wife
by sale, which was the cause of his escape. He parted not with his
companion willingly. At the time, however, he was promised that he
should have some favors shown him;--could make over-work, and earn a
little money, and once or twice in the year, have the opportunity of
making visits to her. Two hundred miles was the distance between them.
He had not been long on the governor's plantation before his honor gave
him distinctly to understand that the idea of his going two hundred
miles to see his wife was all nonsense, and entirely out of the
question. "If I said so, I did not mean it," said his honor, when the
slave, on a certain occasion, alluded to the conditions on which he
consented to leave home, etc.
Against this cruel decision of the governor, William's heart revolted,
for he was warmly attached to his wife, and so he made up his mind, if
he could not see her "once or twice a year even," as he had been
promised, he had rather "die," or live in a "cave in the wood," than to
remain all his life under the governor's yoke. Obeying the dictates of
his feelings, he went to the woods. For ten months before he was
successful in finding the Underground Road, this brave-hearted young
fugitive abode in the swamps--three months in a cave--surrounded with
bears, wild cats, rattle-snakes and the like.
While in the swamps and cave, he was not troubled, however, about
ferocious animals and venomous reptiles. He feared only man!
From his own story there was no escaping the conclusion, that if the
choice had been left to him, he would have preferred at any time to have
encountered at the mouth of his cave a ferocious bear than his master,
the governor of North Carolina. How he managed to subsist, and
ultimately effected his escape, was listened to with the deepest
interest, though the recital of these incidents must here be very brief.
After night he would come out of his cave, and, in some instances, would
succeed in making his way to a plantation, and if he could get nothing
else, he would help himself to a "pig," or anything else he could
conveniently convert into food. Also, as opportunity would offer, a
friend of his would favor him with some meal, etc. With this mode of
living he labored to content himself until he could do better. During
these ten months he suffered indescribable hardships, but he felt that
his condition in the cave was far preferable to that on the plantation,
under the control of his Excellency, the Governor. All this time,
however, William had a true friend, with whom he could communicate; one
who was wide awake, and was on the alert to find a reliable captain from
the North, who would consent to take this "property," or "freight," for
a consideration. He heard at last of a certain Captain, who was then
doing quite a successful business in an Underground way. This good news
was conveyed to William, and afforded him a ray of hope in the
wilderness. As Providence would have it, his hope did not meet with