USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 24
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These being the facts, therefore
Resolved, That although a judicial investigation will be had upon the matter, we feel it our privilege and duty to say that we do not consider this a question of slavery or anti- slavery, abolition or anti-abolition, but a flagrant and high hand infraction upon one of the penal laws of our land."
Then followed an admission of the evils of slavery, but since it is protected by laws and honored by many good men, the meeting doesn't know how it is to be put down, but certainly not in this way.
Resolved, That the citizens of Jacksonville will at all times extend the hand of friendship and hospitality to their acquaintances of the south, and will be pleased to re- ciprocate the friendly acquaintance of neighbors. ready at all times and on all occasions, promptly and efficiently to aid and protect them in the enjoyment of their property.
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143
"ANTI-NEGRO STEALING SOCIETY"- MRS. VERRY.
And to that end. having reason to believe that there are bands of abolitionists, organized with depots or relays of horses to run negroes through our state to Canada, and that one of them is in this town we will form an Anti Negro Stealing Society as we heretofore formed an Anti Horse Stealing Society, and that we will, in this neighborhood, break up the one as we broke up the other.
Resolved, That although young Willard, who stole the negro, and young W. C. Car- ter, who assisted to conceal the negro, and Coleman, who pursued the men who were re- turning her to her mistress, are all students of Illinois College, and as yet have not been dealt with by said college; yet it may be proper for this meeting to abstain from any action in the case, leaving the college to defend its own reputation.
Resolved, That these proceedings be signed by the president and secretary. and that they be published in the Illinoisan and the Missouri Republican, and that the southern papers generally be requested to copy it.
A hand bill is still in the possession of Miss Melendy, calling attention to the wants of a slave buyer for the southern market, who desired to buy one hundred ne- groes. Though it was issued in Missouri it is a document of much interest.
Mr. Carter was asked: "Were there any stations of the underground railroad near here ?" and answered :
"My father's house was long a stopping place on the route until it became so well known that it was impossible to avoid the slave catchers and then another place was chosen. Mrs. W. C. Verry was always ready to harbor the fugitives, and was a remark- ably fearless woman. So far as I know none of the Abolitionists about here ever went from home to encourage slaves to run away, but when they knew of any already on the road they were ready to help them. Mr. Isaac Snedeker used to bring a great many fugitive slaves through here and the amount of work he did in this way, purely from a love for his fellow men, was truly wonderful. He was a total stranger to fear, though his life was repeatedly threatened, while abuse and calumny were heaped upon him without measure. Living near Jerseyville, he had to come to this place through a part of the country inhabited almost entirely by southerners, who were on the watch for him. He always went well armed, and it was by no means safe to attack him. Through all those perilous years, although very frequently on the road with his human freight, he was never once taken himself, nor did he ever lose a fugitive. Sometimes his pursuers would fire at him, and sometimes they would try to overpower him, but he was both too brave and too smart for them. When closely pressed he has been known to put his passengers on the horses and leave the wagon.
"From this place Benjamin Henderson use to run the trains for some time, and more than once he has started out in the night with his freedom seekers, followed by the prayers of the lovers of freedom he left behind. C. E. Lippincott had a great deal to do in this work, and was always ready for business.
"At one time a citizen of this place brought here from Kentucky a boy and girl named Bob and Emily Logan. Coming under such circumstances they were entitled to their freedom and when they found that preparations were being made to take them back south they appealed for help to their anti-slavery friends, and so one night they were missing. They were secreted in the town for some days, but one day Bob incau- tiously ventured on the street, when he was caught, gagged, bound, hurried into a car- riage and conveyed to the river and there shipped for the south and never heard from afterwards. Emily undertook legal proceedings to gain her liberty, Elihu Wolcott, D. B. Ayers and T. W. Melendy going on her bond. The case was fought up to the Supreme Court of the State and there decided in the girl's favor."
"How long was the underground railroad kept up in this place ?"
"Until about 1855 or '57, though with intermissions, as the slave catchers would sometimes watch my father's house so closely that some other place had to be chosen for a depot for a while.
