USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 22
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during the short time that Miller was guarded by McKiernon, the master, the latter had struck the hated man a fatal blow on the head, and then had thrown him overboard and that to avoid suspicion in the morning he had told the marshal that while on guard he had fallen asleep and that on awakening he had discovered that Miller was gone. Any of these reports might have been true, as Miller was kept upon the hurricane deck where no other person was at night except his guard. But after learning all I could and after the friends of Seth Concklin in Philadelphia had sent a deputation to Paducah to ascer- tain all possible as to his death and burial. I regarded the last opinion as the most plausible. The following facts led to this belief. It was said, but upon what authority I do not remember, that McKiernon had promised to pay the United States marshal one thousand dollars on condition that he would re- turn the fugitives and the man Miller at South Florence, Alabama. As at Paducah Miller was found dead, and as the four slaves were in the possession of the master in his own state, he had no more need of the marshal, who now reutrned to Evansville. Report said moreover that McKiernon and the mar- shal had quarreled about the money promised, the former refusing to pay because Miller had not been returned according to contract ; this probably had not been written. Then the supposition was inferred that in order to have revenge upon the man who had taken away his property, and to get rid of the payment of the one thousand dollars, he had taken a bludgeon or something and had struck the fatal blow on the head of Miller, and then threw him overboard, expecting to escape detection as all were fast asleep 'and none could testify to the facts which would condemn the murderer."
Were all of the experiences of David Stormont available for publica- tion, they would form a chain of thrilling narrative with true dramatic quality. But, unfortunately, many of these incidents have been lost, and there remain but few scattering tales regarding the days when Stormont kept a station house, and relayed runaway negroes toward the north.
The log home of David Stormont was continually watched by sus- picious slave owners who had come North in pursuit of their negroes, and also the wolves, the Christian wolves as they were called, hovered near the Stormont premises to get damaging evidence against the station keeper. When returning from church Stormont was often conscious of men follow- ing him at a discreet distance. And it was well for the men that they should observe discretion in their movements, as it was the habit of Daniel Stormont to carry a gun along with his Bible when he went to church, and could use one as readily as the other. Mrs. Stormont kept a tea-kettle of boiling water
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at hand constantly, with which she intended to blind anybody who attempted to enter their home.
While wandering about in the woods nearby one day David Stormont stepped over the brow of a hill and perceived in the valley below a group of men, Southerners, with their horses picketed near theni. Their close prox- imity to his home could mean but one thing-that his house was being watched at night, if not even in danger of an open attack. Hurrying home, he apprised his wife of the danger, and the two made preparations to resist. All through the night Stormont sat at an open window, with his guns at hand, and his wife with him to load them as fast as he fired. No attack was made, but the howling and barking of the dogs on the outskirts of his farm all night was evidence conclusive that men prowled around all through the night hours.
Slave hunters frequently stopped at Stormont's and inquired as to his help to runaways. He replied invariably that he would "clothe the naked, and feed the hungry." Indeed he did this and more. To obtain provisions and clothes for the negroes without arousing suspicion was a delicate task. A pair of shoes one place, trousers at another, and small purchases of foodstuffs at different stores was the only way he could be reasonably safe from exposure. He always sent his visitors to Vincennes, with instructions to look for Sugar Loaf Hill, where the next station might be found. Often Mr. Stormont kept the slaves at his home for several days, and when he did he let them work on his acres. One time several negroes were working in the fields when their master passed by the road running alongside, and at another time two negroes were in Stor- mont's back yard, when the master called at Stormont's front door for a drink of water. Often spies came, generally one or two colored men and one white man, pretending that they were escaped from the South. Stormont was a man of strong intuition and deep insight into characters; deception was an open book to him; and it was seldom or never that these spies were successful in learning anything of him.
To men of Stormont's type there is due much consideration for the brave and charitable part they played in the drama of those times. They received no remuneration for their services, only the knowledge that they were serving a noble cause. The work was dangerous, but not too dan- ferous for them to undertake, willingly and energetically.
