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150 - HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO CHAPTER X. THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. A RETEOSPECT -THE ORIGIN OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD-ITS ROUTE IN MORGAN COUNTY -SUCCESS OF THE ROAD-ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS OF SLAVERY DAYS-4 PROMINENT OFFICIAL OF THE ROAD IN MORGAN COUNTY- HOW SLAVES WERE ASSISTED TO GAIN THEIR LIBERTY -SLAVE HUNTERS AND ISAAC CLENDENIN-A SPY'S UNCOMFORTABLE PREDICAMENT- ESCAPE OF A WHITE MAN'S WIFE AND CHILDREN-DISCONTINUATION OF THE RAILROAD. IN seeking the origin of the Underground Railroad the association of memory leads to a glance at that period of history shortly after Columbus first braved the " unknown dangers of the Western waves." The Portugese began the African slave trade in 1503, and the Spaniards followed their example a few years later. During the reign of Elizabeth in Great Britian (beginning in 1558) her subjects embarked in the slave trade with the American colonies, and the traffic soon gained immense proportions, so that the "middle passage "—a central compartment of a sailing vessel— became a synonym for suffering, cruelty and Cimmerian darkness. The introduction of slavery into America being thus accounted for, its subsequent history is too familiar to require repetition. The Underground Railroad was the result of gradual popular enlightenment both on the part of the whites and the negroes. When and how the first African was enabled to realize the meaning of the truism that "all men are created free and equal" matters little. From an occasional experiment in the assistance of fugitive slaves there grew a well-established and thoroughly systematical institution, known as the Underground Railroad, of which the aiders and abettors, once denounced as traitors and thieves, are now looked upon as patriots and philanthropists. That part of the road located in Morgan County had its origin. nearly coeval with the organization of: the county and to it was applied most of the railroad terms in use at the present day. The main trunk—with the southern terminus on the west bank of the Ohio—was the old Lancaster road, through or near Chesterfield, Pennsvine, Rosseau, Morganville, Ringgold, Deavertown and onward to the Muskingum County line and to Putnam. There were side tracks, switches and stations, as convenience or necessity required, and a full roster of officials, agents, conductors and telegraphers— men of inflexible integrity, occupying prominent positions in society, with a full appreciation of their own rights and the rights of all, with a firmness of purpose to maintain the former and accord the latter. 151 - THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. The procedure became so entirely systematized that the localities where slaves were secreted were popularly recognized as stations, and those active in their protection were given titles corresponding to those of actual railroad officers. From a financial standpoint the Underground Railroad was a failure, especially to a specific number at the Southern terminus, as well as to obstructionists on the line of the road, while objectively it was an entire success. Except in one instance there was never any loss of passengers or baggage in Morgan County. The transactions of this road might furnish an exemplary lesson of energy and honesty to some more modern but invisible railroads in the county. The lost passenger above referred to was "held to service" by a Mr. Anderson, of what is now West Virginia, and was probably the first to patronize the road shortly after its organization in 1820. He had followed the track as far as the station on Wolf Creek, and was taken in charge by William C—, who passed him onto William V—, but unfortunately he got off the track, and solicited information at a tavern kept by a Mr. Samuel Roberts, east of where Morganville now is, where his master, in search of him, had stayed the preceding night. The $25 reward was too tempting to Boniface, and the darky was immediately placed in durance until Mr. Andersen exchanged his money for his slave, and with a high appreciation of his host left for Virginia with his property. A similiar case with a slight variation as to the result—with other items—is furnished by T. L. Gray, of Deavertown. " Two men from Waggoner's Bottom arrived here, closely pursued by the chattel hunters, and with them I started on foot and alone for C. M—'s, on the national pike. I had only gone about a mile and a half when they rode up to Mr. Wolpert's, about half a mile in my rear, and inquired if he had seen any runaway negroes pass. Mr. Wolpert, though not an abolitionist, perceiving my danger, decoyed them in and kept them until morning, and thus gave us a chance to escape. On my return home I met them at the cross roads at Jonathan's Creek, and by their appearance knew them. When I arrived at Mr. Wolpert's he handed me a paper offering a reward of $500 for catching the runaways, and jokingly suggested that I get the reward and divide with him. " Some of our arrangements for the isolation of our passengers during the. day were somewhat singular and amusing. On one occasion two men were sent me with the word that they were hotly pursued, and that cautions was necessary. I was at a loss to devise a course of procedure, as it was an intensely cold night. But in a few minutes I had it. I took them out to the Methodist Church and made a fire. The windows had no blinds, and fearing that the light from the stove might attract attention I daubed the cracks around the stove door with mud, and kept the refugees in the