"One afternoon I saw a colored man whom I at once believed to be a runaway slave. I asked him in and in the evening started off with him on horseback. It was raining hard and was very dark with occasional vivid flashes of lightning. We soon heard steps behind us, and I told my companion to lie down on his horse and conceal
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BEN. HENDERSON'S HELP TO HIS COLORED FRIENDS.
himself, which he did so completely that when the next flash of lightning came I thought he had dropped off entirely. Our pursuer turned out to be a cow and we were much relieved.
"I remember after the southerners had been busy looking elsewhere for a time a large party of fugitives was brought to my father's barn about the year 1853. I shall never forget the sight; strong men and women hungering for freedom, boys and girls hardly realizing the situation, and one infant in its mother's arms, looked around in be- wilderment at its strange surroundings. They were in due time successfully removed and sent on their way to the north star."
From Benjamin Henderson, (colored) some very interesting reminiscences are ob- tained.
"Mr. Henderson, in what year did you begin your labors in the cause of freedom ?"
"I came here to live in the year 1841 and was soon at work on the underground railroad and kept it up more or less until 1857 or '58. My house was a regular stop- ping place for fugitives, though at intervals it had to be abandoned as it would be watched too closely by the slave catchers. I did a great deal of teaming in those days and so was called on to transport the fugitives frequently. Sometimes I made two trips a week, carrying all the way from one to sixteen."
"Where was your next depot ?"
"We generally went to Springfield, Farmington and other places."
"Who were your best friends here ?"
"Elihu Wolcott and Ebenezer Carter were always the main pillars of the enterprise, sparing neither trouble nor expense, always acting as though they knew nothing of fear. Next to them came T. W. Melendy, Dr. Reed and several others who have been previously mentioned. When we wanted supplies for the fugitives we always found friends in Joseph and Horace Bancroft, J. W. Lathrop, T. D. Eames, Asa Talcott, Mr. Hoyt, Mr. Burdette and others. Henry Irving was always ready to go on the road or entertain parties, and Rev. Mr. Kirby often proved himself a friend in need.
"Considerable driving was also done by Washington Price, of this place."
"Please tell me some of your adventures."
"My first experience was in a small way. A fugitive came in one Saturday even- ing and we carefully secreted him a short time and then put him on the road for the next station. Next, a man came to my house from Mississippi and as I was not well acquainted with the road to Springfield I tried for two days to get some one else to go but couldn't; so I got a buggy one night and started, Indications of day appeared be- fore we reached the city and my man began to get uneasy. I lost the way and hardly knew where to go, but finally made a successful turn and found the town. Daniel Cal- lahan and Wm. Butler were our station keepers, and without very much trouble I found the latter and left my charge with him.
"At one time a man hotly pursued came to my house. He was valuable and the main roads were closely watched. I took him by a round about way and got him through all right.
"Once two girls were brought to my house, one of them dressed in men's clothes. I kept them several days till two others came and then took all off.
"Three women and two men were left at my house when I was away from home. My wife and Mr. Price made up a team and took them on. At Berlin one of the men let the buffalo robe get tangled in the wagon wheel and the driver had to stop in front of the tavern and loosen it. Fortunately no one heard them. A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting one of these women in Chicago and we had a pleasant time talking over those days of terror and danger.
"Walden Stewart, Mr. Snedeker and Mr. Pitman used to operate below here and for a time the fugitives they sent north to the house of a colored man whom they trust- ed were never heard from. One night they sent two men on to this man who received them all right and started on with them the next night. They were soon met by white
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ADVENTURES WITH FUGITIVE SLAVES.
men who halted them, handcuffed all three and started toward St. Louis. The man who received the fugitives was sent off by himself and the other two taken on to St. Louis and thrown into the slave pen. One was sold to a party who took him to New Orleans, but he managed to escape and return to St. Louis on the very boat which had taken him away. Meanwhile his comrade escaped from the slave pen, and the two made another start for the north. On their way up they met their old friends and told them of the treachery of the man who had been trusted and he was severely let alone. The city of St. Louis offered a reward of $100 for each fugitive returned and the own- ers generally gave an equal amount and for this paltry sum, or a part of it, these and others had been betrayed. We were always very much troubled hy men working to se- cure these rewards.
