a\ \ ,^^ -^t.. -./*-:ro'V\ . %-' \1 ^' "^ C .^'^^.. ■^ *-> '/- .v-?-' ""-i^ •^. .<^>^ '^^ .-^^ "^, .-^^ c.-^ -ni A WOMAN'S LiFE-WORK: LABORS AND EXPERIENCES Laura S. Haviland. CINCINNATI: PRINTED BY WALDEN & STOWE, FOR THE AUTHOR. ISS2. /^ -t V Copyright by L-AURA S. HAVILAND, 1881. DEDICATION. TO p!jT STbo ^oits, ant) r('ams— Victory by Faith — A Fugitive Slave Escapes — Mar- riage of two Older Children, 38 CHAPTER III. ANTI-SLAVERY EXPERIENCES. Baptist Deacon Convicted of the Sin of Slavery by his Slave — Willis Hamilton's Escape with his Slave-wife, Elsie, to Canada — Removal to Michigan — Whereabouts Discovered l)y Elsie's ^Master — Deeply Laid Scheme to Capture the Hamilton Family— Threats of Violence — Second Attempt and Defeat — Death of the two Slave-holders, 55 CHAPTER IV. AX OHIO SCHOOL-TEACHER. A Traveling Agent — Slave Claimant — John White — Threats — Visit to Jane Wiiite— Interview with William Allen — P^scai>e of Slaves — In Suspensi- — Death of First-l)orn — Comfort- ing Dream — John White a Prisoner — His Release and Subse- quent History, i'l 4 CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY, Two Slave Families Escape — Story of George and James — A Mother and Daughter Leave a Boat hound for the Lower Market — Sarah and two Young Men join our Party — Seven are Conducted to Canada — liiusin Institute Suspended for an Aca- demic Year — Eeturn to Cincinnati — Maria — Threats of her Master — The Escape of two Y'oung Lien, Page 111 CHAPTER V.I. FUGITIVE SLAVES ASSISTED. Clara and Three Children Rescued — Jack Betrayed and Returned to Bondage — A Little Nurse Girl taken from her Owners in Cincinnati — How Zack was Saved — Calvin Fairbanks Visited in Prison — Fugitive Slaves Forwarded, 133 CHAPTER VII. CHRISTIAN AND EDUCATIONAL WORK. Visiting and Nursing the Sick — Nine Slaves Arrive from Kentucky — Richard Dillingham Dies in Tennessee Pcnilen- tiary — Seven Slaves Conducted to Freedom — Teach Six IMonths in Toledo, 1G2 CHAPTER VIIL FUGITIVES IN CANADA. Mission Among the Fugitives in Canada — Religious Re- viA'al — Organization of a Christian Union Church — Efforts of Missourians to Retake the Fugitive Slave, "William Anderson, from Canada — The Kentucky Slave-owner Whipped in the Old Barracks in Windsor in his Effort to Decoy Three Y'oung Men back to Slavery— Reopening School, 192 CHAPTER IX. RESCUE OF SLAVES, Escape of a Slave Family of Six — A Slave Man Travels for a White Man and Succeeds — Trip to Arkansas — The Story of George Wilson — The Slave-daughter under INIortgage Released by her Mother — IMintie Berry Purchases her Husband — John Brown Hanged — The War Opens and takes Seventeen Students of Raisin Institute— First Trip to the Front with Supplies, . 211 / CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. HOSPITAL >V O U K . Cairo — Incidents Prepamtory to Removing Freedmen's Camp to Island No. 10 — Death of a Child — Disbursing Sup- plies and other INIission Work on the Island — Story of Uncle Stephen — Hospital Visiting in INIemphis, Tennessee — Surgeon Powers Reported — Forty Slaves come into Camp Shiloh — Seven Slaves come from a Plantation seven miles below Memphis — First Enlistment of Colored Soldiers — ^Mission Work in Colum- bus, Kentucky — Young Colored IMan Shot by his Young Mas- ter — Turning of Tables — Return Home — Our Principal, E. A. Haight, Enlisted, Page 245 CHAPTER XI. SANITARY W O R K , Organized Freedmen's Relief Association — Solicit Supplies — Acad(>mic Year Opened for 1803-4 — Sister Backus and Self leave for Fields of Suffering— Incidents on the Way — INIission Work in Natchez, ^Mississippi — Four Hundred Slaves Hanged and other- wise Tortured— Visit to the Calaboose — Mission Work in Baton Rouge — Arrival at New Orleans — Sketch of Persecutions, . 279 CHAPTER XII. MISSION WORK IN NEW ORLEANS. Mission Work in New Orleans — Soldiers and Prisoners Vis- ited on Ship Islaml -Petition of Seventy Soldier Prisoners in behalf of Three Thousand of their Fellow Prisoners — Appeal in behalf of Ship Island and Tortugas Prisoners — INIission Work at Plaquemine — Natchez — Captui'e of a Rebel steamer — Arrival at Home — Release of the Three Thousand Banished Union S(j1- diers, 320 CHAPTER XIII. freedmen's aid COMMISSION. Refugees in Kansas — Children of Want — Afflicted Family — Scenes of Distress— Agnes Everett — Quantrell's Raid — Poor White Trash — Hospitals— Supi)lios Distributed — Refugee Build- ings — Orpban Children — Haviland Home— Thomas Lean a Prisoner — Petition for Pardon — Pardon (I ranted — A Southern Clergyman — Mission School — At Harper's Ferry and Wash- ington, 3G0 b CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIV. HOME MISSION WOKK. Mission Work and Incidents in "Wusliington — [Murders — • Alexandria — liiclimond, Virginia — Williamsburg — Fort INIugru- der — Yorktown — Suicide — Gloucester Court-house — Fortress Monroe — Norfolk — lleturn to AYashington — White Woman Whipped, Page 387 CHAPTER XV. EXPERIENCES AMONG FliEEDMEN. A Soldier Prisoner— Interesting Statistics — Schools — Plan- tations—Incidents — Return to Washington — Return Home ^ylth. Fifteen Orphans and Fifty Laborers — Change in Orphan Asylum — Mission Work in Covington and Newport, Kentucky — ilission Work in Memphis, Tennessee — ^Uncle Philip a Remark- able Man — Return Home, 425 CHAPTER XVI. CHRISTIAN LABOU AND RESULTS. Work for .the Asylum — Again in Washington — Mission Work — Trial of Henry Wirtz — Inspecting Soup-houses — Inci- dents connected with Kendal Green Camp — Peremptory Order of J. R. Shipherd Closing Asylum — Children. Scattered — Re- turned Home with Authority from American Missionary Asso- ciation to Reopen Asylum — Dangerous Fall — Restored to Asylum Work — Overtaken with Convulsions— Answer to Prayer in being Restored, 450 CHAPTER XVII. STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL. Board of Directors Arrange for Closing the Home — Dis- couragements — Relief Comes by Sleigh-loads — Encourage- ments — Petitions to the State Legislature to make the Home a State Institution — Petitions Granted, and the Orjihan's Homo becomes the "State Public School," located at Coldwatcr — Work in State Public School, 477 CHAPTER XVIII. PRESENT CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN. Kansas Frcedmen's Relief Association — Testimony of Perry Bradlov — Incidents — Persecutions — Prof. ( i i-eener — Colored CONTENTS. 7 Eepublicans — Further Testimony — Negro "Woman Killed — Letter from the Soiitli — Atrocities — Refugees in Kansas — Bull- dosing — Kansas Overfull — Protection Needed — Michael "Walsh — • Silver Linings, Page 482 CHAPTER XIX. PROSPECTS OF THE FREKOMEX. Supplies Furnished — Relief Association at Work — Northern Outrages — Prudence Crandall — Colored Schools — Freedmen's Aid Schools — Industrial and Agricultural Institute, . . . 511 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE. Steel Portrait of the Author, Frontispiece. The Slaveholders' Threats, 76 ^ Slave Iuoxs, 292 v Clark Univer'^ity for Frekdmex (Chrisman Hall), . . 4,14 ;Meharry SIedical College, 51G ■ LIFE-WORK OP /\TT-n» A r^ TTATTTT A"\TT^ CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE. On Page 178. — For the sentence beginning the tliinl line from the top, read: "A new school law made provis- ion for the support of a school for colored children in any place where the colored people could themselves suppoit such a school one term, containing fifteen scholars. My daughter Anna and myself taught their school with one hundred pupils in the basement of Zion Church, Cincin- nati, one term." Page 294, fourteenth line from bottom. — For " one " read "our." Page 444, third line from bottom. — For "pockets" read " pocket." OOOn aiier xueir juarnaye, luey reinuvca lu aviuc^y Township, county of Leeds, Canada West (now known as Ontario), where I was born, December 20, 1808. I well rememl)cr the perplexities and doubts that troubled my young mind in trying to find the wliys and Avhereforcs of existing facts ; yet I was naturally a happy and playful child. Some remarks made by my parents over a portion LIFE-WORK OF LAURA S. HAVILAND. Chapter I . EARLY LIFE. At the earnest solicitation of many dear friends I have consented to leave on record some of the incidents that have fallen under my personal observation during three- score and ten years. My father, Daniel Smith, Avas a native of Eastern New York, and for many years an approved minister in tlio Society of Friends. He was a man of ability and influ- ence, of clear perceptions, and strong reasoning powers. My mother, Sene Blancher, was from Vermont; was of a gentler turn, and of a quiet spirit, benevolent and kind to all, and much beloved by all who knew her, and was for many years an elder in the same Society. It is due to my parents to say, if I have been instru- mental, through the grace of God, to bless his poor and lowly of earth, by adapting means to ends in relieving suf- fering humanity, it is largely owing to their influence. Soon after their marriage, they removed to Kitley Township, county of Leeds, Canada West (now known as Ontario), where I was born, December 20, 1808. I well remember tlie perplexities and doubts that troubled my young mind in trying to find the wliys and wherefores of existing facts; yet I was naturally a happy and playful child. Some remarks made by my parents over a portion 10 A woman's life-work. of Scripture father was reading, in which was the sen- tence, "and they are no more twain, but one flesh" — • "that is a close relationship; twain is two, no more two but one flesh" — struck me wdth wonder and amazement. "Yes," replied mother, "that is a oneness that is not to be separated, a near relation between husband and wife; 'no more twain, but one flesh.' 'What God has joined together let not man put asunder.' " It seemed as if every word fastened upon my mind a feeling of awe at the new thought, that father and mother were one person. " Then they think just alike, and know all about the other, if true; father and mother believe it, and they found it in the Bible; and that," I thought, "must be true. Now for the test : If father and mother are one, they must know each other's thoughts and Avhereabouts." After father had been out a few minutes I asked mother where he was. "Not far off"; may be he's gone to the barn." But he was not there. At my report she said, "Perhaps he's gone to David Coleman's, or some of the neighbors." This settled the matter in my mind, that they were not one. But I gave the same test to try father, which also proved a fail- ure. But not quite satisfied without further investigation, I asked mother for permission to go to David Coleman's to play an hour with his little girls. Little did she know that the object of her little five-year-old skeptic was to present the test to their father and mother, to see whether they w^ere one, and found the same result each time. This settled the question in my mind that one thing in tlie Bible was untrue. Father and mother were mistaken in that part of the Bible that said husband and wife were no more two, but one. For a long time after this, when- ever the Bible was referred to as authority, I would think, "It may be true, and may not, because I ti'ied one thing it said that was not true." Another mystery was hard fi)r me to solve. In asking mother where we shoidd go if we should jump off the I:ARIA' lAFK. I). edge of the world, slie replied, "There i.s no jumping off place, bcctiuse our world is round, like a hall, and takes one day and night to roll around, and that make.s day and night." After the little child of six years had studied over this mysterious problem a short time, she returned with the query, " Why do u't we drop oft' while uuderside ? and why don't the water spill out off" Bates's creek and our well ? " She replied, " Water, as well as every thing else, is always kept in place by a great law, called gravitation, that our Heav- enly Father made when he made the world," and she said I would understand more about it when older. But this did not satisfy me ; I Avanted to know all about it then. As soon as father came in queries were repeated, but he closed as mother did, that I must Avait until I was older, which made me almost impatient to be old enough to know liow these things could ])e. Another subject occupied my childish mind a long time, and was investigated to the extent of the miniature ability I possessed. And that was the interesting fact that I dis- covered one bright evening while looking at the stars, that our house was just in the middle of the world; and when we went to grandfather's (a distance of seven miles), as soon as it was night, I was out in the yard measuring the irents' Iiermission, brother Harvey and I attended a little prayer- nieoting at our Uncle Ira Smith's house, near by. Here was singing, e.K})eriences given, with 2'i'iiycr and exhorta- tions, in which young people, as well as those more ad- vanced in years, took part. All this was new to me, hav- ing never attended any other meeting than of Friends, usu- ally called Quakers. My flither being a minister and mother au elder in that denomination, they were very conscientious in training their children in all the usages, as well as principles, of that sect. At this Methodist prayer- meeting a young girl, but little older than myself, related her experience, and prayed so earnestly for her young as- sociates, that it took a deep hold on my mind ; and on my way home, on that beautiful evening, I resolved to seek the Lord until I could know for myself that my sins were for- given. Oh, how I wished I was a Christian, as was Han- nah Bosworth. She was so young, and yet she told us how earnestly she sought the Lord, and found Josns so precious in the forgiveness of her sins. It was said in tliat meeting that God was no respecter of jx'rsons, and that I had read in the Bible; and then Jesus had said, "Sulfor little children to come unto me, and forbid them not;" "and now, this very night, I will begin to seek the Lord, and I never will give up trying, if it takes as long as I live, until I receive an evidence that I am the Lord's child. I want to realize that peace and joy those men and women expressed in that meeting." As all had retired, I placed a caudle in my brother's hand, and hurried him to bed, that I might know positively that no human car could listen to my first attempt to address my Heavenly Father. 16 A woman's i.ifi<>work. I knelt for the first time in my life, in the rear of our corn crib, but no words could I find for prayer, and a feel- ing of fear came over me, and I arose to my feet. I looked all around me, but no one was in sight; naught but trees and shrubs of the garden below, and the ethereal blue, bedecked with the beautiful moon and sparkling stars, above. Is it possible that He who created this beautiful world can notice a little girl like me? And the thought occurred that I had better wait until I was older. But tiie remarks to which I had just listened came vividly before me, and I renewed my resolve to pray to Him who had said, "Suf- fer little children to come unto me," and again knelt for prayer; but that feeling of fear increased, until it seemed as if some one Avas about to place a hand upon my shoul- der, and I again found myself on ray feet. But as no one was in sight, I queried whether this was not the eneni}' of my soul, to keep me from prayer, and fell upon my knees a third time, determined to remain in the position of prayer until my first petition to my Heavenly Father was i^re- sented. And the prayer of the publican was repeated over and over again, " God be merciful to me a sinner." These words above all others seemed just for me. I was a sinner, and mercy was what I wanted. I returned to the house with a still more fixed resolve to continue ask- ing, with a firmer purpose never to give over until the evi- dence of j)arduning love was mine. As I retired, I knelt l)y my bcd.-^idc, and repeated the same prayer, with a few addi- tional words, imploring the aid of the Holy Spirit to teach me the way of life, and penitential tears began to flow. Be- f )re I slept my pillow was wet with tears, and was turned for a dry place. As I was reading the Bible through by ci)urse, it became more of a companion than ever before. The next prayer-meeting was attended, and as they knelt during the season of prayer I felt an impression to kneel with them. But the cross was very great and I did not yield. I thought if I did so it would be rcjiorted to EAKLY IJFE. 17 my parents, and tlicy Avould probably forbid my coming to these little meetings, which I so highly prized. Bnt thi.s was unprofitable reasoning, increasing the burden instead of bringing the relief sought. I wept on my way home, and in my evening supplication renew'ed my promise to be more faithful, let others do or say Avhat they Avoidd, if the like impression w'as ever again experienced. AVith permission I attended the next prayer-meeting at my uncle's, and, as if to test my faithfulness, two young women of my inti- mate associates came in, and sat one on each side of me. At the first .season of prayer, as I did not have that iin- 2)ression, I felt quite at case, and thankful to my Father in heaven for excusing me. But the next miitcd su|rpli- cation, I felt that I must unite "with them in kneeling, and while one tried to pull me up by the arm, with saying "I'd l)e a little dunce if I was in thy place," the other sister ])inched the other arm, " Xow, Laura Smith, be a little ]Methodist, will tliee? I'd be ashamed if I was thee; every body will make fun of thee." But I kept my posi- tion and made no reply, but secretly 2)rayed for strengtlv in my great weakness. But my fears were fully realized. It was at once re[)orted that Laura Smith would be a ISIeth- odist if allowed by her parents. And for a long time uo permission was given to attend those little prayer-meetings, my parents assigning this reason: "This ^lethodist excite- ment is unprofitable, especially for childix'u. They have an overheated zeal, that is not according to knowledge, and we do not tliink it Ix^st for thee to attend ; we want our children at a suitable age to be actuated by settled prin- ciple, not mere excitement." This reasoning by my dear father strongly tempted mc to give up my resolutions al- together. Until I was eighteen I felt no liberty whatever in unburdening my troubled heart to my dear parents. They were unacquainted with the longings of my poor soul. Like the lone s;)arrow upon the house-top, I mourned many weeks, sought the solitary ])lace for reading my Bi])lc, and 18 A woman's life-work. prayer ; often watered my pillow with tears, and longed for the day, and during the day longed for the night, in Avhich I might pour out my sorrows to my Heavenly Father out of sight of human eye. I was conscious that my sadness was troubling my dear parents. Oh! how I l^rayed for light to dispel this darkness and doubt — some- times ready to conclude that, as it Avas my duty to obey my parents, the Lord would excuse me in waiting until I was of age. Yet in reading the many precious promises of the Lord Jesus, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;" "Seek, and ye shall find," I found fresh courage. But why do I not find this rest for tliis weary heart? Why do I not find the Avay to seek for the hidden treasure I so much longed for? These queries Avere continually revolving in my mind, with- out a satisfactory solution. Sometimes I almost concluded that God was too good to send the beings he created for his own glory to perdition to all eternit)', and all would ulti- mately be saved ; at other times, I could not reconcile universal salvation Avith the 2)arable of Lazarus and the rich man, and Avas ready to conclude tliat salvation Avas for the elected feAV, and there Avere those Avho could not be saved, and I Avas among the lost. In one of these seasons of almost despair, I A^entured to attend a jNIethodist meet- ing held in a private house, in company Avith my uncle. Being at his house, I did not go home for permission. The minister Avas a plainly dressed man ; the opening hymn was new to me, but every line seemed especially for me : " God moves in a mysterious way, His Avonders to perform." It Avas read and sung in an impressive manner. The fourth stanza seemed specially suited to my case: " Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace ; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face." EARLY LIFE. 19 This gave uew light, uew courago, iiud fresh hope sprang up, like streaks of the inoruiug sunbeam in the Eastern sky, prcliuling the full blaze of the orb of clay. The i)rayor and the text upon which he based his remarks were all flowing in the same channel. The exhortation was to the discouraged and despairing soul to remember that the darkest time of night was just before the break of day, a remark I had never before heard. I returned home stronger than ever before, and ventured to tell mother of the good sermon preached by Isaac Puifer. But she was again troubled, and reminded me of those we read of in Scrip- ture, who would compass sea and land to gain one prose- lyte, that when gained, " were twofold more the child of hell than themselves." She also said that my uncles would be well pleased to have me go with them. I assured her that neither of my four Methodist uncles had ever intimated a word to me on the subject. "But," said she, "actions sometimes speak louder than words." This was not de- signed to discourage me, but darker than ever was the cloud of unbelief that filled my heart. Was Isaac Puffer a cliild of hell? then there is nothing in religion, with any body. It was all a farce — all mere "overheated zeal, not according to knowledge." All mere "religious excitement." I well-nigh distrusted all religion, and father's and mother's religion was the same as others, of no value. I had groped my way in midnight darkness, trying to find the true way, when there was none. In this despairing state, while on my way to my grandfather's on an errand, I halted to listen to the mournful notes of the forest birds at my left ; I looked upon the field of waving grain at my right, and burst into a flood of tears as I exclaimed, Oli, what a sin-stricken world is this! Every head of wheat is bowed in mourning with poor me! Is there no balm in Gilcad? is there no physician there to heal this sin-stricken world, tills sin-sick soul of mine? Ivike a flash the answer came. Yes, Jesus is tliaL halm ; he shed his own precious l)lood 20 A woman's life-work, for mc oil Calvary, that I might live now, aud for ever- more! Yes, the healiug balm is applied, aud I am saved! Oh, what a fountain is opened for clcausiug! My peace was like an overflowing river. It seemed as if I could almost live without breathing — my tears were brushed away by the breath of heaven. I stood a monument of amazing mercy, praising God with every breath. All na- ture praising, instead of mourning as it did a few moments before. 0, how changed the scene ! The birds now sent f n-th their notes of praise ! The leaves of the forest clapped their hands for joy, and the branches waved Avith praise! Every head of wheat was now bowed in sweet submission. O, what a leveling of all nations of the earth was this baptism. I had been prejudiced against the Irish people, as I never had seen one of that nation until tliey came to our town, Lockport (as it Avas then called), by hundreds, to Avork on the Erie canal, that ran through a part of father's farm; and as they Avere frequenlly passing our house drunk, I was afraid of them. But now eA^ery soul seemed so precious, I thouglit I could toil all my life long if I could become instrumental in bringing one soul to the Savior who died to save sinners, though they might be the greatest drunkards in that or any other nation. Jesus shed his blood to redeem all who Avould by faith accept salva- tion so freely offered. The African and Indian races were alike objects of redeeming love. That Avas a fathomless fountain. After spending a little time in this reverie, I Avent from this halloAved place to accomplish my errand, and met a neighbor, Avho looked at me earnestly and said, "Laura, Avhat 's the matter? are you sick?" "O, no; I 'm not sick," and hurried on. And the first greeting I received from grandfather Avas the same query, Avho re- ceived the same reply. I left for home as soon as the errand Avas accomplished, but as I AA'as passing out of the door I met my Uncle Aniericus Avith the same query, Avho also received the sauK^ answer. Oh, how I Avishcd father EARLY LIFE. 21 and mother coulil iindcrstiuui nio, and the overwlicliniiig sorrow I hud waded through iu search of thifj satisfyiug portion. If any little differences arose among my younger brothers and sister, all melted away Avith a woi-d from me. This unalloyed peace remained with me a nund)cr of days, and when the time arrived for the appointed prayer-meet- ing at Uncle Ira's, I h;id a great desire to attend it, and hoped, by asking for permission to go, mother might ask for my reason. In this I was disappointed with a denial. However, I continued to pray to Him who owned me as his child, to prepare the way iu his own time. ^ly anxiety increased to do something for n:y dear Savior, who indeed was chief among ten thousand. I could drop a few words here and there, but with great timidity, but nothing of my experience in this new life; that was hid with Christ in God. I was anxious to attend that little prayer-meeting, where my mind first was arrested on the subject of my soul's best interests. I often dreamed of earnestly praying or exhort- ing in that prayer-meeting, and would awaken myself in the exercise. I had a longing desire to invite to this gos- pel feast others, especially my young associates. As Isaac Pulfer had an appointed meeting at a brother Crane's, half a mile distant, on Sabbath at four o'clock P. iNL, I asked fiither for permission to attend, hoping thereby to find lil)erty to open my pent-up feelings to my (li>ar parents, who so little understood me. But my hopes were vain. Father said, in reply, " Laura, I want thee never to ask me to go to a Methodist meeting again." O, what a blow was this for my trembling frame! The door closed more tightly than ever before. Not one word could I utter. I left the room, to find my old resort in the grove, to weep bitter tears of disap])ointment. But widely difft-nMit was this burden, now resting upon my lunirt, from that mountain weight of sin ami transgression borne a lew weeks previi>usly. I read a few days l)(.'fore 22 A woman's life-wohk. of the bajitism of the Lord Jesus, our i)crfcct pattern. But he came to fulfill Then I read of Philip and the apostles who baptized after his ascension ; and to my young and limited understanding I accepted the water baptism as an outward acknowledgment of the saving baptism of the Holy Ghost. I fully believed I had received the spiritual baptism, but I greatly desired to follow the Lord Jesus wherever he might lead. I read "Barclay's Apology" on that su])ject; yet my childhood mind dwelt much on what I read in these Bible examples. But to no human being did I present these impressions. And I also found the ex- ample of singing, that I believed was vocal, as I read, "And they sang a hymn and went out." And it seemed right, for the present, for me to unite Avith the Methodists, were it not for the opposition of my parents, that I felt sure would not exist could they but understand me. It also seemed clearly impressed upon my mind that, if my mind should become clear to unite with that branch of the Christian Church, it would be for eighteen or twenty years at longest. But why not always be my place, if it is my duty now? was a query that I much dwelt upon. I ear- nestly prayed that God would send Caleb McComber to us, an intimate friend of my parents, and a noted minister among Friends. "Within a week my heart leaped for joy at the an- nouncement by my father that Caleb McComber was in the neighborhood. "What has brought him here at this time? His brother (Dr. Smith) is all right ; he has made no trouble of late in drinking," responded mother. "I do not know, I am sure, what has induced him to come here at this time, as there is no meeting of business on hand, for him to take this journey of nearly a hundivd miles to attend," rejoined father. Ah, tlie Lord hnr, licard :n;d r.iiswored ]irayer ! He has heard tlio ci-y nf (liis })()()r cliild. "Bless the Lord, O CALEB mccombek's sekmox. 23 my soul, and forgot not all lii.s benefit.^." I could, \vith J)avid, pi-aisc liiin with a full heart, and sought a lone l>lace to return thanksgiving and praise to him who hud so signally answered my j)etition, and was confident that tho same All-seeing Eye and Directing Hand would prcjnii-e the way for the desired interview. The following day being the Sabbath, we listened to a sermon by Caleb McCond^er that was thought very singular at that day for a Friend. His text was 1 Corinthians xii, C) and 7; "And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." He referred to the diversities of denominations, that were as families com- ])osing the one true Church. And in this diversity of operations there were those whose impressions of duty "Were clearly given in regard to complying Avith outward ordinances, water baptism and the Lord's-supper ; and if" these impressions were not complied with, a loss would be sustained in s])iritual life. And he exhorted to faithfulness in obeying our Lord and IVIaster. This discourse api)eared as directly addressed to this trembling child as did that of Isaac Puffer. At the close of the meeting, said one of the eldei's to another, " Did thou ever hear just such a sermon from a Friend? I thought it sounded like a Presbyterian dis- course." Said another: " AVhat ails Caleb to-day. I thought he preached like a Methodist." While thes(> re- marks were made I felt confident we had listened to a message from the Great Head of the true Church by his servant. As he dined Avith our nearest neighbor, in conijiany with his hall-brother. Dr. Isaac Smith, and wife, we all Avalkcd in company nearly to our home, and the two young women invited me to call. I accepted, with the excuse, for a drink of water (h.ojiiiig for an oii]iortunity oftelliiig that good man that I desin^d to have a talk with him, and for that ])urjiose would call after dinner). 