Here there was no room for further doubt, but much need for vigilance.
Although the despatch was not read to the officer, not that his story
was doubted, but purely for prudential reasons, he was nevertheless
given to understand, that it was about the same party, and that they
would be duly looked after. It would hardly have been understood by the
officer, had he been permitted to read it so guardedly was it worded, it
was indeed dead language to all save the initiated. In one particular
especially, relative to the depot where they were expected to arrive,
the officer was in the dark, as his despatch pointed to the regular
train, and of course to the depot at Eleventh and Market streets. The
Underground Rail Road despatch on the contrary pointed to Broad and
Callowhill streets "Via," _i.e._ Reading.
As notified, that evening the "four large and two small hams" arrived,
and turned out to be of the very finest quality, just such as any trader
would have paid the highest market price for. Being mindful of the great
danger of the hour, there was felt to be more occasion just then for
anxiety and watchfulness, than for cheering and hurrahing over the brave
passengers. To provide for them in the usual manner, in view of the
threatening aspect of affairs, could not be thought of. In this critical
hour it devolved upon a member of the Committee, for the safety of all
parties, to find new and separate places of accommodation, especially
for the six known to be pursued. To be stored in other than private
families would not answer. Three or four such were visited at once;
after learning of the danger much sympathy was expressed, but one after
another made excuses and refused. This was painful, for the parties had
plenty of house room, were identified with the oppressed race, and on
public meeting occasions made loud professions of devotion to the cause
of the fugitive, &c. The memory of the hour and circumstances is still
fresh.
Accommodations were finally procured for a number of the fugitives with
a widow woman, (Ann Laws) whose opportunities for succor were far less
than at the places where refusals had been met with. But Mrs. L. was
kind-hearted, and nobly manifested a willingness to do all that she
could for their safety. Of course the Committee felt bound to bear
whatever expense might necessarily be incurred. Here some of the
passengers were kept for several days, strictly private, long enough to
give the slave-hunters full opportunity to tire themselves, and give up
the chase in despair. Some belonging to the former arrivals had also to
be similarly kept for the same reasons. Through careful management all
were succored and cared for. Whilst much interesting information was
obtained from these several arrivals: the incidents connected with their
lives in Slavery, and when escaping were but briefly written out. Of
this fourth arrival, however, the following intelligence will doubtless
be highly gratifying to the friends of freedom, wherever the labors of
the Underground Rail Road may be appreciated. The people round about
Hagerstown, Maryland, may like to know how these "articles" got off so
successfully, the circumstances of their escape having doubtless created
some excitement in that region of the country.
Arrival No. 4. Charles Bird, George Dorsey, Angeline Brown, Albert
Brown, Charles Brown and Jane Scott.
Charles was twenty-four years of age, quite dark, of quick motion, and
ready speech, and in every way appearing as though he could take care of
himself. He had occupied the condition of a farm laborer. This calling
he concluded to forsake, not because he disliked farming, but simply to
get rid of David Clargart, who professed to own him, and compelled him
to work without pay, "for nothing." While Charles spoke favorably of
Clargart as a man, to the extent, at all events, of testifying that he
was not what was called a hard man, nevertheless Charles was so
decidedly opposed to Slavery that he felt compelled to look out for
himself. Serving another man on the no pay principle, at the same time
liable to be flogged, and sold at the pleasure of another, Charles felt
was worse than heathenish viewed in any light whatsoever. He was
prepared therefore, to leave without delay. He had four sisters in the
hands of Clargart, but what could he do for them but leave them to
Providence.
The next on the list was George Dorsey, a comrade of Charles. He was a
young man, of medium size, mixed blood, intelligent, and a brave fellow
as will appear presently.
This party in order to get over the road as expeditiously as possible,
availed themselves of their master's horses and wagon and moved off
civilly and respectably. About nine miles from home on the road, a
couple of white men, finding their carriage broken down approached them,
unceremoniously seized the horses by the reins and were evidently about
to assume authority, supposing that the boys would surrender at once.
But instead of so doing, the boys struck away at them with all their
might, with their large clubs, not even waiting to hear what these
superior individuals wanted. The effect of the clubs brought them
prostrate in the road, in an attitude resembling two men dreaming, (it
was in the night.) The victorious passengers, seeing that the smashed up
carriage could be of no further use to them, quickly conceived the idea
of unhitching and attempting further pursuit on horseback. Each horse
was required to carry three passengers. So up they mounted and off they
galloped with the horses' heads turned directly towards Pennsylvania. No
further difficulty presented itself until after they had traveled some
forty miles. Here the poor horses broke down, and had to be abandoned.
The fugitives were hopeful, but of the difficulties ahead they wot not;
surely no flowery beds of ease awaited them. For one whole week they
were obliged to fare as they could, out in the woods, over the
mountains, &c. How they overcame the trials in this situation we cannot
undertake to describe. Suffice it to say, at the end of the time above
mentioned they managed to reach Harrisburg and found assistance as
already intimated.
[Illustration: ]
George and Angeline, (who was his sister) with her two boys had a
considerable amount of white blood in their veins, and belonged to a
wealthy man by the name of George Schaeffer, who was in the milling
business. They were of one mind in representing him as a hard man. "He
would often threaten to sell, and was very hard to please." George and
Angeline left their mother and ten brothers and sisters.
Jane was a well-grown girl, smart, and not bad-looking, with a fine
brown skin, and was also owned by Schaeffer.
Letters from the enterprising Charlotte and Harriet (arrival No. 1),
brought the gratifying intelligence, that they had found good homes in
Western New York, and valued their freedom highly. Three out of quite a
number of letters received from them from time to time are subjoined.
SENNETT, June, 1856.
MR. WILLIAM STILL:--_Dear Sir_:--I am happy to tell you that
Charlotte Gildes and myself have got along thus far safely. We
have had no trouble and found friends all the way along, for
which we feel very thankful to you and to all our friends on the
road since we left. We reached Mr. Loguen's in Syracuse, on last
Tuesday evening & on Wednesday two gentlemen from this community
called and we went with them to work in their families. What I
wish you would do is to be so kind as to send our clothes to
this place if they should fall into your hands. We hope our
uncle in Baltimore will get the letter Charlotte wrote to him
last Sabbath, while we were at your house, concerning the
clothes. Perhaps the best would be to send them to Syracuse to
the _care of Mr. Loguen_ and he will send them to us. This will
more certainly ensure our getting them. If you hear anything
that would be interesting to Charlotte or me from Baltimore,
please direct a letter to us to this place, to the care of Revd.
Chas. Anderson, Sennett, Cayuga Co., N.Y. Please give my love
and Charlotte's to Mrs. Still and thank her for her kindness to
us while at your house.
Your affectionate friend,