KIDNAPPING IN OHIO
"Lewis Hutson was once a slave in the State of Missouri. His old master died, and, by his will, left Lewis free. But this not being very palatable to the sons, they did all they could to destroy the will, but failed in every attempt. Lewis, fearing the treachery of these sons, left the State above-named, and came to the State of Ohio to reside. For a while the sons did not know to what State Lewis had gone; but one of the sons visiting Cincinnati met Lewis on the levee or shore of the Ohio river, and accosted him very kindly. A plan was entered upon to catch Lewis at night, and to remove him to the other side of the river in the State of Kentucky. There a place of confinement was provided, and he was to be taken from there to the far South. One evening, just as Lewis was leaving his work, he was pounced upon by a gang of kidnappers, directed by the orders of the would-be master. Receiving no help from any quarter, he was conveyed across the river to the slave State, Kentucky, and, chained and handcuffed, was put on board one of the Southern steamboats for the slave-market in New Orleans.
There were some coloured persons employed upon the boat as deck-hands. To them he communicated his distress, and begged them to allow him to get into the small boat at night. At night this was done, and the small boat set adrift upon the Mississippi. Being handcuffed, he was not able to use the oars; but very late the same night the wind drove the small boat ashore, so that Lewis was able to make his way to a reed-marsh near the river. He remained in the marsh, in the midst of crocodiles and other animals, in a perilous position, until day broke, and was then able to reach the forest. Travelling through the forest, he found a sharp stone, and upon that he sawed his handcuffs until they were so much worn that he snapped them across the stone, leaving one on each wrist. He now felt better prepared to go on his journey to freedom, a distance of one thousand miles. He was often in the midst of the black wolves of the forest, but he fought his way until he reached Cincinnati, from which place he had been unmercifully dragged. Feeling that it would not be safe for him to remain in that State, the Vigilance Committee gave him clothes and money, and he started for Canada, where he now rests in contentment. Lewis is a member of the Christian church. I am acquainted with all the circumstances of his case, and was one of the party which gave him assistance to reach his present home. Thomas Moore well said--
"Away! away! I'd rather hold my neck
In doubtful tenure from a Sultan's beck,
In climes where Liberty has scarce been named,
Nor any right, save that of ruling, claimed,--
Than in this land where bastard Freedom waves
Her fustian flag in mockery over slaves."
© Hair-breadth Escapes from Slavery to Freedom: Electronic Edition
This work is the property of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text.
There were some coloured persons employed upon the boat as deck-hands. To them he communicated his distress, and begged them to allow him to get into the small boat at night. At night this was done, and the small boat set adrift upon the Mississippi. Being handcuffed, he was not able to use the oars; but very late the same night the wind drove the small boat ashore, so that Lewis was able to make his way to a reed-marsh near the river. He remained in the marsh, in the midst of crocodiles and other animals, in a perilous position, until day broke, and was then able to reach the forest. Travelling through the forest, he found a sharp stone, and upon that he sawed his handcuffs until they were so much worn that he snapped them across the stone, leaving one on each wrist. He now felt better prepared to go on his journey to freedom, a distance of one thousand miles. He was often in the midst of the black wolves of the forest, but he fought his way until he reached Cincinnati, from which place he had been unmercifully dragged. Feeling that it would not be safe for him to remain in that State, the Vigilance Committee gave him clothes and money, and he started for Canada, where he now rests in contentment. Lewis is a member of the Christian church. I am acquainted with all the circumstances of his case, and was one of the party which gave him assistance to reach his present home. Thomas Moore well said--
"Away! away! I'd rather hold my neck
In doubtful tenure from a Sultan's beck,
In climes where Liberty has scarce been named,
Nor any right, save that of ruling, claimed,--
Than in this land where bastard Freedom waves
Her fustian flag in mockery over slaves."
© Hair-breadth Escapes from Slavery to Freedom: Electronic Edition
This work is the property of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text.