24 A woman's ijfe-work. But while waiting for tlie glass of water, said Caleb Mc'Coinber, " Child, how old art thou?" The reply was, "Thirteen." "I want thee to tell thy father and mother to come here at three o'clock this afternoon, and I want thee to come with them." I gladly performed my errand, and at three P. M. we were there. After a little space of silence he addressed the heads of families present, then directed his remarks to us (the two young women and myself), at first rather general. Then he said : " I want to say to one of you that thou hast passed through an experience far beyond thy years ; thou hast known what it was to ask for deliverance from sorrow and darkness, and thou hast also known what it was to receive the answer of peace from thy Heavenly Father that the world knows not of Hold fast that thou hast received, that no man take thy crown. Be faithful in the little, and more will be given. Bear in mind that little things are little things, but to be faithful in little things is something great." With exhortations to faithfulness and encouragement, this was to me an undoubted evidence that He whose ear is ever open to the cry of his children had most signally answered prayer in this clear and definite searching of my heart. Very near and dear was that faithful nursing- father brought to this little child's heart. "With all free- dom, I could have related to him the obstacles that appeared in the way of duty with me. But at that hour my feelings were too deep for utterance. Instead of remaining longer, as was my impression, I }-eturned home Avith my parents, with the view of returning for a more private interview when I could better command my feelings. When about to return, I began to reason over the pro- priety of going back. Certainly that good man had said all I could ask, both in his sermon and in the religious o])portunity in the family. And now there might be danger p:arly life. 25 of going too far. And there arc those two young womcMi, Avho made sport of mc in tliat prayer-meeting, where I knelt while others led in prayer. Now they would make more sport than ever, as there are so many there I could not speak to him without their knowing it, and I shrank from going. I feared John Bunyan's "lions in the way;" hut if I had been faithful I would have found them chained, as were his. For it was hard for me to give up the more private interview, as I was very anxious to secure an in- terview between that minister and my dear parents, as I was sure he understood me much better than they. But I neglected my duty in this. O, how weak was human nature ! I had previously thought I would never again ofiend my loving Savior, but would follow him through evil as well as good report. O, how precious his cleansing blood apj)earcd to me ! It seemed as if the drops that fell in his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane possessed power to cleanse a world of sin and pollution. Yet I was not faith- ful in the little. Although my parents never after forbade my going to a Methodist or any other meeting, yet I saw it grieved them as I frequently attended those prayer-meet- ings, but never to the neglect of our own, and was often impressed to speak or offer prayer, but did not yield. I found, to my sorrow, that these omissions produced poverty of soul, and often cried, " O, my leanness! my leanness!" In secret many tears were shed over the loss of that joy that had been my experience. Little by little the caudle of the Lord that shone so l)rightly became dim, and at the close of one year I sought the society of the gay and mirthful, more effectually to drown my bitter regrets for having turned aside from the path so clearly marked out for me. I fully realized that the dark cloud overshadowing me was the result of diso- bedience. In company with a few of my companions, I attended 26 A woman's ijfe-wokk. the funeral of au infant in our town. The service was conducted by a Baptist minister, who had just come into the place. There was nothing in his remarks that attracted my special attention. After the meeting closed, and people were leaving, the minister passed on a little distance, and turned back, as if something had been forgotten. Pressing through the crowd, he ascended the porch, and came directly to me, looking earnestly at me, as he reached his hand for mine, saying : " I felt as if I could not leave this place without asking this young woman a few questions. Have you ever expe- rienced religion ?" This came upon me like a clap of thunder, he, being an entire stranger, asking a question I never had occasion to answer. I hesitated, as I had never intimated a Avord of my experience to any hunuin being. My first thought was to deny, but like a flash came the words of Jesus, "He that denieth me before men, him will I also deny before my Father and his holy angels." No ; I can not — I will not, though I die. With this thought I frankly replied : " I think I have." " Do you now enjoy it?" " I do not." This relieved me from the dilemma of being a disgrace to the cause of Christ, as a number of my gay companions were with me, also those Christian young people to whom I had listened with interest in prayer and exhortations. But searching remarks from him followed. Still holding my hand, he said : " You have known of earnest pleading for the pardon of sin ; and you have known what it was to rejoice, as your prayers were answered. You have known your duty, and did it not, and have brought yourself into darkness. Do not occupy this dangerous ground longer. Return to your first love. Do your first work over ; and EARLY LIFE. 27 lie who is abimdaut iu mercy will again accept you. ]\Iay God grant his blessing upon you ! Good bye." And lie left nie bathed in tears. These earnest words reopened the many wounds that many neglected duties had made. I could not doubt but Elder AYinchell was as truly sent froni God to deliver this message as was Caleb INIcComber, for whom I prayed in my distress. But now the Holy Spirit had sought me out, unasked for, to warn me of the danger in the effort to oc- cupy neutral ground, as I had concluded to do until I was of age. I saw more clearly that I was responsible to my Savior, who had done great things for me, Avhereof I did rejoice with exceeding great joy. Again my Bible became my daily companion, with prayer for my Savior's directing hand. But my parents were again troubled, as those first impressions returned iu full force. I iutinuited my co)idition of mind to my par- ents, but, with my natural timidity, not as I'reely as I ought. They still attributed these impressions to the influence of my iMethodist uncles, and considered their duty was to place these restraints upon their child. Father and mother had requested to become members of the Friends' Society while three of their children were under seven years, and requested for us, making us equivalent to birthright members, according to the usage of our So- ciety. From the time of my Christian experience, I was never in sympathy with the system of birthright member- ship. I believed it to be a source of weakness, instead of spiritual life in this or any other Christian body, and that all members of the Church militant should become united by a hcart-fclt experience. I fully realized the loss I was warned to shun by yielding to the earnest desires of my dear parents, who were conscientious in their restraint. They said, in after years, that they were laboring under a juistake, as was their timid child, in not more faithfully following those early impressions of duty. I was not faith- 28 A woman's life-work. ful iu the little, consequently more was vvithlield. My great mistake was the lack of faith, in not fully returning to my Father's house, where the little wandering prodigal would have been received, and the new best robe again granted, and the rough way would have been made smooth, and the impassable mountain that seemed to rise so high would have melted away before the life-giving beams of the Sun of righteousness. But I yielded to my timidity, and the conclusion was reached to live a quiet Christian life, wdth my Bible and seci'et communing with my dear Lord and Savior in secret prayer, as I could not give up a strictly religious life. But dimly did the lamp of life burn, com- pared with its former brightness. The greatest source of retrograding in the divine life is unfaithfulness in the performance of known duty. INIany of the clouds that overshadow us we bring by withholding more than is meet, and it tends to poverty of soul. The talent committed to our charge is to be occupied, and is always doubled when occupied by its possessor ; but, as I saw many in whom I had confidence as living a quiet Christian life — and this was more congenial to my natural feeling — I reached the conclusion to make my Bible and secret prayer my companions as long as I lived, and a Christian life in the Society of my parents' choice. At tlie early age of sixteen I became acquainted with Charles Haviland, Jr., a young man who was acquainted with the Savior's pardoning love, whose father and mother were both acknowledged ministers in the Society of Friends. From him I accepted a i:>roposition of marriage, and on the 3d of 11th month, 1825, our marriage was con- summated at Friends' Meeting, in Lockport, Niagara County, New York, accoixling to the usage of Friends. The following Spring we commenced housekeeping in our own home, in Boyalton Township, nine miles east of Lock- l)ort, and my dear parents and family removed to Mich- igan Territory. Although parting from them was severe, EARLY LIFE. 29 yet Avith my youug ami di'votod liusl):unl I was contented and liappy as was possible to be, ■with so many reminders of the cloud that rested over mc in my spiritual horizon, ■with all my constant striving for its removal. Phoebe Field, an eminent minister among Friends, aj)p(»inted a meeting in our neighborhood, in which she dwelt upon the necessity of receiving daily nourishment from the true and living Vine to become fruit-bearing branches, and remarked that there were those whose religious ex])crience scorned divergent from the manner in which they were brought up, and through unfaithfulness had well-nigh lost sight of the highway of holiness, in the mistaken view of neutrality, when there was not an inch of such ground all the way from years of responsibility to the grave. We are gathering with Christ or scattering abroad. This earnest discourse so clearly defined my own couditicm, that I re- newed my many broken vows, and was almost persuaded to yield the unsubdued will, and hope was indulged that the Father of unbounded mercy, in his illimitable love, would again reveal himself in breaking the bn'ad of life. September, 1829, we removed to Michigan Territory, and settled in Riiisin, Lenawee County, within three miles of my parents, brothers, and sister, with our two little sons, to share with others the privations of a new country, as well as advantages of cheap land. As there were a number of our Society in this vicinity, a Friends' Meeting was organized, in which we all had an interest, and en- deavored to maintain it in the usual order of our Society. But no true jieace was mine, I was still a wanderer from the true Church militant. I once knew the good Sheiv hcrd's voice, but was now t«o far away to recognize it. In these sad remembrances I sought a subterfuge behind wliich to hide in a false rest. Eagerly I read a book on that subject, and drank its plausible arguments without stint. It was a panacea, a temjiorary opiate to quiet the vacillating condition of a restless mind; vet my Ril)le was 30 A woman's life-avork. not laid aside, and mauy jiortions of Scripture were vig- ilantly brought to prove tliis sjjecious error to be a radical truth ; and two years iu this dead faith I lived a dying life. But I found my investigations were not for tlie whole truth, but was dwelling upon the love and benevolence of God to the exclusion of justice as an attribute of the Lord, as well as mercy, and decided to accept the Avhole truth, and abide its searchings; and sought for it in the written Word diligently, as for hidden treasures. In reading Paul's epistle to the Hebrews, chapter vi, I found, "It is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted of the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again to I'epentauce, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Oh, how these words thrilled my whole being! Again and again they were reviewed. No hope! no hope for a lost soul like mine! were like burn- ing coals upon my poor heart. I was once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift ; but how dark have beau tliese years. Oh ! how soon did the lamp of life become dim through disobedience. I can never again drink of that fountain of love that once fdled my soul to overflowing. But I had fallen away, and could never again be renewed, having crucified to myself the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame, by not honoring such a glorious Redeemer, as was my own personal Savior. O, what de- lusion I to have indulged iu the vain ho])c that I was serv- ing him in a silent, quiet life, and then cover over all this unrest with the idea that God was too abundant in mercy to cast off any for whom he died to save. Day and night this terrible thought followed me for months, " I am a lost soul ! irretrievably lost. No hope ! Eternally lost !" As I had never intimated to my dear companion the vacillating condition of mind, and the effort in finding rest, EARLY LIFE. 31 neither should he be troubled with the knowledge that hig wife was a lost soul ; neither should our little ones on ar- riving to years of religious understanding ever know that their mother was a lost soul. The midnight hour often witnessed many bitter tears of regret over the awful thought. So near perfect despair, I looked upon beast, bird, or even the most loathsome reptile, and grudged their happiness of living and dying without responsibility. These sad forebodings seriously affected my health, and my anxious husband and parents feared some serious disease was preying upon me. I sometimes thought the sooner I sank into the grave the better, as my doom must be met. O, that I could but claim the privilege of the pi'odigal, in returning to the Fatlier's house, and of being accepted, though a great way off. that I never had been born! that I had followed that loving Savior's voice, so often clearly heard. It is now too late, too late! O that I had returned to my first love when within my reach. But I rejected the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and justly am I now rejected. In this distressing despair I opened a little book — the Christian experience of one whose exercises of mind traced through my own experience, even to my pres- ent despairing state, as nearly as I could have related it in my own words. Through the instrumentality of a sim- ilar experience in another, who was restored and was long a useful Christian, I was encouraged to return, and found tlie iiealing balm. Never can I forget tlie thrill of joy that ran through my whole being as I laid aside that little book. I saw that I had misapj)rehended the meaning of tlie passages of Scripture that seemed to desclbe my condi- tion, and that served to confirm my despair. I saw that those referred to, had so far fallen, and so often rejected the Holy Spirit's teachings, as not to realize their condi- tion, and therefore lost sight of the necessity of a Redeemer. This was not, nor ever Iiad been, my condition. Then 1 read Esau's seeking the blessing, "carefully wltli tears," 32 A woman's i-ifk-work. tliat I had also long dwelt upon as my condition. Here, too, was a vivid thought, that he sought the hjst blessing to subserve self, instead of glorifying God. Here the bright star of hope pierced through the cloud. Is it pos- sible that I can go with confidence to that Father who has so long borne with this unbelieving, doubting, rebellious child? Why has he not cut off this cumberer of the ground long ago? His long-suffering and unbounded mercy, O how free ! how unfathomable ! With many tears of grati- tude, mingled with new hojoe, new aspirations, the bright beam of day radiating from every promise, I could now fully accept the Lord Jesus as my mediator and restorer. By faith, I could fully trust the poor prodigal in his hand. O, Avhat losses we sustain through unbelief. I have felt most easy in leaving my experience on record, as a warn- ing to young Christians to shun the depth of despair into which I sank through unflxithfulness and un1)clief. "By grace ye are saved, through faith." Increasing faith, strength, and peace, with restored health, was my rich experience. ANTI-SLAVERY WORK. Our family, Avitli others, united with Elizabeth Mar- garet Cliandler, who organized in our neighborhood the first anti-slavery society in our State. This was unsatis- factory to the ruling portion of our Society, as it had cleared its skirts many years ago by emancipating all slaves within its pale. Elizabeth M. Chandler was of the Hicksite division of Friends, and as Presbyterians and other religious denominations came into our anti-slavery society, meetings were frequently opened with prayer, and that was thought to be "letting down the principles of ancient Friends." And the subject of slavery was con- sidered too exciting for Friends to engage in, by many Friends of that day. I began to query wiiether it would not be a relief to me, and also to my friends, to become disconnected with that body, as I saw clearly my path of EARTHY LIFE. 33 duty would not be in ucconliince witli the <,'('n('riility of our Society. Ai'tor iiuikin<^ it a, subject of oiirncst j)niyer, I became settled us to the course to pursue, and concluded to unburden niy heavy heart to my parents as I had done to my beloved companion, which I did after our Rabbath meeting. AVe mingled our tears together. Father referred to the same proscribing spirit they exercised over me iu my early experience, that was now exercised over them. Father and mother wished me to defer sending in my re- quest to become disconnected with our Society, as they, too, might think best to pursue the same course. This was a severe trial for each of us. Father had been an acknowledged minister of the Gospel nearly thirty years, and mother occupied the station of an elder nearly the same time. We, too, had become active members iu this branch of the Christian Church. But the conclusion was fully reached within two months after our little conference over this important step, and the following letter of resig- nation was sent to our business meeting: "We, the undersigned, do say there is a diversity of sentiment existing in the Society on the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures, the resurrection of the dead, and day of judgment, justification by faith, the eficct of Adam's fall upon his posterity, and the abolition of slavery, which has caused a disunity amongst us ; and there being no hojie of a reconciliation by investigation, ministers be- ing told by ruling members that there is to be no other test of the soundness of their ministry but something iu their own breasts, thus virtually denying the Holy Scrip- tures to be the test of doctrine; — we, therefore, do wish quietly to withdraw from the ^Monthly Meeting, and thus resign our right of membership with the Society of Friends." This resignation was signed by Daniel Smith, Sene Smith, Charles Haviland, Jun., Laura S. Haviland, Eze- kiel Webl), Sala Smith, and fourteeu others. A few re- 34 A woman's life-work, turued, but the greater united Avitb other Cliristian bodies. A few mouths after this there was a division in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, on account of slavery. They were called Wesleyan Methodists. As this branch of our Father's family was the nearest our own views, we were soon united with them. Our testifications from Friends Avere said by other denominations to be sufficient to be ac- cepted as Church letters, as our offenses named therein were "non-attendance of meetings for discii^linc, and at- tendinof meetinsfs not in accordance with the order of our Society." This was the import of nearly or quite all who were disowned of our company. At that day, all were dealt with as offenders, and were regularly disowned, as our discipline at that time made no provisions for with- drawals. About a year after this, the yearly meeting of Friends in Indiana divided on the subject of slavery. No slavery existed in the society ; yet its discussion was deemed improper, and created disunity sufficient for severing that body for a number of years, when they were invited to re- turn, without the necessity of acknowledgments. About this time we opened a manual labor school on our premises, designed . for indigent children. "With that object in view, we took nine children from our county house (Lenawee), and I taught them, with our four chil- dren of school age, four hours each day. The balance of the day was divided for work and play. The girls I taught house-work, sewing, and knitting. The boys were taken into the form work by my hus])and and lirother Harvey Smith. As our county superintendents of the poor gave us no aid, we found our means insufficient to continue our work on this plane. After one year of this work we se- cured homes for the nine children, except two invalids, who were returned to the county house. We then placed our school on a higher plane, on the Oberlin plan of open- ing the school for all of good moral chai'acter, regardless ot sex or color. At that day (1837) there was not a school n.visix ixsTiTrTK. 35 in oi:r young State tliat would open its door to a colored jjcrsou. And as luy brother, Harvey Smith, had attended the Oberlin Institute, lie united with us in this enterprise, and sold his new farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and expended what he had in erecting temporary buildings to accommodate about fifty students. Tlic class of students was mostly of those designing to teach. Our ])rincipals were from Oberlin during the first twelve years of the " RaiJiu Institute." The first three years it was conducted by P. P. Roots and his wife, Anna B. , v.ho were excellent Christians. When they left, to open a siniilur institution at West Point, Lee County, Iowa, John Putchin became their successor, and conducted tlic school Avith equal ability three years. After uniting in marriage with a teacher in Oberlin, he was assisted by his wife. These thorough teachers earned for our institute the name of being one of the best in our State. Students were sought for teacli- ers in our own and adjoining counties. Although our abolition principles were very un])opular at that day, as we generally had from one to three colored students in our school, yet the thorough discipline given in the studies drew the young people of the JK-st intellect from the surrounduig country. There were those who came from fifty to one hundred miles to prepare for teaching or for a collegiate course. Hundreds of young people who enjoyed the priv- ileges our school afforded came to us with their jinjudices against colored people ami our position in regard to them ; but they soon melted away, and went they knew not where. It was frequently said if we would give up the vexed abolition question, and let the negroes alone. Raisin Institute would become the most popular school in the State. As a sample of many others, I will notice a young lady from Jackson County, who was brought to us by her father to become qualified for teaching. But her sensil)ilities were so shocked at meeting in her grammar-class a colored man that she returned to her room weeping over her disgrace, 36 A woman's ltfe-work. aud resolved to write her father to coine and take her home immediately. But the other young women j^ersuaded her to attend the recitations assigned her, when to her surprise the same young colored man was in the advanced arithmetic class. And Avhile impatiently waiting for her father to come and take her from this "nigger school" (as she and many others called it), a letter came from him advising her to remain, as he had expended so much in fitting her for two or three terms tliere ; although if he had known that a negro would have been allowed to attend her class he would not have taken her there. She soon became reconciled, and before a half-term closed, when she threatened to leave at all events (as she read her father's letter), she came to that colored man to assist her in intri- cate pai'sing lessons. Before the close of the first term she as frequently applied to James Martin, her colored class- mate, for assistance in solving difficult problems in mathe- matics as to any of the others. She was one of our best students; but this deep-rooted prejudice went, she knew^ not how, as with very many others. As to religious privileges in our school, our prayer- meetings were held bi-weekly, Sabbath and Wednesday evenings, aud ministers of various denominations frequently appointed meetings in our school on the Sabbatli. While the Rev. John Patchin had charge of the institution he generally preached Sabbath evening, instead of the prayer- meeting. In the third year of our school our two older sons made a profession of religion, with a number of other students, which was cause of great rejoicing. Surely, we were blessed above measure. Within two years after we were blessed with another shower of divine favor in the conver. sion of our two older daughters. Not unfrequently were these four children's voices uplifted in vocal supplication at the fixmily altar. We were surely repaid more than a hundred-fold for all our toiling, aud heavy burdens bcjrne KAISIN INSTITUTE. 37 in founding Eaisin Institute. As the fleeing fugitive ever found a resting-place and cheer in our home, \\c richly earned the cognomen of " nigger den;" yet Heaven smiled and blessed our work. AVe had many sy!n})athizing friends in the Society from -which we were disconnected as mem- hers, even with those who had deemed us too radical. There Avas miity with us in our work that brought us to- gether in after years. 38 A wojvian's life-wokk. Chapter II. BEREAVEMENTS. Our last chapter left us rejoicing iu success, but how soon did deepest sorr(jw take its place. A dream seemed sent to prepare me for the severe ordeal so near at hand. I thought I was standing iu our front yard looking east- ward, and an angel sitting on a bay horse appeared iu the place of the sun's rising, coming to earth on some mission, gliding over the tree tops toward our house, where were father, mother, my sister Phoebe, and my husband, who held in his arms our little babe. I started to inform them that an angel was coming to earth on some errand, when his advance was so rapid I was likely to lose sight of him, and halted to watch his flight. He seemed to alight iu our yard near me, and smiled as he said, "Follow thou me." "I will," I responded, as soon as I bid Charles and our folks farewell. The beautiful personage assumed a firmer tone, as he said, "Let the dead bury their dead, but follow thou me." At this command I responded, "I Avill," and followed him to the graveyard, where he left me. And I awoke with that angelic figure, with that sweet, yet sol- emn, voice ringing in my ear. I related the dream, with its clear impression in my mind, to my husband, who replied, "That is a significant dream, and I think indicates death. I think we shall be called to part with our infant daughter Laviua ; and it is quite evident that consumption is fast hastening our sister Phoebe to her long home." She was ray own sister, who married my husband's brother, Daniel Haviland. He continued his remarks, by making suggestions as to the course we would feel it best to pursue about a burying- A SIGNIFICANT DREAM. 39 place for our little daughter, in case of a refusal of Friends to allow a plain marble slab, with her name and date of birth and death iu their burying-grouud ; and suggested the corner of our orchard as a pleasant place, to which I assented. After s])eudiug half an hour in this conversa- tion, he went out to his work. I prayed for my Havior's hand to lead me in whatever trial it was necessary for me to pass through. Little did I think of the heavier stroke wliich was first to fall. A few days after this dream I was charging myself with being visionary; yet a few of these most im- pressive dreams, I believe, have been designed fur our iustruction. My husband was seized with a heavy cold, accompanied by a severe cough, that was increasing; yet he was able to be about the house and barn, giving direc- tions, as to outdoor work, but nothing appeared alarming, when I was aroused by a startling dream of a coffin being brought into our front room by four men, of wliom I inquired who was dead. The answer was, "A connection of yours." "I want to see him, for that coffin appears to be for a small man," was my reply. "He is a small man," was the rejoinder, "and you shall see him." Upon this, the closed coffiu was brought to me, and I arose and followed the pall-bearers to the graveyard. As the people were standing around the open grave to see the coffin lowered, I saw a little child standing on the very edge of the grave opposite to me. I exclaimed, "Do take that child away, for it will cave into the grave after its father !" At that instant the light sand under its feet gave way, and, as it struck the coffin, the loud, hollow sound awoke me, trembling as with a fit of ague, and with the strong impression that I was soon to j)art with my beloved com- panion and infant daughter, although both were sweetly sleeping by my side. With this thrill through my whole being, I resorted to prayer for their restoration to health, if consistent with the diviuc will. 40 A woman's life-work. Although my husband liad enjoyed good health a num- ber of years, and had not for seven years previously called upon a physician, yet I now resolved to persuade him to call for one at once. As the clock struck four, and as I was leaving the bed to light the fire, my husband awoke, and said he had enjoyed the most refreshing sleep he had had since taking this cold, and felt so well he thouglit he soon should be rid of it. Whenever I spoke the chattering of my teeth revealel my agitation, and he expressed fear lest I should be ill from the hard chill. But little did lie understand the upheavings of my troubled heart. Soon a severe paroxysm of coughing gave the opportunity to sug- gest the idea of sending for a physician. At length he consented, as he said, to please me, as he thought this cough would soon give way. But while I went to our boy's study-room to awaken our sou Harvey to go for the doctor, a severe pain in the region of the lungs was cutting every breath. The doctor was soon with us, but he thought there were no discouraging symptoms apparent. I sent for Fa- ther Haviland, who also thought, as did the doctor, that I was unreasonably troubled ; but during the following night he expressed doubts of recovery himself, and requested his Avill to be written, which was done. As his fever increased, great effort was made to control our feelings in his pres- ence. At one time, as he awoke, he discovered fast-falHiig tears, and said: "Do not weep for me, my dear wife; re- member those beautiful lines : ' God moves in mysterious way, His wonders to perform.' We are not to 'Judge the Lord by feeble sense, Rut trust him for his grace ; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.' Our separation will be short at longest. Then we shall be reunited where there is no sorrow — no more dying — in that DEATH OF HUSBAND. 41 glorious home. Two days ago tliore seemed a little cloud ; but prayer was answered, and the cloud was all removed. The overshadowing now is that of peace and love." He called for the children. Looking upon us all, he «iid, "O, how dear you all are to me!" Calling eacli l)y name, he gave advice and exhortations as none but a departing hus- band and father could leave with his family — a legacy more precious than all the golden treasures of earth. Tlieu he added: "I want you, my dear children, to promise me that you will meet your fithcr in heaven. Will you meet me there?" Taking our little babe in his arms, he kissed her, and said, " Dear little Laviua will soon be with her father," and closed with the prayer: "O Lord, I commit my dear wife and children into thy hands. Thou art the widow's God, and a loving Father to fatherless children." The words of the dying Christian, beginning "What's that steals, that steals upon my frame? Is it death— is it death?" were sung by his bedside, and as the last line, "All is well— all is well," was reached, he raised his hands, and repeated, " O, hal- lelujah to the Lamb!" Then, turning to rae, he added, " ^ly dear, I want these lines sinig at my funeral." His last words were, "Come, Lord Jesus, thy servant is ready," and with a sweet smile his happy spirit was wafted home, March 13, 1845. His disease was inflammatory erysipelas, at that time entirely new, and not understood by our physicians. It passed through our portion of the State, a sweeping epi- demic, in the Spring of 1845, and proved fatal in most cases. My dear mother, who was with us during this week of sorrow, was taken home with the same disease, and in one week her happy spirit took its flight to God who gave it. She, too, left us in the triumphs of faith. She had not left us an hour before brother Daniel came f )r me to go 4 42 A woman's life-work. to liis dying wife, as she was calling for mother, and he did not dare inform her that mother was dangerously ill. I took my little emaciated babe upon a pillow, and went to my dear sister, who Avas so soon to leave us. Her first query was, " How is our dear mother?" " Mother is a happy spirit in heaven," was the reply, " and sister Phoebe will soon meet her there." Her reply was: "It is well; but I had hoped to meet her once more in this world — yet we'll soon meet, to part no more forever. She soon followed brother Charles ; but I trust we Avill all meet one day, an unbi'oken band. O how I wish I could see brother Ira !" an absent brother for whom she had often expressed great anxiety in regard to his spiritual and everlasting Avelfare. The same burden of soul for the same brother had also rested on the heart of our sainted mother, Avhose funeral took place tAvo days later. "Within one Aveek sister Phoebe died in peace. Here was the third Avave of sorroAV rolling oA'er us. From this house of mourning I Avas removed to my home with the same disease that had taken my husband and mother; and a number of our neighbors Avere going the same AA'ay. My father and father-in-law thought me dangerously ill — chills and fever, Avith stricture of the lungs, that made respiration painful. They Avere A'ery anxious to haA^e the best help that could be obtained at once; "for," said father, "Avhat is done for thee must be done quickly." I told him that e\'ery one Avho had been taken Avith this disease had died, as physicians of each school did not understand it. But I would return to my home, as they suggested ; but felt most easy to trust my- self Avith Avater treatment, and Avould like to take a shoAver- bath every two hours, and try that treatment twelve hours. This was done, and every bath brought relief to respira- ti(m, and my lungs became entirely free, though my neck and throat were still badly SAVollen and inflamed. Cold applications, frequently aj)plied, soon OA'ercanic that diffi- A CRITICAL MOMENT. 43 ciilty, and in three days the disease seemed entirely con- quered. A relajisc from taking cold, however, threw me into a stupor ; but I was aroused by an exjiression of a neighbor, as he said: "She is not conscious, and never will be, un- less something is done; and if she were a sister of mine a doctor woidd be here as soon as I could bring him." " I will see if I can get an expression from her," said my brother Harvey. " If we can only learn mother's wish it shall be granted," said my anxious son Harvey. As I heard their remarks a strong impression came over me that if I were placed in chni-ge of a physician I should not live two days, but if I could tell them to shower my head and neck often I ■would recover. As I looked upon my anxious fatherless children around my bed I made an effort to speak, but my parched and swollen tongue could not for some time utter a word. The answer to earnest prayer came from Him Avho numbers even the very hairs of our head. As my brother took my hand, saying, "If you wish a ])hysician press my hand, or if you wish water treatment move your head on the pillow," I could not move my head in the least, and my only hope was to say no. "When asked if I wished a doctor sent for, I prayed that my tongue might utter Avords of direction for the sake of my father- Irss children, and said, "No." " Do you want cold compresses, or shall we gently shower over a thin cloth on the swollen and inflamed por- tion of your neck and head?" "Shower." ■ ."Cold or tepid?" "Well." "If you mean well-water, how much?" "Big pitcher." "How often?" "Twentv minutes." 