Still, William, Underground Rail Road:
A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, Etc.

Porter & Coales, Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1872
Call Number: 1400, MSA L1117

MSA L1117, Image No: 202   Enlarge and print image (86K)

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Still, William, Underground Rail Road:
A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, Etc.

Porter & Coales, Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1872
Call Number: 1400, MSA L1117

MSA L1117, Image No: 202   Enlarge and print image (86K)

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182 THE UNDERGROUND SAIL ROAD. FOTJB HEAVY LOSSES OH OHB SMALL BCBAP CUT FROM A SUfOLK 5TTMBER Of THK "8UK f" How VEXATIOUS! How PBOVOKIBQ! ON THE OTHER HAND, THINK OF TED POOB, TIMID, BBEATHLES8, FLYING CHILD OF FIFTEEN I FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD! OH, FOB SUCCOR! To WHOM IN ALL THIS WIDE LAND OF FREEDOM SHALL SHE FLEE AND FIND SAFETY ? ALAS I—Al,A8 !—THE LAW POINTS TO NO OWE! Is SHE STILL EUNNINO WITH BLEEDIHO FEET ? * OB HIDES SHE IN SOME OOLD CAVE, TO BEST AHD STARVE? "$500 BEWABD." YoUBS, FOE THE WEAK AHD THE POOB. PERISH THE BEWABD. J. B. Having thus succeeded in getting possession of, and secreting this fleeing child of fifteen, as best they could, in Washington, all concerned were compelled to "possess their souTa in patience," until the storm had passed. Meanwhile, the "child of fifteen" was christened "Joe Wright," and dressed in male attire to prepare for traveling as a lad. As no opportunity had hitherto presented itaelf, whereby to prepare the "package" for shipment, from Washington, neither the "powder boy" nor Dr. T.,f was prepared to attend to the removal, at this critical moment. The emergency of the case, however, cried loudly for aid. The other professional gentleman (Dr. H.), was now appealed to, but his engagements in the college forbade his absence before about Thanksgiving day, which was then six weeks off. This feet was communicated to Washington, and it being the only resonroe left, the time named was necessarily acquiesced in. In the interim, "Joe" was to perfect herself in the art of wearing pantaloons, and all other male rig. Soon the days and weeks slid by, although at first the time for waiting seemed long, when, according to promise, Dr. H. was in Washington, with his horse and buggy prepared for duty. The impressions made by Dr. H., on William Perm's mind, at his first interview, will doubtless be interesting to all concerned, as may be seen in the following letter: WASHINGTON, D. C., November 26, 1855. MY DEAR SIR :—A recent letter from my friend, probably has led you to expect this from me. He was delighted to receive yours of the 23d, stating that the boy was all right. He found the " Prof, gentleman" & perfect gentleman; cool, quiet, thoughtful, and perfectly competent to execute his undertaking. At the first three minutes of their interview, he felt assured that all would be right. He, and all concerned, give you and that gentleman sincere thanks for what you. have done. May the blessings of Him, who cares for the poor, be on your heads. The especial object of this, is to inform you that there is a half dozen or so of packages here, pressing for transportation; twice or thrice that number are also pressing, but less so than the others. Their aggregate means will average, say, $10 each; besides these, we know of a few, say three or four, able arid smart, but utterly destitute, and kept so purposely by their oppressors. For all these, we feel deeply interested; $10 each would not be enough for the ''powder boy." Is there any fund from which a pittance could be spared to help these poor creatures? I don't doubt but that they would honestly repay * At the time this letter WM written, she was then under Mr. B.'a protection in Washington, and had to be so kept for rix weeks. Hi* question, therefore, "is she still running with bleeding feet," etc., was simply a precautionary step to blind any who might perchance investigate the matter. f Dr. T. waa one of the professional gentlemen alluded to above, who had expressed * willingness to aot M an agent in the matter.