USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
71 1 American Law Register (M. S.), 645.
72 1 American Law Register (M. S.), 642.
51
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
a vested right. Others vest upon claiming such rights. Some are secured by legislative enactment and others by constitutional provision, but all are based upon the same plan and are intended to preserve the home and to protect the family as a rule of public policy, and such measures have the approval of enlightened civilization.
How few realize what blessings they have received and under what lasting obligations they are to this pioneer citizen of Marshall. Today, nearly three millions of people of Michigan live in their homes, as their fathers for sixty years have lived, secure under the protection conceived, formulated, and obtained for them by the genius and statesmanship of John D. Pierce. Today nearly eighty million American citizens live in tranquil and secure homes as a result of the measure of Marshall's pioneer benefactor. How many who have passed away, how many who are residents of foreign provinces adopting his system, and how many generations to come, are and will be his beneficiaries! He rescued the home, that pound of flesh nearest the heart, from the power of the soul- less, heartless, exacting creditor. This homestead exemption policy has developed more resources, added more production, accumulated more wealth, secured more patriotic free-holders and at the same time has caused more tranquility, avoided more anxiety and produced more happiness in our country than any other measure. Time would be too short to enumerate all its blessings. John Howard Paine embalmed the home sentiment in song, "Ilome, Sweet Home," which has immortalized the author. John D. Pierce enshrined the home itself with all its senti- ments, with all its shrines and with all its household gods in protecting statutes and in shielding constitutional enactments, which together with his achievements for education, should immortalize his name as the guar- dian statesman of the home, the family and the school.
MARSHALL MEN IN NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Small causes sometimes produce great results, and local events often project forces that destroy institutions and revolutionize nations. Such an event occurred in Marshall, January 26, 1847. An attempt will be made to glance at that event, state the issue therein joined, mention some of the parties, designate some of the fields of contest, and trace it to its final results. It will be remembered that African slavery then existed under the law of fifteen states of the Union, recognized by the Federal Constitution as it then existed, and was protected by the Fugitive Slave Law of 1793. The Mexican war, brought on and prosecuted to extend slave territory, was in progress, and that Wilmot Proviso, a measure to limit slave territory, was then pending and being debated in Congress. The federal government was in control of the slave power. Lewis Cass was seeking the nomination for President from the Demo- cratic party and was endeavoring to win the support of the slave states. The underground railroad extending from Mason and Dixon's line to Canada, under the management of slave-hating Quakers and liberty loving Puritans, was in active operation; transportation for fugitive slaves was free. Such were the conditions when the drama herein out- lined was enacted.
52
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Adam Crosswhite, his wife and four children born in Kentucky, and one child born in Michigan, had for some time been living in a little cottage on East Mansion street in Marshall near the outskirts of the village. The parents and the four older children were fugitive slaves and under the laws of Kentucky, were the property of one Francis Gilt- ner of Carroll County, that State, while the youngest child born in Marshall was free under the laws of Michigan. Crosswhite was a mulatto, his mother a slave and his father, his first master. He was tall, a man of marked physique, intelligent, industrious and a good citizen. He had purchased his home and was paying for it by install- ments. If not the original George Harris of Uncle Tom's Cabin, he belonged to the same type of manhood and he had made many friends in the little hamlet. About forty colored people, some slave and some free-horn then lived in the village. Rumors had been afloat and fears had been entertained that this family would be kidnapped or captured and returned to bondage, which resulted in an understanding between Mr. Crosswhite and his friends that should such an attempt be made, he should fire a gun as an alarm and that all should be on the alert.
In December, 1846, a young man by the name of Francis Troutman came to Marshall as a stranger and claimed to be a lawyer looking for a desirable location. He remained in town some time, and a suspieion was aroused that he was a slave-hunter on the track of fugitive slaves from labor. These apprehensions disturbed the tranquility of the little Puritan village, and developments were awaited in feverish solicitude.
