Oberlin College - Hi-O-Hi Yearbook (Oberlin, OH)

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SLAVERY ANEODOTES. 25 town they were concealed in a house just in time to discover the slaveholders at their heels. The house was surrounded by the human cormorants, and it seemed as if escape was impossible. However, the citizens and students discovered the nature of the trouble, and soon appeared upon the ground in alarming numbers. There was no pre-arranged plan, but every one understood the case, and all worked together harmoniously. People entered the house promiscuously, and certain articles of apparel were surreptitiously put into the possession of the slaves. Scarcely any one knew how, but soon, in some mysterious manner, every one of the fugitives had been transferred to other quarters. ' Bonneted, hooded, shawled and variously disguised, they effected their escape under the very eyes of their pursuers It wasvstill, however, too dangerous to attempt to send the slaves away, and they were kept in another part of the town. Meanwhile a reward of S700 had been offered for the apprehension of the fugi- tives. This was too tempting an offer for some of our sister villages to resist, and certain residents of Elyria decided to reap the emolu- ment of treachery. A certain lawyer B. set about the matter, and soon had a new blacksmith, in the employ of Isaac Penfield, in this village. The Oberlinites, however, were always on the alert for spies, and it was not long before this one was ferreted out. But the. question was, what should be done? A plan, suggested by the wife of 'Mr Horace Taylor, an instructor in the college, was finally adopted. This plan was carried out and worked to perfection. During the day it was whispered to this spy, that early that evening a covered wagon would leave town for' Cleveland, drawn by four horses. At the appointed time the wagon was made ready, and there were stowed away in it ,instead of the seven real slaves, seven colored students and citizens, under the leadership of Sabram COX. The horses were driven by two white persons, whose mission was to testify in court that the passengers were free Oberlin people fit was then in the time of the famous Ohio Black Lawsj The colored boys were variously disguised. Some were dressed as wo- men and had thick veils on, all were clad in rags. ' The party drove without molestation clear into Elyria Center, and began to fear that they had sold themselves. Well, they said, we'll go-down to Mis anyway, and have some refreshments. As they were passing the hotel, however, a voice was heard,- 't There they come! The driver cracked his whip and yelled at the horses. L' Hey! stop there l cried the crowd, and rushed out into the street.

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24 ' OBERLINIANA. ' right. Yet this was a common experience in those days, and the faithfulness ofthe people is attested by the statement that of all the fugitives fleeing here, and afterward purloined by 'towners, not one was ever returned to slavery. 99 at 5? . An incident will first be related which formed a part of the un- written history of Oberlin for the year 1840. A company of eight fugitives, having passed North, were deliv- ered over to the keeping of Mr. Brown, at Brown's Landing on the lake. One of this company was a shrewd old man- of some sixty years. As was customary the party was being kept until word should be received from the anti-slavery organization here that a boat had been engaged in which the fugitives might be taken to- Oanada. Mr. R. E. Gillet was at that time leader of this organiza- tion. Accordingly word was brought one day that a boat was moored near the Landing,77 and soon a messenger appeared with a note. This note was signed R. E, Gillett, and stated that the boat was waiting, and that the party would be rowed to it in a skiff by the bearer. The company started, but had not proceeded far when the saga- cious old man, who had been walking along thoughtfully, came to a sudden halt. ' Tears to me, he said, like as though dis ain't all straight, chil- lunsf' 'tWhy, whatis the trouble?'7 inquired Brown. I dunno, replied the old man, uonly something tells me it ain't right? ' 'tOh yes, it must be, said the other, 'there is Gilletis own name, and he is never deceived. ' ' - Still the old man shook his head solemnly, and in order to assure him Brown willingly agreed to wait, and investigate the matter. Accordingly the company returned to a chamber in the house, and a young man was sent to spy around near the boat. Soon he returned in the greatest haste, and told them of a conver- sation he had overheard while concealed in some bushes, proving the forgery of the note. The colored party were hurried out' the back Way into the woods, and started post haste for Oberlin, the city of refuge. In a moment more Brown's house was surrounded by the horde of slave-holders who had been lurking in the vicinity, and had discovered the defeat ofltheir plan. . The slaves, with the exception of the old man, continued their iiight to Oberlin, pursued by their greedy masters. Arriving in the

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26 OBERLUNIANA. L' See here! What do you mean by stopping honest travelers in this way? demanded the driver. 'L O, welll let you iind out, rest assured, remarked the sarcastic voice of lawyer B. . E The driver again tried to force his way through the crowd, but the lead-horses were seized and taken to the stable Lawyer B. mounted the stage triumphantly, and began pulling at the curtains. 'L O, boys, cried Cox, in a subdued voice, 4' we're in an awful SC1'i1.1JG ll' , HI guess you are for once, chuckled lawyer B., still tugging spitefully at the curtains. . UHol-d 'em down, hold 'em down! came in mnffled accents from within. After more resistance an entrance was forced, and the slaves cowered trembling before their captors. But the odor of the S5700 reward was becoming delightfully fragrant now, and made the slave- takers exceedingly good-natured. 'tHelp the ladies out first. said lawyer B., gallantly. And with the most obsequious politeness he proceeded to help out the snifiiing maidens. ' ' See how modest they are in the presence of so many men, cried one gaily, as he pointed to the thick veils if Well, boys, said Cox, in a low voice, '4 we're in for it. We have got into a bad muss, but keep up courage. The gang took their prisoners up into the bar-room, and began exultantly to congratulate themselves on the big haul they had made. Their success elated them so that they were inclined to be very gracious, even to their prisoners. Meanwhile the feelings of the supposed slaves may be imagined. The mock deference with which they were treated by their exultant captors was of course irresistibly comical to them, and many were the purposely ambig- uous remarks made by one and another of them to the merriment of the captors, and of course themselves most of all. Afterwards it wa.s only necessary to say to the lawyer in question, with grea.t gallantry, Let the ladies out first, let the ladies out first! in order to raise a laugh that would force him to retire pre- cipitately from the room. In jest and story the hour was prolonged till late into the night, the prisoners using every device to gain time. They were still in the bar-room gathered about a big iire in the long fireplace. Cox was sitting next to the ire, well muffled with rags, so as to conceal his identity. At length. however, the tire became so warm that he was forced to remove some of the wraps about his neck. As he