44 A woman's life-woek. Said my son Harvey, "It shall be done, if I sit by her every niiuute to-night." I felt a positive impression that my Heavenly Father had answered my prayer directly, and granted an assur- ance, in the token of recovery, and I praised the Lord for bis "loving kindness, O, bow free." With this assurance I fell back in a stupor, except a dreamy consciousness of their showering, which was faithfully done, with the assis- tance of my brother. At twelve o'clock I awoke, and in- quired where all the people were that filled the room a little while before, and was surprised to learn the hour of night. They said, as my breathing 'became more natural, the neighbors had left and the children retired. I could speak easily, and the purple appearance of the skin had disappeared. In the morning the pain was entirely gone, but tlie soreness was still severe. But with frequent changes of compresses during the day, the swelling very much subsided. I wondered why father did not come, as he had not been to see me since sister Phoebe's funeral. My brother informed me that he had a chill during the funeral, and had not been able to leave. As he had a few fits of the ague some weeks previously, I su2:)posed it was a return of that disease. The day following brother Sala came, and in reply to my inquiry after my father, said he was no better, but sent me a request to be very careful of myself, and hoped I would soon recover, and left in seeming haste to see brother Patchin. But I sent for him to come and tell me more about father. He soon came with brother Patchin and brother Dolbeare. He then told me that father had the same disease that had taken my husband and our mother, and he also said that it was fatlier's request that for the sake of my large fomily of children, who were recently bereft of their father, that I would give up the idea of coming to see him. But I could not be satisfied without going to see my dear father once more, and yet, the pleading of my dear MY DYING FATHER. 45 children was almost too much to forego. "We have just lost our father; uow what should we do if our mother should be taken from us? " " But if I am rolled in quilts and laid on a bed in the wagon, I am confident I can be taken to father's house safely" — distant nearly three miles. Jn this way I was taken to my dying father, though unable to walk across the room without assistance. As soon as he learned of my coming, he directed them to lay me on the bed until I was rested. In a few minutes he sent them to bring me to him. As my son and brother led me to his bedside, he placed the cold purple fingers over my pulse, and said, "I am so glad to see thee, but I feared it would be too much for thee to bear. There is a little feverish excitement about thee yet. I am more concerned for thee than for the rest of my children, on account of thy large family, that will so much need their mother's counsel and care. I Avant to say to thee, Look uji to the Avidow's God for guidance, for wisdom from him is so much -needed, with the heavy responsibilities now resting uj)on thee. Do not allow these bereavements to crush thy feeble frame. I have feared they had already seriously affected thy health. I know thy anxiety to bring up thy children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And he will grant ability to lead them to the Lamb of God, who shed his precious blood for us all." With other advice, he be- came weary, and said, " Now take her back to the other room, and lay her on the bed until rested." And during the few hours he lived he frequently sent for me to talk a few minutes at a time, Avatching my pulse each time, until Avithin a fcAv moments of the la.st farcAvell to earth. There AA-ere six of his children present, to whom he gaA'e his f\ireA\ell blessing, leaA'ing a bright evidence that all Avas Avell Avith him. "In me there is no merit. I am fully trusting in the merit of my crucified Savior, Avho shed his OAvn precious blood for my redemption. I can say Avith Job, ' I know that my Ivedeomer lives,' and be- 46 A woman's life-work. cause he lives I shall live also." His last words, almost with his last breath, -were, "Here she comes," and left this tabernacle for the building not made with hands, eter- nal in the heavens. Father and mother were lovely in their lives, and in their death were only two weeks divided. It seemed that my last earthly prop was gone. Three Aveeks later my youngest child followed her father and grandparents to tlie spirit home. Within six weeks, five of my nearest and dearest ones were taken from me. There Avas hardly a family within two miles of us but was bereft of one or two loved ones by this epidemic. Five widows (myself included) at one time were standing around the death-bed of a near neighbor. Our female principal at that time, Emily Galpin, was taken with this epidemic, and died after three days' illness. A few hours previous to her death she requested a season of prayer, in which her husband. Rev. Charles Galpin, led. Her pros- pect was bright, and, cleai'ly foreseeing the ransomed thi'ong she was soon to join, said she, "Oh! hew vain, how transi- tory, does all earthly treasure appear at this hour — a mere bubble upon the water." About a half an hour be- fore she left us, she said, "Hai'k! don't you hear that beautiful music? Oh! what music; I never heard any- thing like it! Do n't you hear it?" " No, we do not hear it." Being in an ecstacy, she exclaimed, "Look at that heavenly choir. Do n't you see them ? Do n't you hear that sweetest^ of all music?" "We do not see them nor hear them." " There — they have left." A few minutes before her happy spirit took its flight, she again looked up very earnestly. " There they are again. Oh, how sweet! how beautiful!" And taking leave of her husband and two children, sister and brother-in-law, and of all present, committing her dear ones to the keeping of the Lord Jesus, with the request that the two lines, "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide niy.self in thee," BUSINESS EMnARIlASSMENTS. 47 be placed upon the marble slab to mark her resting place, she fell asleep in Jesus. Such fatality never before, nor since, visited Raisin as in 1845. In those days of sorrow commingled with the rest of fiiith, that brought peace and joy even in afflic- tion, my only reliance was the widow's God, for wisdom I so much needed in the double responsibilities noAv resting upon me. After the death of my sweet babe, twenty-two months of age, and my restoration to health, I looked over amounts of indebtedness with dates when due. I made an estimate of costs of harvesting and marketing the twenty acres of ■wheat and other grains, and what must be retained for family use ; and found I would be able to reach only about half the amount due the following Autumn. I called on all our creditors within reach to inform them of proba- bilities, unless I could find sale for a portion of the stock. But none of the creditors wanted any of it. Said one, to whom the largest amount was due, "You do not think of taking your husband's business and carrying it forward, do you?" I replied, "I thought of trying to do the best I could with it. With a look of suri)rise, he said firmly, " You are very much mistaken, Mrs. Ilavilaud ; you can not do any such thing ; you had much better appoint some man in whom you have confidence to transact your business for you." I informed him I had seven minor children left me, and I found seven hundred dollars of indebtedness, and it would cost money to hire an agent. Then, I ought to know just where I stand, to enable me to look closely to expenditures. "Well, you can try it, but you'll find your mistake before six months have passed, and you'll see you had better have taken my advice." I knew I was not accustomed to business of this sort. All the other cred- itors whom I had seen spoke very kindly. Although these words were not unkindly spoken, yet they were saddening to my already sad heart. 48 A woman's life-work. I was too timid to go to the probate judge with any sort of ease for iustruction, lu looking around me for some female friend to accompany me, I could find but very few who Avere not undergoing like trials with myself, conse- quently I must submit to these new experiences, as what- ever Avas right for me to do Avas proper. I depended upon an allwise guiding Hand, Avho is ever ready to reach it forth to the trusting child. I wrote to one, a few miles distant, to Avhom Avas due eiglity dollars the ensuing Fall, that forty dollars Avould be all I should be able to meet. He called in a few days, and introduced himself saying that he had received a statement from me that I' could only pay him the coming Fall fifty per cent on the eighty-dollar note he held against my husband. Said he, in a hurried manner, "I called to let you know that I must have it all Avlien it is due, as I have a payment to make on my farm at that time, and I have depended on that." I told him I would gladly pay him every penny of it the coming Fall, but it would be impossible, as there Avcre other demands equally pressing. "Very Avell, that is all I have to say, madam ; I can not accept any such arrangement ; I shall put in a Avay to bring it. Good-by.' He left in haste for me to ponder all these things over, in doubts as to my ability to meet all these rough places of outside life. Perhaps I had better leave this business with some man to deal Avith men. But prayer to the AvidoAv's God and comforting promises Avere my com- panions. Here was my only refuge and shelter in these storms. As I retired Avith a burdened heart, that I was endeavoring to cast at the feet of my Savior, the Avidow's burden-bearer, I had a sweet dream of an angelic host, that filled my room Avith a halo of glory, settled on every face, and those nearest my bed appeared in the form of persons dressed in beautiful attire ; others Avere SAveet faces that looked upon me Avith smiles of peace. As one took my hand, a familiar feeling sprang up, that gave me confidence to PRAYEU ANSWERED. 49 ask for the name. " ^ly name is Supporter." And look- ing at the one standing near, "And ^hat is his name?" "That is a woman, and her name is Inllucncer-of-hearts." Pointing to another still more glorious in appearance, "And who is tliat one?" "That is Searchcr-of-hear(s." "Then you all hear the name of your missions to earth, do you?" "We do," roi)licd Supporter. As I looked over this host that filled my room I burst into a flood of tears for joy. I exclaimed, "Oh! what missions arc yours! so many wayward hearts to influence, so much of sin and wickedness that reigns in this world to search out." At this said Searchcr-of hearts, "Supjwrt her, for she needs it." "I do," and he reached for my other hand, and as both of my hands were held by Supporter, I realized a wave of strength to pass over me, filling my soul. I awoke in an ecstacy. Yes, I will cast my care on Jesus and not forget to pray. Calm and sweet was this confidence iu being cared for, and supported by an almighty arm. A few days after I saw the exacting man coming through my gate, which, for a moment, caused a dread ; but the second thought was, all, all is with my Savior. I met him with the usual greeting, and said, "You have called to sec about that claim you have against me." "Yes, I have called to inform you that I shall not want any tliing/rom you next Fall, and perhaps shall not want more tlian half next year, as I have received one hundred dollars that I had supposed was lost, and as I was coming within two miles I thought I would call and let you know of my "conclusion." AVhile I thanked him for the favor, secret praise a-sccuded to Ilim who melts away the mount- ain that seems impassable, making a way where there seemed no way. This may seem a small matter, but for me at that time it was a reason for rejoicing at this unexpected turn of af- fairs. It was but one of many similar cases, and none can more fullv rcaliz> t'.ie blessing of these reliefs than the 60 A woman's life-work. Avidow of nearly twoscore years, wlio never j)revIous to widowliood knew the burden of outside -work in providing for a large family, Avhich was now added to continued care of the Raisin Institute. Many night plans, for day execu- tion, ■\vere made. I soon found sale for forty acres of the one hundred and sixty, Avhich relieved me of the most pressing demands. At times responsibilities were so great, and burdens so crushing, that I was almost ready to falter. ]My greatest anxiety was to guide my dear children aright. The four older ones had resolved to follow the dear Redeemer, but the slippery paths of youth were theirs to walk in. The consideration of these multiform cares at one time seemed of crushing weight. I questioned Avhcther the burden I had so often left at the foot of the cross I had not taken U]^ again, and Avhether I had as fully consecrated self, Avith my dear children, to the Lord as he required. I was endeavoring fully to yield all into my Redeemer's hands for safe-keeping. This was my constant prayer, yet this heavy burden during a few days seemed unfitting me for the cveiy-day duties devolving upon me. In family devo- tion I opened to the fifty-fourth chapter of Isaiah, Avhere I found precious promises that I accepted for my own, and the heavy burden for my children Avas uplifted. Ne\'er did I experience greater liberty in prayer, or exercise a stronger faith. Surely the silver lining to this cloud ap- pears. "All thy children shall be taught of the Lord" wci'Q precious Avords. I Avas afflicted and tossed Avith tem- pest, but a SAveet promise followed. All the Avay through that chapter the Comforter appeared Avith rich promises. With these before me I could freely leave all my burden Avith the Lord. I saw by the eye of faith all my seven children made acquainted Avith their Creator in the days of their youth. Although I never ceased asking, yet there haa seemed an accompanying assurance. When from ten to sixteen years of age, my seven children yielded by liv- MARRIAGE OF TWO CHILDREN. 51 ing experience to the Savior's loviug iuvitation, " Come unto me," that hour and day was victorious through fliith. That weight of burden never again returned. The entire yielding all into the care and keeping power of Him who doeth all things well, at that hour was comi)lcte. I could say, "He Icadeth me," without a shadow of doubt. As fugitive-slaves were still making their resting-place with us, I hired one of ihcm, named George Taylor, a few months through hay-making and harvest. He had made his escape from a Southern master who was about to sell him farther south. Once before he had made an unsuc- cessful attempt at freedom, Init was captured and placed iu irons, until they made deep sores around his ankles. As he appeared very submissive, the sorest ankle was re- lieved. Beiug so badly crippled, he was thought safe. But supi)lying himself with asafetida, which he occasion- ally rubbed over the soles of his shoes, to elude the scent of l)loodhounds, he again followed the north star, and finally reached our home. His ankles were still unhealed. He had succeeded in breaking the iron with a stone, dur- ing the first and second days of his hiding in the woods. He v.'as an honest Christian man of the Baptist persuasion. MARRIAGE OF TWO CHILDREN. On June 0, 1840, my oldest son, Harvey S., was mar- ried to Iluldah West, of Adrian, and my oldest daughter, Esther M., was at the same hour married to Almon Cam- l)uru, of Franklin, both of our own county. The mother's earnest prayer was, that these children might prove each other's burden-sharers, thereby doubling the joys, as well as dividing the sorrows, of life. My daughter's husband was one of our students, and in some of her studies a classmate. We were fortunate in again securing brother Patchiu to finish the academic year in our institution. Though the cloud looked dark that overhung our institution, by the 52 A woman's life-avork. sudden deaths of my husband, and sister Emily Galpin, which caused her bereaved husband to leave as soon as his place could be filled by a successor, we had the con- sciousness that our school Avas taking a deep hold on the minds of the community at large, as well as exercising a marked influence upon the young people who were enjoy- ing its privileges. We found an increasing interest in abolition principles throughout our community. In this we praised God and took courage. AUNT I.UCY. 53 Chapter III. AXTI-SLAVKRY EXrERIENCES. This chapter intruduces the reaJei* to representatives of a large proportion of slave -owners of the Southern States, Avho were perverted by a system well-nuiucd "the sum of all villainies." Willis Hamilton, an emancipated slave, the hero of this narrative, who fled to Canada with his slave wife, Elsie, to sock for her the protection of the British lion from the mer- ciless talons of the freedom-shrieking American eagle, was emancipated three years ])revious to the date of this chap- ter, together with nineteen others (the reputed goods and chattels of John Bayliss, a Baptist deacon, near Jones- borough, Tennessee). Slaveholder though he was, John Bayliss evidently thought his black jjcople had souls as well as those of white skins, for he allowed his house servants to remain in the dining-room during evening family wor- ship, thus giving them instruction which, as the sequel will show, made the slave the teacher of the master; for one morning, as "Aunt Lucy," an old and privileged servant, was passing through his room, she said: " ]\rassa Jolui, T 's bin tliinkin' a heap o' dat ar what you read in the Bil)le t' other night." "Ah, what's that, Aunt Lucy?" said the deacon. " It's to do oder folks as you 'd Avant 'em to do to you, or somehow dat fashion. I tell you, JIassa John, 't would be mighty hard for you white folks to work great many years and get noffin'. Den, if you dies, whar 'd we go to? I s]iciks v,e M go down de ribcr, like Jones's poor people did las' week." oi A woman's life-work. . " ^Ye]l, Vvcll, Auut Lucy, that ■was too bad; but Jones was in debt, and I suppose they had to be sold." " O yes, I s'pose so; but dat you read in de Bible sort o' sticks to me — I can 't help it," said this faithful old mother in Israel, as she went out to her work. In a moment or two Mrs. Bayliss entered the room, and the deacon said : "Wife, what kind of a text do you think Aunt Lucy has just given me?" " Text?" " Yes, text." "What's got into her head now?" " She says she 's been thinking about what I read in prayer-time the other evening, referring to the golden rule, and that it sort o' sticks to her. She spoke of the excite- ment over Jones's black people who Avere sent down the river the other day ; and I tell you, the way she applied her text, it 'sort o' sticks' to me." "O hush!" indignantly exclaimed Mrs. Bayliss. "Aunt Lucy 's mighty religious, and has so many notions of her own she 's not worth minding, any how." "But she asked me what would become of my black people if I should die, and if I thought they would ever be torn apart as Jones's Avere. I tell you, wife, I have Avitnessed such scenes too often to feel right in risking a contingency of that kind," said the deacon, gravely. "Don't be a fool, now, John Bayliss," angrily exclaimed his wife, "about Aunt Lucy's fuss over Jones's niggers." "Well," said the deacon, "I don't Avonder at her feel- ing grieved; they belonged to her Church, and many of them were her relatives." Here, for the time being, the conversation ended ; but the soul of John Bayliss, awakened by the simple, straight- forward speech of his bond-woman, refused to be quieted, and he made this the subject of earnest prayer until the path of duty became so clear before him that he could not KLSIH HAMILTON. 55 do otlicrwiso tliaii nuuiuinil lii.s twenty slaves, although bitterly ojiposed by his wife (who refused to free the three held iu her owu right). Elsie, the wife of Willis Hamilton, belonged to a neigh- boring planter. She was sold to a drover for the Southern market, and was being torn from her husband and two little daughters. Willis, in his agony, went from house to house, im])l<)ring sonic one to buy her, so that she might remain near her ilimily. Finally one Dr. John P. Chester, who was about opening a hotel, agreed to jiurchase Elsie for S80a, if Willis would pay $300 in work in the house, and fare tlie same as the other servants in board and clothing. Witli these conditions Willis gladly complied ; but after they had spent a few months in their new home Deacon Bayliss examined their article of agreement and found it to be illegal. He told Willis that Dr. Chester could sell Elsie at any time, and he could establish no claim to her, even had he paid the 8300, which, at the wages he was receiving, would take him nearly nine years to earn, with the interest, and advised him to leave Dr. Chester and work for wages, as he had done since his manumission. This advice Avas immediately acted upon, Willis being permitted to spend his nights with his wife. Every thing passed off pleasantly for a few weeks, until one of the house-servants told Elsie that she overheard INIaster John sell both her and Willis to a slave-trader, who would the following night convey them to the river with a drove ready for Xew Orleans. Frantic as the poor woman was with terror and grief at tliis informatiim, she managed to ]x,M-form her duties as usual until supper-time; and when all were seated at the table she slipped out un- observed, ran through a corn-field into the woods, sending word to Willis by a fellow-servant to meet her at a certain l<^'g. The moment Willis received the message he hastened to her with flying feet; and here the wretched husband 56 A woman's life-avouk, and "wife, but a few days before so full of plnus for a pleasant future, held their council in tears. Willis, in his sudden fright and excitement, could only exclaim: ""What shall we do? Where shall we go?" Elsie, cooler and more composed, suggested going to Deacon Bayliss for advice. This AVillis quickly did, and soon re- turned, it having been arranged that he should bring Elsie there and secrete her in the attic until the excitement of the hunt was over. After this thcj assumed the names of Bill and Jane, a brother and sistgr y^ho answered to their own description of color and size on Willis's free papers — the whole list of the twenty slaves emancipated by Deacon Bayliss being recorded on each j^aper. After five weeks hiding at the southern terminus of the " Underground Railroad," they took up their line of march for Canada. In a Quaker settlement in Indiana they found friends to whom they revealed their true relationship, and here they spent a year with a Quaker flimily named Shu- gart. But the slight protection afforded by the laws of Indiana did not tend to give them a feeling of security, and so they started again for the promised land with their inflint daughter Louisa. On this journey they were assisted on their way, and made easy and comfortable compared with their hasty flight from Tennessee, from whence they walked with swollen and blistered feet, and every nerve strung to its utmost tension from the fear of pursuit by their South- ern persecutors. As times were hard in Canada, Elsie consented to come to Michigan with her husband if ho could f nd a Quaker neighborhood. In their search they found our house, and my husband, Charles Haviland, Jr., after learning their condition, leased Willis twenty acres of ground, mostly openings, for ten years, for the improvements he would make thereon. Here they lived for three years, when one day Elsie saw a strange man peering through the fence. A FRAUDULENT LETTER. 57 Her first thought was "a Southerner," and snatching her two little ones she ran for our house, only a few rods distant. The man pursued her, and she called for help to a neighbor in sight, at which the skulking sneak took himself ofi' to the woods. This incident so thoroughly aroused their fears that they took another farm, a few miles distant, for three years ; then a farm near Ypsilanti for a few years ; from whence they removed to ^Monroe, where they induced a friend to write to Willis's old friCnd and master. Deacon Bayliss, making inquiries after their two daughters, who were left behind in slavery. They received a prompt re- ply, jiurporting to come frum Bayliss, informing them that their daughters were still living where they left them. He Avould see them, he said, by the time he received their next letter, which he hoped would be soon, that he might be the happy bearer of glad news to the children from their father and mother. He professed great joy at hear- ing from them, wished them to write all the particulars about themselves, but cautioned them to write to no one but him, and all would be safe. He requested them to inform him in what tow'n they were living, as he noticed their letter was dated in one town, mailed in another, and he was directed to address them in a third. Their friend, however, strictly cautioned them not to reveal their definite whereabouts, but to answer all other (pieries. Willis wrote that as his farm lease had ex})ircd there, he would have to seek another farm, and did not know where he would be, but to address a letter as before and it would be forwarded to him. Their next move was to return to their first ]Miehigan home on my ])remises, a few months after the death of my husband, taking up their abode in the little log-house built for them a few years before, and working my land on shares. Another letter was soon received from their friend Deacon Bayliss, as they supposed, and they urged me to reply ; but I firmly refused to write to any one in the land of the slaveholder, lest the message should fall into the 58 A woman's life-work. hands of enemies, and advised them to leave their daughters in the hands of the Lord, who would yet provide a way of deliverance for them as he had for their parents. In their great anxiety, however, to hear from their children, fr(jm whom they had been separated so many years, their plea was strong and persistent; but I remained immovable to all their entreaties, and tuld them of a slave family, who, after living twenty years in Indiana, had but recently been captured and returned to hopeless bondage. Upon this they yielded to me for the time being, but in a few weeks came again with pleadings made eloquent by suffer- ing. As they had felt the vice-like grip of the peculiar system on their own hearts and lives, they realized too keenly the fate that might any time overtake their daughters. But I still resisted all their entreaties, and in a few days after they applied to J. F. Dolbeare, one of the trustees of Raisin Institute, who, thinking there was no danger, wrote all they desired, telling the suj)- posed Deacon Bayliss all tlieir past life in the free States and all their plans f )r the future. This they kept from me for a time, but Elsie's heart refused to be quieted, and she finally told me a1)()ut it, first telling her husband she believed it their duty. "For," she says, "I have thouglit more about it since Aunt Laura told me she dreamed of three p(Msonous green vijjcrs which she poked so near the fire that their sacks were burned to a crisp and the poison all ran out, so that she thought them powerless for harm, but they still kept their threatening attitude; and -who knows but these vijiers may be slaveholders?" Willis said he had felt like telling me all the while, and both came to me with their story. I much regretted this unw'ise step, but forbore all criti- cism, and told them we would hope for the best. A few days after a stranger appeared at our gate and inquired for a stray horse, which he said left him at Tecumseh. None having been seen he made similar inquiries at Hamilton's. MISHAP TO SLAVK-lIUXTErvS. ' 59 lie als.) asked for a glass of water, and while receiving it, says to Elsie: "Auntie, Avhere does this road lead to, that crosses the river east?" "To Palmyra," she replied, and frightened at being addressed as "Auntie," in the Southern style, hastened into her house. The second night after this, at eleven o'clock, a car- riage drove up to a log-house on one of the cx'oss roads, and three men a^ipeared simultaneously, two at" the front and one at the rear window, but quickly disappeared. They had evidently mistaken their jDlace, as it was a white family up with a sick child. It was a dark night, and there was a dugway ten feet deep perpendicular, near the fence to which their team was hitched, which the valiant and mysterious trio did not discover, and when they re- entered their carriage and attempted to turn around they tumbled into it, horses, carriage, and all. This little inci- dent so disarranged their plans that they were until day- light returning to Adrian (only six miles distant), with their broken trappings and bruised horses. They told the liveryman, Mr. Hurll)urt, that their horses took fright and ran off a stccrji bank, and begged him to fix the damages as low as possible, as they were from home, belated, etc. I\[r. Hurlburt assessed them thirty dollars; but he after- wards said, had he known their business he would have doubled it. Three days after this fortunate mishap Willis Hamilton received a letter inclosing three dollars, purporting to be from John Bayliss, who had come up into Ohio on busi- ness, and was on his way to visit them when he W'as sud- denly taken very ill, and was pronounced by the physi- cians in a critical condition — in fact, they gave him but little encouragement for recovery, and he desired Willis to come and visit him, and bring his wife and chil- dren, as he might want him for two weeks. He closed by saying : "Whether I get better or die, I am resigned, and can 60 A woman's life-wokk. say the Lord's will be clone. I shall have every train "svatcheJ until you come. God bless you. " Respectfully yours, John Bayijss." Of course I was given this letter to read, and I sug- gested the utmost caution in obeying this request, for, as the old rat in the fable said, there might be " concealed mischief in this heap of meal." I called for the other two letters, and found they were "written by the same hand. Wilhs says : " Oh ! I know the old boss too well ; he 's true as steel ; he won't have anything to do with trap business. Besides, I 've got my free- papers, and I 'm not afraid to go, but I wont take my wife and children." I proposed that Mr. Dolbeare or some neighbor go with him. That pleased him, but Mr. Dolbeare could not go. As my son Daniel and I were going to Adrian, I proposed to get either Mr. Backus or Mr. Peters, both strong anti- slavery friends in the city, to accompany him to Toledo. As we were about starting, Joseph Giblxms, a neighbor, came with the suggestion that Willis remaiu at home, and James Martin, Avho was about his color and size, go in his stead ; as Gibbons agreed with me in believing there was a deep laid plot. To this all parties agreed, and Willis gave me the letter and the three dollars towards the fare of whoever should go with James, who was an intelligent young colored man in our institution. Everything being in readiness we now started for Adrian, where we arrived just in time to jump on board the train, and consequently had no leisure to seek out and make the proposed arrange- ments with our above mentioned friends, but sent word back to Willis that we would return the following morning. Once fairly settled on our journey the responsibility so suddenly thrust xrpon me made me cry out in my heart for wisdom beyond my own, and I prayed for a guiding hand to direct our actions in case we should find ourselves in the camp of the enemy, face to face with traffickers iu human souls and ])()dies, who considered no scheme too ARIIIVAL AT TOLF.DO. 61 vile or desperate for thcin to undertake, the success of ■\vliieli would lu any way subserve their own interests. We arrived at Toledo at 7 P. M., and as we left the cars James was adtlressed by a man with the questii)n : "Is your name Willis Hamilton?" (and without waitin;^ f)r a reply), "Is your wife with you?" " !N"o, sir," said James. " Perhaps I am mistaken," said the questioner, who was the ])orter of the Toledo hotel. "Who do you wish to see?" said James. "Willis Hamilton is the man I nm sent for, by his old friend John Bayliss, who is at the Toledo hotel, so ill that he is not expected to live." "Where is this Mr. Bayliss from?" said James. "Tennessee, I believe." " Very Avell, if there is such a num here I want to sec him." "Come with me, and I'll take you to his room," said the porter. While this conversation was passing between the porter and James we were following in the rear, but apparently paying no attention to them. Our plan was for Daniel to keep James in sight if possible, and whatever he heard of the sick man to report to me in the parlor. We entered the hotel nearly together. I was shown into the parlor and James was taken up a flight of stairs from the bar- room. Daniel was following, when the porter told him tlic bar-room for gentlemen was below. He said, "I am taking this man to see a friend of his who is very sick, and no strangers are allowed to enter the room." Of course, my son could do nothing but return, so no further observations could be taken by us luitil ^.s has sent for him and his family, and they can not imagine why he docs not come." " Well, I can tell you why. We feared a trap, as Willis's wife was formerly a slave." "I don't see," said the doctor, "how you could sus- pect any thing wrong in that letter, as I understand they have written them before, and you should have comi)ared the letters to sec if they were written by the same person." " We did so, and found they were written by the same person. But there are other points to consider : 1st, John Bayliss stands somewhat in the relation of a slaveholder, as in a former letter he spoke of three aged slaves living with him, and Avishcd Hamilton and Avifc to stay with him two weeks if he lived, which was doubtful, and wished tlicm to be sure and bring their children, though avc all know that four little noisy children are not agreeable com- panions in a sick-room." Here my Icarncil doctor gave his head a vigorous scratch, and said: "Well, madam, Mr. Bayliss is probably cliildish from age, and his severe illness makes him more so. A nervous temperament like his, affected by disease, often enfeebles the mind, as body and mind are in close I'clationship philosopliically. Now, he is just childish enough to want to see those children Jtlaying around his room, and 64 A woman's life-avork. he says he would make them handsome presents ; aud as mouey seems to be plenty with him aud apparently no object, I judge they would be well paid for coming." I did not appear to question this view of the case, but inquired how long Deacon Bayliss had been ill. "About seven days, madam," replied the doctor. " AVhat seems to be the natui-e of the disease?" " It was at first a violent attack of bilious fever, but for the last three days it has ai?sumed a fearful form of typhus." I told him that Hamilton and his Avife were both very anxious about their old friend, and wished me to see him personally, and give him their reasons for not coming. "I should be glad," said the doctor, "to allow you to see him, were it not for his extreme nervousness, but I dare not risk it. It seems hard to think the dying request of this poor old man can not be granted. He seems to consider this flxmily almost next to his own." "Yes," I said, "it is also luird and humiliating to hu- mane and patriotic Americans that a system of human bondage exists in this country which causes these horrible fears and suspicions to loom up like specters before the mental vision of this persecuted and down-trodden race." "That is very true," said Dr. Taylor; "slavery is the darkest spot on our national escutcheon. But in this case there is no cause for suspicion ; for I am sure there is no plot with regard to the Hamilton family, and I call God to witness that every word I tell you is truth. As to the tliree slaves you spoke of, he told me during the first of his sickness that he emancipated all his slaves, twenty in number, but that his wife had three in her right, which she refused to free, and these have always remained in the family. Ho manumitted his slaves from purely conscien- tious scruples ; and I believe tliat if there is a Christian that walks God's earth he is one, for he has manifested such patience and resignation during his severe illness "the doctor's" opinion. 