Historical Documents - 1850s

              Stampedes.

   Scarcely a day passes, on which we do not hear it stated, that there has been a stampede–a flight of slaves from the prison-house of Southern bondage. The "Voice of the Fugitive," a Canadian paper, informs us too, that never before were the escapes to Canada, from our soil, so numerous as they have been this fall. These stampedes, from their inception to the issue of them, are the most heroic events in American history; and yet they are made the greatest of American political crimes. They are dictated by man's natural love of freedom; and are approved by the purest and holiest principles of religion and right; and yet, they are held to be offences of the deepest dye, by the slavebreeders and slavedealers who make the laws, and control the principles of this nation. 

ESCAPE. We find the following in the Cincinnati Gazette of Oct. 24th:

            “A BLACK STAMPEDE. On Wednesday night of last week ten slaves from an interior county of Kentucky, crossed the river below this city and succeeded in making their escape through Hamilton county on their way to Canada. There were six men and four women. Their owners who arrived one day too late, appeared to be gentlemanly and honorable men and stated that the slaves had been well-treated, not over worked, and having no cause of complaint except a rumor that two of the number, who were husbands, were to be sold to a Louisiana cotton planter.”

SLAVE STAMPEDE.— The Maysville (Ky.) Eagle says: We noticed the escape of thirty odd slaves from Mason and Bracken Counties, a short time ago. Some of them were captured in Ohio, by their owners at a distance of 40 miles from the river. We are requested by a gentleman of this county, who joined in the pursuit and aided in capturing three of the fugitives, one of whom belonged to himself, to state, on behalf of the pursuers, as an act of justice to the people of Ohio, the pursuing party were not obstructed or ill-treated in any way, by word or deed, though their business was perfectly known, but they experienced from the people of Ohio, both going and returning every aid they desired, many citizens of that State volunteering their personal assistance and extending the kindest hospitality. They brought the captured slaves home without encountering the least obstacles, or even an unkind word.

   ANOTHER NEGRO STAMPEDE. A number of slaves escaped on horses from Bourbon county, Kentucky, on Sunday last. It is supposed that about twenty five fled. Some of them were recovered in the neighborhood of the Blue Licks, but more of them are still fugitives. A number of Kentucky officials were in the city yesterday in search of a squad of four, who are suspected of crossing the river opposite Fulton. 

                           Cincinnati Gazette. 

   RYNAWAY [RUNAWAY] SLAVES––Three slaves, two men and a woman, belonging to Mr. Piatt, who lives in Kentucky, just across the river from our city, ran away from their owner on the night of the 9th inst. They got as far up into Ohio as Bellefontaine, where they were recognized and arrested by a brother of Mr. Piatt at whose house they had stopped to get something to eat. A despatch stating the arrest having reached the owner of the slaves, he started, accompanied by five men, for Bellefontaine, but got there in time to be too late to get his property, The abolish had taken them by force and sent them on there [sic] way; and Mr. P had to return without their desirable company.––Lawrenceburg (Ind) Registeer [sic]

   Fugitive Slave Case in one Chapter. 

   We take the following account the last Xenia Torchlight. 

   A FUGITIVE SLAVE STORY IN ONE CHAPTER.– We take the following account from the last Xenia Torchlight. 

                        A chase after Fugitives. 

      A Chase After Fugitives.

   A Stampede of Slaves took place from our city on Saturday night last––eight of them belonged to J.G. Lynn, Esq., and one to Joseph Dilley, Esq. They were pursued and overtaken about twenty-four miles from this place, in Bedford county, Pa., and those belonging to Mr. Lynn were brought back. Five of them have their feet so badly frozen as to be unable to walk. 

   A stampede of slaves, says the Cumberland, Md., Telegraph, took place from our city on the 15th inst.; eight of them belonged to J.G. Lynn, Esq., and one to Joseph Dilley, Esq. They were pursued and overtaken about twenty-four miles from this place, in Bedford county, Pa., and those belonging to Mr. Lynn were brought back. Five of them have their feet so badly frozen as to be unable to walk. 