church until the next night, when they were taken away in safety." A conspicuous and efficient official of the Underground Railroad was a native of this county, of the politic Puritan stock, who began the battle of life in 1801 on the farm now owned by John Buck—then the property of his father, John Cheadle - at die lower end of the Big Bottom, in Windsor 152 - HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO. Township. His education was acquired by attending an occasional select school in the early days of the township, with which his proclivity for additional knowledge enabled him Subsequently to assume the role of teacher. He was a writer of songs and rhymes, for which he had a peculiar talent, and, having a fair knowledge of vocal and inStrumental music, adapted his own music to his own songs. This gift, with his unobtrusive manner, ruStic appearance, plenitude of anecdote, and his eccentricity and versatility of talent, secured him audience and welcome in all circles where his padagogical services were required. Previous to the time he taught school (1833) he was a farmer, having in 1818 or 1820 cleared land and built a cabin where is now Stockport, in Windsor Township. Then he became successively a manufacturer of pewter buttons, a keelboat-man and a book-peddler, carrying his stork in trade in a knapsack, during occasional vacations as school-teacher, which became more frequent as the excitement on the subject of slavery increased. He taught his last school in Union Township, then identified himself with the Underground, an avocation well suited to his roving propensities. To his chosen work he devoted his entire time, roving from Putnam to Marietta and occasionally making a trip across the border into the Old Dominion. While there, by singing his own rhymes set to his own music (well adapted to the surroundings), he ingratiated himself into the friendship of the Slaves, at the same time contriving to lull the suspicion of their masters who regarded him as a harmless imbecile. He was permitted to roam unmolested. As a result of his visits it is said that slaves were frequently missing, but as his arrangements were carefully made the object of the visit was usually successful,' and he was commended as " An engineer of noted skill, Engaged to stop the growing ill." His habits were so well known to those who gave shelter and food to the negro that they were seldom unprepared for a nocturnal visit from him, and oft in the stilly night," or " when fiercely blew the northern blast, they were aroused by some Signal sound, and when the inquiry was made, " Who comes there ?" in a subdued, Alexandrine tone the answer came, I am on my way to Canada, where colored men are free," and when the door was opened Rial Cheadle would enter, followed by his retinue of the sable sons of Ham. After the emancipation he said he was, like Simeon of old, " ready to depart." He died in 1867. The frequent appearance of the slave-hunter had become familiar, and his business was readily perceived by the farmer when, to avoid suspicion, he presented himself as a cattle-buyer, with a view of an examination of the premises for chattels instead of cattle. One day two of this class rode up to the house of a well-to-do farmer south of Chesterfield, where two negroes were secreted, and Stated that they were looking for cattle, at the same time asking if Mr. had any to sell. The old gentleman at once recognized their purpose, became very courteous, invited them to dismount, exhibited to them his cattle, his horses, his farm. and his fields of corn, yet somewhat green, and detained them for a late dinner.- He kept up his attentions until late in the afternoon, then in- THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD - 153 sisted they should have supper and stay all night, as it was then too late to ride any great distance, adding that at no other place would they be more welcome. After they were shown to bed— early in the evening—he directed two young men in his employ to take the cattle-drovers' horses, and each taking a darkey behind him, to ride in a given direction as far as they could go and return by morning. On their return before daylight he went to the stable to examine the condition of the horses, which he found wet with sweat, and much jaded. He began to rub them, but without avail; they were wet and would not dry. To obviate suspicion he went to the room of the sleepers and said to them that his young men were ignorant fellows, who had no discretion in feeding horses, and had fed their horses too much green corn, which had given them the colic; he had been up with them most of the night, but they were now better, and after a short rest would be able to travel moderately. Mr. — did not sell any cattle, but the darkies arrived rafely at another station. A caravan of sixteen once produced as much if not more interest and excitement, on the route from the Ohio to Putnam, than would have been made by four times the number in smaller bands. They came from near Parkersburg, Va., in the summer of 1842, to within a few miles of Pennsville, and remained from Tuesday until Friday, when they left the station near James Cole's with the intention of going to the river at or near McConnelsville. After follOWing the road a short distance they discovered from the sound of horses' feet that they were pursued. Unobserved they secreted themselves in the woods and undergrowth, so near the road that one of the hunters shot a squirrel which fell from a tree close to where the negroes were hiding, but being in pursuit of larger game made no search for it, but passed on to Pennsville. After remaining several hours, and consulting