65 that he lias entirely wou my affectious. Now, do n't you tliiuk you can iuducc Hamilton to bring his family here? I do not believe he will live three days." "I will be honest Avith you," I replied. "Although you have talked like a candid man, I do not believe I could transfer sufficient confidence to the family to induce them to come unless I should see him, as they charged me over and again." At this my tender-hearted iEsculapius sighed deeply, and said: "I am sorry that they or their friends should entertain any distrust, as I fear he may not be conscious two days longer. A council of physicians was called this afternoon, and three out of the four gave it as their ojiin- iou that he could not survive, at the longest, beyond three days ; and I believe him liable to drop away within twenty-four hours, although it is barely possible he may live a week." "Well," I replied, "one cause of susi">icion, both with my neighbors and myself Avas tliat, although the letters from John Bayliss were all written by the same hand, tlio last one was e(|ually well written as the others, although he was represented as so very low, with little hope of recovery." Here my ready-tongued doctor very thoughtfully placed his hand to his forehead, but in a moment replied: "I will tell you how that was. His fever was off at the time, which enabled him to carry a steady hand." " Well, of course," I replied, " we do not know that any plan exists to remand these people back to slavery, but we only judged of the possibilities. And for my part I do not believe in regarding the wicked enactments of men which contravene the laws of eternal right given by God, who made of one blood all nations who dwell upon the face of the earth, and of Christ, who left the realms of glory to bring blessings to mankind, and a part of whose mission was to unloose the heavy l)urdins and let the op- 6 66 A woman's ijfe-work. liressed go free. Aud iu view of the golden rule given by the great Lawgiver, I would not for my right hand become instrumental in returning one escaped slave to bondage. I firmly believe in our Declaration of Independ- ence, that all men are created free and equal, aud that no human being has a right to make merchandise of others born in humbler stations, and place them on a level with horses, cattle, and sheep, knocking them off the auction- block to the highest bidder, sundering family ties, and out- raging the purest and tenderest feelings of human nature." " That is all right," said the doctor, "and I understand your feelings. Slavery is the greatest curse upon our oth- erwise happy country. But in this case there need be no fear of any conspiracy to injure your colored friends ; aud I did hoj^e, for the sake of Mr. Bayliss, they would come and visit him, and gratify his dying request." He then gave me some of the alarming symptoms of his patient, enlarged on the sympathy he felt for him, and finally proposed to go up and consult with his son-in-law on the propriety of allowing me to see him in his present exceedingly nervous state. He said if he was not spoken to perhaps I might be allowed to look at him, as he was kept under the influence of opiates, aud was to-night in a heavy stupor, and not disposed to talk to any one. "Would such au arrangement be any satisfaction to you?" I replied that, while it was immaterial to me, it would probably satisfy the Hamilton family; and, after a few minutes' consultation in the sick-room, he returned with the conclusion that I might enter the room, but that no loud word must be si)oken, nor the sound of a footfall permitted. " But you can not see his face, as it is covered with cloths wet in vinegar to draw the fever out, and he is now in a doze, and I do not wish to disturb him." He then described the terrible paroxysms, bordering ou SEEING THE PATIENT. 67 spasms, sufTcrcd by his patient, iu which it took four men to hold him, and was eulogizing his wonderful fortitude and Christian patience, when the son-in-law suddenly came rushing into the room iu his shirt-sleeves and stocking-feet, and exclaimed : " Doctor, doctor, do come quick ; father 's got another spasm, and I don't know what to do." "Yes, yes," said the doctor, "I'll come; don't leave your father a moment ;" and jumped up, apparently in great excitement. But at the door he halted to tell me that these spasms indicated mortification, when the son-in- law again opened tlie door with a bang and the exclamation : "Doctor, why don't you hurry? Father is vomiting again, and I 'm afraid he is dying." At this they both rushed frantically upstairs. In about fifteen minutes the doctor returned, saying he had given his patient a double dose of an opiate, and would let him rest awhile. He then launched out into a description of his treatment of Mr. Bayliss; how he had blistered him, and performed a surgical operation on him which had given liim great pain; said he was attending him to the neglect of his other patients, and after exhausting a large amount of elorpicnce on the subject returned to the sick chamber. Ju a few moments he came back with the information that I could now be admitted, and conducted me to the room. As soon as we step[x?d within the door the doctor halted, but I stepped to the center of the room, as if I had forgotten that I was only just to enter, and gazed at the bed and then at the lounge opposite. The doctor stepped to my side and said, "That is he on the bed yon- der." I stood a moment and took a mental inventory of the sick man, who appeared fidl six feet tall and very slender, not at all answering to the description of the short, heavily built John Bayliss, of two hundred pounds avoirdupois. Of courso, a fit of sickness might reduce a 68 A woman's life-work. man's flesh, but it did not appear to me as especially likely to increase liis height. As his face Avas covered with wet cloths I could not see the round physiognomy of John Bayliss, but passing my hand over the face I found it long and thin featured. I whispered to the doctor that I would like to notice his pulse. He said I could do so on the jugular vein. I did so, and found the skin of this fever-stricken man to he the natural temperature, but I whispered to the doctor that I was not so accustomed to noticing the pulse in that locality as at the wrist. After some resistance by the sick man, who finally yielded with a long undertone groan, I found his wrist, and the full, strong, regular pulse of a Avell man. There was now no doubt in my mind that I was alone at this midnight hour, far from home, in a room with three slaveholders. As I stepped from the bed the doctor asked me if I Avas satisfied. The thought flashed through my mind that I had always contended that deception Avas lying, and that no cu'cumstances could justify it. But other thoughts also came, and I replied that I was satisfied. At this the son-in-law, who had apparently been sleep- ing on the lounge, roused himself and commenced rul>])ing his eyes, and looking at the doctor, said, "Oh, doctor, do you think father is any better?" "I can not conscientiously give you any hope," replied the doctor. "Oh, dear!" he exclaimed, "what shall I do? I am almost sick myself, taking care of him day and night. If I had only known that they were near Tecumsch, Avhere I lost my horse, I would have seen them ; but I hoped to have found him better Avhen I returned, instead of Avhich he w'as much worse." At this I stepped towards him, and said: "If you are the gentleman who Avas inquiring for a horse in our neigh- borhood a feAV days ago, you called at Hamilton's house and asked f )r a drink of water." SENDING A LETTER. 69 "What, that place where a l>]ack woman brought nie a glass of water ?" "Yes; that was Hamilton's wife.'* "Is it possible! that little log house where there was a l)ile of luinipkius in the yard ?" " Yes," I said. "Oh! if I had only known it," he exclaimed, "wo would have had them here to help us. Vv^hat trouble we have had. I reckon latlicr will die, and I shall have to go home alone. God knows we have had a bad trip of it." The careful doctor now began to fear we would disturl) the patient, and wc were about leaving the room when he suddenly exclaimed, "I want you to see what black bilious matter Mr. Bayliss vomited a while ago;" and, stepping back, he brought me a white bowl two-thirds full of what might have been the contents of a coffee-pot, with a bottle of black ink thrown in, and a few spittles floating on top. This, he told me, indicated mortification. "We now passed into the parlor, where we could talk without disturbing the patient. "Now, madam," as you are fully satisfied Avith regard to ]\Ir. Bayliss's illness, can 't you do something to get the Hamiltons here ?" "I am willing," I replied, "to do all in my power, but see no better way than to inform them of the state of af- fairs up(m my return, and the train will leave for Adrian at eight o'clock to-morrow morning." The doctor went up stairs to see what word they wished to send, and soon re- turned Avith the request that I should write to Hamilton to come immediately, and the porter would go with the letter for ten dollars, and his fiither would send another ten dollars to Wilhs, I still insisted that my original plan was the best, as the road through the cotton wood swamp was almost impassable. The son-in-law now entered, and after walking across the floor a few times, with sighs and groans and bemoaning his dire calaniitios, said his father wisln.'d the letter written. 70 A woman's life-work. He returned to his father and the doctor went for writing material. They closed the door behind them for a consul- tation, I supposed. The reader will remember that during all this time I knew nothing of the experience of James Martin with this afflicted trio, but had beeu compelled to grope my -way blindly. As the doctor and son-in-law went out my son came in. He had overheard something about the writing, and said, excitedly: "Don't write, mother; there is no sick man here. That tall man is Elsie's master, and they threatened James's life Avhen they had him up stairs." "Daniel, I know there is no sick man here," I said; "but they do not think I dream of any plot. It is now midnight, and it is not wise to let them know that we dis- trust them. Sit down and let us talk naturally." The doctor now returned with Avriting material, and I sat down to write while he conversed with my son on the weather and kindred topics. Now my intention in writing to Hamilton Avas to serve these slaveh(jlders by defeating them. I knew, too, that disguising my hand-writing was not enough to reveal to the Hamilton's that the letter was a sham, and whatever I wr()te would be subjected to the perusal of my employers before it was sent. At this hour, too, a messenger could not ^^robably be secured, even for twenty dollars. But as I seated myself at the table aud took my pen in the manner in which I could appear to serve the slaveholders, but in reality defeat them, it came to me like a flash, aud I cheerfully wrote all they dic- tated, not omitting the fact (?) that a council of physi- cians had decided that John Bayliss could not live to exceed three days ; and after handing it to the doctor and son-in-law to read, I requested permission to add a few lines on ray own responsibility, which was readily granted, as I explained to them that Elsie would not be prepared with regard to clothing, either for herself or children, to be away so long, aud I could easily loan her sufficient garments. jAMKs MAirrrx's story. 71 This, of course, was as happy a thought for them as for myself, and ^vas so received. " Imleed, madam," said the sou-iu-law, " that will be very kiud iu you. They can get ready so much quicker." So I added to my letter to Willis as follows: " Tell Elsie to take for herself the black alpaca dress in the south bed-room, and the two j)ink gingham aprons and striped flannel dresses in the bureau in the west room for the little girls. To come to Adrian, take the double team and farm wagon." I signed my name and handed the letter to the delighted stranger. He then gave my son a lighted .sperm candle to light us over to the Indiana House, at that time the best hotel iu Toledo, and kept by Salter Cleveland and wife, anti-slavery friends of ours. This light, however, served them to follow us, as well asguide us to our haven of safety. After settling ourselves with our friends to tell our ad- ventures I had a chance to hear James ^Martin's story. After the failure of my son to follow James and the porter up stairs, James was of course entirely iu the hands of the enemy. At the head of the stairs they were met by an elderly gentleman with a lamp, who offered to conduct James to the sick room, and he was told to enter the first right hand door. On opening the door he found no oue indside. "Oh," said his guide, "they have moved him to tlie next room, as was suggested by the council of physi- cians this afternoon; we will find him there;" and opening tlie door the stranger assumed an attitude of command and told him to go in. James, however, replied: "I shall not go in, sir; you can see as well as I that the room is empty." The stranger gave a surprised look at the interior of the room and said: "Oh, I guess they moved him to the farther room, as some one suggested, after all. As there is no other room he can be in, you Avill certainly find him there." By this time, of course, James began thoroughlv to distrust his conductor, and hesitated abi)ut going farther; 72 A '\vo:srAN's life-work. but desiring to make all the discoveries possible, aud think- ing if violence was attempted he could run down stairs to us, he passed on to the third door, and throwmg it wide open found this room also empty. He was about turning back when two other men suddenly appeared through a door at the left, and the three surrounded him, one level- ing a revolver at his head, another at his breast, and the third pointing a dirk at his side, all indulging in an in discriminate volley of oaths and threats. Said his grey- haired guide (who afterwards proved to be John P. Ches- ter, Elsie's master, the same who had enacted to me the role of the sympathetic physician), "If you stir or speak one word we '11 kill you. Go into that room, or you 're a dead man." In this position they entered the room and locked the door. "Now, Hamilton, we 've got you, damn you." "My name is not Hamilton, but James Martin," was James' reply. "Damn you," rejoined Chester, "I know you; you were once a slave in Tennessee." "No, sir, I never was a slave, nor was I ever in a slave state. I was born and brought up in the State of New York." " Then you 're a d d spy, and I 've a great mind to shoot you this minute," said Chester. " If you call me a spy because I came here to see Mr. John Bayliss for Mr. Hamilton, then you can do so, for this is why I am here, and I came here with no intention of harm to any one. I am entirely unarmed, I have not so much as a penknife with which to defend myself, but I tell you, gentlemen, I have friends here in this house." At this they dropped tlieir weapons as by an electric shock, and Chester exclaimed, "You shan't be hurt! you shan't be hurt!" Then turning to his son: "Tom, put up your pistol." "But," says Tom, "I propose to search him and see whether he 's clear of arms." THE SLAVE-IIOI.DKr's CONFESSION. 73 "No! you shan't do it. I reckon it's as lie says." James, seeing tbat they were thoroughly intimidated, now felt at his ease. The Southerners, of course, did not know but a po-sse of armed men awaited their actions instead of one little woman and a lad of seventeen. Ches- ter now addressed James in a subdued tone and manner, asking him to sit down, "and I'll tell you all about it. Mr. John Bayliss is here and he is very sick ; he is not expected to live. But I am Elsie's master; my name is John P. Chester, and I bought her out of pure benevo- lence to save her from going down the river with a di'ovc. Willis was going from house to house begging for some one to buy his wife, crying and taking on like he was nearly crazy, and I felt sorry for him, and told him if ho would help me buy her by paying three hundred dollars in work for me, I could do it, and he entered into a writ- ten agreement with me that I was to feed and clothe him the same as my other servants, and give him a good price for his work ; but before he had been w'ith me a year he took my property and ran away with it, and now I want to get it back." " AV^hy don't you go and get it then?" said James. " Oh, there's such a set of d d abolitionists there I can 't do it," said Chester. " Hamilton wrote to me that he had put in ten acres of wheat this fall on shares on a widow lady's farm, and that he had a yoke of oxen, two cows, pigs and chickens." "Yes," said James, " that is all true." "Well," said Chester, "you can have all he has there, besides any amount of money you please to name, if you will assist me in getting him and his family here. Will you do it?" James replied, very carelessly, "Well, T don't know but I will for enough." " You see," said Chester, " if I can get them here, I can get help from one place to another in Ohio, and when 7 74 A woman's life-work. I strike Kentucky I 'd be all right," lu laying plans and making arrangements they consumed two hours' time, and, as the reader will rememljer, I became nervous and sent for James, after which I had my experience with the doc- tor and the sick man. After finding ourselves quietly seated with our friends in their private parlor, before we had fairly finished re- lating our adventures, the night watch came in with the report that three men were pacing around the house at about equal distances, whom he suspected to be burglars. Orders were given to keep the outside rooms lighted, and if any attempt was made to enter to ring the alarm bell and assistance would be forthcomino;. Morniuji; liffht, how- ever, revealed to the watchmen that their suspected burg- lars were the three Southerners, who had stojiped at the Indiana House a few days, but not finding co-operation probable in their slave-hunting business, had changed their quarters to the Toledo Hotel. I recognized my doctor and the son-in-law; and the other, a tall, slender young man of twenty-two, was my sick and suffering deacon, who an hour previous had been so near death's door. Their object, of course, in guarding the house, was to see that we sent no messenger to defeat the letter I had so kindly written for them. But on this matter I gave myself no concern, as Elsie was as well acquainted with my wardrobe as I was, and would know at once that it contained no such articles as I mentioned ; also, that the house had no south bed- room, and no bureau in the west room, neither was there n double team nor a farm wagon on the place. Consequently I had no fears that the letter was not faithfully fulfilling its mission. A few minutes before we left the hotel for the 8 o'clock train to return home a colored man came to James, evidently quite excited, and said: "We have just heard there is a colored man here having trouble Avith slave-holders ; if this is true, there arc enough of us here FOLLOWED J5V SLA VK-HUNTEllS. iO to do whatever is necessary." James did not reply, but looked inquiringly at me. I replied, "There is trouble,"* and taking him into a back room, gave him a brief sketch of James's experience. I told him I did not think it prob- able that violence would be offered in daylight, but as Mr. Cleveland and son were both ill, we would like to know who our friends were at the depot. He assured me w.e should have all the aid we needed. "While at the depot," said he, " we shall watch both you and the slave-holders, and whatever you desire us to do, madam, say the word, and it shall be done." I thanked him, but did not think there would be any difficulty. The three Southerners were at the depot as soon as we Avore. In the ticket office James gave up going, as he thought they intended going with us. But this I did not care for, and told James he nuist go now, as there was no other train until night, and there was no telling what they might do under cover of darkness. When we got to the cars the doctor and son-in-law jumped aboard, but the sick man was determined to take his seat with me, and followed my son and myself from coach to coach, and whenever we showed any signs of seating ourselves prepared to seat himself opposite. I looked at his snakish eyes, and con- cluded to leave my sick deacon to see James, who still lin- gered in the ticket office. I again urged him to go Avith me, as I should take an- other coach when I returned and get rid of the Souther- lUM-.s. When I returned I ran past the coach I had left, and Daniel beckoned to me, saying, " Here, mother, this is the car Ave took." "Yes," I said, "but I see a lady ahead that I Avish to sit Avith." At this the sick man jumped up and exclaimed, "I'll be d d if I don't take that seat then." But Daniel pressed his way past liim, and noticed his heavily-laden overcoat pocket. By the time my sou reached me there Avas no room near us for the sick deacon, so he returned to bis first seat. 76 A AVOMAX'S LIFE-WORK. Durius; all this time about a dozen raeu, black aud ■white, were watcliiug us closely. I- beckoned the one who called on us at the hotel to come to our apartments, and told him to tell James to come immediately to my door. He came, and I oi:)ened the door and told him to enter, as the train was about moving. When he was inside he says : " I am afraid we will have trouble." Just then the con- ductor jjassed, and I said to him: "I suppose Ave will be perfectly safe here, should we have trouble on our way to Adrian." " Most certainly," he said (raising his voice to the highest pitch). "I vouch for the perfect safety and protection of every individual on board this train." Near Sylvania, a small town ten miles from Toledo, the train halted to sand the track, aud our chivalrous friends got off. Chester and his son Thomas, the sick deacon, stationed themselves about three feet from us ; and Ches- ter, pointing to James, said in a low, grum voice : " We '11 see you alone some time;" aud, turning to my sou, " You, too, young man." Then directing his volley of wrath to me, he roared out: "But that lady there — you nigger stealer — you that 's got my property and the avails of it — I'll show you, you nigger thief;" and drawing a revolver froni his pocket, his son doing the same, they pointed them towards my face, Chester again bawling out, "You see these tools, do you? We have more of 'em here" (holding up a traveling bag), "and we know how to use them. We sliall stay about here three weeks, and Ave will have that property you have in your possession yet, you d d nig- ger stealer. We understand ourselves. We know what we are about." "Man, I fear neither your weapons nor your threats; they are powerless. You are not at home — you are not in Tennessee. And as for your property, I have none of it about me or on my premises. We also know what we are about ; we also understand, not only ourselves, but you." Pale and trembling with rage they still shook their i)is- RETUltX II()>rE. 77 tols ill my face, and Chestor, in a eliokcd voice, exclaimed: "I'll — I'll — I won't say much more to you — you're a ■woman — ])ut that young man of yours; I'll give five hun- dred dollars if he '11 go to Kentucky with me." Just then the conductor appeared and cried out : " "What are you doing here, you villainous scoundrels? We '11 have you arrested in five minutes." At this they fled precipi- tately to the woods, and the last we saw of these tall and valiant representatives of the land of chivalry were their heels fast receding in the thicket. Of course, this braye exhibition of rhetoric and valor called out innumerable questions from the passengers; and. from there on to Adrian, though already terribly fatigued, we had to be continually framing replies and making ex- planations. Among the people of Sylvania tlic news spread like wildfire, and it Avas reported that over forty men Avere at the depot with hand-spikes and iron bars, ready to tear up the track in case the Hamilton family bad been found on the train bound for Toledo. AVhen we arrived at Adrian my oldest son, Harvey, and Willis were there to meet us; and wlu-n we told Willis that Elsie's old master and his son had but an hour pre- viously pointed pistols at our heads and threatened our lives, he could hardly si)e;ik from astonishment. Harvey said my letter arrived before sunrise, but that no one be- lieved I had any thing to do with it. However, as the porter swore he saw me write it. Professor Patchin and J. F. Dolbeare were sent for ; but they also distrusted its va- lidity and the truthfulness of the bearer. Elsie had no faith in it at all. "If," said she, "the old man is so very sick, as he has n't seen us for years, they could bring him any black man and woman, and call them Willis and Elsie, and lie 'd never know the difference; and as for that letter, ]\[rs. Haviland never raw it. I be- lieve the slave-holders wrote it themselves. They thought, 78 A woman's life-work. as slie Avas a widow, she 'd have a black dress, and you kuow she has u't got oue iu the house. And where 's the pink aprons and green striped dresses? And tiiere's no south bed-room iu this house. It's all humbug; and 1 sha'n't stir a step until I see Mrs. Haviland." Said another: "These things look queer. There's no bureau in the west room." The porter, seeing he could not get the family, offered AVillis ten dollars if he Avould go to Palmyra with him, but he refused. He then offered it to my son Harvey if he would take Willis to Palmyra. "No, sir; I shall take him nowhere but to Adrian, to meet mother," was Harvey's reply. After their arrival in Adrian the porter again offered the ten dollars, and Lawyer Perkins and others advised Harvey to take it and give it to Willis, as they Avould protect him from all harm. But when I came I told him not to touch it; and the j)ortcr, drawing near, heard my explanation of the letter, and the threatening remarks of the people, who declared that if slave-holders should attempt to take the Hamilton family or any other escaped slave from our city or county they would see trouble. He soon gave us the benefit of his absence, and we went home with thankful hearts that public sentiment had made a law too strong to allow avaricious and unprincipled men to cast our perse- cuted neighbors back into the seething cauldron of Amer- ican slavery. All that day our house was thronged with visitors, eager to hear the story which was agitating the whole com- munity, but about midnight I told my friends that rest Avas a necessity, for never in my life was I so thoroughly exhausted from talking ; but, as the next day was the Sabbath, I would iu the evening meet all who chose to come in the Valley School-house (at that day the largest in the county) and tell them the whole story, and save repeating it so many times. MEETING AT THE SCHOOL-HOUSE. 79 Whcu the evening came wc met a ]airudent measure to adopt in securing an interview with Jane White, John's wife, whose master, Benjamin Stevens, was her father, and the vain hope was indulged that he Avould not malce an effort to retake the family should they ]nake a start ft)r freedom. The committee proposed that I should go to Rising iSun, and, through Jo.scph lulgerton and Samuel Barkshire and families, obtain an interview with Jane White, as they were intelligent and well-to-do colored friends of John White's in Rising Sun. Accordingly I went, and called on Joseph Edgerton's eating-house. On making my errand known, there was great rejoicing over good news from their esteemed friend Fcli.x AVhitc, as John was formerly called. Li conferring with these friends and Samuel Bark.shire, they thought the errand could be taken to Jane, through Stevens's foreman slave, Solomon, who was frequently allowed to cro.ss the river on business for his master, and was looked for the following Saturday. But as we were disajipointed, Joseph's wife, ^lary Edgerton, proposed to go with me to Benja- min Stevens's, ostensibly to buy plums. As there was no 98 A woman's life-avork. trace of African blood perceivable in her, and the Stevens family, both white and colored, had seen her mother, who was my size, with blue eyes, straight brown hair, and skin as fair as mine, there was no question as to relationship when jNIary introduced me to Jane and her sister Nan as Aunt Smith (my maiden name). It was also known to the Stevens family that Mary was expecting her aunt from Georgia to spend a few Aveeks with her. When we en- tered the basement, which Avas the kitchen of the Stevens house, twelve men and Avomen slaves just came in from the harvest-field for their dinner, Avhich consisted of "corn dodgers" i^laced in piles at convenient distances on the bare table, made of two lono; rou'rh boards on crossed le"-s. A large pitcher filled as full as its broken top Avould allow of sour milk, and a saucer of greens, Avith a small i)iccc of pork cut in thin slices, Avere divided among the haud^, Avho Avcre seated on the edge of their table, except a few Avho occupied stools and broken chairs. Not a Avholc earthen dish or plate Avas on that table. A broken knife or fork Avas placed by each plate, and they used each other's knife or fork, and ate their humble repast Avith ap- parent zest. I haA'e giA'en this har\'est dinner in detail, as Benjamin Stevens Avas called a remarkably kind master. It Avas frequently remarked by surrotinding planters " that the Stevens niggers thouglit they Avere Avhite." As Ave Avere informed they had no plums for sale, ]\Iary proposed fdling our '"Duckets" Avith blackberries, as there Avere an abundance Avithin a short distance, and asked Jane if she or Nan could not go and show us the Avay. "I'll go an' ask Misus Agnes," replied Nan, ay ho soon re- turned Avith the word that Jane might go, as she Avanted to make another batch of jam. "But she says we must get dinner for Mary and her aunt first." A small table- cloth Avas jilaccd over one end of the table, and Avheat bread, butter, honey, and a cream-pitcher of sweet milk Avas brought down for us. Not a child of the nine little A REVF.LATION. 