The Underground Railroad eBook

William Still
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,446 pages of information about The Underground Railroad.

The Underground Railroad eBook

William Still
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,446 pages of information about The Underground Railroad.
to write a petition to the Governor General, which has been done. * * * * The company is already organized.  Mr. Howard was elected Captain; J.H.  Hill, 1st Lieutenant; Hezekiah Hill, Ensign; Robert Jones, 1st Sergeant.  The company’s name is, Queen Victoria’s Rifle Guards.  You may, by this, see what I have been doing since I have been in Canada.  When we receive our appointments by the Government.  I will send by express, my daguerreotype in uniform.

    My respects, &c. &c., Robert Jones.

* * * * *

HEAVY REWARD.

Two Thousand Six Hundred Dollars Reward—­Ran away from the subscriber, on Saturday night, November 15th, 1856, Josiah and William Bailey, and Peter Pennington.  Joe is about 5 feet 10 inches in height, of a chestnut color, bald head, with a remarkable scar on one of his cheeks, not positive on which it is, but think it is on the left, under the eye, has intelligent countenance, active, and well-made.  He is about 28 years old.  Bill is of a darker color, about 5 feet 8 inches in height, stammers a little when confused, well-made, and older than Joe, well dressed, but may have pulled kearsey on over their other clothes.  Peter is smaller than either the others, about 25 years of age, dark chestnut color, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high.

    [Illustration:  ]

A reward of fifteen hundred dollars will be given to any person who will apprehend the said Joe Bailey, and lodge him safely in the jail at Easton, Talbot Co., Md., and $300 for Bill and $800 for Peter.

    W.R.  Hughlett

    John C. Henry,

    T. Wright.

When this arrival made its appearance, it was at first sight quite evident that one of the company was a man of more than ordinary parts, both physically and mentally.  Likewise, taking them individually, their appearance and bearing tended largely to strengthen the idea that the spirit of freedom was rapidly gaining ground in the minds of the slaves, despite the efforts of the slave-holders to keep them in darkness.  In company with the three men, for whom the above large reward was offered, came a woman by the name of Eliza Nokey.

As soon as the opportunity presented itself, the Active Committee feeling an unusual desire to hear their story, began the investigation by inquiring as to the cause of their escape, etc., which brought simple and homely but earnest answers from each.  These answers afforded the best possible means of seeing Slavery in its natural, practical workings—­of obtaining such testimony and representations of the vile system, as the most eloquent orator or able pen might labor in vain to make clear and convincing, although this arrival had obviously been owned by men of high standing.  The fugitives themselves innocently stated that one of the masters, who was in the habit of flogging adult females, was a “moderate

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The Underground Railroad from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.