Historical Documents

   SLAVE STAMPEDE.––Thirty-one slaves from the neighborhood of Augusta and Dover, Ky. escaped to Ohio on Saturday night of last week. They were traced to Ripley on the river, and were pursued by their owners and others from this side. The clothes taken by the slaves were found concealed in a yard, and the owners were refused a warrant to search the house in which it was supposed most of the slaves were hid. Five who had continued on were pursued by their masters, and three captured. 

  The conduct of the public authorities of Ripley, Ohio was said to be very reprehensible.––Great indignation in consequence pervades the entire community from whence the slaves escaped. 

             WASHINGTON.

  Mr. Baring's Visit––A Dinner at Mr. Corcoran's in his Honor––Progress of the Campaign––Flight of Slaves.

           Correspondence of the New-York Daily Times.

              WASHINGTON, Thursday, Sept. 30, 1852. 

             GREAT SLAVE STAMPEDE.

   The telegraph (says the Richmond Times) brings intelligence of the scale of thirty-one slaves, from the neighborhood of Augusta and Dover, Kentucky, on the night of the 26th ult., They crossed the Ohio river at Augusta, and succeeded in reaching the town of Ripley, in Ohio, unmolested. As soon as their absence became generally known, a party of Kentuckians, consisting mainly of owners of the negroes, started in pursuit. No difficulty was experienced in tracing the fugitives to Ripley, at which place a large amount of clothing, taken by the same runaways, was found concealed in a yard. 

   Another Stampede.

   Thirty-one slaves escaped from the neighborhood of Augusta, Ky., over the river, into Ohio, one night last week. The slaveholders followed but were mightily troubled to get warrants. The colored people of Ripley, Ohio, resisted them handsomely. The most of them will, doubtless, get clear. 

                     For the National Era. 

          C.M. CLAY AND GEO. W. JULIAN. 

   I have just witnessed one of the most interesting spectacles which a citizen of our Republic can now be called to look upon––a bridging over of the Ohio––a wiping out of Mason and Dixon's line––partial destruction of the prejudice between North and South. 

   I have seen, perhaps for the first time in the history of our country, the Northern politician or statesman cross on to Southern soil, and their discourse to public audiences, freely, fully, and faithfully, upon the social, moral, and political evils of American Slavery. 

               [For the True Democrat.]

                    The Stampede.

               Ripley, Brown Co., O., Oct. 4, 1852. 

                     Slave Stampede.

   Thirty-one slaves, from the neighborhood of Augusta and Dover, Ky., escaped to Ohio on Saturday night of last week. They were traced to Ripley, on the river, and were pursued by their owners and others this side. The clothes taken by the slaves were found concealed in a yard, and the owners were refused a warrant to search the house in which it was supposed most of the slaves were hid. Five who had continued on were pursued by their masters, and three captured. 

   The conduct of the public authorities of Ripley, Ohio, was said to be very reprehensible. Great indignation in consequence pervades the entire community from whence the slaves escaped. 

  Great Slave Stampede––Maysville Ky Sep 5––

Thirty-one slaves from the neighborhood of Augusta and Dover Ky., escaped to Ohio last night. They were traced to Ripley on the river, and were pursued by their owners and others from this side. The clothes taken by the slaves were found concealed in a yard and the owners were refused a warrant to search the house which it was supposed most of the slaves were hid. Five who had continued on were pursued by their masters and three captured. They are expected to be brought over to-night. 

   The negroes of Ripley assisted in numbers armed with guns, surrounded the hotel where the Kentuckians stopped. Fears are entertained of a serious disturbance, as the Kentuckians remain there on watch, and are determined to recover the slaves.

   Much indignation is felt here because the authorities of Ripley refused to assist the masters in granting warrants. 

                      NEGRO STAMPEDES.