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AN EXCITING SLAVE HUNT THWARTED BY BURSTING BOMBS.
In the "Pioneer History of Indiana," by Col. William M. Cockrum, of Oakland City, Indiana, the following narrative is taken : "Some time late in the summer of 1852 a man rode hurriedly into Princeton, Indiana, covered with dust and his horse in such a lather of sweat it showed evidence of hard riding. Tied to the back of his saddle were a large whip and several cords. and hanging to the horn were several pairs of handcuffs, and a brace of heavy revolvers beited around his waist outside his dusty coat. Altogether he was a fierce-looking fellow.
"Dismounting, he tied his horse to the court-yard rack and, hurrying to the south door of the old courthouse, put on the bulletin board a notice of three runaway negroes, offering a reward of five hundred dollars for their capture. After doing this he inquired for the best tavern and had his horse taken to the livery stable. He made inquiry if there was anyone who would be willing to help capture runaway slaves. Some time after he got to the tavern two gentlemen who were always boasting of the many times they had engaged in such work, called on him, offering their services to help him catch the runaways. The slave owner inquired about their experience in such business and they informed him that they had been in many such hunts. He told them they would do and if he got the negroes he would divide the reward, which was offered between five men; that all he wanted was their help in catching the rascals. He asked them who the other three men would be. There were several names mentioned to him of those who would be of good help in such an undertaking. They mutually agreed on the three men, when he enjoined them to secrecy. Only those going on the raid should know anything about what they intended to do. After this was arranged, it was agreed the first two men should come back to the tavern not later than four o'clock, to let him know if the three men selected could be depended on to go. By that time he could secure some needed rest and they would mature a plan of action for the coming night.
"The slave owner said that he felt certain the runaways would pass somewhere near Princeton during the early part of the night, and aim to cross the Patoka river and get as far on toward White river as they could before daylight. He thought it best to guard one or two bridges over the Patoka, and should they fail in capturing them he would organize a posse and picket White river at every point where it was thought likely they could cross. Pulling a small map from his pocket and looking over it for a short
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time, he pointed out a route which he thought most likely they would follow. He pointed to Wheeling ( Kirksville)- as the place where he thought they would try to cross the l'atoka river, and said that he would go to that point with the five men selected and watch that bridge.
"He authorized the two men if they could find any reliable persons to guard the Columbia bridge, ior them to do so, as it might be possible that they would go that way. Bidding the two men good bye, he asked them to be prompt and report at the time named.
"That the reader may understand, I will state that the slave-hunting bullies had made themselves so obnoxious to many good people in and around Princeton, that this bogus slave hunt was inaugurated to teach them a needed lesson. The pretended slave owner was none other than an anti- slavery spy, and he had five confederates who were well acquainted with the country and the people. The ones selected to guard the Wheeling bridge were the most offensive ones in that business. The anti-slavery con- federates had eight heavy bombs made at Kratz & Heilman's factory in Evansville, which would hold about three pounds of powder, each with a screw attachment so that a time fuse could be put into the powder.
"As soon as it was dark the five men, carrying the bombs, started two hours ahead of the brave negro catchers. The first two bombs were placed near the side of the road in a deep hollow about two and a half miles north- east of Princeton, the next two were placed about three-fourths of a mile from the Wheeling bridge, and the other four, two on each side of the bridge about sixty or seventy yards away. A man was left at each station to fire the fuse at the proper time, and the extra man nearly a hundred yards from the bridge down the river to command an imaginary battalion. These bombs were the real thing for a great noise.
"At four o'clock the two men were on hand and had the names of three men who would go out and watch the Columbia bridge; also said that the other men of their party would be ready at any time set for the start. The slaveowner said that he did not care to see the three men who were to go to the Columbia bridge, as he thought they had but little chance of success, and he authorized the two men to see that they went, and for them and the other three of their party to meet him on the north side of the seminary at one hour after night and they would go to the Wheeling bridge.