   NEGRO STAMPEDE.––The report is current here that Mr. Berry Hodge's overseer had eloped from that gentlemen's residence in Texas, carrying with him about twenty negroes. 

   At the last accounts Mr. Hodge, with a company of friends, were in hot pursuit. The negroes had got into Mexico.––Paducah (Ky) Jour.

   A BLACK STAMPEDE –– On Wednesday night of last week, ten slaves from an interior county of Kentucky crossed the river below this city, and succeeded in making their escape through Hamilton Co., on their way to Canada. Their owners who arrived a day too late appeared to be gentlemanly and honorable men, and stated that the slaves had been well treated, not over worked, and having no cause of complaint except a rumor that two of their number, who were husbands, were to be sold to a Louisiana cotton planter.––Kentucky Gazette, 28th October.

   The editor of the Michigan Democrat makes the following comments on this circumstance:––"The only reason why they were induced to dare at all the hardships and perils of a race to Canada was, that the two who were husbands were about to be sold to Louisiana cotton planter! It is certainly marvellous that men should run away into freedom, and take their wives with them!"

   FUGITIVE SLAVES.––The escape of negro slaves from these slave States adjacent to the free ones, seems regularly to augment, from year to year.––The following which has just met our eye, is the last case which has come to our knowledge:

   "NEGRO STAMPEDE.––25 negroes ran away from their masters in Boone county, Ky., on the night of the 2d inst. Among those who have lost their servants are two ministers of the gospel. The Aurora Banner says that some weeks before their departure, one of the slaves procured and read to his comrades "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and it is supposed that the beauties of Canadian freedom, as pictured by Mrs. Stowe, were the inducements to run away.

A STAMPEDE. The "underground railroad" would seem to be in excellent order. A company of 29 slaves from Kentucky reached here on Monday evening last, and were safely conveyed to the Canada side the next morning. They were all hale young men and women, none of them over 35 years of age, for whose recapture we hear, liberal offers are proclaimed. They travelled by wagons through Indiana, and reached here in good condition. They preferred to be their own property, and they deserved to be.--Detroit Ch. Herald.

            The Lagarange, Ga., Reporter advises slave-owners to be on the look-out for negro-stealers. The editor says numbers of slaves have been stolen from that vicinity, some of which have not as yet been recovered, and probably may never be.

            Three fugitive slaves passed through this place last week and were supplied with means to prosecute their journey to the Land of Freedom— the Fugitive Slave Law to the contrary notwithstanding. Now God makes the wrath of man to praise him! — Green-Mountain Freeman.

   A Stampede. The "Underground Railroad" would seem to be in excellent order. A company of 29 slaves from Kentucky reached here on Monday evening last, and were safely conveyed to the Canada side next morning. They were all hale young men and women, none of them over 35 years of age, for whose recapture we hear liberal offers are proclaimed. They traveled by wagons through Indiana, and reached here in good condition. They preferred to be their own property, and they deserved to be. 

   A STAMPEDE. –– The "Underground Railroad" would seem to be in excellent order. A company of twenty-nine slaves from Kentucky reached here on Monday evening last, and were safely conveyed to the Canada side next morning. They were all hale young men and women, none of them over 35 years of age, for whose re-capture, we hear, liberal offers are proclaimed. They travelled by wagons through Indiana, and reached here in good condition.––Detroit Christian Herald. 

   FATAL AFFRAY.––On Sunday night last, two negro men, Adam an[d] Edmund, belonging to Mr. Hayden and Mrs. McClane, of this city, got into a quarrel, which ended in the former stabbing the latter several times with a knife. One of the wounds in his side is very large, and the doctor's opinion is that it will prove fatal. Adam was arrested by the Marshal, but he has since succeeded in making his escape.––[Cape Girardeau Eagle. 

           THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS IS THE SEED OF THE CHURCH— On the very spot where the lamented Lovejoy poured out his blood, a victim to his Anti Slavery principles, stands the office of Alton Telegraph, which though hitherto of the Hunker stamp, now fearlessly and honestly remarks, in connection with a notice of the recent stampede of Slaves from Missouri.

            It would be a glorious thing for Missouri, if all her slaves should take into their hands to run away. If she only knew it, they are one of the greatest drawback to her advancement and prosperity.

   Slave Stampedes.–Slaves are running away from Missouri, at the present time, in battalions. Three, belong to Mr. R. Meek, of Weston, ran away on Wednesday of last week–two of whom were afterward apprehended. They were making for the Plains. Fifteen made a stampede from Ray county, the week before, and took the line of their march for Iowa. Several were captured in Grundy county, but the larger number made good their escape. It would be a glorious thing for Missouri, if all her slaves should take it into their heads to run away. If she only knew it, they are one of the greatest drawbacks to her advancement and prosperity.–Alton, Ill. Tel. 

              Underground Railroad. 

   PREBLE COUNTY STATION.–A friend writing from Preble county, May 23d, gives the following report from the Underground Railroad there:–"Twenty-four Fugitives passed through this county a few weeks ago, and their masters, in pursuit, were within fifteen feet of them, and yet failed to get them, owing to the timely attention of a friend of the slave who secreted them." 

Change of Sentiment.  The Alton (Ill.) Telegraph, (printed on the spot where the martyr Lovejoy was shot for devotion to the anti-slavery cause,) speaking of the stampedes of slaves from the neighboring State, now boldly says: —

            It would be a glorious thing for Missouri, if all her slaves should take it into their heads to run away. If she only knew it, they are one of the greatest drawbacks to her advancement and prosperity.

NEGRO STAMPEDE. – Slaves are running away from Missouri, at the present time, in battalions. Three belonging to Mr. R Meek of Weston, ran away on Wednesday of last week— two of whom were afterwards apprehended. They were asking for the Plains. Fifteen made a stampede from Ray county, the week before, and took the line of their march for Iowa. Several were captured in Grundy country, but the larger number made good their escape. It would be a glorious thing for Missouri, if all her slaves should take into their heads to run away. If she only knew it, they are one of the greatest drawbacks to her advancement and prosperity. – Alton Ill) Telegraph.  

                     Reminiscences. 

   At this period of time, when the "Conservative Whigs" of Georgia, emulating the hoarse vituperation of Mr. Toombs, are heaping obloquy upon the head of the President, it may not be amiss to detach ourselves for a season from the present, while we consider the character of the Administration to which they gave a recent, cordial, and continuous support. 

                                               Slave Stampede. 

      The was a serious negro stampede from plantations sixty miles back of the river, in Kentucky, on Saturday night. Of eleven slaves who decamped, five succeeded in crossing the Ohio, a few miles below this city, yesterday. Their pursuers were in town last night, but learning that the fugitives had got twelve hours start, gave up the chase.  –  Com.  

  NEGRO STAMPEDE.––We hear that on last Sunday night, four negroes belonging to Mr. Jackson McClain, ran off, and were tracked across the Ohio River   One of his women confessed to the burning of his residence, (a notice of which we made two weeks ago)  She said she was instigated to the deed by a negro fellow belonging to Wm. McClain. The negro man is now in jail, and the woman under arrest. 

   It is also rumored that on Monday night last, five or six more negroes missing from the same place, and belonging to Messrs. McClain––that they have been sometime laying in supplies, &c. It is probable that a part of the rumor is exaggerated.––Henderson Reporter.  

                 From the Western Reserve Chronicle.

                           STOP 'EM!

                    BY AMINIDAB, THE ELDER.

Such a time was never seen;

    'Fugitives' from every station

Run unbridled through the land;

    Things are loose as all cration!

