Washington (DC) Union, "Wholesale Stampede of Slaves," November 11, 1855

   WHOLESALE STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.--We copy the following from the Fairmount True Virginian:

   "There have been but a few slaves in this (Marion) county at any time; and the number, already less than fifty probably, promises soon to be represented by a cipher. Our proximity to the Pennsylvania line, which, where it runs nearest to us, is not more than twenty miles from Fairmount, renders the possession of slave property rather undesirable. On Saturday night last six slaves started for Pennsylvania--two men and two women belonging to Thomas Knotts, one man belonging to Absolom Knotts, and one woman of the estate of Jane Doudell. Nor were they content to take themselves off only, but they took with them six horses belonging to different gentlemen of this county, besides various articles of clothing, beeding, &c. They were supplied, too, with fire-arms. In short, it would appear that they either possessed a good deal of forecast, or were prompted in their action by some agent of the 'underground railroad.'"