On the 26th of January, 1847, about four o'clock in the morning, Francis Troutman, David Giltner, Franklin Ford, and John S. Lee of Kentucky, heavily armed, and Harvey M. Dixon, of Marshall, a deputy sheriff went to the Crosswhite home to seize the family under the Fugitive Slave Law of 1793 and return them to bondage. It was long before the light of day, but Adam Crosswhite was on guard, and seeing the would-be captors approaching, he fired the signal shot, "heard 'round the world," and stood sentinel at the door. He refused to submit to arrest, and his wife refused to open the barricaded door. The slave- hunters broke open the door by force, and hunting out the terrified children from their hiding places, were hurrying to drag them away. Meanwhile, in response to the signal shot, friends and neighbors, white and black, by the scores were rushing to the spot "like Clan-Alpine warrior from Scottish heath at the signal whistle of Roderick Dhu," and surrounded pursuer and pursued alike. Moses Patterson, the colored anction bell-ringer of the village on horse at the utmost speed galloped through the streets frantically ringing his bell and shouting the alarm.
The whole village was at once aroused. The response was so quick, so spontaneous and so overwhelming, that the slave-hunters were dis- concerted; they hesitated and stood at bay in the presence of two hun- dred or more determined freemen. No further efforts were made to take the family away by force, and resort was had to arguments.
Here commenced the final battle between slavery and freedom. Here met the Cavalier and Puritan, here the sleeping influenees were aroused and here the passive forces were unfettered, vivified and put into action,
53
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
which continued the irrepressible conflict in different forms, and on different fields, in an unbroken succession until the final triumph.
Francis Troutman, the champion of slavery, led the forensie attack. and demanded that the citizens should disperse, and that he should be permitted to take the parents and the four older children, back to Kentucky, citing the Federal Constitution and statutes as his legal authority to do so; and making no claim to the child born in Michigan, but he proposed to tear it from its mother's breast and leave it without parental care. This demand and appeal from the spokesman for the master was responded to in various ways by the numerous spokesmen for the slaves. Some responded with defiant sneers, derisive personali- ties, sareastie ridieule and howls of contempt. Some replied that slavery was a local system and did not exist in Michigan and that under the ordinance of 1787, and the state constitution the parents and children were free. Some answered that the Federal Constitution and the Fugi- tive Slave law of 1787 did not apply and gave no authority to kidnap their citizens. Some deelared that these persons had a God-given right to freedom, which no human law could take away. While other vehe- mently proclaimed law or no law, these citizens should not be dragged back to bondage. All were united in this purpose that these slaves would not he taken back to Kentucky.
Resolutions were discussed, offered and rejected or adopted as if in a New England town meeting, until late in the morning. No actual foree was used and no personal violenee was inflicted. Undoubtedly this was due to the fact that Gen. Gorham, Dr. Comstock, Messrs. Cook, Hurd, Easterly, Ingersoll and other citizens of commanding influence while earnestly endeavoring to persuade the slave-hunters to abandon their efforts to seize and remove the fugitives and thereby avoid oe- casion for violence and blood-shed, counseled moderation and kept more impulsive citizens under control. Had it not been for their presenee and disapproval, the men from the south, without doubt would have been decorated with tar and feathers and furnished with free transporta- tion out of town on a rail, as was proposed by some. How this kind- ness was requited will hereafter appear.
During the discussion, a colored man attempted to enter the house, and Troutman, standing at the door, drawing a pistol, drove him back. Complaints were made against the Kentuckians for breaking down the door, and against Troutman for drawing a deadly weapon, before Randal Hobart, a justice of the peace. They were arrested and led from the fugitives' door to answer the charges, and the fugitive slaves were left among their friends.
On the hearing of the case, John Van Arman, 7 the celebrated eriminal lawyer, then residing in Marshall, volunteered to plead the bondsman's ease. The cowardly attack at night, the curse of slavery, the gifts of freedom, and the proposition to tear the mother's breasts from the lips of the habe, furnished ample themes and inspiration for the gifted ad- voeate. Ilis eloquenee and his seathing arraignment of the defendants has seldom been equalled. The defendants were convicted and fined, and
78 See sketch, Vol. XI, pp. 251-286.
54
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Troutman was held for trial in the higher court. That day's experi- ence convinced these men that Marshall was in earnest and without unnecessary delay they left for home.
