Treasurer to the Ladies' Society to aid colored refugees.
For a time Frank enjoyed his newly won freedom and happy bride with
bright prospects all around; but the thought of having left sisters and
other relatives in bondage was a source of sadness in the midst of his
joy. He was not long, however, in making up his mind that he would
deliver them or "die in the attempt." Deliberately forming his plans to
go South, he resolved to take upon himself the entire responsibility of
all the risks to be encountered. Not a word did he reveal to a living
soul of what he was about to undertake. With "twenty-two dollars" in
cash and "three pistols" in his pockets, he started in the lightning
train from Toronto for Virginia. On reaching Columbia in this State, he
deemed it not safe to go any further by public conveyance, consequently
he commenced his long journey on foot, and as he neared the slave
territory he traveled by night altogether. For two weeks, night and day,
he avoided trusting himself in any house, consequently was compelled to
lodge in the woods. Nevertheless, during that space of time he succeeded
in delivering one of his sisters and her husband, and another friend in
the bargain. You can scarcely imagine the Committee's amazement on his
return, as they looked upon him and listened to his "noble deeds of
daring" and his triumph. A more brave and self-possessed man they had
never seen.
He knew what Slavery was and the dangers surrounding him on his mission,
but possessing true courage unlike most men, he pictured no alarming
difficulties in a distance of nearly one thousand miles by the mail
route, through the enemy's country, where he might have in truth said,
"I could not pass without running the gauntlet of mobs and assassins,
prisons and penitentiaries, bailiffs and constables, &c." If this hero
had dwelt upon and magnified the obstacles in his way he would most
assuredly have kept off the enemy's country, and his sister and friends
would have remained in chains.
The following were the persons delivered by Frank Wanzer. They were his
trophies, and this noble act of Frank's should ever be held as a
memorial and honor. The Committee's brief record made on their arrival
runs thus:
"August 18, 1856. Frank Wanzer, Robert Stewart, alias Gasberry Robison,
Vincent Smith, alias John Jackson, Betsey Smith, wife of Vincent Smith,
alias Fanny Jackson. They all came from Alder, Loudon county, Virginia."
Robert is about thirty years of age, medium size, dark chestnut color,
intelligent and resolute. He was held by the widow Hutchinson, who was
also the owner of about one hundred others. Robert regarded her as a
"very hard mistress" until the death of her husband, which took place
the Fall previous to his escape. That sad affliction, he thought, was
the cause of a considerable change in her treatment of her slaves. But
yet "nothing was said about freedom," on her part. This reticence Robert
understood to mean, that she was still unconverted on this great
cardinal principle at least. As he could see no prospect of freedom
through her agency, when Frank approached him with a good report from
Canada and his friends there, he could scarcely wait to listen to the
glorious news; he was so willing and anxious to get out of slavery. His
dear old mother, Sarah Davis, and four brothers and two sisters,
William, Thomas, Frederick and Samuel, Violet and Ellen, were all owned
by Mrs. Hutchinson. Dear as they were to him, he saw no way to take them
with him, nor was he prepared to remain a day longer under the yoke; so
he decided to accompany Frank, let the cost be what it might.
Vincent is about twenty-three years of age, very "likely-looking," dark
color, and more than ordinarily intelligent for one having only the
common chances of slaves.
He was owned by the estate of Nathan Skinner, who was "looked upon," by
those who knew him, "as a good slave-holder." In slave property,
however, he was only interested to the number of twelve head. Skinner
"neither sold nor emancipated." A year and a half before Vincent
escaped, his master was called to give an account of his stewardship,
and there in the spirit land Vincent was willing to let him remain,
without much more to add about him.
Vincent left his mother, Judah Smith, and brothers and sisters, Edwin,
Angeline, Sina Ann, Adaline Susan, George, John and Lewis, all belonging
to the estate of Skinner.
Vincent was fortunate enough to bring his wife along with him. She was
about twenty-seven years of age, of a brown color, and smart, and was
owned by the daughter of the widow Hutchinson. This mistress was said to
be a "clever woman."
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