In March, 1857, Abram Harris fled from John Henry Suthern, who lived
near Benedict, Charles county, Md., where he was engaged in the farming
business, and was the owner of about seventy head of slaves. He kept an
overseer, and usually had flogging administered daily, on males and
females, old and young. Abram becoming very sick of this treatment,
resolved, about the first of March, to seek out the Underground Rail
Road. But for his strong attachment to his wife (who was owned by Samuel
Adams, but was "pretty well treated"), he never would have consented to
suffer as he did.
Here no hope of comfort for the future seemed to remain. So Abram
consulted with a fellow-servant, by the name of Romulus Hall, alias
George Weems, and being very warm friends, concluded to start together.
Both had wives to "tear themselves from," and each was equally ignorant
of the distance they had to travel, and the dangers and sufferings to be
endured. But they "trusted in God" and kept the North Star in view. For
nine days and nights, without a guide, they traveled at a very
exhausting rate, especially as they had to go fasting for three days,
and to endure very cold weather. Abram's companion, being about fifty
years of age, felt obliged to succumb, both from hunger and cold, and
had to be left on the way. Abram was a man of medium size, tall, dark
chestnut color, and could read and write a little and was quite
intelligent; "was a member of the Mount Zion Church," and occasionally
officiated as an "exhorter," and really appeared to be a man of genuine
faith in the Almighty, and equally as much in freedom.
In substance, Abram gave the following information concerning his
knowledge of affairs on the farm under his master--
"Master and mistress very frequently visited the Protestant Church, but
were not members. Mistress was very bad. About three weeks before I
left, the overseer, in a violent fit of bad temper, shot and badly
wounded a young slave man by the name of Henry Waters, but no sooner
than he got well enough he escaped, and had not been heard of up to the
time Abram left. About three years before this happened, an overseer of
my master was found shot dead on the road. At once some of the slaves
were suspected, and were all taken to the Court House, at Serentown, St.
Mary's county; but all came off clear. After this occurrence a new
overseer, by the name of John Decket, was employed. Although his
predecessor had been dead three years, Decket, nevertheless, concluded
that it was not 'too late' to flog the secret out of some of the slaves.
Accordingly, he selected a young slave man for his victim, and flogged
him so cruelly that he could scarcely walk or stand, and to keep from
being actually killed, the boy told an untruth, and confessed that he
and his Uncle Henry killed Webster, the overseer; whereupon the poor
fellow was sent to jail to be tried for his life."
But Abram did not wait to hear the verdict. He reached the Committee
safely in this city, in advance of his companion, and was furnished with
a free ticket and other needed assistance, and was sent on his way
rejoicing. After reaching his destination, he wrote back to know how his
friend and companion (George) was getting along; but in less than three
weeks after he had passed, the following brief story reveals the sad
fate of poor _Romulus Hall_, who had journeyed with him till exhausted
from hunger and badly frost-bitten.
A few days after his younger companion had passed on North, Romulus was
brought by a pitying stranger to the Vigilance Committee, in a most
shocking condition. The frost had made sad havoc with his feet and legs,
so much so that all sense of feeling had departed therefrom.
[Illustration: DEATH OF ROMULUS HALL.]
How he ever reached this city is a marvel. On his arrival medical
attention and other necessary comforts were provided by the Committee,
who hoped with himself, that he would be restored with the loss of his
toes alone. For one week he seemed to be improving; at the expiration of
this time, however, his symptoms changed, indicating not only the end of
slavery, but also the end of all his earthly troubles.
Lockjaw and mortification set in in the most malignant form, and for
nearly thirty-six hours the unfortunate victim suffered in extreme
agony, though not a murmur escaped him for having brought upon himself
in seeking his liberty this painful infliction and death. It was
wonderful to see how resignedly he endured his fate.
Being anxious to get his testimony relative to his escape, etc., the
Chairman of the Committee took his pencil and expressed to him his
wishes in the matter. Amongst other questions, he was asked: "Do you
regret having attempted to escape from slavery?" After a severe spasm he
said, as his friend was about to turn to leave the room, hopeless of
being gratified in his purpose: "Don't go; I have not answered your
question. I am glad I escaped from slavery!" He then gave his name, and
tried to tell the name of his master, but was so weak he could not be
understood.
At his bedside, day and night, Slavery looked more heinous than it had
ever done before. Only think how this poor man, in an enlightened
Christian land, for the bare hope of freedom, in a strange land amongst
strangers, was obliged not only to bear the sacrifice of his wife and
kindred, but also of his own life.
Nothing ever appeared more sad than seeing him in a dying posture, and
instead of reaching his much coveted destination in Canada, going to
that "bourne whence no traveler returns." Of course it was expedient,
even after his death, that only a few friends should follow him to his
grave. Nevertheless, he was decently buried in the beautiful Lebanon
Cemetery.
In his purse was found one single five cent piece, his whole pecuniary
dependence.
This was the first instance of death on the Underground Rail Road in
this region.
The Committee were indebted to the medical services of the well-known
friends of the fugitive, Drs. J.L. Griscom and H.T. Childs, whose
faithful services were freely given; and likewise to Mrs. H.S. Duterte
and Mrs. Williams, who generously performed the offices of charity and
friendship at his burial.
From his companion, who passed on Canada-ward without delay, we received
a letter, from which, as an item of interest, we make the following
extract:
"I am enjoying good health, and hope when this reaches you, you
may be enjoying the same blessing. Give my love to Mr. ----, and
family, and tell them I am in a land of liberty! I am a man
among men!" (The above was addressed to the deceased.)
The subjoined letter, from Rev. L.D. Mansfield, expressed on behalf of
Romulus' companion, his sad feelings on hearing of his friend's death.
And here it may not be inappropriate to add, that clearly enough is it
to be seen, that Rev. Mansfield was one of the rare order of ministers,
who believed it right "to do unto others as one would be done by" in
practice, not in theory merely, and who felt that they could no more be
excused for "falling down," in obedience to the Fugitive Slave Law under
President Fillmore, than could Daniel for worshiping the "golden image"
under Nebuchadnezzar.