with a few of those who were readily recognized as adepts, and who were always on the alert for business, the Virginians arranged the amount of consideration for effective service, and left for McConnelsville with the understanding that future discoveries should be reported to them. In the meantime the Underground officials were not idle; and in anticipation of the return of the Virginians and a search for the negroes before they could be removed to a distant locality, the idea presented itself that the silver glare might have rendered the skill to scent somewhat obtuse, that a false trail would be readily followed. After dark, while the darkies were safe in Jehu Coulson's tobacco house, a company of men, thirty or forty in number, with less than that number of horses, with double riders, formed south of town, and with a brisk trot passed through the main street and in the direction of Isaac Clendenin's house, thus adding to the suspicion already existing that the negroes were there. Isaac was in formed of the proceedings and that the hunters would visit him and attempt to search his house, and advised to be prepared for them. During the excitement of this farcical parade, Joshua Wood noticed at Esquire Lent's office a number of persons, and among them 154 - HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO. a man named Young, who for a small requital would lend his mental and physical requirements to the Virginians, and said in a secret manner to Mr. Lent, " What a silly man Isaac Clendenin is to harbor those slaves ; these men will certainly search his house and find them; but don't say anything about it, and perhaps they may not go there." Joshua knew his man, and, as he desired, Young soon left, and in due time Joshua's secret was divulged where he desired. About noon the hunters were on hand, accompanied by their employes and a number of citizens of the vicinity, as well prepared for shooting squirrels as were the Virginians. When they arrived at the house an immediate demand was made for the slaves. Isaac replied, " Friend, I have not got thy slaves ; they are not here." "But you have, d—n you! they are here, and by —, we will have them. We intend to search your house." "Well, friends, I am a law-abiding man ; has thee a Search-warrant ? " No ; but we intend to search." " Thee cannot search my house without a warrant. I know my rights, and there are those here who have not the conscientious scruples of shedding blood that I have who are able and willing to defend them. Thee must have a warrant before thee can search." This argument was conclusive to the extent that the hunters decided discretion would be more effectual than bravado, and reluctantly accepted Isaac's proposed alternative, and sent three miles to procure the warrant. When it caine, after dark, the Virginians, being certain of success, deemed it advisable to wait for daylight; and in order to prevent a removal of their darkies, a guard was placed on the outside, while within there were a goodly number of the squirrel-hunters. During the night considerable rain fell, which somewhat annoyed the outsiders, who, as a temporary shelter, took position on the porch ; but their occupancy was made briefer than the Storm by a peremptory invitation to leave, with which, under the circumstances, they thought it advisable to comply. In the morning (Sunday), when the warrant was presented, the doors were opened and the search was made. Chagrined by the result and the scoffs and jeers of the crowd, with angry retort they were proceeding to another building to continue the search, when they were stopped. "Thee has a warrant to search Isaac Clendenin's house, but that is my mother's house ; thee has no warrant to search it, and thee shall not." This, with increased taunts and jeers, so exasperated them that one of the hot-headed searchers indiscreetly presented a revolver in a threatening manner. The proposition was accepted by the drop of rifles from the shoulders of the squirrel-hunters and the clicking of locks. This demonstrative argument was equally convincing, and with the oozing of courage from the slave- hunter the pistol resumed its place in his pocket. About this time the 'Squire, by a reexamination of the law, ascertained that he had exceeded his authority, and when a messenger was sent for another warrant he refused to issue it. Isaac, having effected the intended object, to detain them as long as was necessary, gave them permission to search. By this time they became somewhat impressed with the idea that they were on a false trail, and with a superficial search abandoned the premises. 155 - THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. Among those anxiously interested to obtain a portion of the $3,000 were several of the younger denizens of Mc- Connelsville. That night the negroes were taken to Rosseau and placed in charge of William Corner and James Nulton. On the next night they were started for another station through a drenching rain. On the road one was discovered to be missing, and the others for the balance of the night were sheltered in George Parson's barn. The lost one found her way to the residence of a man named Garrison McElfresh, and inquired the way to McConnelsvile. He recognized her as a runaway, and told her to wait until he put on his shoes; but she suspected he had an object in view other than pointing out the road, and left before he completed his toilet, and got to the residence of Isaac Murphy, who, although an old Virginian, gave the conductors notice. of her whereabouts. The next station for the day was at Thomas Byers', whose house had been searched the day previous. From there they proceeded to