"The party all assembled on time and then took the Wheeling road to the northeast for the bridge. There had been an agreed signal between
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the pretended slave owner and his confederates with the bombs, so he could locate their places, and when the bridge-watching party got to the deep hol- low, Indian creek, a deep, loud voice some way to one side said, 'Who goes there?' The men stopped and listened for some time, but nothing more was heard. The leader turned to his posse and said, 'Did you let it be known that we were going on this hunt?' They all said that they had not. He rode around and called several times, but there was no response.
"They then rode ahead and after passing several miles came to where the second station was located, when from out of the woods to one side of the road, in a deep sounding voice, came the second challenge, 'Who goes there?' The party stopped and the leader said in a loud voice, 'Who are you, that you demand who we are?' He waited for some time, but there was no more sound heard. The leader, after locating the place well, turned to his men and asked if they thought it could be possible that the abolition- ists would attempt to defeat their plans. They all said they did not think they had any idea of their movements. The leader said it was strange indeed that they should have been twice stopped by such an unearthly sound.
"They rode on in silence to the bridge, crossed over it and went on watch on the north side, keeping their horses close at hand so they could mount, if they needed to, in a moment, as the slaveowner told them the slaves would run and that there were two desperate characters in the lot. The brave slaveowner had them watch closely. He would walk up and down both banks of the river, pretending to be watching everything. Finally he came running up the bank and said, 'Boys, get on your horses. I am cer- tain there is something going on. I heard a noise as of men slipping through the brush.' At this time one of his confederates called out, 'Halt! Dismount ; let two men hold the horses; get into line. Shoulder arms!' At this time one of the bombs near the horses went off. The leader called, 'Get over the bridge, boys; the abolitionists will blow it down.' At this another bomb exploded near them. This put the horses in a fearful panic and they went across the bridge at a great gait.
"Soon the two bombs on the south side exploded. The men were on the go and it was a half mile before the leader could stop them. Shaming them for such cowardice, they stopped and listened, and hearing nothing, marched on to where the last voice was heard as they went to the bridge, and were listening there when the two bombs at this point were exploded within a few feet of them. After this there was no more halt, and the man who fired the two bombs at Indian creek said he could not tell that they went
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any faster, as they were at top speed when they got to him. The leader tried to keep up, calling to them to stop. They did not heed him, for they had seen and heard enough for one night and ran all the way back to Princeton.
"In 1865 a captain of the One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana Regi- ment, who for years after the war lived at and near Francisco, Indiana, and later moved west, while seated on the capitol steps, at Nashville, Ten- nessee, gave me the data for the above story. He said he was never so thoroughly frightened in his whole life as when the big bombs commenced to go off ; it sounded as though the infernal regions had broken loose. Who the five men were who had charge of the bombs he never could learn, but always believed that they lived in the Stormont and Carithers neighborhood northeast of Princeton. There is one fact certain, as he expressed it, it broke him of 'sucking eggs', and if any of the other four men ever at- tempted to catch a runaway negro afterwards, le never heard of it."
KIDNAPPING CASES.