"Once Stewart brought three women and one man to my house. I took the man in and sent the women to a neighbor. The next morning as we were talking over the best means of escape, a man came in boldly and arrested my guest. I went down stairs and met a comrade of the intruder who inquired for the women. Meanwhile their host had heard of what was going on and in a cowardly manner turned them out of doors as I was standing there. I engaged the attention of the man who was atter them and though but a few rods away they succeeded in climbing the fence and escaping to J. O. King's barn. One of them, a large woman, broke the top rail in getting over and fell back but the next attempt was successful. The remainder of their story has been told by Mr. King. The man was taken back to St. Louis but got away for good about a year afterward.
"From that time forward my house was closely watched day and night and I had to be very cautious. Not long after I was called on one evening to shelter six runa- ways, but I was afraid to do so as it was not prudent. I first went to Henry Irving's, but found him away from home and his wife sick. As she had company 1 found it very hard to state my errand. Finally I edged up to the bedside and told her what 1 wanted. As Mr. Irving was away she told me to go to Rev. Mr. Kirby's which I did. He had company in one of the front rooms at the time, but when he came to the door to me he fortunately shut the door from the hall to the parlor and so I was able to speak freely. He said at once, "Bring them along." He built a fire for them up stairs and I brought them in through the hall, right by the parlor full of people without being sus- pected. Mr. Irving took this load away, as it was not safe for me to do it. This com- pany consisted of a one legged man, another man who was lame, a sound man, a woman and two children. When they left Springfield they were joined by two young women who had been waiting for a chance to go on.
"Before they had gone many miles they were captured by two white men, who were after the usual reward, and brought back. On the way the one-legged man made an excuse to get out of the wagon, the drivers getting out with him. When all were on the ground, quick as thought the fugitive knocked down both his captors. The well man and the young women took to their heels and escaped, leaving the cripple on the ground to fight alone, which he did for some time, knocking both white men down as. fast as they could get up, until one of them grabbed away his crutch and then he was helpless. The next morning the one-legged man said he was sick and couldn't travel, so one of the captors loaded the other cripple, the old woman and the two children into a hack to take them to St. Louis. Under the seat was a jug of whisky which the man got hold of and as the driver was getting into the hack his prisoner attacked him with it and after a vigorous fight made his escape, so that at last only the woman and two children were returned. For these the owner refused to pay more than $10 instead of the $300 as he said he didn't care a cuss for the old woman anyhow.
"A fine looking couple once asked me for shelter in great haste. The hunters were hard after them and $1,000 reward was offered for their capture and return. I was then closely watched and hardly knew what to do. Finally I made an excuse to take some hemp cradles to Springfield, so I laid some hay in the bottom of the wagon,
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CONDUCTOR FREEMAN -- DR. REED'S ANTI-SLAVERY WORK.
put my passengers on it, more hay over them, and my cradles on top of it and drove leisurely through town about the middle of the afternoon and got through all right.
"There was a man named Freeman who frequently used to undertake to conduct parties of fugitives from St. Louis to Chicago, and he often passed through here. He was a brave fellow, often courting danger from a love of it. At one time he had the lines of the team he was driving shot out of his hands but he pushed right on. Once he brought a party of sixteen to this place and the next night started away with two teams he had hired. A few miles out one of the wagons broke down and so he put his whole company into the other and returned to Ebenezer Carter's. The next morning Mr. Carter came to town for me and said I must take this crowd in hand myself. I told him it would never do to take my team, and beside I very much feared to go to Springfield. Finally he said I should take his, a fine one by the way, and go to Farming- ton. At dark that night he put them and Freeman aboard the wagon and drove to the corner of Morton avenue and St. Louis street where I met them and took charge. I had never been to Farmington but had an idea of the route to take, but along toward morning we lost our way. Finally Freeman ventured to arouse the people in a house we were passing, and so we were righted and in time found the house of Dr. Lyman, a friend to the cause. We called him up and stated our wants. He said he was sick and couldn't possibly take us in, but directed us to the house of Mr. Burt, a quarter of a mile distant. By this time indications of day began to appear and we were quite un- easy. When we aroused Mr. Burt and stated our errand, he refused to receive us also, although Freeman begged and protested. Finally his wife called out from the bed- room,
"How many are there ?"