Upon the removal of the slave-hunters from their midst, the crowd dispersed and the fugitives dropped out of sight. Under the guidance of George Ingersoll, they were piloted to the stone mill in the south- eastern part of the village then carried on by him, and were secreted in the garret during the day. Isaac Jacobs, the colored hostler at the Marshall House, hired a team and covered conveyance of William W. Smith, and George Ingersoll, and Asa B. Cook saw the family carefully stowed away in the conveyance and between nine and ten o'clock that evening started for Jackson. The next train for Detroit left Marshall early in the morning. It was arranged that the fugitives should be in the background at Jackson when the train arrived, and that Mr. Ingersoll should be on the train. If the slave-holders were not aboard he would be standing on the rear platform of the train, which was to be a signal for the family that the coast was clear and that they should board the train. The tall figure of George Ingersoll was stationed on the rear platform of the train the next morning as the train pulled into Jackson. The fugitive family was secreted in the wood-yard, and seeing the auspicious signal, boarded the train. Mr. Crosswhite paid for the con- veyance to Jackson and the fare for himself and family on the car to Detroit, out of money he had accumulated. On taking the train at Marshall, Mr. Ingersoll who was an out-spoken Abolitionist, ascertained that Henry A. Tillotson, a Cass Democrat holding the position under the Democratic state administration was in charge of the train as con- ductor. He feared that the conductor would thwart his plans. Observ- ing A. O. Hyde, of Marshall, an Anti-slavery Whig on the train, he dis- closed his plan and fears to him. Mr. Hyde advised taking the con- ductor into their confidence, and requesting him to collect fare, ask no questions and keep mum. This was faithfully carried out, and the Abolitionist, Whig, and Democrat, all citizens of Marshall, defied the inhuman fugitive law, and risked its penalties to help the slave to secure his liberty. George Ingersoll as guardian and liberator, led the way and guided the foot-steps of Adam Crosswhite and family until he saw them safely landed beneath the British flag of Canada, where their shackles dropped off.
The excitement in Marshall subsided, and business was resumed. But the drama proposed to be acted, and the object lesson of the heartless cruelty and inhumanity of African slavery could not be forgotten, nor could its influence be overcome. The liberty-loving sentiment of the community was aroused. Convictions ripened into purpose, and pur- pose ripened into active determination to limit and destroy the curse.
The baffled and enraged slave-hunters returned to Kentucky, and were received as heroes and martyrs. Public meetings were held, their in- sults and treatment were rehearsed, the citizens of Marshall were de- nounced on the platforms, and in resolutions as Abolitionists, traitors and barbarians; Carroll County and the whole south was aroused to the highest pitch of frenzy. The proceedings of these public meetings, and pamphlets relating to the incidents of the "Abolition Mob" at Mar-
55
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
shall, in extravagant terms were widely distributed, pro-slavery books were written in the most inflammatory language and were sent all over the south. The matter was laid before the legislature of Kentucky and Francis Troutman made affidavit of his version of the Abolition mob of Marshall, which was referred to the committee on Federal Relations. This committee took the matter under consideration, and on the 1st of March, 1847, made a report containing a finding of facts, resolutions denouncing the citizens of Marshall, asking redress from the legislature of Michigan, and requiring the Senators and Represenatives of Ken- tucky in Congress to secure the passage of a more stringent fugitive slave law, with the severest penalties under the Constitution. The report was adopted and sent to the Governor of Michigan, and to Henry Clay and his colleagues in Congress. This report was the first legisla- tive demand for the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Pursuant to the man- date of the legislature of Kentucky, issued on the exaggerated state of facts at Marshall set forth in the affidavit of Francis Troutman, Henry Clay brought forth the fugitive slave law of 1850 as a part of the com- promise scheme. Seldom has the action of a state legislature been so fruitful and foreseen, and far-reaching results. Therefore the said re- port and affidavit is inserted in full at this point :
REPORT AND RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL RELATIONS
"The committee on Federal Relations to whom was referred the pro- ceedings of a meeting of the people of the counties of Trimble and Carroll, in relation to a recent Abolition mob in the town of Marshall in the state of Michigan, have had the same under consideration and submit the following report: It appears to the satisfaction of the com- mittee that one Francis Troutman was employed as agent and attorney in fact for Francis Giltner of the county of Carroll, to go to said town of Marshall in the state of Michigan to reclaim, take and bring back to the state of Kentucky certain fugitives and run-away slaves, the property of said Giltner; and said Troutman proceeded under the au- thority thus given him, to the said town of Marshall for the purpose of reclaiming and bringing home to the owner the slaves aforesaid ; and whilst endeavoring to arrest said slaves, a