The following extracts are taken also from Colonel Cockrum's "Pioneer History of Indiana":
In the fall and winter of 1863 I had the misfortune to be an inmate of Libby prison hospital with a wound made by a minie ball through my hip. There were at that time about one thousand Federal officers, from the rank of brigadier-general down to second lieutenant, in that prison. Among that number was Col. W. McMackin, of the Twenty-first Illinois, the regiment with which General Grant went into service. * He learned where I lived and that the town of Princeton was near my home, and in talking together he related to me this strange story which took place some twenty-five years before:
He said he had gone to Princeton, Indiana, to meet Hiram Hunter, and had been there for quite a time doing some school work in the old brick semi- nary which stood on the hill, under Hunter or some other persons whom Hun- ter assigned to give him lessons in theology. During the time he was there he went out with the ministers to different churches in the country sur- rounding Princeton and heard the old ministers preach. At one time he attended a camp meeting some miles southwest of Princeton. There were many preachers and thousands of persons in attendance. While attending one of these meetings eight or ten miles southwest of Princeton there was a lengthy service at night and during the time the meeting was going on there was some rain and quite a flurry of wind. After the meeting was
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over Rev. Hiram Hunter, who was in attendance, was invited by a gentle- man who lived near to go home with him to spend the night. The Colonel, through Hunter, was also invited. They were all on horseback and Mr. Knowlton (no doubt Knowles) had his wife on the same horse back of him. They had gone some distance from the church when they found the road completely blocked by the top of a tree which had fallen. They all dis- mounted and crept around the tree top. On coming to the road on the other side they found a covered wagon which was stopped by the blockade. On coming up to it a man was seen standing in the road. Mr. Hunter was in front and asked the man how he came there with a covered wagon at such a time at night. The man answered him by saying that it was none of his business. Mr. Hunter was a determined man and it did not take much of this sort of thing to raise his anger. He said, "I spoke to you as a gentle- man and your answer shows that you are an ill-bred cur. I am now satis- fied that there is something wrong about you, and before we go any farther we will investigate." At this point another man appeared, who had been cutting a road around the other side of the tree and demanded to know what the trouble was. Mr. Hunter told him that there was no trouble, but they thought there was something wrong and intended to know what it was. At this the man with the axe said that the first man who attempt- ed to lay hands on the wagon would lose his life. As quick as thought one of the stalwart sons of Mr. Knowlton, who were with the campmeeting party, caught the axe and wrenched it out of the threatening fellow's hand. The other man attempted to aid his partner, when the senior Mr. Knowlton laid him on his back in the road. The two boys tied the man they had and the father and Mr. Hunter drew the arms of the man who was knocked down behind his back, and Mr. McMackin tied them hard and fast with his handkerchief. The night was cloudy, but there was a moon, and it was not very dark. The timber was so very thick on each side of the narrow road that they could not see to any advantage. Matches at that time were not in general use. Mr. Knowlton told one of his sons to take his mother home, and bring back some material to make a torch. The young man was soon back with flint, steel and punk, and in short time they had a flaming torch. In the wagon they found a negro man and woman with their hands tied, fastened to a cross piece under the bottom of the wagon and a rope was tied in each of their mouths. They were soon liberated, but it was some time before they could stand or talk. They said they lived in Illinois, some miles west of Vincennes, Indiana, and they had been tied ever since the .
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latter part of the night before and had been gagged most of the time. They further said that they had crossed the Wabash at Mt. Carmel on the ferry; that they were free negroes and that these two men had come to their cabin the night before, after they had gone to bed, pretending to be lost, and asked the privilege of feeding their team near the house, saying they would sleep in their wagon, but if the negro woman would get them a good supper they would give her a silver dollar. She did so. Sometime after midnight they knocked at the door, saying they were cold in the wagon, and asking permission to lie on the floor. The door was opened and they caught and tied and put them in the wagon, nearly twenty-four hours before they were liberated.
The wagon was turned; the two kidnappers were made to walk behind it, guided by Hunter and Knowlton. One of the boys drove the team and they were soon home. After getting into the house they had an informal examination. The two negroes told the same story that they did at the wagon. The man knocked down was the first interrogated. He was very insolent and said he would make it dear business to them for stopping him and meddling with his property; that the two negeroes were his, and he had a description of them which he showed. He said they had run away from southern Kentucky about two years before. The other kidnapper would not say anything. The stories of the negroes were believed, and it was decid- ed to hold the men until morning and take all of them to Princeton where legal proceedings would be brought.