'Niggers' flit as shadows by;

    Compromises !--they don't mind 'em!

All mankind are breaking loose;

   Seems as if the purges had got 'em;

Helter-skelter--why the deuce

   Don't somebody go and stop 'em!

White men, too, stark, raving mad,

   Rear and pitch in party traces;

It's more than Government can do

   Still another slave stampede came off a few miles below Maysville, on Wednesday night last. Five negroes – three of them very fair and delicate mulatto girls– succeed in crossing the river. All trace was lost a few miles back of Ripley, Brown county. – [Cin. Com., Monday. 

   Still another slave stampede came off a few miles below Maysville, a few nights since. Five negroes––three of them very fair and delicate mulatto girls––succeeded in crossing the river. All trace was lost a few miles back of Ripley, Brown county.––Cincinnati Commercial. 

SLAVE STAMPEDE. – The Cincinnati Commerical says there was a serious negro stampede from plantations sixty miles back of the river, in Kentucky, on Saturday night. Of eleven slaves who decamped. five succeeded in crossing the Ohio, a few miles below this city, yesterday. Their pursuers were in town last night, but learning that the fugitives had got twelve hours start, gave up the chase.  

Kidnapping Slaves for the South.

   Accounts of the running away of slaves from Boone county, Ky., have been quite frequent of late. The publication of these stampedes seems to have formed part of a bold game that has been played, and that with considerable success. Recent developments tend to the conclusion that the slaves started for Canada, but landed in New Orleans. It seems probable now that a Dr. Trundle, who has been regarded as an Abolitionist and suspected of aiding slaves to escape, has in fact been kidnapping them for the Southern market. The Cincinnati Enquirer of Friday states the fact of his arrest and conviction before an examining court, as follows:

   A gentleman answering to the same of Dr. T.J. Trundle, a resident of Union, Boone county, Kentucky, was, on Saturday last, arrested, charged with kidnapping sundry and various slaves owned by his neighbors. 

                       THE WESTERN FIELD.

                                              RICHMOND, Wayne Co., Ind.,

                                                    October 11, 1853.

DEAR FRIEND QUINCY:

   With your power of the pen, one could give some rather vivid sketches of 'Field-Hand' Anti-Slavery Experience, here in Indiana. Here is a fruitfulness of theme, exhaustless as the fertility of the prairies.  

   SLAVE STAMPEDE.––The slaves in Mason county, Va., are becoming migratory in their habits–––Within the last fortnight, eight have made their escape to parts unknown. They were the property of Messrs. Beale, Bateman, Capehart and Mrs. Lewis

   SLAVE STAMPEDE.––The slaves in Mason county, Virginia, are becoming migratory in their habits. Within the last fortnight eight have made their escape to parts unknown. They were the property of Messrs. Beale, Bateman, Capehart, and Mrs. Lewis. 

   SLAVE STAMPEDE.––A slave stampede came off a few miles below Maysville Ky., on Wednesday night last. Five negroes, three of them very fair and delicate mulatto girls––succeeded in crossing the river. All trace was lost a few miles back of Ripley, Brown county, O. 

A QUEER FUNERAL. – A correspondent of The Norwich (Conn,) Examiner writes:

   SLAVE STAMPEDE.––The slaves in Mason County are becoming migratory in their habits. Within the last fortnight, eight have made their escape to parts unknown––being the property of Messrs. Beale, Bateman, Capehart and Mrs. Lewis. We presume owners in Mason are to share the fate of slave holders in this vicinity––have their property wrested from them without remedy or redress.––Parkersburgh Gazette. 

   Still another slave stampede came off a few miles below Maysville, on Wednesday night last. Five negroes––three of them very fair and delicate mulatto girls––succeeded in crossing the river. All trace was lost a few miles back of Ripley, Brown county.––Cin. Commercial.