mob composed of free negroes, run-away slaves and white men to the number of two to three hundred, forbade said Troutman and those who accompanied him for that purpose to arrest and take into their possession the slaves aforesaid, and by their threats, riotons and disorderly conduct did prevent Trout- man and those who accompanied him for the purpose, from taking into their possession the slaves aforesaid. Your committee regret that the citizens of the town of Marshall in the State aforesaid, have thus acted and conducted themselves; such conduct and such outrages committed upon the rights and citizens of the state of Kentucky, or any other state in the Union, must necessarily result in great mischief, and are well calculated and must, if persisted in by the citizens of Michigan or any other free state in the Union terminate in breaking up and destroy- ing the peace and harmony, that is desirable by every good citizen of all of the states of the Union, should exist between the several states,
56
IHISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
and is in violation of the laws of the United States and the constitu- tional rights of the citizens of the slave states. The affidavit of said Troutman is appended to this report and made part hereof, marked (A) Wherefore,
Be is resolved by the General Assembly of the commonwealth of Kentucky, That the legislature of the state of Michigan be and is hereby respectfully, but earnestly requested to give the subject consideration which its importance demands, and to take such action thereon as in the judgment of said legislature, is deemed proper and right, with a view to maintain that peaee, amity and good feeling which ought to exist between the citizens of the states of Michigan and Kentucky and for the purpose of enabling the citizens of Kentucky to reclaim their run-away and fugitive slaves to the state of Michigan.
Resolved further, That our senators and representatives in Congress be requested to turn their attention to the subject embraced in the fore- going report and resolution, and urge upon the consideration of Con- gress the importance of passing such laws as will fully enable the citi- zens of the state of Kentucky and other slave states, to obtain and reclaim their slaves that may run away to the free or non-slave-holding states of the Union; that they also declare by said laws of the severest penalty for their violation that the Constitution of the United States will tolerate.
Resolved, That the governor be requested to forward to the governor of the state of Michigan a copy of foregoing report and resolutions with the request that he submit the same to the legislature of his state, for its consideration and action ; that he also forward a copy of the same to each of our senators and representatives in Congress.
Approved March 1, 1847.
(A) The Affidavit of Francis Troutman.
The affiant states that as the agent and attorney of Francis Giltner, of Carroll County, Kentucky, he proceeded to the town of Marshall in the county of Calhoun, and state of Michigan, and in company with the deputy sheriff and three Kentuckians, on the morning of the 27th of January, went to the house in which he found six fugitive slaves, the property of Giltner. The slaves were directed to accompany us to the office of a magistrate: some of them were preparing to obey the sum- mons, but before the affiant could get them started, he was surrounded by a mob, which by its violent threats, menaees and assaults, prevented the removal of the slaves to the office of the magistrate. Affiant di- rected the sheriff time after time, to discharge his duty, and he as often made an effort to do so; but so great was the excitement and violence of the mob, that the officer was afraid to seize the slaves. Resolutions were offered by some of the influential citizens of the town which were calculated greatly to excite and encourage the negroes and abolition rabble, who constituted a part of the mob. The negroes engaged in the mob were estimated at from forty to fifty, many of whom are fugitive slaves from Kentucky as affiant was informed and believes. The num- ber of persons engaged in the mob were variously estimated at .from two to three hundred. All the resolutions offered by those engaged in
57
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
the mob were sustained by general acclamation; many of the mob pledged their lives to sustain them, and at the same time had guns, clubs and other weapons in their hands, with which to execute their purposes. Affiant contended for some hours with the mob, and still insisted on taking the slaves before the magistrate for trial, but the influential men in the mob told affiant that there was no need of a trial, and that any further attempt to remove the slaves would jeopard- ize the lives of all who might make such an attempt, and they were de- termined to prevent affiant from removing the slaves from town, even if he proved his right to do so; they stated further that the public was opposed to southerners reclaiming fugitive slaves, and that although the law was in our favor, yet public sentiment must supersede the law in this and in similar cases. Affiant then called upon some of the most active members of the mob to give him their names, and inform him if they considered themselves responsible for their words and actions on that occasion. They promptly gave their names to affiant, and he was told to write them in capital letters and hear them back to Ken- tucky, the land of slavery, as evidence of their determination to persist in the defense of a precedent already established.