Jacob Stanbery's, where they remained until night. During the day the pursuers posted guards west of Deacon Wright's and at Campbell's mill, to keep watch at the junction of the two roads, having been well posted as to the route by the same persons who were with them at Pennsville, and who occupied the position of watchmen. Among them was a pettifogger of the vicinity, who was confident the negroes were at Stanbery's. After dark he placed himself horizontally in the fence- corner, near the house, in order to verify the fact and report. Soon after he had taken position, and before he had gained any evidence in the case, one of the conductors rode up to the fence, directly outside of where Mr. H was engaged in his investigation, and where, from fear of detection and a revolving demurrer, he was compelled to remain until the train left. Although the departure relieved him from his lengthened investigation, the result of it was to be reported in propria persona at Malta. He had been admonished by his proximity to "the clock on the stairs" that the current of time had floated past to near the "wee sma' hours," and his attitude for observation had enabled him to perceive that the moon to him was opposite the zenith, that the curtain of night had a sable lining and obscured all his associations with the starry sky; and additionally, in "summing up," he was entirely satisfied during his recumbency, and his observations through the day, that there was a superabundance of moisture on the "Walker" line, which (Hobson's option) was the only one he could control. But by it, with an occasional ditching and now and then a run off the track when rounding a curve, he was enabled by putting on all available steam to report at daylight. By that time the Underground train was well on the track, and the watchmen at Deacon Wright's and Campbell's mill were foiled, as the conductors took a branch track a short distance down Island Run, thence up to the head of Brush Creek, and thence to the river, to a thick brushwood near the mouth of the Moxahala, where they were met by. the train from Putnam. Although out of the county, the narrator follows them from Moxahala, stating as a prelude that the $3,000 worth of negroes were from Wood County, Va., the chattels of a Mr. Henderson and a Mr. O'Neil, and that there was 156 - HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO. an individual in Zanesville who had an indirect financial interest in a part of them. While the negroes were en route for Putnam the owners were in Zanesville, and as it was evident that they would cross the river there an arrangement was made with the bridge-keeper to give him immediate notice of the crossing. But the use of closed carriages by the conductors in Putnam prevented the discovery, and the train passed on to the terminus. Circumstances alter cases," as was demonstrated at a time when the Underground Railroad was in successful operation, when a Virginian, in an emergency resulting from the peculiar features of the " institution," and the laws of Virginia, found it advantageous to patronize the road. He resided near Charleston, Va.,on the Kanawha River, and " held to service " a female with little or no evidence of African blood, who was born a slave, and as such was his "chattel," yet he acknowledged her and treated her as his wife.. By some means be became involved in debt, and to quiet his creditors for the time being gave a chattel mortgage on her and their five children. A short time before the claim was due he found he could not meet it, and in order to avoid the inevitable result he fitted her and her children out comfortably, and with $700 for contingencies made an arrangement with a trusty white man to take her to Gallipolis, where she and the children could be committed to the care of the conductors of the Underground Railroad. His agent was successful, and they were taken from Gallipolis to the house of a Mr. Wilson, near Bishopville, and thence to Isaac Shepard's where they were placed in charge of Rial Cheadle, who took them to Putnam, and they were soon out of the reach of the fugitive-slave law. As soon as it was ascertained that the slave-wife and children had left, the creditors threatened a prosecution against the owner for removing them out of the jurisdiction of the laws of Virginia. To avoid this he offered a reward of $3,000 for their apprehension. This sent a slave-hunter to Gallipolis to obtain some trace of them. On arriving there he was recognized, and his business suspected. A crowd of citizens, with threatening demonstrations, surrounded him, and fearing (as he said) that he would be mobbed, he ran to the court-house. He was followed, and to make his escape jumped out of a window, and in doing so broke hiS leg. He then begged off, and promised to go home. No further pursuit was instituted. While the family was at Mr. Wilson's a number of the ladies of the vicinity called, and while several of them were in the room Mrs. Wilson invited a gentleman of her acquaintance from a distance to identify a runaway slave woman, who, she told him, was in the room. After a critical examination he pointed out one of her neighbors. In Morgan County, as elsewhere in the North, there was much difference of opinion on the slavery question, but when the principles of justice and humanity won their final triumph, destroying forever the business of the Underground Railroad, all joyously welcomed the dawn of the era of freedom. It is estimated that during the existence of this Underground Railroad and its various branches, from 1842 to 1861, the liberty-loving citizenS of Morgan County assisted-at least 285 negroes in gaining their freedom. |