   We see from our exchanges that several negro stampedes have recently taken place in different parts of the State. The negroes are running away in scores, assisted and urged on, doubtless, by northern abolitionists. Those lawless fanatics are bringing things to a fine condition, truly. If they continue their negro-stealing and negro-harboring business at the present rate, and their orators are permitted to canvass Kentucky and preach their incendiary doctrines to our slaves, the result will ere long be terrible. The people of Kentucky will not quietly submit to such robberies. 

             K. Yeoman. 

               HOW BREAKS THE DAY!

   There is no mistake, friends, the free of freedom form a perfect cordon of enthusiasm around the Baltimore military. Every day brings the cheering tidings of fugitives from despotism of eloquent speaking and enthusiastic gatherings, where all had been pronounced sealed and delivered to Scott Pierce. 

   We had expected great changes; we believed that conviction was fastening on the hearts of men, and that the leaders of the Baltimore stampede for slavery, would be the victims of their own policy–the more odious in proportion to their prominence. We believed that disappointment awaited all who conspired to sustain oppression, prevent free discussion, and make wrong a finality; but, friends, the work speeds more gloriously even than we had dared to hope. 

                                                         BALTIMORE, Oct. 21.

   Preparations are making to welcome Gen. Scott who is expected this P.M.

   Mr. Jas. McPherson, a well known and much esteemed merchant of this city, died to-day. 

   A stampede of 16 slaves occurred at Washington on Saturday last. 

  Great Stampede of Fugitive Slaves––Attempted Rescue and Escape––Much Excitement.

                  SANDUSKY, Ohio, Oct. 21.

   Intense excitement prevails here in consequence of the escape of a number of fugitive slaves, who arrived here last evening.  

   The slaves were from Kentucky, and on their reaching this city, they were escorted by their friends and a number of citizens to the steamer Arrow. Immediately before her departure an attempt was made to arrest them, but failed, owing to the interference of citizens of both colors. After a sharp struggle the slaves succeeded in escaping to Canada. 

   Those who were in pursuit of the slaves consider that the citizens are wholly responsible for this failure to execute the laws. 

                             The News.

       Another Stampede of Slaves.--Fifteen negroes belonging to Elias Cheney, Esq., of Funkstown, and one to Alexander Mitchell, Esq., living near Hagerstown, ranaway to Pennsylvania on Friday night last. A reward of one thousand dollars has been offered for their apprehension. 

   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-overworked 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 planted. 

   They were rendered every assistance while in this city to enable them to recover their property.––Cin. Gaz. 

                            SANDUSKY. (Ohio.) Oct. 21st. 

      Great Stampede of Fugitive Slaves–Attempted Rescue and Escape–Much Excitement.–The most intense excitement prevails here in consequence of the escape of a number of fugitive slaves who arrived here last evening. 

   The slaves were from Kentucky, and on their reaching the city, they were escorted by their friends and a number of citizens to the steamer Arrow; immediately on the departure of which vessel, an attempt was made to arrest them, but failed, owing to the interference of citizens of both colors, who prevented the slave-catchers from taking the slaves ashore. 

   After a sharp struggle, the slaves succeeded in escaping to Canada. 

A stampede of sixteen slaves occurred in Washington county, Va., on Saturday of last week. 

              Runaway Negroes.

   Quite an excitement sprung up at Sandusky, Ohio, on the 21st inst., in consequence of the capture and subsequent rescue of a party of fugitive slaves from Kentucky. White and black scamps participated in the rescue, and immediately started the runaways Canada. The owners, it is probable, will sue the city for the loss of their property. Another slave stampede occurred in Washington county, Maryland, last Saturday. No less than sixteen eloped. Like their Kentucky brethren, they are very likely in Canada by this time. 

   NEGRO STAMPEDE––A number of Slaves, escaped on horses from Bourbon county on Sunday last. It is supposed that about 25 fled.––Some of them were recovered in the neighborhood of the Blue Licks, but more of them are still fugitives.––Maysville Eagle, 2d. 

                      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 overworked, 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." 