99 ones playing in tlie kitchen asked for a taste of anything during or after our meal. All that was left was taken up stairs, and Ave were invited to call on Mrs. Agues, who re- ceived us cordially. She was teaching Jane's oldest daugh- ter, of seven years, to sew. After a few minutes chat with the mistress, we left for blackberries. When out of sight, I told Jane I was the one wlio wrote a letter for her husband, Felix AVhite, to her, and directed it to Samuel Barkshire, who told mc he read it to her, but did not dare take it from his house, but took the braid of his hair tied with blue ribbon, sent in the letter. She looked at me in amazement for a moment, when she burst into a flood of tears. As soon as she could command her feelings slie said her master had told her that he had heard from Felix, and that he was married again, and was riding around with his new wife mighty happy. When I gave her the errand from her husband she was again con- vulsed with weeping. Said she, "I would gladly work day and night, until my fingers and toes are without a nail, and willingly see my children work in the same way, could we only be with Felix." Poor heartbroken woman, she sighed like a sobbing child. But two of her children were out a few miles with one of the Stevens mar- ried children, to be gone two months, and she sent a re- quest to her husband to come on the sly to assist in bring- ing their children away after the return of the absent ones, so that all might go together. I assisted her in picking berries, as she had spent so much of her time in talking and weeping her mistress might complain. I gave her a '^little memento from her husband, and left the poor heart- stricken, crushed spirit. The daughter and grandchildren of the master with- held them from going to their natuinl ]ir(itector, yet he was called one of the best of slave-holders. Here was a Avoman and sister whose widowhood was more desolate than even death had made my own. And her poor children 100 A A\'OMAX's I.IFE-WOHK. were worse than fatherless. I returned to my home and anxious children and friends. But the grieved husband felt confident his intimate friend William Allen, who would have left for freedom long ago but for his wife and child, would assist Jane and the children could he know from him how many warm friends there were in the North to assist them. His friends, as well as himself, were anxious to make another trial without the risk of his going into the lion's den. !Means being provided, three months later found me again in Ris- ing Sun. After a little waiting to see William Allen, I took a boat and went four miles below on the Kentucky side, and called at the house of his master to wait for a boat going up tlie river within a few hours. As they were having a great excitement over counter- feiters, and were making great efforts to find the rogues, and looking upon every stranger with suspicion, I was be- lieved by my host to be one of them in disguise. Within an hour after my arrival the sheriff and a deputy Avere brought into an adjoining room. The lady of the house appeared excited. Her little girl inquired Avho those strange gentlemen were; she replied the sheriff and his dep- uty. I looked up from the paper I was busily reading, and entered into conversation with the lady of the house, when I overhead one man say, "I don't think there is anything wrong about that woman." This remark led me to sup- pose I might be the object of the undertone conversation among the gentlemen in the adjoining room. Soon after the three gentlemen came into the room, with whom I passed the usual "good afternoon." One, whom I took to be the sheriff, made a few remarks over fine weather, etc., and all three returned to their room. Said one, in a low voice, "I tell you that woman is all right; she's no coun- terfeiter." jNIy excited hostess became calm, and quite social, and made excuses for having to look after, the cook- ing of h.er turkey, as she allowed her cook to spend this ixTi:uvii:\v with wii.mam allkx. 101 Sabbath ^vitll her husbaml in visiting one of their friends. '*Aud I always burn and blisler my hands Avhcuever I make an attempt at cooking. But my cook is so faithful I thought I would let her go to-day." As I gave up the idea of seeing William Allen, I was about to go to the wharf-boat and wait there for the five- o'clock boat. But she urged me to take dinuer ^vith them, as I would have plenty of time. After dinner tliey di- rected me across a pasture-field that would shortcsu the half-mile. Just out of sight of the house I met AVilliam Allen, with his wife and little girl of ten years. As they ■\vere so well descril)cd by Joim — or Felix, as he was here known — I recognized them, and gave the message from their friend, from whom tliey rejoiced to hear. He said ho longed to be free, and thought two weeks from that day he could go over to Samuel Barkshire's to see me. During this time he w^ould deliver the message to Jane. At present, he said, it would be very difiicult crossing, as there was great excitement over mcu that passed a lot of counterfeit money iu that neighborhood, and they ■\vcre Avatching for them. I told him it was not safe for us to talk longer there, as they "svcre slaves, and I "svas not free to be seen talking with them, and gave them the parting hand, informing them tliat many })rayers of Christian people of the North were daily ascending for the deliver- ance of the slave. "May God grant the answer!" was the heartfelt reply. During the two Aveeks INEary Scott was introduced, who had recently bought herself, with her free husband's aid. She related to me the sad condition of her sister, Eachel Beach, who was the slave of ^Ir. Ray, the brother of Wright rUiy, of ^ladison, Indiana, the noted negro catcher. She was the kept mistress of her master, who held her and her five children, who were his own flesh and blood, as his property. After her sister Rachel's religious experience, she was much distressed over the life she was compelled t4 102 A woman's life-work. lead wilh her master. She had ofteu wept with her weep- iug sister. Wheu she thought of escapiug, she could not leave her five little children to her owu sad fate. As I was informed that Mary Scott was a reliable Christian woman, I gave her a plan, and names of j^ersons and places of safety, with a charge not to stop over the second niglit — if possible, to avoid it — at the first place named ; for it was too near -her master's brother, Wright Ray, as he would make great efforts to retake them. This plan was adopted. But they were kept two days at Luther Donald's station, which brought them into great difficulty. He was so well known as the slave's friend it was unsafe to secrete fugitives on his own premises ; and he placed them in an out-house of one of his friends. On the second night of their flight, wheu they were to be taken to the next station, Wright Ray was on their track, and entered the neighborhood at dark twilight, filling it with excitement on the part of both friends and foes. The cry of a child brought a neighbor to their hiding-place, Avho told her she was unsafe ; but he would take her and the children to his barn, where they would be perfectly secure. Soon after her new friend left her she felt in great danger, and when her children were asleep in their bed of stalks she ventured to place herself by the road-side. Here she heard hor.ses comiug, and listened to hear the voice of their riders, to see if she could recognize her first friends, as they had told her they were going to take them to another place of safety that night ; but, to her grief, she heard the voice of Wright Ray, with his posse. Filled Avith fear of cajjture, she groped her way still farther back in the dark. After her pursuers passed she heard two men coming, in low conversation. She prayed for direction, and felt impressed, as she said, to tell these men her trouble. They proved to be her friends, who missed them as they went to take their suppers. As Ray and his company were known to be in to\vu, they knew not Itut they were IN SUSPENSE. 103 captured. Runners were sent to the usual resorts of slave- hunters, to see if any clew could be learned of tlie fate of the missing family. " O, how I prayed God to deliver nie in this my great distress!" she said, in relating her flight in my interview ■with her in Canada. She led her two friends to the barn, from whence her sleeping children were removed ; but by the time they reached the road they saw the lantern, and heard rustling of stalks by her i^ursuers. As her new friend was a well-known friend to slave-hunters, she and. her children were still in great danger. She was dressed in men's clotliing, and her girls dressed like boys, and they were taken out in different directions. Rachel and the youngest cliild her guide took to a Quaker neighborhood, "while two men took each two girls on their horses and took different roads to other places of safety ; but no two of the three parties knew of the others' destination. Two days of distressing anxiety were j)assed before a w'ord reached the mother from her children. Not knowing but they were back to their old Kentucky home, she could neither eat nor sleep for weeping and praying over the l)r()bal)le loss of her children But her joy could not find expression when two of them were brought to her. At first sight of her darlings, she cried out, "Glory to God! he has sent me two more. But where, O, where are the other two?" The two men who brought these in their close carriage could give no tidings, as they had heard nothing from them since leaving Donald Station. Rachel continued weeping for her children because they were not. On the following day they were heard from, and that they would be brought on the following day, P. M. A number of the neighbors were invited to witness the meeting. Among them was a strong pro-slavery man and his family, who had often said the aboliticnists might as well come to his barn and steal his horse or wheat as to keep slave-holders out of their slave property; yet he was uat- 104 A avoman's life-avork. iirally a sympathetic man. This Quaker abolitionist knew it would do him good to witness the anticipated scene. The knowledge of the prospective arrival of the children Avas carefully kej:)t from the mother until slie saw them coming through the gate, when she cried aloud, as she sank on the floor, " Glory; hallelujah to the Lamb! You sent me all," She sobbed as she clasped them to her bosom, continuing, in an ecstasy, "Bless the Lord forever! He is so good to poor me." The little girls threw their arms around their mother's neck, and burst into a loud cry for joy. "But the weeping Avas not confined to them," said our Quaker sister, who was present. "There was not a dry eye in that house; and our pro-slavely neighbor cried as hard as any of us." After the excitement died away a little, said one, "Now, we must adopt a plan to take this family on to Canada." The pro-slavery man was the first to say, "I'll take my team, and take them Avhere they '11 be safe, if I have to take them all the Avay." Another said, "It is cold Aveather, and Ave see these children have bare feet; and Ave must see about getting them stockings and shoes and Avarm clothing." And the little daughter of him Avho had so generously offered his services in aiding this family beyond the reach of danger sat down on the carpet and commenced taking oft' hers, saying, " She can have mine." "But, Lotty, Avhat Avill you do?" said the mother. " O, papa can get me some more." " Yes, papa Avill get you some more," said her father, Aviping his eyes; "and your shoes and stockings Avill just fit that little girl." And the mother could hardly keep her from leaving them. But she told her to Avear them home and put others on, then bring them back. Said our informant, " I Avill Avarrant that man Avill hereafter become a stockholder." DEATH OF FIRST-HORN. 105 But tlic rcv-!('ue ot tlie Bcacli family cost Luther Donald his farm. He was sued and found guilty of harboring runaway slaves and assisting them to escape. But not one sentence of truthful evidence was brought against him in court; although he did aid the Beach family when a stay of three minutes longer in their dangerous hiding-place would have secured their return to a life of degradation. Friends of the fugitive made up the loss in part, and the God of the oppressed blessed him still more abundantly. He was diligent in business, serving the Lord. While rejoicing over the safe an-ival of the Beach family in Canada, heavy tidings reached me from home. In a letter I was informed of the illness of my eldest son. Before the boat arrived that was to bear me homeward a second letter came with the sad intelligence of the death of my first-born. Oh, how my poor heart was wrung with anxiety to learn the state of his mind as he left the shores of time. Why did not the writer relieve me by giving the information I most needed ? And yet I was advised to remain until the weather became more mild. I had a severe cough that followed an attack of pneumonia, and j)hysicians had advised me to spend the AVinter in a milder climate. But this bereavement seemed impelling me to return to my afflicted children. But more than all other considerations was to learn the state of that dear child's mind as he was al)out leaving the land of the dying for the spirit world of the living. He had been a living Chris- tian, but during the year past had become more inactive, and in a conversation on the subject a few days previous to my leaving, he expressed regrets in not being more faithful. He urged me to take this trip, yet I could not but regret leaving home. "Oh my son, my son Harvey, would to God I had died for thee !" In this distress, border- ing upon agony of soul, I walked my room to and fro, i^ray- hig for an evidence of his condition. In the conversation above alluded to he expressed a sincere desire to return. 106 A woman's life-work. Said lie, "I am too much like the prodigal, too far away from my Savior." How vividly did. his words come before me. Oh, how these words rau through my mind iu this hour of sore trial. Is this the Isaac, I dwelt upon as I ■was leaviug my home, that I may be called to sacrifice? I had iu mind my sou Daniel, who was fearful I Avould ]neet trouble from slave-holders, as he remarked to Ins brother Harvey, "Mother is a stranger to fear, though she might be in great danger." "That fact, seems to me, secures her safety," replied Harvey. As I overheard this conversation I shrank from the trial of leaving my home circle, iu Avhich death had made such inroads, and for the time being doubted Avhether I was called upon to make the sacrifice. But prayer w^as now constant for an evidence of my sou's condition, whether I)repared for exchange of worlds. He who spake peace to the troubled sea granted, the answer of peace, with an assurance that my prayer Avas answered, and that in his own good time he would make it manifest. I took the boat for Ciucinnati, and on the morning after my arrival at the home of my valued friends, Levi Coffin and wife, I awoke with a comforting dream, which but for the circumstances I would not record. I find in the written Word of divine truth that God, at sundry times, made himself knowu to his faithful servants iu dreams. And he is the same in all ages, iu answering their peti- tions and meeting their wants. In the dream I thought I was living in the basement of a beautiful mansion. Being rather dark, damp, and cool, I looked for some means of warming my apartments, when I discovered the windows conveyed beautiful rays cf sunlight sufficient to dry and warm apartments designed for only a temporary residence, as my future home was to be in the splendid apartments above, which I was not to be permitted to enter until the work assigned me in the basement was done. While A COMFOirnXCJ ])]tEA^[. 107 busily engaged in swcepiug my room, mid arninging my "Work, I saw my sou Harvey descending from the iij)pcr portion of this limitless mansion, which I thought was now his home. I hastened to the door to meet him. As the thought struck me that he had been a slave, I cried out, "My sou Harvey, art thou free?" " Oh yes, mother, I am free; and I knew your anxiety, and I came on i)urp()sc to tell you that I went to my ]\[as- ter and asked if he would grant my pardon ? And he looked Uj)on me and saw me in my blood as I 2>lowed in the field, and he said I should be free and live." "Oh, what a relief is this glad news," I replied. "I knew you desired me to go for my freedom long ago, but I did not know that my lilierty Avould be so easily granted — just for asking. I am now free, indeed." This message delivered, he ascended to his glorious home above. I awoke with the words of this message as clearly impressed upon my mind as if vocally spoken. I opened the Bible at the head of my bed, and the first words that met my eye were these: "I saw Ephraim cast out in the open field ; I saw him in his blood, and I said live; and he shall live." With promises giveu by him with whom there is no variableness or shadow of turniug, my heart was filled with ])raise and thanksgiving for the Comforter who grants peace such as the world knows not of. Very soon a letter came with the detailed account of the last hours of my son Harvey, in which he left a bright evidence of his preparation for the future life. He sent for Rev. Jolni Patchiu, of Raisin Institute, of Avliom he requested prayer; at the close of which he followed in fervent prayer for himself and loved ones. Then brother Patchin inrpiired if perfect peace was his at this hour? "It is," he answered; "I am ready to go," and he soon fell asleep in Jesus. I remained a few weeks longer ; but the close search for counterfeiters made it difficult for William Allen to cross. 108 A avojian's life-avork. The request ^v;ls repeated by Jolm White's wife for him to come for theia. I returned home with the consciousness of haviuof done all that I could in deliverino; the messages as requested. The husband and flither could not feel recon- ciled to give u]) his fiimily to a life of slavery, and went for them, and brought them a few miles ou the Indiana side, above Rising Suu. They secreted themselves during the day in the woods, and with the aid of his friend aud Solo- mon Stevens's slave, previously alluded to, who was also attempting to escape with the family, he made a raft upon Avhich they Avere about to cross a creek to reach the team on the opposite side. Suddenly six armed men pounced upon them, and captured the family, with Solomon. To save John from the hazardous attempt to defend his family, his friend held him back in the thicket, knowing the effort must fail. As he was not allowed t(j move he sank back in despair in the arms of his friend. He had risked his own life aud liberty in his attempt to rescue them. He learned that George W. Brazier swore he would cho]) him into inches if he ever got possession of him again. After his unsuccessful effort in Michigan he offered six hundred dollars for his head, dead or alive. Benjamin Stevens also offered six hundred dollars reward for his daughter and his five grandchildren, Avith Solomon. He afterwards sold them all for the A'ery low price of one thousand dollars, Avith the j^roviso that they Avere not to be sold ajxart. But poor Jane was not left long to grieve over her dis- appointed hopes. She died of cholera. We heard she went rejoicing in that hope that reaches beyond the \'ale. They were taken to Lexington, Kentucky, liut the grieved husband and father again made his Avay northward. He was two weeks in reaching a settlement that Avas said to be friendly to fugitive slaves. Forty miles distant from his old Kentucky home he assumed the name of James Armstrong. The family upon Avhom he ventured to call appeared very kind, and the man told him he Avould take him the next day JOHN WHITE A PRISONER. 109 to a Quaker settlement, but he suspected he was reported to Wright l\ixy aud posse, who came into the house and bound him. Placing him on one of their horses, they took him through fields aud back roads until they crossed the Ohio river, and lodged him in the Woodford jail, a short dis- tance from the river, nearly opposite Madison, Indiana. Wright Ray had no idea of having in his possession John White, who had S) recently eluded his grasp in his unsuc- cessful trip with Brazier in Michigan. He "found among his papers in which were advertisements of escaped slaves, Henry Armstrong advertised as belonging to the widow Armstrong, of iMaysville, Kentuckv. With her Wright Kay had an interview, hoping to arrange f )r the reward, which she refused to give, for he had been away so long, he would be of little use, as Henry was willed free at her death. But she told him if he could get enough from him to pay him fjr his trouble, he might do so. Conse- quently he made him an offer to release him for four hun- dred dollars, and encouraged him to write to his friends in Michigan to aid him to that amount. He wrote to a son-in-law of ]\[r. WalkinsJ so as not to mention a name of persons the men had to do with in IMichigan, and the letter was brought to us. We all understood the writer to be our friend John White. A few friends were consulted as to the measures to be adopted. It was proposed that I should go to Cincinnati, and there make such arrangements as the friends might think proper. As they proposed to bear my expenses, I said, " If you send me, I shall go to-morrow morning." "But," replied the bearer of the letter, "as it is the Sabbath, I suppose I should hesitate." " It was lawful on the Sabbath to lift a sheep out of the ditch in the days of Moses, and is not a man better than a sheep?" " I can not answer you. All I have to say is, follow the dictates of your own conscience." 110 A woman's life-work. I took tlie stage at Toledo, and in three days I was consulting tlie vigilance committee in Levi Coffin's council chamber. As it would not do for me to transact business with Wright Ray, Micajah White, nephew of Catherine Coffin, offered to go as soon as the money was obtained. Levi Coffin introduced me to Dr. Judkins, of whom I hired the money, but hoped to lessen the amount if pos- sible, in the arrangement with Wright Ray. I urged on the nephew the necessity of taking the first boat for j\Iad- ison, as every hour endangered the safety of John White. Whatever was d.one for him must be done quickly. Weight Ray was found very Avilling to accept three hun- dred and fifty dollars, Avhich was placed in the hands of the clerk of the boat until his prisoner was delivered to his friends in Cincinnati, when Micajah White agreed to see the money j^aid to Wright Ray. This was done, and within three weeks from the time I left home I returned with John White. The day after John's release Brazier appeared at the jail, having heard that he was there. But he Avas too late. ■ A few months after John White's release from Wood- ford jail George W. Brazier went to Baton Rouge, Louis- iana, with a gang of slaves for sale, and suddenly died of cholera, just before the time fixed for his return. It Avas said he intended to make a second effort to capture John White, or to arrest me Avith United States Avarrant. Time rolled on, and John F. White married a young AA'oman in Canada, his home a number of years. After the late Avar he removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to educate his chil- dren. When Ave last heard of his first children, his oldest daughter Avas married to Solomon, the cx-slaA'c of Benja- min Stevens. We rejoice that brighter days are daAvning. Ethiopia is stretching out her hands to God. NINE ESCAPED SLAVES. Ill Chapter V. THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY. As my married childrcu had cliargc of the farm, and llic younger ones were in school, and Avell ])n)vided for, I spent a few months in mission work and nursing the sick. INIy dear friends, Levi and Catherine Cofhn, liad given me a very cordial invitation to make their house my lionu! whenever I was in Cincinnati. Soon after my ar- rival, at early dawn, nine slaves crossed the river, and were conducted to one of our friends on Walnut Hills for safety, until arrangements could he made to forward them to Victoria's domain. I called on them to see Avluit was needed for their Northern march, and found them filled with fear lest they should be overtaken. As there was a prospect before them of being taken down the river, they concluded to " paddle their own canoe." They had with them their five little folks, that seemed as full of fear as were their trembling parents. A little girl of five years raised the window-shade to look out. When her mother discov- ered her she exclaimed, in a half-smothered voice, "Why, Em! you'll have us all kotched, if you don't mind;" and the little thing dropped ])ehind a chair like a iViglilened young partridge hiding under a leaf at the mother's alarm of danger. While making our plans, wc were greatly re- lieved to find that the well-known Quaker conductor, Will- iam Beard, was in the city, with a load of produce from his farm. This covered market-wagon was a safe car, that had borne many hundreds to his own depot, and was now ready for more valuable freight before the city should be filled with slave-hunters. But few weeks elapsed before 112 A woman's life-work. we learued of the safe arrival of these two families that we fitted for their journey to Canada. One of our vigilance committee came early one morn- ing to inform us that there were two young men just ar- rived, who were secreted in the basement of Zion Baptist Church (colored). As their home was only twenty-five miles from the river, it was necessary to make all possible speed in removing them before Kentucky slave -hunters should block our track. I took their measures, to procure for each a Summer suit, and went to our store of new and second-hand clothing, at Levi Coffin's, where anti-slavery women met tri-monthly, to spend a day in making and re- pairing clothing f(jr fugitive slaves. In early evening I took a large market-basket, with a suit for each, and had them conducted to a safer hiding-place, until a Avay opened for them to go fo a Friends' settlement, about eighty miles distant, where George chose to remain and work a few months. But James would not risk his liberty by tarrying, and censured George for running such a risk. " You need n't think your new name 's gwine to save you when ole massa comes." But little did James understand the deep-hidden reason that kept his friend George behind. He worked faithfully nearly a year, kept the suit I gave him for his Sunday suit, and used his old Kentucky suit for his work, patching them himself, until patch upon patch nearly covered the old brown jeans of his plantation Avear. When warm Aveather again returned, Avithout revealing his design of going back to his master in Kentucky, for he knew his abolition friends Avould discourage his project, he took the eighty dollars he had earned since he left his master, and Avore the suit of clothes he brought away, and in the dark- ness of night Avent to his Avife's cabin. Here he gave a full history of the kind friends Avho had paid good Avages for his Avork, and said he Avas going to take all to his master, and tell him he Avas sick of freedom; "and you TOM RETURNS TO SLAVERY. 113 mus' be mighty mad," he went ou, "'case I come back; and say, * If he 's a miud to make sich a fool of his self, as to be so jubus, 'case I talked leetle ^vhile Avid Jake, long time ago, as to run off au' leave me, he may go. He need n't think I '11 take 'im back ; I won't have nothin' to say to 'im, never!' An' I'll quarrel 'bout you too; an' when all ov 'em is done fussin' 'bout me comin' back, I'll steal to you in a dark night, an' lay a plan to meet on Lickin' River; an' we'll take a skiff an' muffle oars till we get to the Ohio ; an' I knows jus' whar to go in any dark night, an' we '11 be free together. I did n't tell Jim I 's gwine to make massa b'leve all my lies to get you ; for I tell you, Liz, I ain't got whole freedom Avithout you." Before eight o'clock A. ^I. George stood before his master, with his old name and old j)lantation suit, 2)rcsent- ing him with the eiglity dollars he had earned for his master since he had left his home, that he never wanted to leave again. For he had found " abolitioners the greates' rascals I ever seen. I wants no more ov' em. They tried hard to git me to Canada; but I got all I wants of Canada. An' I tell you, Massa Carpenter, all I wants is one good stiddy home. I do n't want this money ; it 's yourn." His master was well pleased, and told all his neighbors how happy his Tom Avas to get back again, and ga\'e all the money he had earned since he had been gone. It Avas a long time before neighboring planters had the confidence in Tom that his master had, and they told him that Tom should never step his foot on their plantations ; but he told them all that he had perfect confidence in Tom's honesty. " He came back ])erfectly disgusted Avith abolitionists; he said they Avill Avork a fellow half to death for low Avages. And he even patched his old suit, hinisolf, that he Avore off. And I liaA'e found the reason Avhy he left. He and Liz had a quarrel, and noAV he don't care a fig about her; and I heard yesterday that her master says he '11 shoot 10 114 A woman's life-avork. him if lie dares to come on his plantation. But he needn't Avorry ; fur you could n't hire Tom to go near Liz." Tom's master t(jhl him all the planters were afraid of him, and said he Avould play a trick on him yet. "I'll stay at home, then, and Avon't eA'en go out to meetin's, till all ov 'em Avill see I means Avhat I says." "That's right, Tom; they don't knoAV you like I do. But I told them 't Avould do all the niggers good just to hear your story about the meanness of abolitionists. You know, Tom, that Avas just Avhat I told you, that they pre- tended to be your friends, but they Avere your Avorst enemies." "Yes, massa, I al'us bleA'ed you; and if Liz hadn't cut up the Avay she did I never 'd tried 'em." All things Avent on smoothly Avith Tom. He Avas ncA'er more trusty, diligent, and faithful in all that pertained to his master's interest. Three months still found him con- tented and happy, and the constant praise he receiA'ed from his master to his neighbors began to inspire them Avith sufficient confidence to permit him to attend their meetings occasionally, though he did not appear anxious to enjoy that privilege until his master proposed his going, and then he Avas careful to attend only day meetings. Ncigli boring Avhite people often talked Avith him about his Northern trip, and all got the story he had told his master, until Tom became quite a pet missionary, as his reports Avent far and near, among both Avhites and blacks. After Liz- zie's master became quite satisfied Avith her hatred toAvard Tom, he alloAved the hound, Avhicli he kept OA'er two months to Avatch for Tom, to go back to the keeper. Though Tom and Lizzie lived eight miles apart, they had a secret dispatch-bearer, by Avhom they rejiorted to each other ; but visits Avere A'ery few and far betAveeu. One day, in her "clarin-up time," Lizzie came across a bundle containing a Sunday suit, placed in her cabin Avhen Tom left for the North, Avhich she took occasion to have a GEORGE AND MARY ESCAPE. 115 good quarrel over. Taking them into her mistress, the mas- ter being present, she said, "Missus, what'U I do wid dese ole close Tom let', when he get mad an' ruu'd ofl" to spite me ; now I'll burn 'em up or giv' 'em to de pigs for nes', I aint gwine to hav' 'em in my way any longer." "Oh, don't burn 'em up, can't you send 'im word to come and get 'em?" "I sends 'im no word, if he never gets 'em; I'd heap better giv' 'em to do hogs." Turning to another house servant, her mistress said, " Dil, you tell Page's Jim when he goes to that big meet- ing your people are going to have next week, to tell Tom to come and take his truck away, or Liz will pitch 'em in the fire for 'im." But there was no hurry manifest, after he got the word. Tom's master told him he had better go and get liis clothes or Liz might destroy then;. Said our George, "One Saturday evenin' I went to have my las' quarrel Avith Lizzie. I called her bad names, an' she flung back mean names, an' twitted mc with ruunin' away to make her feel bad, when she did n't care a picayune for me ; an' I tole her I never wanted to see her face agin, an' wc almos' cum to blows." A few months after tliis tlierc was a li()li portunity to secure the aid of some one who would induce Jack to come to the river, where he would hurry him onto the ferry, and get him on the Kentucky side, when he coidd easily return him to the far South. As he found Robert liussel a man of no principle, he gave him ten dollars if he would decoy Jack to the wdiarf of Walnut Street land- ing about uoou, Avhen men were generally at dinner. lie succeeded, when the master with his Kentucky friends slipi)ed hand-cuffs on poor Jack, and took him on the ferry f )r a tliief. The more Jack protested, denying the charge, the louder they cried thief! thief! Some of his colored friends consulted their favorite lawyer, John Jolliffe, about arresting Jack's master for kidnapping, as he had taken him illegally, but they were told they could do nothing "Nvith him in Kentucky. They were compelled to leave their friend to his fate. But the Judas who betrayed Jack ought to be brought to justice ; but how could they do it ? As I was at that time teaching a school of colored girls, in the basement of Zion Baptist Church, a number of colored men came to consult with me. I told them as Robert Russel was a ren- egade he was as liable to serve one side of the river as the other, and would as readily bring a slave to the Ohio side for ten dollars, as to decoy him back into the hands of his 136 A woman's life-work. master for that money. They said Robert Bid not dare come into Cincinnati, fearing that justice would be dealt out in tar and feathers by the colored people. They learned soon after he came to the city that he ran away from Ripley to avoid being arrested for stealing. I advised them not to take the law of tar and feathers, as they had indicated, in their own hands; but to spoil the petting he was getting from the slave-holders across the river, by warning them against Robert Russel, for he would as read- ily play the rogue one side as the other ; and this they could do in a little printed card that might be dropped on -the sidewalk througli a few streets in Covington, and they would run him out of their town in a hurry. This idea pleased them, and they wished me to draft the card, and they would print and circulate it. I told them I would take my noon recess to prepare it, and at 4 o'clock my school would be out, and they might come for it. I gave it as follows: Slave-Holders of Kentucky! BEWARE OF THE ROGUE, ROBERT RUSSEL! AVIio absconded from Ripley, Ohio, to evade the strong arm of tlie law he richly deserved for misdemeanors in that town. This man is a light mulatto, and betrayed one of his race for ten dollars, in Cincinnati, bringing liiin into life-long trouble. He will as readily take ten dollai-s from any of your slaves to bring them to Cincinnati, and again take ten dollars to return them to you, as he has no higher purpose to serve than paltry self. A Lover of Rigut. This Avas printed ou a placard of ten by twelve inches. They procured two hundred for distribution, but found it more difficult to get a distributer than they anticipated. I told one of them to go to Levi Coffin's and inform him and his wife where I was going after my school was dis- missed, and that I would distribute them through Coving- ton, but to let no one else know of it, except their com- mittee who secured the printing, as it would produce increased excitement. I went a mile from the river before BOB RUSSEL KUX OUT OF COVINGTON. 