We promised, week before last, to give a further and fuller account of the outrageous conduct of the negro stealers and abolitionists in and near Cassopolis, Mich., towards some of our citizens, who were clearly endeavoring to reclaim their fugitive slaves that were discovered in that neighborhood.
One of our citizens, Mr. Timberlake, found his slaves in the employ of a man named Josiah Osburn [Osborn], who heaped upon the party and Kentucky generally, the most villainous abuse. As soon as the fugitives were captured the party determined to proceed to Cassopolis, the county seat of the county in which they were taken, and have their rights of property in the slaves adjudicated. On their way there, and while there, they were treated by the mob with all the rudeness and indignity that it was possible for brutes in human shape to [illegible] this mob our informant states there were a number who had the outward appearance of gentlemen. When the party arrived at Cassopolis, they found there a man who was said to be the Judge, before whom their right to the negroes was to be tried. This unprincipled scoundrel declared before he went on the bench, that he intended to set the negroes at liberty, acknowledging at the same time that he had no jurisdiction of the case, he being only a county officer, and resided in another county. The negroes were, according to the previous determination of this perjured villain, who appeared as Judge, set at liberty, and their owners required to give bail for their appearance there at some future time, to answer to a charge made against them of kidnapping, or attempting to kidnap. Several gentlemen of Cassopolis and of the neighborhood, promptly stept forward and went their bail, amounting in all to something over four thousand dollars. The party were treated in a very gentlemanly manner, also, by the Editor of a paper in Cassopolis, whose name, as well as those of the gentlemen who entered themselves as bail for our citizens, we have not been able to learn; but will give them as soon as we can learn them.
But the meanness and villainy of the wretches did not end here. The party left their baggage wagon at Osburn’s, and after they reached Cassopolis sent back for it; but when the driver reached the place, a part of the demons in the neighborhood had taken possession of it and refused to give it up. Another messenger was sent for it; but when he arrived here, all the wheels had been taken from it and could not be found. When the fact was made known to the attorney for the negro thieves, he sent word to Osborn that unless the wagon and its contents were delivered up immediately, he would abandon their cause. It was then delivered up.
A fellow named William Jones, boasted to some of the party, the he had aided int align off 70 or 75 negroes from Kentucky, and he intended to make up a hundred, when he was to get a large reward from the abolitionists. He also stated that he had been present at a negro wedding in this county a short time before the slaves in question made their escape. Our slave owners should keep a good look out for such wretches, and lynch every scoundrel they catch prowling about their negro dwellings or premises. Mr. Jones, may, safe as he imagines himself to be, find himself in company with the celebrated Fairbanks, as we understand he will be indicted, and a requisition made upon the Governor of Michigan for him.
We regret that our citizens did not take them with a larger force––one sufficiently strong to do the business they went ot do with phisical [sic] power. Such a force can be obtained at any time with two days notice.
Among the other villainous shifts and devices resorted to by the perjured wretch who sat as judge, was a demand of our citizens to prove that slavery was tolerated by the Constitution of Kentucky! We regret that we could not learn the name of this scoundrel. It ought to be published in every paper in the slave States, so that if he ever should dare to make his appearance in one of them, he might be whipped out as we would whip off of our premises a sheep killing dog.
Covington (KY) Licking Valley Register, September 17, 1847, p2