   Slave Stampede.––The slaves in Mason county, Va., are becoming migratory in their habits. Within the last fortnight, eight have made their escape to parts unknown. They were the property of Messrs. Beale, Bateman, Capehart and Mrs. Lewis. 

   RUNAWAY NEGROES.––But a short time since we chronicled the running away of a number of negroes from this county, under circumstances which induced the belief that some person or persons well acquainted with the best mode of effecting the escape of fugitives, were deeply concerned in the matter. We are again called upon to notice a similar movement, but more alarming in extent. On Saturday evening six slaves belonging to Mr. Albert G. Johnson, of this county, (one man, one woman, and four children,) one man belonging ot John T. Redd, Esq., of this place, one belonging ot Mr. Rufus Matthews, a servant man of Mr. J.K. Taylor's, one of Mr. Caleb Taylor's, and one of Mrs. Hopkin's, (living with Mr. John Gwyan, of Lewis county,)––eleven in all––and all of this county, escaped. This is somewhat alarming, so far as the extent of the movement is concerned.

   CLEAR THE TRACK!––THE TRAIN IS COMING!

   FUGITIVES' FUNERAL. – A correspondent of the Norwich (Connecticut) Examiner writes––"Between fifteen and twenty slaves commenced a stampede from one of the Southern States not long since, and arrived safely in a city of the West, which is somewhat famous as a gateway out of the house of bondage, when to their utter consternation, they found that their movements had been anticipated, and every avenue from the city was watched day and night for their apprehension. What was to be done? It was hard to think of going back. Scouts reported that it was impossible to elude the vigilance of a well paid, numerous and unscrupulous police, which was surrounding the city as a body guard. Those who think colored people do not know enough to take care of themselves, would have given their case up as hopeless. But no so they.

                                                                                             Negro Stealing.

A STAMPEDE. The Chicago Tribune of the 7th, states that it received a telegraphic dispatch from Quincy, informing them that thirteen negroes, men, women, and children, had left Marion County, Missouri, by the underground railroad, for parts unknown.

   Grand Stampede.––Thirteen negroes, including men, women and children, left Marion county, Missouri, on last Monday for parts unknown. 

   A meeting of the citizens of Marion county, Mo., was held at Palmyra on monday last, and a society to be called the "Marion Association," formed. The preamble to the constitution states that "by the action of the Abolitionists, our rights and property are eminently endangered," and that the society is formed for the purpose of mutual protection and safety––and to provide for the means of pursuing slaves when escaped. A Patrol is organized, which upon information of the escape of any slaves, is to proceed in pursuit. Each members is to file with the Treasurer a complete description of his slave property, with every mark of recognition, to enable the patrol to identify it. The association hold another meeting to day.  

December 5 [year not given] within a month past, there has been a great stir, advertising, telegraphing, and hunting property from Missouri.  Oh, what a spectacle!  Eleven pieces of property, walking in Indian file, armed and equipped facing the North Star!  $3000.00 offered for their apprehension, after they were safe in Canada!  The hunters say they must have gone from Mendon to Jacksonville on a new track.

   MISREPRESENTATION.––We have been told that a few persons in Quincy, construe an editorial in our Daily of Friday last into something like an intimation that we would justify lawless attacks upon abolitionists, by way of retribution for their supposed connexion with slave stampedes from the other side of the river. We call this misrepresentation because it is either that or misunderstanding and we know that no one could misunderstand the article on anything like a careful reading. We denounce lawless acts no matter by whom committed. We stated positively that we did not believe that any citizen of Quincy had anything to do with the recent runaway case––and yet we are told that we would "justify lawless retribution upon citizens of Quincy" for––offenses not committed. It strikes us that those who are so ready to find fault might be a little more consistent.

   The Cincinnati Commercial of Wednesday last, says: Another stampede among the slaves has taken place in Covington. On night before last, nine of them took the underground road and started for the Provinces of her British Majesty.  When last heard of they were making good time through the little town of Cumminsville in this county.