Boston (MA) Liberator, "Stampede of Slaves," June 29, 1855

   STAMPEDE OF SLAVES. The negroes had been worked, and paid no wages for many years, on the plantation of Mr. Byrnes, of Bourbon Co. They had been observed, on several evenings, to mysteriously absent themselves from their owner's premises, and on Wednesday night they were watched by a son of Mr. Byrnes, who saw them in a secluded spot, about half a mile from the house, in conversation with two white men, with whom they were talking for upward of an hour. Informing his father of the occurrence, the latter became alarmed, and despatched the son to a friend, who resided ten miles from the plantation, for assistance; the negroes meantime, suspected something, stole off, and were followed by Mr. Byrnes, who, observing that they had bundles with them, attempted to prevent their leaving. This they resisted, and the master in the melee was severely handled, being left senseless on the sward. The slaves, meantime, made their tracks for the Ohio river, where they crossed about ten miles below the city, and are supposed by this time to be out of the influence of the Fugitive Slave Law. Mr. B., Jr., arrived here yesterday morning, but came to the conclusion that he was too late to effect any good. – Cincinnati Inq.