137 commencing my work, and left one or two in every yard, when no eye seemed tlirccted toward me. I dr()])ped tlicm by the street side until I reached the ferry that returned me to my anxious friends in Cincinnati, just as the sun dropped beliiud the AVesteru liills. The following day report gave an account of the even- ing's excitement in Covington. A company of slave-hold- ers met to consult over this placard, and the conclusion was reached to give Bob Russel until nine o'clock the fol- lowing morning to leave the State or take the consequences. Two slaves had left them witliiu a couple of months, and they charged him with taking them over the river. Some of the more excitable were for hauling him out of bed at the close of their meeting (ten o'clock), and dealing sum- mary vengeance for their recent losses, but as he pledged himself to leave their State the next morning never to return, they left him to his own uncomfortable reflections. A party consisting of four, from New Orleans, came to Cincinnati to spend the Summer, and made their home at a hotel. It was soon ascertained by the colored people that their little nurse girl of about nine years of age, was a slave, and as the master and mistress had brought her there, she was by the laws of Ohio free. They took the opportunity to coax her away and place her among their white friends, who they knew would take good care of her. Very soon there was great inquiry for Lavina. They said she was just a little pet they brought with them to play with and mind the baby, and they knew she was stolen from them against her will ; but that if they could get sight at her, she would run to them, unless she was forcibly held back by some mean person. Diligent search was made among the colored people whom they suspected, but no clew could be found of her whereabouts. They were then advised to visit some prominent abolition- ists, where they were satisfied she had been taken. So close to Elizabeth Coleman's were they watching, that she 12 138 A woman's life-work. felt unsafe, fearing they might come in and find her alone with her little pet fugitive, so she took her to Samuel Rey- nold's by night. The search continued. »Samuel met the master on the street in front of his house, but had left orders to dress Laviua in his little boy's suit ; and holding the master in conversation awhile, he said he would call for Jim, to bring them a glass and pitcher of water, having already tcld his wife to give Jim a few necessary instructions how to ap- pear very smart and active. As she came out to give them drink, Samuel gave the master and his two friends a few lessons in Oliio law, informing him that all slaves brought into the State by their owners were free. The mas- ter contended that it would be very cruel to keep Lavina from her mother (who belonged to him), and he knew if he could be allowed to see her it would be sufficient to convince them of her attachment to him, and j^romised to leave the child to her own choice. " But," said Samuel, "Lavina is on our underground railroad." This was as new to the New Orleans slave-holder as were the Oiiio laws he had been explaining. After discussing the right and wrong of his claim, Samuel called to his wife to send Jim with a pitcher of water ; and out came the little fellow. "Pour a glass of water for this gentleman, Jim ;" and their heated discussion continued. The master took the glass from Jim, who looked him full in the face, with one hand in his pocket, while Samuel was serving the other two gen- tlemen with a glass of water. The women in the house were filled with fear, as they deemed Samuel rather im- prudent. But Jim returned with pitcher and glass, and the master and his friends went back to the hotel none the wiser, either of Lavina's whereabouts or of the operation of this new kind of railroad. Lavina was w'ell cared for, and her master and mistress returned to New Orleans with a new experience, miniis a nurse girl. Another fugitive, by the name of Zack, came across zack's hiding-place. 139 the river from Virginia iuto Ohio. He had hiiu in the woods by day, and traveled by the North Star at night, when it was clear, but in rainy or cloudy weather he fouud he was as liable to go South as North. There had been niucli rain to impede his progress, and he suffered much from hunger. He had advanced only a few miles from the river, when he fouud a family of true friends, who re- plenished his clothing, aud was preparing food for his jour- ney, when his master, with eight other men, found out where he was, and came with otficers to search the house and take their prey. They came in the night aud de- nuiuded entrance. "Wife, what shall we do? There are men under every window." "Let them search the two lower rooms first, and while you go with them you tell Zack to slip into my room while you are with them, and I'll see to him." "But I tell you he can't be got out of this house with* out being caught." "Go ou ; I know that." And he left her and gave the frightened man his orders. But before he reached her room she rolled up the feather-bed and drew the straw mattress to the front side of the bedstead, aud told Zack to jump in. Her order obeyed, she threw back the feather-bed, and before the master aud officer entered her room she was occupying the front side of the bed. The clothes-press, wardrobe, and under the bed were all closely scrutinized. The husband, pale with excitement, was expecting, in every place they searched, that poor Zack would be found. But they all left satisfied that he was not in that house, though so very sure they had found the right place. The noble Avomau said he shook with fear, so as to make the bed tremble during the search, knowing but too well his sad fixte if he should again fall into the hands of his master. Every necessary measure was taken to hasten his progress to Canada. In December, 1852, Calvin Fairbanks, who had served 140 A woman's life-wokk. a term of three years in the Kentucky penitentiary for aid- ing slaves to escape, called at Levi Coffin's and informed me of a letter he had received, giving information that an interesting slave woman in Louisville, Kentucky, could cross the river, if a friend would meet her at Jefferson- ville, Indiana, and take her to a place of safety ; and he proposed to be the conductor. I advised him, by all means, not to go so near Kentucky, as he was so well known through that State. He said he expected we would oppose him. I advised him to consult with Dr. Brisbane, as Levi was absent. But he chose to keep the matter quiet, and went on his dangerous expedition, I was called away to College Hill as nurse, and in three weeks, when I returned to Levi's, he called me into the store, saying, "We have a letter for thee to read ; somebody is in trouble, and Samuel Lewis, Dr. Brisbane and myself have been trying to find out who it is, but can make out nothing by the letter. The signature is of stars, that he says is the number of letters in the name, but we can make nothing of it ;" and he handed me the letter, dated from Louisville jail. As soon as I counted the six stars in the first name, I said, "Levi, it is Calvin Fairbanks! Read out the last line of stars, and we'll find Fairbanks." At this point Dr. Brisbane entered the store. "Doctor," said Levi, "Laura has found our riddle; she says it is Calvin Fairbanks." Both were astonished, not knowing he was down the river. I told them of his call in Levi's absence, and of his errand. "Poor man, how he will suflTer, for they will soon find him out, and they are so very bitter against him, I fear he will die in their penitentiary, for they will have no mercy on him," said the doctor. " He sends us an appeal for help, but I see no way we can render him assistance," responded Levi. A few weeks later a colored man, wlio had been mis- PRO-SLAVERY MURDERS. 141 taken for a slave, was released from that jail. He came to us telling of the sutfering tlie prisoners emlured, having no bed but a pile of flltliy straw in their cells; and that Calvin requested him to see his friends, and tell us he must perish unless a quilt and flannel underclothing were furnished him ; and he also needed a little pocket money. No one dared to take these articles to him, for only two weeks previously a man by the name of Conklin had brought the wife and four children of an escaped slave into Indiana, and was captured in the night. All were taken to the river, and the poor woman and her children returned to their owner, without her meeting the husband and father, who had sent for them. Conklin was bound with ropes and thrown into the river, where he was found a few days after. Four weeks before Williams, from Massa- chusetts, followed two little mulatto girls who were stolen from their free-born parents by a peddler, and found them near Baltimore, Maryland. As soon as his errand was made known a band of ruffians lynched him. These two cases of murder, without the semblance of law, had produced much excitement in the North, and now the Fairbanks case was increasing the cxasj)eration of the St)uth. But here was a suffering brother in prison. A few days of earnest prayer determined me to go to Louisville jail with a trunk of bed clothes and under flan- nels. I looked for strong opposition from my friends, but to my surprise when I })roposc(l the plan to my friends Levi and Catherine Coffin, they favored my project. Cath- erine did her full share in furnishing a trunk, a thick comfortable and pillow ; others soon brought a change of flannels ; and as Levi met friends and made known my project of going to Louisville, the mites were brought to the amount of fourteen dollars f )r Calvin, and enough to bear my expenses. Levi saw Captain Barker, who pos- sessed an interest in the line of packets running to Louis- ville, and he oflTcred half fare, and promised to send fur 142 A woman's life-work. me in time for the Ben Fraukliu, No. 2, to leave for Louis- ville the next day at 2 P. M. Dr. Brisbane, on returning from an absence of a few days, told Levi not to allow so rash a move, and said that I must not go to Louisville in this excitement, for it was dangerous in the extreme ; and he referred to Conklin's fate, that was just as likely to be mine. This so discour- aged Levi, that ho said, "It may be Ave have been too fast in giving thee words of encouragement." ISIy reply was, " I find no geographical lines drawn by our Savior in visiting the sick and in prison." Here was a suffering brother, who had fallen among thieves, and I felt it my duty to go to his relief. There seemed also a clear answer to prayer that I should be pro- tected ; and if time would allow me to call on Dr. Brisbane before I left for the boat, I would do so, as I desired to see him. "If thou art going, I advise thee not to call on the doctor, as I know how he feels about thy going, and all thy reasons will not satisfy him in the least." I told him if the doctor or any one else would go, I should feel easy to give it up, but otherwise I could not. During this conversation Melancthou Henry came in, as he said, "with his mite" of three silver dollars for brother Fairbanks. He said, "You are going into the lion's den, and my prayer is that you may be as wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. I know the venom of the serpent is there in power, but God will give his chil- dren the wisdom without the poison." INIelancthon was a son of Patrick Henry, who had emancipated him with his slave mother. He was a member of tlie Wesleyan Meth- odist Church, to which I was at that time attached. Soon after Captain Barker sent for me, and told me to refer Colonel Buckner to him in presenting my note of introduction, as he was favorably acquainted with the col- onel, and he should mention me as one of his friends. VISIT TO LOUISVILLE. 143 Arrived at Louisville about day-dawu, I took a hack, and ordered the hackmau to place the trunk ou the porch of the front entrance of the jailor's residence. As the col- onel's wife answered the door-bell, I inquired for Colonel ]>iickncr. She stepped back to call him, when in an un- dertone I heard, "Who is it?" ''I don't know; she came in the hack and is genteelly dressed, and I think came from the boat." He "genteelly" met me, took Captain Barker's letter of introduction, and then introduced me to his wife and daughter, and to his wife's sister from Boston, who was there on a visit with her daughter, making quite a lively social circle. IMy errand was immediately made known, and the colonel excused himself for overhauling the trunk to take its contents to Calvin at once, as it was in the line of his duty as keeper of the prison to examine every thing brought in for prisoners ; not that he expected to find any- thing improper for Fairbanks to receive. I told him I designed returning to Cincinnati on the same boat I came ou, and it was going out at 4 P. M. " Why go so soon?" he asked. I replied, " My errand here is accomplished, when I see that these things are delivered to Calvin Fairbanks ; and as I have a little pocket change, sent by his friends in Cincinnati, I would like to see Calvin, as I shall write his mother after my return." "I will see if the sheriff thinks it best. There was a great excitement in the city when Fairbanks was arrested and brought here, and Siiotwell, the injured man who lost his servant Tamor and her child, is very much enraged, and being a man of wealth and influence here, I dare not take you in to see Fairbanks on my own responsibility ; but I '11 see the sheriff, and if he says you can see him it is all right." With a little note from me be took the trunk of tilings to Calvin, and brought back a receipt. As he handrd it 144 A woman's LI fp:- work. to me lie said, "I suppose you will recognize his liaud- "Nvriting, so you'll know it's from him?" I replied that I had seen a note of his writing, but was not familiarly acquainted with it, but was perfectly satisfied with the receipt. He said he had been to see the sheriff, but he Avas ab- sent, and would not return for two or three days, "and I think you had better wait," he continued, "and see him, as you can remain with us; it shall not cost you a cent." I told him my friends in Cincinnati would be at tlie wharf to meet me the following morning ; and as I had nothing further to accomplish, being satisfied that the things and money had been received by Calvin Fairbanks, I felt free to return." But he urged still harder. " It will be too bad for you to return without seeing him, as you are the only friend that has called to see him since he has been here; and I know he wants to see you, for he asked if you were not coming in to see him, and I told him I was waiting to see the sheriff; and I think you had better wait till the boat makes another trip, as your stay here is as free as air, and we would like you to stop over; then you can see the sheriflf, and I reckon he will not object to your going in to see Fairbanks, and yet I dare not take you in without iiis approval." I at length consented. They were all very polite, and I rested as sweetly that night as if in my own room at Levi Coffin's, or in my own Michigan home. The next day the colonel was very free to talk of the false ideas of Northern people about slavery ; spoke of Elizabeth Mar- garet C^handler's work on slavery, that I took from their center table ; said his wife's Boston friends sent it her, but "it was nothing but a pack of lies." I told him that she lived and died neighbor to me, and I esteemed her as a noble woman. " But she never lived in the South, and had no right to judge of their condition without the knowledge of it." A SECRET AGENT. 145 I was introduced to a young man who he said had been suffering a few days' imiirisoumeut under false charges, but on the examination, had that day, was found not guilty. As the family withdrew from the parlor, this young man seemed very anxious to deliver a secret message from Fair- banks to me ; he said he had made a confidant of him, and told him to request me to see to forwarding Tamor's trunk of valuable clothing to a place of safety. He then told me the mark on the trunk, and the place in Louisville where it was waiting to be forwarded. I said that I had told tlie colonel I had no idea of Tamor's whereabouts, as I had supposed she was taken witli Fairbanks until informed to the contrary; and that I had no business here whatever, aside from bringing a few articles for his present relief. After being absent awhile, he returned with a note pur- porting to be from Calvin, inquiring whether I had made the acquaintance of persons therein named. I told the bearer I had not, and if he saw Calvin he could tell him so. He urged me to send Fairbanks a note, as the colonel or any one else should know nothing of it ; but I refused, becoming satisfied that he was more of a dispatch-bearer for the colonel than for Calvin Fairbanks. I learned after- wards that this Avas true, and that he was released for the purpose of getting hold of additional evidence with which to convict him, and perhaps convict myself also. In the evening a gentleman of their city made a call on the family, and to him I was introduced. He spent an hour or two in conversation with myself and the others. The jailer, Colonel Buckncr, told me just before I left that their city papers — Louisville Courier and Louisville Com- mercial — inserted a notice to the cficct that "Delia Web- ster, from Cincinnati, is here, and is quartered for a few days in the city." This little notice created much excite- ment; and as the gentleman alluded to knew Delia Web- ster personally, the colonel brought him in to make my acquaintance and report accordingly. As he passed out 13 146 A woman's ijfe-avork. of the parlor, he told the colonel he might rest assured that lady was not Delia Webster, and they had noth- ing to fear from this Cincinnati lady, and he should set the editors right. All this excitement Avas carefully kept from me, as they wished to keep me as long as they possibly could, hoping to glean some additional evidence against Fairbanks, although the jailer told me they had sufRcient evidence to convict Fairbanks for a term of twenty-five or thirty years at least, as this was the second offense, and he had no doubt but that he had been guilty of many others. The papers next day came out with a correction, " that it was not Delia Webster, but Mrs. Haviland, from Cincinnati; and, as abolitionists generally Avent in pairs, she had better keep a lookout, or she, too, would find an apartment in Colonel Buckner's castle." Delia Webster Avas arrested near the time of Calvin Fairbanks's first arrest, and for the same offense, and sen- tenced to the same penitentiary, but in six Aveeks Avas pardoned. The colonel Avas disposed to spend much time in dis- cussing the merits, or rather demerits, of abolition priuci- l)]cs, Avhich seemed to be a ncAV theme for this Methodist class-leader and jailor. He said : " I Avant to convince you that you abolitioners are all Avrong, for you go against colonization, and you can 't deny it; and if there Avas ever a heaven-born institution it is colonization." " Do you claim that God has conferred the prerogative to a man or set of men to draAV a line, and say to you or me, ' Ytni shall go the other side of that line, never to return?'" " no, that is a different thing. We belong to a dif- ferent race." " WhatcA'^er priAdlege you claim for yourself or I claim for myself, I claim for every other human being in the universe, of whatever nation or color. If the colored RLAVKRV DISCUSSED. 147 people clioose to go to Africa I have no word to say against their removal ; it is their right and their privilege to go. And if they wish to go to any otiier part of our world they have the same right with nie to go." "O no, not to Canada; for you have no idea of the trouble it makes us. AVe expend thousands of dollars in preventing our slaves from going there." " That is the defect in your policy. It is the existence of your system of slavery that makes you all this troul)le." "xVs I told you of Miss Chandler, so it is with you, because you never lived in a slave State, and know noth- ing of their contented and happy condition. They have no care ; if they are sick the doctor is sent for, and they are as tenderly cared for as our own children, and their doctor's bills are paid. I know if you would live here a few months you 'd see these things very differently. You Avould see our slaves marching out to their work, singing their songs and hymns as merrily as if they 'd never luid a troubled thought in their heads. Here 's my wife, born and raised in Massachusetts, and now she thinks as much of our institution of slavery as any of us who are raised here." "If your slaves are so hapi)y and contented, why do they make you so much trouble in their efforts to reach Canada ?" " O, there 's free niggers enough to be stirring up the devil in their heads ; for their notions are not fit to mingle with our servants. And there 's the good the colonization of these free negroes is doing. I know of one man that manumitted two of his slaves on purpose to have them go to Africa as missionaries ; and there is the design of Prov- idence in bringing those heathen negroes here to learn the Gospel plan by Christ, to save the dark and benighted heathen of their own country. AVe have reports from the two missionaries tliat I told you were set free for that object, and their master sent them off to school a year or m(jrc to fit them for their work." 148 A woman's life-work. "But why not give them all au opportuuity of ecliiea- catioB, to enable them to read the Bible and books and papers. That would improve the race at home ; and in- stead of sending them off, as you say, they would be preachers here among their people." " I tell you that would n't amount to any thing, as there are but few that can learn any thing but work, and that they are made for. Their thick skulls show that they can 't learn books ; and if you knew as much about them as I do you 'd see it too, but you are such an abolitioner you won't see it." I told him I had seen colored people in the North who were well educated and intelligent. " O yes, there are a few who can learn , but I speak of the race. They arc different from us, you know. Not only their skin is black and hair curled and noses flat, but they stink so." " But here is your house-servant, Mary, preparing your meals, setting in order your parlor and private rooms, and waiting on the persons of your wife and daughter — and her hair is as short and skin as black and nose as flat as any you '11 find ; and yet this disagreeable smell only troubles you in connection with the principle of freedom and liberty." " You are such an abolitioner there's no doing any thing "Nvith you," he rejoined, and left the room. He soon returned, and said: "There's another thing I want to talk with you about, and that is amalgamation. If you carry out your princi- ples, your children would intermarry with negroes ; and how would you feel to see your daughter marry a great l)lack buck nie:e:er?" "That is the least of my troubles in this lower world," said I. "But as far as amalgamation is concerned, you have twenty cases of amalgamation in the South to one in the North. I say this fearless of contradiction ; it is a fruitful product of slavery. There are hundreds of THE BIBLE AGAINST SLAVERY. 149 slaves held as proiK'rty by their own fiithers. You '11 find it wherever slavery exists. You fiud it here iu your own city, Louisville." Giving a shrug of his shoulders, he replied, "I will acknowledge this is a sorrowful fact that can not be denied." This ended his talk on that subject. After supper we were all enjoying a social chat before a blazing grate in the dining-room, and I was sitting near the kitchen door, that was ajar, where were their slaves in hearing. In their presence I had avoided answering some of his questions , but now a question was put within their hearing, which seemed to demand a square re])ly, and I gave it. "I would like to know, JNIrs. Haviland, Avhere you abo- litioners get your principles of equal rights. I 'd like to know where you find them." " We find them between the lids of the Bible. God created man in his own image — in his own likeness. From a single pair sprang all the inhabitants of the whole earth. God created of one blood all the nations that dwell upon the whole earth ; and when the Savior left his abode with the Father, to dwell a season upon our earthly ball, to sufier and die the ignominious death of the cross, he shed his precious blood for the whole human family, irrrespcctive of nation or color. We believe all are alike objects of re- deeming love. We believe our Heavenly Father gave the power of choice to beings he created for his own glory ; and this power to choose or refuse good or evil is a truth co-existent with man's creation. This, at least, is my firm conviction." No reply was made, but, at his suggestion, we repaired to the parlor, where other conversation w'as introduced, but no reference made to Bible arguments. During the time of waiting to see the sheriff the jail- ers's wife fro(juently sjx^ut an h(nu* or two in social con- 150 A woman's life-work. vcrsatiou. She said they never bought or sold a slave but at the earnest soheitation of the slave. "Our black Mary was one of the most pitiable objects you ever saw. She was treated shamefully, and was put here in jail, where she lay three mouths, and was so sick and thin there would n't any body buy her. I felt so sorry for her I used to take her something she could eat, and I luid her clothes changed and washed, cr I reckon she would have died. She begged me to buy her, and I told Mr. Buckner that if she was treated half decent I be- lieved she would get well. So I bought her and paid only four hundred dollars ; and now you see she looks hale and hearty, and I would n't take double that for her. But there is poor black Sally, just fc ur weeks ago to day she was sold to go down the river in a gang ; and I never saw any poor thing so near crazy as she was. She was sc>ld away from her seven children. As I heard her screams I threw my bonnet and shawl on and followed her to the river, and she threw herself down on her face and poured out her whole soul to God to relieve her great distress, and save her poor children. Oh how she cried and prayed. I tell you no heart, not made of stone, could witness that sceiie and not melt. Many shed tears over poor Sally's prayer. A man standing by went to the trader and bought her, and went and told her that he lived only eight miles away, and had bought her, and she should come and see her children occasionally. She thanked him as he helped her to stand up, for she seemed weak. But in just two weeks from that day she died, and the doctors examined her, and said she died of a broken heart. They said there was no dis- ease about her, but that she seemed to sink from that day> growing weaker and weaker until she died. That was just two weeks ago today." Her eyes frequently filled with tears as she related Ihis sad incident, and yet she could cheerfully say, "Oh, Mrs. Havilaud, go with me into the kitchen to see my nigger adams'h jack. 151 bab)'." As we outered the kitchen there stood tlie mother by her fut, hxugliiug baby, bolstered up in his rude cradle of rough boards. "There, isn't that a fine boy? he's ■worth one hundred dollars. I could get that to-day for hii)i, and he's only eight months old; isn't he bright?'' " He is certainly a bright little fellow." As I looked at the mother I saw the downcast look, and noticed the sigli that escaped a heavy heart, as she lis- tened to the claim and price set upon her little darling. It's mother, Mary, was ebony black, her child was a light mulatto, which was in kcc|)ing with the story of abuse to ■which she was compelled to submit, or else lay in jail. During the afternoon of Friday a Mr. Adams, from South Carolina, came to recognize and take liis slave Jack. Said the colonel: "He was decoyed by an abolitioner, and now you can see what your principles lead to. There's Jack in the yard" (pointing toward the man). " His master has just been in jail with me and talked with Jack, and I let him out, and he 's going around town with him to see if he can get his eye on the rogue that enticed him away. You see he 's a great, stout, smart-looking fellow, and the rascal got sight at him, and saw him alone, and asked him if he would n't like to be free, and be his own master. He said he would. 'Then meet me at eleven o'clock by that big tree near the road yonder, and I'll take you with me to Canada, where you'll ])0 a free man.' Jack met him at the place appointed, and they went on till daylight, then hid till night, and traveled on. 