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: 588   Enlarge and print image (53K)

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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: 588   Enlarge and print image (53K)

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562 TBE UNDESOHOUND SAIL SOAD. the Captain laughed at them, and signified that they were perfectly welcome to search to their hearts' content. The officers concluded that there were no slaves on that boat, that nobody could live there, etc., etc., asked for their charges ($3), and discharged the Captain. The children had been put under the influence of Kquor to keep them still, so they made DO noise; the others endured their hour of agony patiently until the lock was safely passed, and the river reached. Fpesh air was then allowed them, and the great danger was considered overcome. The Captain, however, far from deeming it advisable to land his live cargo at the wharves of Philadelphia, delivered them at League Island. The passengers testified that Captain B. was very kind. They were noticed thus: ISAAC, was about fifty years of age, dark, tall, well-made, intelligent, and was owned by George Brown, who resided at Deep Creek. Isaac testified that said Brown had invariably treated him cruelly. For thirty years Isaac had hired his time, found himself in food, clothing, and everything, yet as lie advanced in years, neither his task, nor his hire was diminished, bnt on the contrary his hire of late years bad been increased. He winced under the pressure, and gave himself up to the study of the Underground Kail Road. While arrangements for fleeing were pending, he broke the secret to his wife, Polly, in whom he trusted; she being true to freedom, although sorrowing to part with him, threw no obstacle in his way. Besides his wife, he had also two daughters, Amanda A. and Mary Jane, both slaves. Nevertheless, having made up his mind not to die a slave, he resolved to escape at all hazards. HENDEBSON belonged to the estate of A. Briggs, which was about to be settled, and knowing that he was accounted on the inventory as personal property, he saw that he too would be sold with the rest of the movables, if he was not found among the missing. He began to consider what he had endured as a slave, and came to the conclusion that he had had a " rugged road to hoe all the way along " and that he might have it much worse if he waited to be sold. The voice of reason admonished him to escape for his life. In obeying this call he snf-fered the loss of his wife, Julia, and two children, who were fortunately free. Henderson was abont thirty-one years of age, stout, and of healthy appearance, worth in cash perhaps $1200. WILUAJ* was thirty-four years of age, of a chestnut color, substantial physical structure, and of good faculties. The man who professed to own him he called William Taylor, and " be was a very hard man, one of tho kind which could not be pleased, nor give a slave a pleasant answer one time in fifty." Being thoroughly sick of William Taylor, he fell in love with the Underground Rail Road and Canada. MBS. WALKEB, the big fat woman, was thirty-eight years of age, and & pleasant-looking person, of a very dark hue. Besides the struggles already