The following resolution was offered :
Resolved, That these Kentuckians shall not remove from this place these (naming the slaves) by moral, physical or legal force. It was carried by general acclamation. Affiant then directed the sheriff to summon those leading men in the mob to assist in keeping the peace ; he did so, but they refused their aid, and affiant understood them to say that they would assist in preventing the arrest of the slaves. A consultation was then held by eight or ten of the mob, out some distance from the main crowd, as to whether affiant might take the slaves before a magis- trate; the decision was in the negative, and the following resolution was then offered : Resolved. That the Kentuckians shall leave the town in two hours; (some penalty in event of failure to do so was attached, which affiant does not recolleet ). It was sustained by the unanimous vote of the mob. A warrant for trespass was then issued and served upon the sheriff, affiant and company. We stood trial. The magistrate, who was an Abolitionist, fined us $100. A warrant was then taken out against affiant for drawing a pistol upon a negro and telling him to stand back when said negro was making an attempt to force himself upon affiant and into the house where affiant had the slaves. On trial, affiant proved his ageney and that the slaves were the property of Giltner, for whom he was acting as agent, yet the court recognized the affiant to appear at the next circuit court for trial. Many were the insults offered the affiant by the leading men of the mob, who informed him at the same time that it was just such treatment that a Kentuckian deserves, when attempting to recapture a slave, and that they intended to make an example of him that others might take warning. That there had been attempts by slave-holders to reclaim slaves in their town, but that they had always been repulsed and always shall be. The insults offered affiant as a private individual, were treated with contempt, but such as were offered him as a Kentuckian, during the time of the mob and progress of two days trial which succeeded, were resented in such a manner as
58
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
this affiant believed the honor, dignity and independence of a Kentuck- ian demanded. Given under my hand this 15th day of Febr., 1847. F. TROUTMAN.
(Franklin County seal.)
Personally before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for said county, this day came the above named Francis Troutman, who made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the statement set forth in the foregoing affidavit. Given under my hand this 15th day of February, 1847.
H. WINGATE, J. P.
Acts of Kentucky Legislature for 1846-47 (published by the state printer, pages 385-6-7 and 8).
In connection with Troutman's affidavit, the version of the affair by Gen. Charles T. Gorham (1872) and William P. Hobart (1908) are also inserted.
Hon. Charles T. Gorham :
During the winter of 1847, there stood on the property now owned by Mr. James T. Downs, in the eastern part of the city, a humble dwell- ing. The house was located near a grove. A colored family occupied the place. The history of that family forms the subject of this sketch. Adam Crosswhite was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, October 17, 1799. His father was, under the laws of that State, his master, his mother being, at the time of his birth, a slave. At an early age, Adam was given by his father to his half-sister, as a servant. Miss Crosswhite afterwards married Ned Stone, a notorious slave-dealer, who if not the original Simon Legree of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" might have been, so similar were his life and character to those so graphically portrayed by Mrs. Stowe. Stone retained possession of the boy Adam for a time and then sold him to a man named Troutman for $200. When twenty years of age, the boy was traded off to one Frank Giltner, who lived in Carroll County, and with whom he stayed until forty-five years of age. When twenty-two Adam married, and at the age of forty-five was the father of seven children. At that time he became aware of Giltner's intentions to sell a portion of his family. Watching his op- portunity, he obtained a skiff and with his family, pushed off for Madi- son, Indiana. There he was received by the underground railroad managers and sent north. At Newport, Indiana, the pursuers came upon the party, by that time swollen into a flock of twenty. _ The fugitives were hidden by Quakers and protected for many days.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.