'Noav,' said this aboli- tioner, 'if you will let me sell you in this little town ahead, I'll be around here till near night, then I'll go on to the next tavern (or I'll tell them so), but I'll stop in a little ■wood this side, and wait for you till eleven or twelve o'clock, and you can meet me, and I '11 give you half I get for you, then we'll travel all night again, when we'll be out of reach of their hunting for you. Then we can travel by day-time, as you can call me master, and I'll call you my 152 A woman's life--\vork. body-servant.' Jack Avas now fairly m liis hands, and did as he directed. As he had divided the money with Jack he had confidence iu this mean fellow, and thought he would take him on to Canada. Pie met him according to the plan, and, after traveling all night again, another proposition was made to sell him again, and he would again divide and give him half, which now amounted to a large sum for Jack. But this was not the end of sales ; for he played the same game over and over, until they reached this city, when Jack was caught and put in jail. After he'd been here three days he told me all about it, and I took the money and wrote to Mr. Adams to come and get him. By the time that abolitioner got here he had sold Jack seven times, and divided with him every time. So, you see, that is just the fruit of your principles." I patiently waited until he finished his story, with its charges, when it was my time. " Colonel Buckner, I do not acknowledge this to be the work of an abolitionist. This was a selfish, unprin- cipled man ; he was making himself rich, and probably was taking Jack down the river, and would have kept on selling him, and dividing, until he would have sold him for the last time, and then have taken from Jack all the money he had given him from these clandestine sales. I have no word of sanction to give to work like this; I should say his place was here in jail instead of Jack. If Jack had come to us hungry and naked, we should have fed and clothed him ; and if sick with fatigue and foot- sore, we should have given him a ride toward Canada, if he wished to go there ; but as for this man, I will not own him as an abolitionist. I repudiate his work altogether." "Oh, yes, he told Jack he was an abolitioner." "Then he was a hypocrite. I want to suppose a case for you to consider. Perhaps a fine appearing man comes into your city, attends your Methodist meetings, and calls himself a INIethodist. He speaks well in your class meet- SUPPOSING A CASE. 153 iugs, speaks, prays, and sings iu your prayer-meetings, and you become very favorably impressed with him as a Chris- tian. He engages, perhaj)s, as clerk or bookkeeper in one of your large business houses across the street, and during three or six months appears so candid and punctual in all business transactions, that they confide to his care impor- tant business. But the opportunity arrives when he takes advantage of this confidence, and forges a draft of S3, 000, and it is cashed, and he is off, never to be heard from again. Now as you learn of this dark deed, you have no idea of acknowledging that man as a Christian brother, have you?" "Oh, no, certainly not; Ave expect and know there are hypocrites." "So do we expect hypocrites in our abolition ranks ; but because of counterfeit money Ave Avould not reject the true coin." In the evening I Avas introduced to ]\Ir. Adams, of South Carolina, Avith Avhom Ave all seemed to enjoy free and easy conversaticm. He Avas quite pleased to find his serA'ant Jack, and a secret thought stole OA'cr me that he Avas also l)leased to get Avith him tAA'o or three times his value in gold. Sabbath morning Ben Franklin No. 2 packet came in, and I prepared to go to the boat, as the jailor said the sheriff had not yet returned from the country. Said the jailor : "I flo n't like to haA'e you IcaA'e Avithout seeing Fair- banks, as you are the only friend Avho has called on him. I haA^e a great mind to assume the responsibility of just tak- ing you into the jail a feAV minutes before you go." " I Avould thank you A'cry kindly," I said, " if you think it prudent; but if not, I shall not urge you iu the least." "I reckon there can be no harm done. Come on, AA'e'll go," and I folloAvcd him into the jail, and he called for Fairbanks. I met him under circumstances that ha)litcly ten- dered in going to and from Calvin. In passing through the yard I met their slaA'e man, Avho said, in a low tone, "Did you see Fairbanks?" I answered, in a like tone, " I did." "Glory!" he cried, just loud enough for me to hear. Kear tlie door I was met by iNbiry, who said but little 15G A woman's life-work. above a Avbisper, "Did you see him?" As I gave a nod, she said, "Good, good!" clapping her hands for joy. I waited in the parlor for tiie return of the jailer, as he had said he would go to the river with me. He soon came in, pale and trembling with excitement. " Mrs. Haviland, those officers are all boiling over with excitement. They wanted to know if I did n't see how just the sight of you was like an electric shock all over that crowd of slaves. ' Did n't you see tho.se four runa- ways cry at the sight of her?' said one of the officers. I told them my attention was all taken up with your con- versation with Fairbanks, and noticed nothing of others. They say it is very evident that you are a dangerous per- son, and deserve to be here in this jail just as much as Fairbanks, and they are for arresting you at once ; and I do n't know, Mrs. Haviland, that it will be in my power to protect you. There have been threats in the papers every day since you 've been here ; and Shotwell has had his officers out hunting in every hotel for you ; but we have kept it carefully from the public that you were with me, until now these officers are determined to arrest you." ►Said I: "Colonel Buckucr, should 3'our officers come in this moment I have nothing to fear. The God of Daniel is here at this hour. Should I be arrested, you Avould n't keep nic in your jail three days. I have no more fear than if I were in my own room in Cincinnati." His tremljliug voice became quiet ; and more calmly he said : "Well, it is a glorious thing to feel like ycni do; but I reckon you 'd better go over the river to Dr. Field's, and when Mr. Thruston comes into the city I '11 senassed a large hotel, with perhaps fifteen or twenty men standing on the sidewalk in front. All seemed in a j)erfect buzz of excitement. When I saw this company of men, the first thought was to pass over ou the other side. " But I will neither turn to the right nor the left, but pass tlirough their midst," was an impression that I followed ; and so busily engaged were they in their excited conver- .sation that they hardly looked to see the little passer-by, the subject of their thoughts and words. Said one: " Great excitement in town to-day." "Yes, sir; you can see a group of men at every street corner." I smiled to myself, as I thought, " Little do you think this is the little old woman you are troubling yourselves over." 1 soon was in Jefferson ville inquiring for Dr. Field's residence, and was shown the house across the street, and upon its front porch stood a little group — the doctor and family, with two ministers — watching me ; and as I opened the gate and inquired if this was Dr. Field's residence : " Yes, I am the Jason," said the doctor. "We 've been looking for you, Mrs. Haviland, every day since you 'vc been in Louisville." This was an unexpected salutation, and T felt at home again as T clasped their warm hands of friendship. " How is it that you have knowledge of me?" "Just walk in, and I'll show you the papers; haven't you seen them ?" 158 A woman's life-work. I told him I had not, and knew nothing of it until just as I was leaving ; the jailer told me there had hceu threats in the daily papers to arrest me. When 1 read these little scurrilous articles, calculated to inflame an al- ready inflamed public, I wondered, as well as the doctor, that they had not found my whereabouts and made trouble. I hoped my Cincinnati friends had not seen this, as I had "written them the reason of my delay, aud sent the letter by the same boat that brought me to Louisville. I enjoyed sweet rest with these Christian friends, and attended with them their afternoon meeting. The minister who preached Avas as earnest an abolitionist as tlie doctor, aud brother Proctor preached as radical an abolition sermon as I ever listened to ; it seemed like an oasis in a desert. The day following I sent a note to Lawyer Thrustou's office, and received in reply the statement that his illness had prevented his leaving his room during two weeks past, and urged me to come and see him without delay, and he would stand between me and all harm. The doctor said, as he was a lawyer of influence in their city, he advised me to go ; and as it was snowing a little, he gave me an umbrella, with which I might screen myself while passing the jail, as well as be sheltered from the snow. I f )und the lawyer very affable in his manners, aud he said they would do the best they could for Fairbanks, and we might pay what we could. I returned without difficulty to our "Jason." I wrote a little article under the caption of "Correc- tion," and sent it to both the Commercial and Louisville Courier. It was inserted, with the following editorial note: " Notwithstanding the pretended laudability of her er- rand to our city, we are still satisfied it was out of no good motive, as birds of a feather will flock together." ]\rost assuredly I was thankful to see the return of " Ben Franklin, No. 2," which took me from that nest of unclean birds to those of more congenial and harmless ON THE STEAMROAT. 159 habits. My anxious frieuds in Cincinnati bad not received eitber of my letters, and bad read only tbese tbreateuing cards in tbe Cincinnati Commercial, copied from Louisville dailies, tbat caused great anxiety. 1 sent a letter by both tri})s tbat tbis boat made during tbe week I was in Louis- ville, and Colonel Buckncr took botb and said be would sec them delivered at tbe boat. Wbile on tbe boat a gentleman and bis wife among tbe passengers were returning to tbeir Eastern bomc, witb wbom I formed a pleasant acfpiaintance. Among otber topics of discussion was tbe value of bygiene and bydru- jnitby, in wbicb a Louisville pbysician joined, narrating bis observations of tbe system during a practice of fifteen years in Louisville. As be seemed to be an intelligent and social gentleman, we all seemed to enjoy our new acquaintances. I remarked to bim tbat tbere seemed to exist quite an excitement in bis city during tbe week past, over an old lady wbo took a few articles of uuder-clotbes and a quilt or two to Fairbanks. "O, yes; were you in tbe city?" "I was, and was surprised at tbe excitement produced by ber presence." "Well, I suppose Sbotwell did make a great stir over bis loss of a bouse-servant. I understand be spent tbrce bundrcd dollars in bis efibrt to find tbat woman, as be tbougbt sbe knew wbere bis slave was. I bave forgotten ber name." "]Mrs. Haviland, from Cinciiniati, was tlie one tbrcat- encd in your dailies," I replied. "Ob, yes, tbat was tlie name. I beard you say you are going to Cincinnati ; do you know any tbing of tbat lady?" "I do; I bave been acquainted witb ber from cbild- bood." " You bave! Wbat sort of a lady is sbe?" " Well, if you sbould see ber, you would n't tbink it wortb wbdc to raise all tbis breeze over ber, or any tbing 160 A ArOMAN's LIFE-WORK. slie could do. She is a little, insiguificaut looking ■woman, anyhow ; and yet I think she is conscientious in what she docs." "There "wouldn't have been such a stir but for !Mr. »Shotwell, who felt himself Avronged in the loss of his house servant." "But he is considered one of your most influential citi- zens, I am told." "Yes, madam; I reckon we'll have to excuse him, for he is quite nervous and angry over Fairbanks." After quite a lengthy conversation on this subject, my new lady friend, to whom I had related a portion of my Louisville experience, was waiting for an oioportunity to l)ut a joke on the Louisville doctor, and called me by name. At this the astonished doctor said : "I reckon this is not Mrs. Havilaud, is it?" "Tluit is the name by which I am called." "Is this indeed the lady we've been talking about, and of whose appearance you gave such a brilliant description?" And he laughed heartily. "Well, well, ]\Irs. Haviland, don't judge our city by this little flurry of excitement ; for we have good, substantial people in our town, and I hope you'll visit our city again sometime, and you'll find it's true. I reckon if those excited men had arrested you, there would have rallied to your aid a diflfer- ent class of men ; for your errand was perfectly proper, and you would have been borne out in it, too, by the more sensible jieople of our city." But my Cincinnati friends Avcre not so confident of my safety. Said Levi Coffin, as I met him, "Dr. Brisbane has said it was most likely that we should find thee in prison ; and our friend, James G. Birncy, is also very much discouraged, and said he was sorry tliou went at this time of excitement, of both North and South, over the lynching of Williams near Baltimore, the binding of Conklin and throwing him into the river, and now the illegal capture FOURTEEN SLAVES ESC^APE. 161 of Calviu Fairbanks iu Indiaiui, and taking him over into Kentucky and lodging liiin in jail there. But tlicy have no regard or respect for law. As we knew all this, wo have all been exceedingly anxious for thy safety." It was a season of rejoicing with us all that our suf- fering brother iu prison had received present relief; and no threats were put iu execution iu regard to myself I realized an answer to prayer before I left for that prison, and not a moment while in Louisville did I in the least doubt the keeping power to be stronger than the power of darkness. Our friend, James G. Birney, being feeble iu health, sent for me to spend a day iu his family ; and a rich feast I enjoyed iu listening to the experience of that noble Christian :uan. Worthy was he to have presided over our nation. Excitement does not cease, though the base is changed. Tidings came to us that fourteen newly-arrived fugitives were housed in the basement of Zion Baptist Church. I repaired at once to see what was needed for their journey, and found a very sick babe, two months old. The mother said it was very sick before they left, and she did not expect it to live, but their arrangements were made to go for freedom, and she would rather bury her child on the way than to stay behind till it left her. It died that night, and they were provided with a respectable coffin, and the company, with others, formed a funeral procession to the burying-ground. After the burial the thirteen fugi- tives were taken to the Quaker settlement, twenty-five miles distant, and from thence were forwarded to Canada. The colored members of our vigilance conimittee informed me that an infant died in that basement once before, and they took up a part of the floor and buried the child in the grave prepared for it, to avoid suspicion ; for its par- ents were the slaves of a wealthy Kentuckian, who was making great efln reading a few verses I saw that the impi-ession made was deejjeuing, and asked if it would worry bini too niucli if 1 should spend a few moinenLs in prayer. •* O no, I 'd like to bear you pray." Placing my hand on his forehead, I implored divine aid in leading this precious soul to the cleansing fountain, and that his faith might increase, and iu its exercise be eua- ])led to secure the ])earl of great price. As I arose from his bedside, he reached out both bauds for mine, aud said, " I want you to come to-morrow." He wopt freely ; aud I left with the burdeu of that precious soul ujwn my heart. The mother and sister, who were both professors of religion, stood near the door weej)ing for joy over the con- sent of the dear son aud brother to listen to the few Avords ol" reading aud prayer. The day following I met the sick man again, and as 6(X>n as 1 eutei-ed his mother's room she said, "0, how thankful we are to God for this visit to my poor boy! He seems in almost constant prayer for mercy. Early this morning he spoke of your coming to-day." As I entered his room he threw up lx)th hands, sapng, "God will have mercy on poor me, won't he?" '' Most certainly," I responded ; " his ward is nigh thee, even in thy heart, aud iu thy mouth." " Do pray for me," he requested. I read a few wcitls from the Bible, aud followed with prayer, in which he joined with a few ejaculations. I left him much more hopeful than on the previous day. The next morning his sister came for me iu great haste, saying, " Brother Harvey wants to .see you, quick." It was not yet sunrise ; but I hastened to obey the message, as I supposed he was dyiug. Not a word passed between us until we reached her brother's room. Upon ojxjning his door he exclaimed, "Glory, glory to God, 164 A woman's life-work. Mrs. Havilancl! Come to me quick, I want to kiss you; for God brought me out of darkuess this moruing about the break of day. O hallelujah! Glory to Jesus! lie shed his blood for poor me ; aud I shouted louder than I could talk for a good many days. O, how I wish I had strength to tell every body that I am liappier iu one min- ute than I ever knew iu all my life put together!" He became quite exhausted iu shouting and talking, and I advised him to rest now iu the arms of the beloved Savior. " Yes, I am in his arms. Glory to his name for what he has done for me! I want you to see my cousin George; he is sick, and not able to come to see me to-day." I told him I W(nild within a few days, aud left him, with his cup of salvation overflowing. About t-wo hours before he died he looked at his mother, smiling, and said, "There's Mary; don't you see her, standing at the foot of my bed ?" " No, my son, mother do n't see her." " O, how beautiful she looks ! It seems as if you must see her ," aud he looked very earnestly at the object. " There, she 's gone now." Fifteen minutes before he breathed his last he said, " Here she is again, and so beautiful ! Mother, can 't you see her ?" " No, son, I can 't see her." "Beautiful, beautiful she is. There, she's gone again." Just as the soul took its flight, he upraised both hands, with a smile, and said, " Here she is, with two angels with her. They 've come for me ;" and the hands dropped as the breath left him, with the smile retained on his countenance. The sister Mary, that died a number of years previ- ously, was about four years old ; aud his mother told me she had not heard her name mentioned in the family for months before Harvey's death. ^ly time was fully occupied iu caring for the bick aud AT A SICK-BED. 105 dying, as cholera had become very prevalent and fatal. Among the many who died with that disease were Levi and Catherine Coffin's daughter Anna, about ten years of age, and a lady, the mother of three children, whose dying request was that I should take charge of her children until the return of their father, who was in C-alifornia. A few weeks passed, and my promise to Harvey White was forgotten, until one morning it rushed upon me with such force that I trembled. I hastened to see him, and, to my surprise, he too was very near to death with con- sumption, and without hope. His mother was a widow, also an earnest Christian ; but hei* son George would not allow her or any of the ministers of her acquaintance to talk w ith him on the subject of religion. But he was glail to hear that his cousin Harvey had died so happy; and she thought if I should tell him about Harvey he would listen to me. He coukl speak but little above a whisper, T told him of my reading to Harvey, and asked if he woukl like to hear mc read the same to him. He said he would ; and I read the same words, and told him how earnestly his cousin Harvey had prayed, ami God, who hears and answers prayer, answered him, and he died a happy Chris- tian. His feelings became tender, and I knelt by bis bed- side in supplication. As I was about to leave, he said : " There is a difficulty in my way, and I think you can remove it; but I am more rested early in the morning, and if you can come to-morrow morning 1 will tell you what it is.'' I told him I would be there if life and health were spared. The following morning I met him more rested. He said: *' I have tried to i)ray to God ; then it seems as if Jesus Christ stands there, and if 1 pray to Jesus it do n't feel quite clear, because 1 want to go to head-quarters, and I am confused, and ilo n't know where to go or what to do, and so I 'vc given it all uj) ; for it s all dark before me, and I've concluded to die in the dark."' This sorrowful condition of unbelief brOu;:ht secret 166 A woman's life-work. prayer for divine guidance in words to place tlie divinity of the Lord Jesus as clearly as possible before him. I read a few passages where he manifested his ])ower by mira- cles, " that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." He heard me attentively, and suddenly exclaimed : " Now I see it ; now I see it ; now I 've got a foothold. Now I can pray. I want you to pray for me." He followed in earnest prayer. At the close he raised his clasped hands: "I've found him; I've got him. O, how I wish I could have voice and strength to tell you how happy I am ! I want to go to my Savior ; he is my all. But I can not tell it here ; I will tell it in glory. It 's all light now ; the darkness is all gone." He seemed much exhausted, and took leave of his mother and sister, and sank into a stupor, and quietly passed away that afternoon. I felt under renewed obligations to praise Him for his loving kindness in reminding me so vividly of the promise I made to that dying young man, Harvey White. How careful we should be to attend to every little errand as we are passing through our life-work. I felt to upbraid my- self for being so inattentive to that request. Had that precious soul left the shores of time without hope in Christ, I could never have forgiveji myself for my neglect. There are neglected duties that dot my life here and there Avith regrets, that have been lessons to teach the necessity of greater faithfulness in the Master's work. The daughter of John Hatfield came to me with the word that there was a woman at their house who wished to see me. Her father being a member of the vigilance committee I went without delay, and found the woman in great distress of mind. She said she was a slave, but had the privilege of working in Cincinnati at house-cleaning, Avashing, or any jobs she could got, by paying her mistress three dollars per week. In this way she had managed to MARY FRENCH. 167 lay aside for herself over tweuty dollars during nearly two years. She had a husband and nine children, "An' las' year," said she, "missus was gwiue to sell my oldes' gal au' her baby to get money to keep her two gals in school Norf soniewhars, an' she tuck her baby an' run off for Canada, au' now she says she 's got to sell my Mary ;" and her tears came as from a fountain. ' ' Why do n't she come away as your other daughter did ?" I asked. 'Oh, she can't; missus won't let one o' my family come but me. She let's me come an' do all her marketin arter I gets all her work a-goin', so my man an' chilleu goes on Avid it; she lets me come to de city to work, an' I pays her three dollars every week. Now I 'se full o' trouble over my Mary ;" and she wept so freely that it Avas some time before she could give me this little sketch. I found they lived fifteen miles from the river, and she had ])laced her money in the hands of a colored man by the name of Bailey, to keep for her to use at some future time in going to Canada with her family. He had told her when the right time came he would have her money ready for her, and would help her. I told her I would gladly relieve her were it in my power; but all I could do was to advise her to l)riiig her family in the covered market wagon, and throw a quilt or blanket over them ; then the hay she always put in for her team over that, and a bag of apples, and anotlicr of potatoes, or any thing she generally brought into market, placed in front so as to present the appear- ance of a load of marketing. As she had been over so often, she said, the ferryman hardly ever asked her for her pass, for he knew her so well. "Don't you see you are the very one to bring yourself and family here? You could drive over aad take your family to either of three places: to a colored flimily on iSIacallister Street, by the name of Hall ; or to Levi Coffin's, on the corner of Ninth and Walnut Streets; or bring them here to John Hatfield's. 168 A woman's life-work. At either of these places you are as sure of goiug througli safe as if you were already iu Canada.'" She listened Avith great attention, and her tears dried awny as she looked up, with her face shining with hope, and said, "I do b'leve I can do it ; I never thought o' that. I '11 go to Bailey for my money fus thing; an' I'll go mighty soon.'' I charged her not to name to Bailey or any other human being this side or the other, the plan I had given her, ex- cept to her own family. She promised, and left with a much lighter heart. A few days later I was requested to meet Mary French, who would be at John Hatfield's house at twelve o'clock. Her friend said, "She is nearly crazy, an' I coaxed her to see you. She's los' faith in every body I reckon, for 'twas a good bit afore I could get her to see you agin. She said she did see you wonst, an' you could n't do nothin' for her. She's bin house-cleanin' wid me, an' it 'pears like she 's cryin' all the time, day an' night, an' me an' another 'oman got her to see you, if I 'd git you to come to Mr. Hatfield's at noon." I found her wringing her hands and weeping bitterly. As I looked upon that poor, despairing woman that I had left so hopeful a few days previously, I felt that I could say or do nothing for her but to point her to the God of Israel, who is al^le and willing to lead his oppressed children. I said, " Were you ever a Christian?" "I was three years ago, an' I lived a jirayin' life a year ; then the white folks did so bad, it 'peared like I couldn't live 'ligion, an' I giv' it all up. Missus sole my poor gal down de river, to sen' her two gals to de Norf to school ; now she 's gwine to sell my Mary, kase they 's runnin' short o' money ; an' she missed sellin' my gal las' year. If I had n't lef de Lord maybe dis hard trouble would n't come 'pon me." And again she began to wring her hands with convulsive weeping. As I looked upon that poor, crushed spirit, the most frantic with grief of any person I ever saw, a feel- PLANS PROPOSED. 1G9 ing of confidcuce sprang up ia me tliat she would become free. Said I, "You have known what it was to ask God to give you freedom from sin, and make you free from the bondage of Satau. Now go to him with full purpose of heart, and he will restore the joys of his salvation and again will set you free in soul. Then, I feel confident that the Captain of the soul's freedom will open the way for freedom from this chain of slavery that now binds you as a family. Now go to Jesus ; he will do great things for you. You lose confidence in your friends, you lose confidence in yourself; but go to the Lord Jesus, and believe he will direct you, and he will do it. Let prayer be tliy constant work, then faith will increase — that will not fail." At these few words she became calm, and said, as she looked up, "Can you tell me where my daughter is?" "Certainly," I said, "I heard from her yesterday; she is in Carthaginia, Indiana. I had supposed she went directly to Canada, and I was sorry she stopped so near to the line — not more than one hundred miles off." "I was tole she went through this city with her baby." "It was true," I answered. I was astonished to see her wipe her tears away and become calm so soon, and con- verse with so much composure. "If we come soon can you go a piece wid us?" " It will make no difference whether I am here or not, if you go to cither of the places I told you of. There are a great many safe places here, but I gave those places you know so well, and can find day or night. I shall probably go to my home in ^Michigan next week, and it is uncertain when I return ; but do n't forget to carry your burden to the Lord by constant prayer for his direct- ing hand; and whatever way he oi>ens, take it; if it should be any other way than the plan I suggested, take it, re- gardless of what I have said, excejjt to mind closely the impressions you feel confident come from an All-wise Di- rector. Do this, and I have great faith in your success. 15 170 A woman's life-work. Never have I had the strong faith that I have at this moment, that if you go to the Savior for his help iu this time of your great need, he will lead you out of slavery. I advise you not to wait for Bailey. If you come here you can all be taken to Canada without a dollar." This seemed to surprise her. She said she could get a few dollars, as she was earning good day wages. "One thing more I would say," I went on, "and that is, wherever I may be, whether in my Michigan home, or here in this city, I shall not forget to implore divine aid in the deliverance of this family from slavery." AVith this solemn interview we parted, and the burden of prayer followed me to my home. Hardly a day passed without presenting that poor family at a throne of grace for their preservation. Two months later found me again in the exciting scenes of Cincinnati. My first inquiry was for INIary French. " Yes, I heard a few days ago that her mistress had for- bidden her ever to come to this city again, and had threat- ened to sell the whole family down the river, and I suppose they are all sold by this time," said John Hatfield. He Baid she remained iu the city three or four Aveeks after I saw her, to get money to start with, but she was too late. Her Mary was sold just before she returned home, and the poor woman grieved so for her poor girl, that he heard her mistress abused her, and threatened to sell them all. It seemed as if I could hardly endure the thought, Avhen I had indulged such strong hope of her success, but I could not yet give her up, though I regretted exceedingly her delay, as I felt great confidence that He who notes the falling sparrow, and hears the young ravens cry, would have brought that family out of bondage. While in charge of the sick, word Avas brought by a workman in a sliop that there Avas an exciting report iu toAvn that a market Avagon brought OA'er a load of nine slaves early that morning, and that a reward of five hun- A rRO-SI.AVEUY FRIHND. 171 (Ircd dollars Avas offered for infcrniiitioii of their where- abouts. While my heart leaped for joy, hoping it might be Mary Freuch and family, yet as I was ia a pro-slavery family, my feeliugs were kept to myself The mau of the house said : "What a pity to lose that amount of property! But according to your principles, Mrs. Plaviland, I suppose you are glad of it." " Certainly. As I told you the other day, the negroes have the same rights from their Creator that we have, and no man or class of men has the right to take them away." "Now can't you set aside these notions of yours? You can easily find out where they are, and .«]yly report them, and here's your five hundred dollars." " I would not for ten times that amount. AVould you do it?" " Certainly I would, and should think it my duty." " I am astonished to hear this from one who professes to be a follower of the Lord Jesus, a part of whose mission was to unbind the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free. It is pain to me to hear you advance the sentiments you do in the presence of your children ; and a class-leader in the Methodist Protestant Church. I can not hencefor- ward acknowledge you as a brother in Christ." ".Why, Mrs. Haviland ! You are the most uncharita- ble pcrs(m I ever met. This hurts my feelings more than any thing you have said in presenting your radical position." " I do hope and pray that the enlightening influences of the Holy Spirit may lead to a far different view from your present one. I am grieved to hear this from one who is looked upon as a leader to the Lamb of God, who shed liis blood for the whole universe of man, regardless of color or nation." His reply w'as, " I want to refer you to a few more Scripture arguments that I have not mentioned. To-night, from seven o'clock till nine, 1 want to talk with you ou this subject." 172 A "Woman's i,ifi>W()rk. I told him I would be read}', but I had one request, and that was to make this a subject of prayei', as I should myself, during the day. He said he would seriously look it over, and left for his business. At nine o'clock my patient was comfortably cared for, and I had been talking of gt ing to Levi Coffin's on au errand for a uuniber of days. I asked permission of her to be absent an hour for that purj^ose, and her consent for two hours was given. On my way I called ou John Hat- field, to know whether this company of slaves was not the JNIary French family. " Oh, no, that poor family has gone down the river. I heard some days ago that they were sold to a trader." "The market-wagon was the plan I gave Mary, and I lioped so much that it was her family." '* Yes, but we should be just as glad for other slaves panting for liberty, as for her," and I accepted the remark as almost a half reproof for being more anxious for her than for other slaves. As I entered Catherine Coffin's room I inquired whether she knew this morning's company of the nine slaves to be Mary French and family, " I know nothing of the name, but a woman and little child are up in our attic; but no- body knows it about this house but Levi and L" " Please go up and tell her a friend is going to call on her, so as not to frighten her." " Go ou ; she '11 know we would let no one but a friend go uj)." I walked slowly up to the fourth story, and lol on a box in the corner sat Mary French, w'.th her little grandchild sitting at her feet. " Is it possible^ that is Mary French?" I exclaimed. She sprang to me with out- stretched arms, clasped me with tears of joy. and leaning her head on ray shoulder, sobbed. " O, my God has saved me so far, but my pore IMary was sole down de ribber, when I 's here in de city to git a little money to start wid. When 1 gets into missus' door, MARY FRE-Vcn's STORY. 17.3 I sort o' felt somcthiu' wrong, an' axt her, 'Wluu's M;iry?' Pbe say, 'I sole licr las' week,' au' I cried, 'O luy God! save my pore chile Mary!' au' she kotched up de tougs au' beat me ou my head 'til I loss my miu', aud Avheu I come to I was layiu' ou de floor bleediu'. You see here is a sore yit" (pointing to her head). There was a gash that must have beeu three inches long by the ai)pearauce of the scar and sore, yet uuhcalod. " Missus said I never, the lougcs' day I live, should set foot in Ciuciunati, 'case free niggers ruin me, an' afore she have such a fuss as dis, she l)ut de hull of us in her jwcket. I kuowd what dis mean, and I tried mighty hard to cheer up afore her. But my tears was my meat and drink a few days. I 'mend)cred your word to go to de Lord day an' night, 'case I could n't come to you no mo'e. In three days he answered my l)rayer, an' jus' tolc me I 's gwiue to be free, an' I tole my husban' so, but he could n't git faith in me. I tolc 'im to ])ut faith in God, as I did now. But I did lose faith iu my bcs' frieu' when Bailey tolc me you an' Ilatfiel' be- trayed my gal 8ally, an' got a hundred dollars reward ; den I was mos' crazy. And when dat 'omau tole me to go to you, an' I tole her I did talk to you, and to]e her what Bailey said 'bout you an' Hatficl', she said he was a bad man, an' lied only to keep my money. She begged me so hard I tole her if you 'd tell me whar Sally is, I 'd have faith iu you, an' when you tole me so quick, all my faith in you come back. Plow I wish you could see my man, f »r he 's so sure they '11 cotch us. I do n't know whar he is, f )r we 's scattered among de good peoi)le. O, what a time I had wid 'im to git 'nn started. I loaded an' un- loaded four times afore he'd come. At las' a pore white man tole me he hear missus say she gwine to sell us all to de firs' trader come along. I say, 'What shall I do?' lie say, ' If 1 was you, I 'd run away.' I say ' Here 's niy nuui an' chillen, can't go widout 'cm.' He say ' All go, an' if dey cotch you 'twon't be no wuss dan to go to de trader, 174 A woman's life-work. aud if I can do any way to help you I will, for I feels sorry for you.' When I tole my man, he was so skeered he did n't know hisself scarsely. He was ready to do any- how I wants 'iin, an' I went to dis white man, an' ax "im for his hoy ten year ole, to go wid me to market, an' take all my family, an' I 'd cover 'em up in de market wagon. ' An' I 'II tell your b )y I wants 'im to watch my team for me, an' I'll gib 'im a dollar.' 