   NEGRO STAMPEDE.––Some twenty-five negroes in a gang, started on horseback, on Saturday night, for the Ohio river. A party who were out hunting, at night, came across them near the Blue Licks, and dispersed the gang, and captured several of them. When the gang were dispersed, it is supposed, that some of the number returned to their homes, and of course were not missed by their masters. Seven, in all, have been captured, and five are still at large––two belonging to Mr. Abram Spears, one each to Messrs. T.K. Marsh, Thos. Garrard and Franklin Bedford. The negroes, we understand, state that a white man accompanied them. 

                  Runaway Negroes. 

   Quite an excitement sprung up at Sandusky, Ohio, on the 21st ult., in consequence of the capture and subsequent rescue of a party of fugitive slaves from Kentucky. White and black scamps participated in the rescue, and immediately started the runaways for Canada. The owners, it is probable [probably], will sue the city for the loss of their property. Another slave stampede occurred in Washington county, Maryland, last Saturday. No less than sixteen eloped. Like their Kentucky brethren, they are very likely in Canada by this time. 

             Escape.

   We find the following in the Gazette of October 28th:

   "A BLACK STAMPEDE.––On Wednesday night of last week, ten salves from an interior county of Kentucky, crossed the river below this city and succeeded in making their escape thro' Hamilton county on their way to Canada. 

   Their owners, who arrived one day too late, appeared to be gentlemanly and honorable men, and stated that the slaves had been well treated and 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."

   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 were still fugitives. A number of Kentucky officials were in Cincinnati, on Friday, in search of a squad of four, who are suspected of crossing the river opposite Fulton. 

   STAMPEDE.––About 25 slaves escaped on Sunday last from Bourbon county, Kentucky, on horses. A few of them were captured, but the majority are yet "nom est comnibus [sic] in swampo."

   Quite an excitement had sprung up in Sandusky, Ohio, in consequence of the capture and subsequent rescue of a party of fugitive slaves from Kentucky. White and black citizens participated in the rescue, and immediately started the runaways for Canada. The owners, it is probable, will sue the city for the loss of their property, Another slave stampede occurred in Washington county, Maryland, on the 24th. No less than 15 eloped. 

   ANOTHER NEGRO STAMPEDE.––A number of slaves escaped on horses from Bourbon county, Ky., 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.––Cin. Gaz. 

   BLACK-BALLING––On Monday evening, about 8 o'clock, officer Trueheart was informed that a subscription ball, gotten up by the negroes, was about to come off at the Washington Hotel. He immediately gave information to the Mayor of the convening of this unlawful assembly, and the Mayor issued a warrant for the arrest of all the negroes engaged in it. A posse of watchmen under the lead of Lieutenants Trueheart and Wilkinson then proceeded to the Hotel, and found over a hundred negroes sitting about in the cellar, basement and dining room. A supper had been prepared for the company, and dancing was about to commence. Upon the entrance of the officers, there was, of course, a tremendous stampede of the negro aristocracy; nevertheless, ninety out of the party were secured, adorned in full ball-room dress. There were 47 men and 43 women, ebony sprigs of youth and beauty.

   A regular stampede occurred among the slaves in the vicinity of Augustus and Dover, Ky., on Monday, the 2nd ult.––Thirty-one crossed the river into Ohio, and at last accounts the larger portion of them were supposed to be stowed away among the inhabitants of Ripley. 

   On Wednesday night last, three negroes, belonging to Mr. Abraham Piatt, of this county, ran away. On Thursday afternoon he received a telegraphic dispatch from his son-in-law, who resided in Urbana, Ohio, stating that he had apprehended them at that place. This makes twenty-nine slaves that have ran away from this county since the first of September.

                                    Boone County (Ky.) News.

   About twenty-five slaves made their escape from Bourbon county, Ky., a few days ago, but several of them were taken. 

    Suit has [b]een instituted against Captain Atwood, of the steamer Arrow, on lake Erie, recover the value of eight slaves that took passage on that boat to Detroit or Canada. The case will be heard at the next term of the U.S. Circuit Court. 

              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.