"Sixteen, Madame," I replied.
"Bring them in."
"She at once arose, and after dressing, fixed the parlor for us and we all lay down on the carpet to get a little much needed rest. About noon I started for home, arri- ving safely that night.
"This was one of my later adventures: I have had many others, but these will give you an idea of the work. I became so well known to the slave catchers, who used to congregate about St. Louis, that for years I would not have visited that city for any amount of money. It is now rather a matter of pride to be reckoned among the aboli- tionists of those days, but it was not so then. A good many now lay claim to the title whom I never knew as such until after the war. It may be said we were law-breakers, and perhaps we were, but I am sure no one to my knowledge ever crossed the line into a slave state to advise any slaves to run away, yet who could resist the entreaties of the poor creatures struggling for liberty ? To my mind it was fearing God rather than man. I think if any of the men who refused to help us had been captured by another nation and legally held as slaves they would have escaped as soon as possible and show- ered blessings on the heads of those who helped them get away."
Dr. M. M. L. Reed was another fearless member of that little band never afraid to avow his sentiments though it cost him daily in a financial way beside endangering his life and greatly destroying the peace of his family. Coming to this state in 1830 he had a fine opening ready for him in St. Louis, but he would not live in a slave state, no matter what inducements might be offered. While going his professional rounds he used many opportunities to learn the movements of the enemy and to assist the conductors and often he went in disguise to find out what course the slave catchers were pursuing that he might at once report it at headquarters, and frequently he would not return until two o'clock in the morning. So cordially was he hated by the pro-slavery party that for years he seldom felt safe in walking on the side-walk at night, taking the street to avoid a possible unseen enemy. His family were always startled by a knock at the door fearing it might be some one to arrest him instead of a messenger to ask his presence at the bedside of a patient. One morning while in the midst of fami-
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147
MASTER AND SLAVE IN SAME CAR -MISSOURI COMPROMISE.
ly devotions, a furious summons was heard at the door which caused the hearts of each member of the household to beat almost audibly. Calmly finishing his supplications the doctor went to the door where he found three angry men demanding to know the whereabouts of Bob and Emily Logan. Neither threats nor persuasion were sufficient to overcome the courage which had suddenly possessed the mind of the man who was not afraid to do right, and the early callers had to go elsewhere.
One night during his absence his family had reason to believe an unsuccessful at- tempt was made to set his house on fire. His wife and oldlest daughter became very brave through such frequent exposure to danger. One night a man under the influ- ence of liquor called quite late and asked Mrs. Reed for the doctor, saying his child was sick. She told him the doctor was at Waverly and proceeded to shut the door. The man was not satisfied and persisted in coming in. Placing a chair in his way she called her daughter who seized a pair of tongs and brandishing them aloft told the in- truder he would be a dead man if he put his head inside that door, which he very wisely concluded not to do.
David Spencer, another prominent colored citizen said: "I came to this country in 1835 and have seen much of the underground railroad. At that time or soon after, it involved a penalty of $1,000 and six months imprisonment to aid a fugitive slave. If a man freed a slave in this state he had to file a bond of $1,000 for the good behavior for the freedman. Such a document for my benefit, signed by J. T. Holmes, is at the court house in this place. I became of age in 1854 and moved to Jacksonville and then determined to help my race in bondage. From the first the prime leaders in the work were Ebenezer Carter and Elibu Wolcott. These good men seemed to fear neither man nor devil when helping a slave to his liberty. Dr. Reed, T. W. Melendy and D). B. Ayers were also pronounced abolitionists. Benj. Henderson and Henry Irving did most of the driving. There were many other good friends to the cause who helped more or less, though mostly in secret. My first exploit was in the memorable winter of 1853-54. One night a wagon drove up to Wm. Olmstead's, on Grove street, with eight runaways. The signal was given and the party unloaded and cared for. Money and supplies were raised and I was appointed to start with them on the Great Western railroad. We boarded the rear of the train just before daylight. When asked several times who my companions were I replied that they were friends from Chicago who had been here to spend the holidays. Soon after we started one of the men whispered in my ear that his old master was in the car a few seats ahead of us, no doubt on the hunt for his property. I told him not to be afraid, for I had a revolver with me and would use it if I had to do so. To our great relief the slaveholder left the train at Springfield, little thinking who had been riding with him. This is one of the experiences I had."