The first cabin of this family was standing in the yard. A pallet was made down on the floor, and the kidnappers were put on it. There were no windows and but one door which was fastened with a rope on the outside. The boys volunteered to occupy a room not more than ten feet away and guard the door. Somehow these outlaws untied each other and got out at the top of a wide, low chimney and made a break for the stables to get the horses, but the boys with their guns foiled them in this and they made a rush for the woods nearby, and thus escaped. That was the last these people ever heard of them. The next morning it was decided that Mr. Knowlton and a neighbor would take the negroes back to their home. The two men were well mounted and armed with long rifles, as everybody was in those days. They soon got started, the negroes driving the wagon. When they arrived in the neighborhood where the negroes lived, they learned that the team and wagon had been stolen about three miles north of their cabin, and that the negro family had lived in that neighborhood for more than twenty years.
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A BLUFF THAT FAILED TO WORK.
About the year 1851 an old negro man named Stephenson came to see the author's father, who was largely interested in farming, to have him keep his boys, one fourteen, one twelve and the other ten years old, for him until he could make arrangements to start for Liberia. This my father agreed to do. It was spring time and the boys helped with the work. Things went on that season and the old man had no chance to get away and work was well under way for the second season. Old man Stephen- son had come to this country from South Carolina with Dr. Samuel Mc- Cullough about the middle of the forties. He was a free man, but married a slave and bought her freedom. They lived in the same neighborhood for years until his wife died. One evening, just as the work was over for the day, the colored boys were doing up the work around the barn. Two men rode up to the front of the house and called to the author's father, who was sitting on the porch, saying that they wanted to see him. They told him they had a description of three colored boys who were born in South Car- olina who were slaves, and had called to see him about it, as they had learned he had three colored boys working for him.
These two fellows, no doubt had a confederate in the neighborhood who had given them a perfect description of the boys. My father talked to them a while, not having the least idea who they were, and evidently they did not know him or they would have been the last fellows to come there on such a mission. He excused himself to go into the house for something. They waited for him to return, which he did with his bear gun, "Old Vicks- burg." in his hands.
They commenced to plead with him to let there be no difficulty. He told them that there was not the slightest danger of any trouble. He wanted them to see what sort of a machine he guarded the boys with, and said to them, "Do you see that little house?" pointing to a room in our yard. "The three boys sleep there, and if they are disturbed I will kill fifteen such worthless vagabonds as you are before you get them, fugitive law or any other law. And I want to say before I get mad that you had better go for you may get into danger." He cocked the big gun and said, "I feel it coming on-go and go quick."
They took him at his word and they went in a hurry. He waited until they had gone about seventy-five yards away when he turned loose on them, intending to shoot just above their heads. At the crack of that monster
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gun they lay down on their horses' necks and made as good time as did the best mounted F. F. V. when Sheridan's cavalry was after them.
The boys remained with us for nearly three years before they got away to Liberia, and that was the last we ever heard of the mien hunting for them.
HOW REUBE OBTAINED HIS FREEDOM-TREACHEROUSLY KIDNAPPED.
In 1817 William Barrett moved to this state from Tennessee, and settled in what is now southwestern Columbia township, Gibson county, Indiana. He had formerly lived in the state of South Carolina and moved from there to Tennessee in 1804.
Some years after they reached Indiana a negro man named Reube, who had formerly been a slave of Mrs. Jacob Sanders, but had been freed for having saved his master's life, came on from South Carolina with a re- linquishment paper for Mrs. Barrett to sign for her part of her father's estate. Reube remained for nearly a year; the winter weather was too cold for him and he had determined to go back before another winter set in. John WV. Barrett, a son of William, at that time a large gawky boy of about eighteen years old, and six feet eight inches tall, went with Reube on many fishing and hunting adventures. When it came time for Reube to start back, John took him over to Princeton and led the horse which he had ridden back home. Reube intended to go from there to Evansville with the first passing team that went that way.
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