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 charge is, that he would arrange with the slaves to send them to Canada, furnishing all the necessaries requisite for the journey, and for their settlement after they arrived there; but that instead of forwarding them to the destination, he would have his agents prepared to take possession of and send them to New Orleans, where they would be sold. We are informed by Mr. Chas. Kendrick, that the examination of the Doctor came off on Tuesday last, as Union, before Judges Riley and Frazier; Gov. Morehead and Messrs. Stevenson and Wall appearing as counsel for the defendant, Messrs. Benton, Kinkead and Menzies for the prosecution. At the conclusion of the examination, the heavy bail of $15,000 was exacted for his appearance, in default of which he was committed to jail.
The affair has called a great deal of excitement, we learn, and no little indignation, in that community; in fact, to so extreme a pitch were the people incensed that they threatened violence upon any one who should go to the Doctor's bail.
"Kidnapping Slaves For the South," Ripley (OH) Bee, October 1, 1853, p.3.