We have tried by diligent inquiry to do justice to all the brave men who took the lead in this work, though it is possible that some names have been omitted which should have been mentioned. We have heard the name of Mr. Lowry in connection with the work, but have been unable to obtain particulars of the part he took.
At the time of the discussion and excitement over the Missouri compromise, spirited publie meetings were held in Jacksonville for consideration of this question and the place was pretty effectually waked up. The first meeting was called as a meet- ing of those opposed to the repeal of the compromise, by a card signed by more than 100 names, published in the papers and by a hand-bill, to take place at the court house. The court room was densely crowded at an early hour and Dr. N. English was made chairman and J. W. Galbraith secretary. Dr. David Prince presented a set of resolu- tions and was about to proceed with a speech, when Gen. Murray MeConnel asked per- mission to read some resolutions which he should offer as an amendment. Immediately after the reading of these, his son Mr. John L. McConnel read another set of resolu- tions. Both of the latter sets were in favor of Donglas and his repeal measures, while those offered by Dr. Prince were against the repeal.
Much confusion prevailed and it was charged that the repeal party came there to
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THE SLAVERY AGITATION FREE DEMOCRACY.
break up the meeting. The chair decided that it was a meeting at which any were free to speak. Confusion grew worse and finally the repeal folks announced another free-for-all meeting for the next evening and the Anti-Repealers remained, called Dr. Russel to the chair, made J. O. King, Esq., secretary and unanimously passed the Prince resolutions also others introduced by Dr. Adams and Mr. John Mathers. The discus- sion upon them was participated in by Mr. Isaac D. Rawlings, Prof. J B. Turner, Pres. J. M. Sturtevant, Mr. Mathers and others.
The resolutions were as follows :
Resolved, That it is inexpedient to repeal directly or otherwise, the act admitting Missouri, known as the Missouri Compromise, which section reads as follows:
"SEC. 8. Be it further enacted, that in all that territory ceded by France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which is north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude, not in- cluded in the limits of the state contemplated in this act, slavery and involuntary servitude otherwise than as the punishment of crime, shall be and is hereby forever prohibited."
Resolved, That as good citizens we wish to abide by the second clause of the second Section of the fourth Article of the Constitution which says:
"Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States."
On the next evening there was "a dense crowd assembled" according to the Morgan Journal's report. Dr. Cassell was called to the chair and Cyrus Epler, Esq., made sec- retary. Mr. John McConnel re-offered his resolutions (of which we cannot procure a copy now,) of the night before and Dr. Prince offered his as a substitute. Gen. M. McConnel made a Repeal speech of an hour's length and Dr. Prince followed in oppo- sition. Prof. J. B. Turner and John L. McConnel, Esq., also spoke, the latter for and the former against the repeal. Both sets of resolutions were voted upon amid great confusion and excitement. If sound alone could have been taken as a guide, says a "Spectator," both sets were lost, but the chair declared the McConnel ones carried, and refused to accede to a strong call for a "division of the house."
According to the reports published at the time in the Morgan Journal, a meeting of the "Free Democracy" was held in Jacksonville, Thursday, Feb. 10th, 1853, for the purpose of taking some steps with a view to permanent organization in this county and congressional district, Rev. James H. Dickens was called to the chair and Hon. John Mathers appointed secretary. The object of the meeting having been stated as above, the following named gentlemen were appointed a committee to prepare and submit to an adjourned meeting a plan of organization, viz: Hon. John Mathers, Prof. J. B. Turner, J. O. King, Esq., Dr. David Prince and Rev. J. H. Dickens.
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