Perry High School - Clock Yearbook (Massillon, OH)

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far Slaves lmpvrfanf 16016 underground Kailrmd which was that of slave-hunters, one being known as a man who was in the habit of aiding slaves to escape, advising them what route to take, then following them for the reward of- fered by their masters, the name, of the slave- catcher was DeCamp. The slavecatcher had become as familiar as household words in these parts. Thomas heard him very patiently describe the woman and children, and say that he had traced them to his fThomas'j' residence, and produced a warrant for their seizure issued under the act of Congress 1793, and supposed his work was done-that the Quaker being a law-abiding people, the mother and children would be at once delivered. After he had exhausted his vocabulary, Tho- mas said, 'aDost thou think thou can take the woman and her children here if thou canst find themfw Certainly, replied the slave-catcher. 4'Well,', said Thomas, HThou may be mis- taken, thou hast not found them yet, and shouldst thou find them, thou might have trouble to take them. The strangers had not been invited into the house, and while the dialogue was going on between Thomas and him having the Warrant, the farm hands, of whom Thomas kept three or four, gathered around, and seeing such a crowd, the strangers began to look at each other and evinced alarm, which Thomas was not slow to notice, and breaking a momentary silence, said to the person having the warrant, Dost thou know of a man who follows the business of slave catching by the name of DeCamp? 'cl do,', answered DeCamp, for it was he, and was betraying fear of bodily harm, and in- quired, Have you any business with me? My name is DeCamp. By this time, the men of Thomas, household, himself included had formed a sort of circle around the slave-catchers. Thomas replied with the utmost coolness, 'gl expect very soon to have some very important business with thee, and it will be well for thee to be prepared for it? DeCamp and his confrere concluded it would be best to beat a retreat, which they did with- out delay. On reaching their horses they sprang into their saddles and left Spring Hill farm and its Quaker occupants, and never again called there for human chattels.

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Bibliography Blue, T, O, History gf Stark County, Ohio, Heald, Edward Thornton. The Stark Countx Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Stow: T716 Am1CfiCl1Tl Wav of Life V01 IIC 1928, Part 3. Columbus: The Stoneman Press, Everts, l.. H. New Historical Atlas of Stark 1959. County Illustrated. Philadelphia: L. H. Per1'iH,Wi1liamHem'y. Hiswrrvi Stark Cvun- Evel-tg, and Company, 1375, LL Chicago: Baskin and Battey, Historical Heald, Edward Thornton. The Stark County Pl1b1iShCfS,l881- Story Vol. I . Columbus: The Stoneman Press, Other Sources 1949. ............. . ........... Personal interview with Clyde Heald, Edward Thornton. The Stark County Gates, Pfincipalf Richville School-1 Massil' Story: Free People at Work Vol. IV Part I. lon, Ohio Personal interview with Pearl Needham, Teacher, Richville School, Mas- Columbus: The Stoneman Press, 1955. ee-- Heald, Edward Thornton. The Stark County n I Story: The Suburban Era Vol IV Part 2. SINGH, 01110 Columbus: The Stoneman Press, 1958.