JIM BOW-LEGS, _alias_ BILL PAUL.
In 1855 a traveler arrived with the above name, who, on examination, was
found to possess very extraordinary characteristics. As a hero and
adventurer some passages of his history were most remarkable. His
schooling had been such as could only be gathered on plantations under
brutal overseers;--or while fleeing,--or in swamps,--in prisons,--or on
the auction-block, etc.; in which condition he was often found.
Nevertheless in these circumstances his mind got well stored with
vigorous thoughts--neither books nor friendly advisers being at his
command. Yet his native intelligence as it regarded human nature, was
extraordinary. His resolution and perseverance never faltered. In all
respects he was a remarkable man. He was a young man, weighing about one
hundred and eighty pounds, of uncommon muscular strength. He was born in
the State of Georgia, Oglethorpe county, and was owned by Dr. Thomas
Stephens, of Lexington. On reaching the Vigilance Committee in
Philadelphia, his story was told many times over to one and another.
Hour after hour was occupied by friends in listening to the simple
narrative of his struggles for freedom. A very full account of "Jim,"
was forwarded in a letter to M.A. Shadd, the then Editress of the
"Provincial Freeman." Said account has been carefully preserved, and is
here annexed as it appeared in the columns of the above named paper:
"I must now pass to a third adventurer. The one to whom I
allude, is a young man of twenty-six years of age, by the name
of 'Jim,' who fled from near Charleston, S.C. Taking all the
facts and circumstances into consideration respecting the
courageous career of this successful adventurer for freedom, his
case is by far more interesting than any I have yet referred to.
Indeed, for the good of the cause, and the honor of one who
gained his liberty by periling his life so frequently:--shot
several times,--making six unsuccessful attempts to escape from
the far South,--numberless times chased by
bloodhounds,--captured, imprisoned and sold repeatedly,--living
for months in the woods, swamps and caves, subsisting mainly on
parched corn and berries, &c., &c., his narrative ought, by all
means, to be published, though I doubt very much whether many
could be found who could persuade themselves to believe
one-tenth part of this marvellous story.
Though this poor Fugitive was utterly ignorant of letters, his
natural good sense and keen perception qualified him to arrest
the attention and interest the heart in a most remarkable
degree.
His master finding him not available, on account of his
absconding propensities, would gladly have offered him for sale.
He was once taken to Florida, for that purpose; but, generally,
traders being wide awake, on inspecting him, would almost
invariably pronounce him a 'd----n rascal,' because he would
never fail to eye them sternly, as they inspected him. The
obedient and submissive slave is always recognized by hanging
his head and looking on the ground, when looked at by a
slave-holder. This lesson Jim had never learned, hence he was
not to be trusted.
His head and chest, and indeed his entire structure, as solid as
a rock, indicated that he was physically no ordinary man; and
not being under the influence of the spirit of "non-resistance,"
he had occasionally been found to be a rather formidable
customer.
His father was a full-blooded Indian, brother to the noted
Indian Chief, Billy Bowlegs; his mother was quite black and of
unmixed blood.
For five or six years, the greater part of Jim's time was
occupied in trying to escape, and in being in prison for sale,
to punish him for running away.
His mechanical genius was excellent, so were his geographical
abilities. He could make shoes or do carpenter's work very
handily, though he had never had the chance to learn. As to
traveling by night or day, he was always road-ready and having
an uncommon memory, could give exceedingly good accounts of what
he saw, etc.
When he entered a swamp, and had occasion to take a nap he took
care first to decide upon the posture he must take, so that if
come upon unexpectedly by the hounds and slave-hunters, he might
know in an instant which way to steer to defeat them. He always
carried a liquid, which he had prepared, to prevent hounds from
scenting him, which he said had never failed. As soon as the
hounds came to the place where he had rubbed his legs and feet
with said liquid, they could follow him no further, but howled
and turned immediately.
Quite a large number of the friends of the slave saw this
noble-hearted fugitive, and would sit long and listen with the
most undivided attention to his narrative--none doubting for a
moment, I think, the entire truthfulness of his story. Strange
as his story was, there was so much natural simplicity in his
manner and countenance, one could not refrain from believing
him."
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