_Philadelphia, Monday, July_ 27, 1857.
Yesterday afternoon a rumor was afloat that a negro man named
Jim, who had accompanied his master (Mr. Charles Parlange), from
New Orleans to this city, had left his master for the purpose of
tasting the sweets of freedom. It was alleged by Mr. Parlange
that the said "Jim" had taken with him two tin boxes, one of
which contained money. Mr. Parlange went, on his way to New
York, _viâ_ the Camden and Amboy Railroad, and upon his arrival
at the Walnut street wharf, with two ladies, "Jim" was missing.
Mr. Parlange immediately made application to a Mr. Wallace, who
is a Police officer stationed at the Walnut street depot. Mr.
Wallace got into a carriage with Mr. Parlange and the two
ladies, and, as Mr. Wallace stated, drove back to the Girard
House, where "Jim" had not been heard of since he had left for
the Walnut street wharf.
A story was then set afloat to the effect, that a negro of
certain, but very particular description (such as a Louisiana
nigger-driver only can give), had stolen two boxes as stated
above. A notice signed "Clarke," was received at the Police
Telegraph Office by the operator (David Wunderly) containing a
full description of Jim, also offering a reward of $100 for his
capture. This notice was telegraphed to all the wards in every
section. This morning Mr. Wunderly found fault with the
reporters using the information, and, in presence of some four
or five persons, said the notice signed "Clarke," was a private
paper, and no reporter had a right to look at it; at the same
time asserting, that if he knew where the nigger was he would
give him up, as $100 did not come along every day. The
policeman, Wallace, expressed the utmost fear lest the name of
Mr. Parlange should transpire, and stated, that he was an
intimate friend of his. It does not seem that the matter was
communicated to the wards by any official authority whatever,
and who the "Clarke" is, whose name was signed to the notice,
has not yet transpired. Some of the papers noticed it briefly
this morning, which has set several of the officers on their
tips. There is little doubt, that "Jim" has merely exercised his
own judgment about remaining with his master any longer, and
took this opportunity to betake himself to freedom. It is
assumed, that he was to precede his master to Walnut street
wharf with the baggage; but, singular enough to say, no
complaint has been made about the baggage being missed, simply
the two tin boxes, and particularly the one containing money.
This is, doubtless, a ruse to engage the services of the
Philadelphia police in the interesting game of nigger hunting.
Mr. Parlange, if he is sojourning in your city, will doubtless
be glad to learn that the matter of his man "Jim" and the two
tin boxes has received ample publicity. W.H.
Rev. Hiram Wilson, the Underground Rail Road agent at St. Catharines,
C.W., duly announced his safe arrival as follows:
BUFFALO, Aug. 12th, 1857.
MY DEAR FRIEND--WM. STILL:--I take the liberty to inform you,
that I had the pleasure of seeing a man of sable brand at my
house in St. C. yesterday, by name of James Connor, lately from
New Orleans, more recently from the city of Brotherly love,
where he took French leave of his French master. He desired me
to inform you of his safe arrival in the glorious land of
Freedom, and to send his kind regards to you and to Mr.
Williamson; also to another person, (the name I have forgotten).
Poor Malinda Smith, with her two little girls and young babe is
with us doing well.
Affectionately yours, HIRAM WILSON.
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