'All right, only tell 'im what you 11 do, an' tell 'im to come an' ax me ; an' he musu't know I knows ab)ut it.' An' I tuk missus' young hosses, an' jnit my man an' chillen in, cover 'em up; den put a bag o' taters an' apples an' a basket o' chickens in front. An' I had dis little boy by de chickens, so if he cry or make a noise I shake de basket an' de noise (f de chickens kill de noise of de boy. An' I drove de fifteen miles to de ribber by daylight, and drove back of (-'ovin'- ton till de smoke of de ferryboat rise; den I prayed (Jod to keep de ferryman from axin' me for my pass. For I 's mighty feared he would, 'case I had n't been here in so long. An' jus' afore sun up my man crawled out de back of de wagon. I told de hoy to hoi' de hosses till I fix somethin'. I whispered, ' Get hack quick, for God's sake.' an' he whispered, 'Let's go back, I knows dey '11 cotch us.' 'Go back! Man, its death to go back; we'd be in jail in no time waitin' for de trader.' An' he crawl back an' I tuck 'im up agin, an' we trimble like a popple leaf Den de smoke jus' rise on de ferry-beat, an' I drove on wid de white boy by my side. I prayed dat de Lord would n't let de ferryman ax me for my pass. If he did I's gwine to say, ' Dis white boy my pass;' but he did n't say a word, an' I praise God for answcrin' my prayer." I told her she had nothing to fear from the five hundred dollars reward ; she was iu good hands ; all she had to do was to go when they were ready to take them ; but 1 would write a few lines for her to take to the first stopping jihiee after leaving the city, advising to go by way of REWAUl) ()FFEUi:i>. 175 Carthaginia. " Write mc from that town, and tell your daughter to go on to Canada witli you without fail." I left her with a lighter heart, rejoicing with that rc- joiciug family, though yet trembling with fear. The time appointed f()r the two hours' discussiou ou the subject of slavery arrived. My pro-slavery friend was not disposed to open the conversatiou he desii*ed iu the morning. After waiting until one hour had elapsed, I asked if he was pre- pared to bring the Scripture arguments he had for my consideration at this hour. He replied that he had thought of but little else during the whole day ; but ou the whole doubted whether his reasons would staud the test, and de- clined saying any thing farther iu defense of the positiou he had advanced. A few weeks later he died of cholera. I called on his widow, who said he died a happy soul, aud often six)ke of his confidence in me as an honest-hearted Christian, and siie never heard him speak disparagingly of the colored people after the long conversation we had ou that subject. I regretted the loss of an opportunity of seeing him after Mary French aud family were safe in Canada. I wished to give him their history, as I felt sure it would have been "like a nail driven in a sure place." He had lived in the South, aud the subject of slavery had never been placed before him in this way. The reward for tlK3 nine slaves was doubled on the second day of their exodus. All the clew the hunters got of their wherealjouts was from the boy they met at the ferry. He could not read the names on the streets, and could only |X)int as near as he knew in the direction where they all left. He told them he didn't know there were any in the wagon but "black Mary," till they all got out; then she told him to go to Walnut Street ferry, and he drove two or three blocks when he stopped and cried, be- cause he did n't know where to find Walnut Street. Then a man came and told him to stoj) crying and he'd drive him to the ferry. They went to Hall's, on Macallister 176 A woman's life-work. Street, but not one wns left there five minutes. They were conducted to diflereut hiding-])]aces, and not one was left within a half a mile to a mile from that part of the city. Slave-hunters were paid from three dollars to seven dollars a day for watching around those suspected streets and those leading northward. The family were dressed in disguise and taken out in three carriages, closed, and two white men in front, that gave an impression at sight of a load of white people. At noon-day, in this manner, they rounded the corners, where were standing some of their hunters who were receiving their seven dollars a day, as was ascertained by a scheme gotten up by the colored people. The next evening after tlic nine fugitives were taken northward, tliey drove a double carriage into an alley near North Street, and the same number of colored people, so closely watched for, were hustled in Avitli haste, and driven off with speed. The call to " Stop, halt," was not heeded, until the police rushed at the increased cry, " Stoj-) thief, STOP THIEF," and slackened their pace. But while the excited crowd gathered to see the police arrest the thieves, the colored man beside the driver demanded the reason why he and his ladies should receive this insult to hinder their pleasure ride. By throwing a light from their dark lantern in the faces of their pursuers, the hunters they had suspected were recognized, to their great annoy- ance. There were those among them who would not have been exposed, perhaps, for half the amount of the reward. A few days subsequent to this little episode I received a letter from Maiy, after their arrival at Carthaginia, where she met her daughter, who, with her child, made their party number eleven. They very soon reached the "land of the free." Nothing further was heard from them until I went with my two daughters to Windsor, Canada West, to attend their first of August celebration, in com- memoration of West India emancipation. There were IN CANADA. 177 gathered a very large congregation in a grove, of both col- ored and white people. While listening to an eloquent oration delivered by Samuel J. May, of Boston, I was taken from my seat and borne away a few rods, hardly touching the tops of the bushes with my feet. I turned first one way and then the other, until I discovered the sable face of Mary French, with big tears rolling down her checks. Not a word was spoken until we were entirely away fi'om the congregation, and I said, "Mary, hav'u't we gone far enough?" when she let me down, and caught hold of my hands and kissed them, while tcare of joy were still falling. "O, how happy we is to be all free. Can't you go to Maiden an' see all my family? I knows my man would come all dis way afoot if he kuowed you 's liere." I told her I could not, as I must return the next day with my two daughters. "Isdeyheah?" "They were sitting by my side," said I; "those two girls dressed in white are my daughters." "Sweet creturs! de little angels; I mus' go see 'em. I's got two gals liere, too, an' I'll bring 'cm to see you." And soon her hands were placed on the shoulder of each, still weeping for joy as she said: "God bless you! You tiuks it strange to see an old lilack 'oman come to you like dis, but you would n't if you know'd what your mother has done for mc an' my family. If it had n't been for her we sliould all been in slavery to dis day. I wants you to go out dar whar you see your mother standin' afore a great while. I'm gwine back to her now." She came with her two girls, who were also very demonstrative in shaking and kissing my hands ; but they laughed instead of weep- ing as did their overjoyed mother. By the time my daughters came to us we were served with cake and ice cream. As she and her daughters had on the ground a little stand from which they made sales, their favors iu this line were repeated. 178 A woman's life-work. Instead of oue year's suspeusion, as we designed, we had deferred finishing our institute building in Michigan from time to time, until four years had elapsed. As the Ohio school law made provision to support a colored school in any town or place where there were as many as fifteen regular scholars, my daughter Anna and myself taught a school for them of one hundred scholars one term, in the basement of Zion Church, Toledo. The expenses were paid from the school fund. With several fugitives, I started on my way to Toledo from Cincinnati, and spent a day at our friend William Beard's. From thence we were taken to Newport, Indi- ana, where was a meeting appointed iu behalf of Calvin Fairbanks, in which I gave a sketch of my visit to Louis- ville jail in his behalf. I read the letter I had received from his lawyer on leaving Cincinnati, containing a propo- sition to do the best he could for him, and with that object in view he staved off the case to the next session of their court. At the close of the meeting fifteen dollars Avere raised, Bishop Quinn, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, giving one-third of it. As there was a fall of snow a foot deep, the friends concluded to take us across a swamp, which would save a number of miles; and as there were indications of a thaw, one man offered his team and double sleigh if a certain colored man would go that night and drive it. We were soon well protected from the pro- spective inclement weather, with the buffalo-robe presented to me, and quilts around the balance of our load. The shifting wind brought quite a snow-storm, that covered us over about three inches deep. My company ])eing very cold, I advised to stop at a house, the dim light of which was so tempting to the shivering company. J went to the (l(>f)r and asked permission to enter, giving our number, and vur object in going through the swamp before a break-uj). The two old j)eople granted the favor ; but when the old lady saw the ctjlor of my company she ON THE ROUTE. l79 becamo ratlier suppicious. Said slio, " If tliosc are slaves we do u't want any trouble, because you know the Fugi- tive-slave Law makes a deal of trouble in some places." I assured her they would have none of that character ou our account, for these young people were going with me to attend my school. When we were warmed and the horses fed, we left our kind friends to borrow no more trouble lor fear of being disturbed with slave-hunters. About three o'clock we came to a large half-finished frame house, brilliantly lighted, and the man seemed to be preparing his team for leaving. I called with our driver to see if we could warm ourselves and I'eed the team, giving our reason for crossing the swamp to save distance, and as there were indications of a thaw in the afternoon, we chose to come through that night. The n)an said that was his reason for going for a load of lumber so early — he fearing a break-up. They were very kind, and insisted on our resting till daylight, and taking a warm breakfast. The invitation was accepted with gratitude. I spent my time in conversing with our kind hostess, while my company slept an hour. At nine o'clock we reached Carthaginia. The first one we met was a colored woman, of whom I inquired where we could find a ])lace to tarry for a night, and find prov- ender for our horses. She took in our situation at once, and })ointed to a large frame house in sight, the house of Samuel Jones, half a mile distant. AVhile she was i^ivinj; this information, a man ahead of us, with his carriage, stopped and turned back, saying, "There is Mr. Jones now, coming to sec you, I reckon." As he came to us, I told him of the incpiiry I made for a resting-place. "And that is my house for you and barn for your horses," he said. After giving each of us a shake of the hand, he said, turning to me, " I know you, though I never .*:aw you before, and I will tell you of a circumstance, after we get home, whereby you will recognize me." We followed 180 A woman's life-work, him to his very coinfoi-tii])le home. We were soon seated at a luxurious table. Breakfast being over, he related a circumstance in which I had taken a deep interest, and by corresponding, the release from slavery of his relative was effected. Brother Jones gave me ten dollars for brother Fair- banks, in the Kentucky i)rison. Here we took leave of our conductor, Henry Marshal, and a team and teamster were provided to take us on by way of Bellefontaiue. The an- tici])ated warmer weather overtook us, and with a wagon we left Carthaginia. Streams with floating ice made ford- ing difficult, especially Mosquito Creek ; but our driver and Simon measured the de})th of water, and with rails pushed the floating ice from the ford, to enable me to drive through. Working as they did with all their might to keep the cakes of ice from running against the horses and from impeding the wheels, when we reached the swift current of the stream a cake l)locked the wagon so as to stop the horses a few moments. One horse became discouraged and began to lie down. At this the three women jumped upon a large floating cake, from which they reached the shore Avith the help of the men. Our teamster found his way into the wagon ; and by pushing and crowding this way and that he loosened the wheel, and with continued urging and Simon's wading to the horses' heads, they finally pulled through. We drove to a house, where the men changed their socks, and rubbed their horses with straw, they said, two hours, and then fed them. We pursued our journey without further difficulties to our school in Toledo. Often did my whilom slave scholars refer to the excite- ment at ]\Iosquito Creek ford. I found the prejudice here very l)itter against a colored school; but the colored people had combined their weak forces and built a church, designed for school, as Avell as their occasional meetings. My school averaged nearly twenty scliolars during the term, at the close of which we put in a petition for a support from the C()U)RED .SCHOOL. 181 school fund. But a majority of two ruled ai^riinst u."; for, although the State law required them to support this school, they had already complied with the reipiireiuent. Although I had designed to return home and re-opeu Eaisiu Institute, yet to press the board of education into its duty I reopened their school for the secoud term ; and every time that board met I met with them with my jieti- tion, informing them, at their first refusal to adopt the school, that this petition of the importunate widow would stand l)efore them until it was granted. They frequently in(iuired of the colored jjcoplc how long I was going to teach for tliem. The answer every time was, as I told them, until the board of education took it. In their dis- cussions in the board I understood it was frequently re- marked by our opposers "that the end of that negro school wwdd be when Mrs. Haviland left, and that would n't be long, for the negroes were too poor to pay her." But it was not for money that I taught their scliool, but to see justice meted out to them. There were fifteen families of the lower class of Irish who lived in shanties near the canal that ran within a few rods of our school -house, and as the most of our school 2)asscd them, or would have to go half a mile farther, wc got from one man in particular a systematic cursing; be- ginning with cursing my feet, and cursing every toe on them, and cursing every nail on every toe, and so on, to cursing my head, and cursing every hair on it. This reg- ular set of curses were for me every time I passed wlien he was in his cabin, and frequently a number of others standing by would join him. But as he or some of the others were so often drunk, it Avas a long time before I could find the suitable opportunity to go to their cabins and have a talk with them, as I desired. As some of their company were so boisterously furious, the children did not dare pass tliem unless I was with them, for iu addition to cursing they were stoned. 182 A woman's I.IFE-UORK. . "^Vhen the second term was two-thirds through I pro- posed a picuic for the school and its friends, and had the scholars declaim a few pieces. An elo pient speech deliv- ered in the House of Lords, when immediate emancipation was discussed in the English parliament, was well com- mitted and declaimed by one of the young men. A num- ber of the colored people feared a mob, but the majority were willing to risk any measure I th(^ught best to adopt. I trained them thoroughly in speaking, and they trained themselves in singing, and the school selected a little girl to be crowned as their queen of ]May, and on the 25th of ^lay we marched through town to a grove, with two beau- tiful banners. Tlie one borne by the young woman who walked by my side bore the motto, " God is love," and next to it all tlie girls f )llowed in couples. Then followed the young men and boys in the same manner, headed by the bainier, upon which was inscribed, "Knowledge is power." I instructed the children and young jicople to walk straight forward, and not even turn tlieir heads to the riglit or left, and not to notice by lock or word any remark that might be made, not even to talk to each other until we reached our little stand in the woods. Not*a Avord of disrespect was heard, and some of the white peo- ple who drove out with their carriages told me they had not seen such order in marching in any of tlie May jiicnics that the white schools had had that Spring. They were highly delighted with our exercises. At the next session of tlie board my school was recognized as a public one, and the chairman. Rev. Dr. Smyth, was authorized to hire mc to teach the next term. He met me on the street and said, " jNIrs. Haviland, the imi)ortunate widow's prayer is answered ; your petition is granted at last, and I am in- fitructed to hire you for the next term." 'Then my work is finished with this term," said I. "INTv object is aecomplislicd. I have business at home that I hoped to have entered upon when I closed last term; IRISH FRIENDS. 183 but as your board refused to do its duty I contiuued, al- though I have not averaged twenty-five cents a week dur- ing the six months, as a large majority of the colored people here are very poor." *' I know that, and I have contended from the first that they ought to have a school ; but I am suprised at your not remaining in the school, as you shall have a fair compensation now." I told him I would give him the name of a competent teacher, who was now working himself through college at (Jberliu — John Mitchel — a worthy Christian young man of their own color, with whom they could correspond and se- cure his services. His parents were living in Toledo, and he would l)e pleased to accept the position. I thaivked the board through their chairman for the favor they had granted in behalf of the colored people in Toledo. It being the seventh day of the week, as I was passing my Irish friends, and all quiet, and a company sitting on the grass in the shade of their cabins, I accepted this as my hug-sought ojiportunity to talk with them. Address- ing a group of half a dozen women, I said : " I have long desired to talk with you, as I am confident you do not imderstand me in teaching this colored school. I have flit it my duty to aid the most neglected class of people. We arc apt to indulge in prejudices against certain classes or nations of people. Some peojjle are prejudiced against the German people. They '11 say he's nobody but a Dutch- man, he's not worth noticing; and others are prejudiced against the Irish, and will say, ' They are nobody but Irish pcoi)le, they are not worth noticing;' and others are pre- jmliced against black people: 'They are nolxKly but negroes, and they are not worth noticmg. And then there are some who are prejudiced against soldiers, or sailors, as classes of men. People are too apt to desj)ise otiier na- tions and classes of men. All this is wrong ; God made us all as it pleased him, and it is not for us to find fault 184 A woman's life-work. with our Heavenly Father, who loves all the human fam- ily alike. As we acknowledge the fatherhood of God, we should also acknowledge the brotherhood of man in all nations and classes." Said one mau to his friend sitting by, " In faith, Pat, that's good doctrine." "Yes, iudade, that's the doctrine Father Mathew prached, ye know." "Jamie, that's all right," said another. Cue of the women concluded she would know the truth of the reports they had gotten up among themselves. " An' did ye not marry a nagur?" " Why, no! my husband was a white mau, who died a number of years ago." "Aud was he a black man?" " He was a white man, and he left me with eight chil- dren, all under age, aud the youngest aud the oldest have followed their father." "In fath, ye've seen a dale of trouble, I'm sure; and we heard that black mau we often saw comin' from schule with ye an' that yellow lass an' boy was your chilther." "That mulatto girl and boy live near my boarding- place, and they generally come and go with mc to school and return ; and that black man is a young man who has never had the privilege of going to school aud learning to read aud write and the use of figures, until I opeued this school. Now he can read, write, and can use figures to good advantage." " But it 's a pity we did n't know ye before. We 've been hearin' all this about ye, an' not a bit of it true. Our people was about to set fire to your schule-house — in faith, they said they 'd give ye a dressiu' of tar an' fithers, an' our praste forbid it." "I knew nothing of that," said I; "but T wanted you to understand me before I left, which will be in four weeks. Then they will have a fine young colored mau from Ober- lin Colleire to teach their school." CHRISTIAN WORK. 185 ** But what a pity that is, for I 'm sure they '11 not get another such a tacher as you. ludade, I 'ni sorry to hear you're to lave us; I'd like to have my little gal go to your schule, if ye '11 take 'er." Tiie man who was the systematic curser came to his door: " ludade, missus, we did n't know ye; an' now we 'II fight for ye, an' we are sorry we did n't know ye for so long.'; When I left tlicm I shook hands with them all, for by the time our conversation closed al)out all their little comniutiity had convened, and I took occasion to speak highly of Father !Mathew, the great temperance reformer of Ireland; and my little congregation prouounced as strong blessings upon me as they had curses. Even my system- atic curser was among my best frieuds after that, and my scholars, as well as myself, were treated with the utmost respect ever after, and two of them seut for me when very sick and not expected to live, one of whom died a few days after. As she was in great distress of mind, I read to her some of those precious promises of our Savior, from which she drew great consolation. It would seem to many like casting pearls bef(H*e swine to turn aside to present the truth to such ignorant and disliking people, but it is ours to obey these little impressions, and leave the result with the All-wise Director. During my work in Toledo I called on a colored woman to solicit a little change for a very sick man who was very low with consumption, and was being cared for by a very poor family, and as she gave me twenty -five cents a beautiful white girl was sitting by, who gave anotiier quarter. After school I called again and in(|uirod for that young woman who gave for that sick man, without giving me time to ask for her mite, and, to my surprise, found she was an inmate of a house of ill-fan>e, and trieW()RK. ■\vcre destroyed. This was the secoud thue cholera defeated my arrest. Pursuit was still continued for William Anderson. Three years after I fell in company with D. L. Ward, at- torney of New Orleans, in a stage between Ypsilanti and Clinton, Michigan. Ho was making some complaints about the North, which drew forth a few remarks from me. "Oh, 1 am glad I've got hold of an abolitionist. It is just what I have wished for ever since I left my home in New Orleans. Now I want to give you a little advice, and, as it will cost you nothing, you may accept it freely, and I hope you will j)roiit by it; aud that is, when you abolitionists have another Sims case, call on Southern legal gentlemen, and we will help you through. We would have cleared Sims, for that Fugitive-slave Law is defec- tive, and we know it, and we know just how to handle it.'' "Why did you introduce a defective bill?" " Because we made up our minds to bring you Nortli- erners to our terms, whether it was constitutional or not, and we have done it, because we knew we could do it ; not because we cared for a few niggers; for I say, if a nig- ger cares enough for freedom to run for it, he ought to have it. Now we kncAV that was an unconstitutional thing before we put it before Congress ; but we put it there to let you know we could drive it down Northern throats, and we did it, too." " I acknowledge," I replied, "that there is too mucli servility in our North ; there is too much crouching and cringing, but I am prepared to say there are more than seven thousand that have never bowed the knee to your Baal of slavery, and never will. We never shall do hom- age to your Southern goddess, though you may cry loud and long in demanding its worship. You say if we have another slave case, if we come to you to help us througli, you will do it, and tluit if a slave wants his freedom bad enough to run for it, you think he ought to have it?" LETTER TO LORD EIXJIX. 207 "Yes, madam, we Avill aid you, for wc know just how to haudle that thing." " Supposing a man is about to be sold from iiis family, and he falls at his master's feet, and pleads in tears to re- main with his family, and promises to serve him faithfully all the days of his life, if he will only permit them to re- main together ; but the master persists in the sale ; the slave makes his escape; is overtaken by his master, yet, severely wounding him, he succeeds in gaining his liberty. Now what do you say in regard to this supposed case?" Looking me full in the face, he asked my name, which was given. Said he, "I think I am acquainted with that case. Is it not William Anderson, a runaway I'rom IMissouri?" " William Anderson's case is very similar to the one I have described." "Oh yes, madam, and you are implicated in that af- fair, but as you are a lady I will not disturb you ; but you are liable to great difficulty in that case, and I will tell you we are going to have Anderson by hook or by crook ; we will have him by fair means or foul ; the South is determined to have that man, and you'll find your House of Refuge will not protect him either." " This is the way I ^xirceive you Southern legal gentle- men will help us. But you will never get Anderson from Canada. Your determination will fail." " We shall not fail, but I will tell you after I return from our fillibustering tour, as we are going out next month. We are confident of success in that, too, for our fleet is in good condition. We shall then take Anderson, if not before, and let you see how much your House of Refuge will do to hold that man from the South." I never heard from D. Tj. Ward from that day. I had written previous fo tliis interview to the governor-genei'al, Lord Elgin, of the first cfl^)rt to retake him as a murderer. He replied that, "in case of a demand i'or William Ander- 208 A AVOMAX'S I.IFE-WORK. SOU, he should require the case to be tried in their British court ; aud if twelve freeholders should testify that he had been a mau of iutegrity since his arrival in their dominion, it should clear him." This information, however, I did not reveal to cur Southern lawyer. Three years later, in whicli time I had succeeded in fin- ishing my Raisin Institute building, and reopened the insti- tution in charge of a principal from Oberlin College, the sad tidings reached me that William Anderson Avas lodged in jail in the city of Toronto, under charge of murder com- mitted in the State of Missouri. He was awaiting his trial, and Gerrit Smith was one of his legal advisers. I wrote immediately informing him of the previous efforts to search out his whereabouts, and that his pursuers at that date (1853) alleged that he was a free man, and had never been a slave. In reply, Gerrit Smith wrote : " I am glad you have given me so much of his history. Poor Anderson ! I visited him in jail. I will send you my speech in his behalf. I hope the friends will purchase his family. I have volunteered to do all I can for the poor man. Lord Elgin is removed ; the present governor-gen- eral is a stranger to this case. God bless you. " I am truly your friend, Gerrit Smith." A few days later, I received the thrilling speech of Ger- rit Smith, like the man, full of pure and soul -inspiring thought ; but I trembled with fear when two of the three judges were in favor of returning William Anderson to the State of Missouri, and that Riggs the claimant was liable to succeed ; but through the efforts of his friends, and the opposing judge, the case was appealed to a higher court, and William Anderson was sent to England, where he re- mained in safety until the war opened, in which time the case was adjusted in his flivor. The jNIissouri agent, Riggs, failed, and the friends of liberty rejoiced. Three young men fled from Daniel Payne, Kentucky, and succeeded in reaching Canada, where they liad proven CRT'EI/rY KKCiUITKl). 209 themselves wortliy of their luinlH^ariKul freedom. A few mouths ehipsed, and their master came for tiiein, and tried to hire them to go baek with him, promising to make over to them maniimissiou papers as soon as they returned. But he failed to inspire Alfred and his two brothers with confi- denec in his promise of freedom and fair wages for their work. He then secured the aid of a colored man to invite them to a dancing party in Detroit a few days after, but the boys mistrusted that their old master had the handling of this invitation, and did not accept it. As they had been annoyed two weeks by the various plans of " blaster Dan Payne," they concluded the next time he gave them a call to appear more social, and gave their plan to forty or fifty of their friends, who were to lie in ambush near the old barracks, where one of the brothers was to have a chill, and appear too sick to go over the river. But two days passed before the opportunity arrived that enabled them to carry out their plan. When Alfred informed the ex-master of the illness of his brother, of course he must hasten to the sick boy with a nice brandy- sling for tlie chills, and he purchased a good quantity for them all. AVhile he was handing a glass of sweetened brandy to the sick man, a company of men rushed in and held him, while Alfred and two brothers stripped him of his coat, vest, boots, socks, and pants, and tied him with a rope in the same way the master had tied their mother, when he compelled her to be stripped, and tied her with his own hands, and whipped her until the blood ran to the ground. Alfred and his brothers applied dexterously the slave-whip, which they had provided for the occasion l)y borrowing a plantation slave -whip kept by Henry Bibb as a reminder of his slave life. Daniel Payne begged heartily for mercy. Alfred replied: " Yes, this is just the way my mother begged for mercy; but you had no mercy for her, and this is to show wliat she receoivcd at your iruel hands." Thi'y applied liic lash until the iorly .>^tripcs l« 210 A woman's i.ife-work. their mother had received at his hands had been given. Then they unbjuud him and gave him fifteen minutes to dress and leave Canada, and gave him a quarter to go with, keeping his watch and purse, which contained about forty dollars. He crossed the river within the given time, and sent an agent to call on the authorities, to whom he entered a complaint of being robbed of a gold watch and one hundred dollars, but made no complaint of the whip- ping. He affected to be tot lame "with rheumatism" to return to b\if Kentucky home for a number of days, in which time the boys returned his watch, but kept the money. Alfred and his brothers said jNIr. Payne was as untruthful about the amount of money as he was in call- ing his old silver watch gold. Suffice it to say, the young men were never after troubled or annoyed by Daniel Payne, of Kentucky. Although it was a course I would never have inaugurated, yet it Avas largely in human nature to requite the cruelties heaped upon their mother when it was beyond their power to protect her. With very many pleasant remembrances, I left this la- borious field of labor for home work, where I spent nearly three years looking after the best interests of my children, and making preparations to reopen Eaisin Institute, for the moral, intellectual, and spiritual improvement of our youth. SIX ESCAPING SLAVES. 211 Chapter IX. RESCUE OF SLAVES. A FAMILY of six left tlicir old Kentucky home in search of i'reedoni. A youug Avife who "was sold had made her escape three years previously. I noticcnl a straugcr pass- ing through my gate, and as he was a mulatto, I went out to see where he had gone. I found him sitting in tho porch, waiting to see some one of whom to inquire whether he was at the right place. He handed a paper directed to me by an under-ground railroad ticket agent, who in- formed me there were six fugitives in his company. "Tiien there are six of you?" I asked; "and where arc the bal- ance?" "My two brothers are back a-ways," he replied, '"cause we's feared it wasn't the right place." Being assured all was right, he went back for them. They had left their mother, with her two little grandchil- dren, in Carthaginia, uutil the boys could find a safe homo for them, but tliey knew not whether they should go on to Canada or find the object of their search short of that place. They heard in Carthaginia that JNIichigan was the last j)lace she had been heard from, and that was a short time after passing through that town. They were directed to me as being most likely to know the whereabouts of the young wife. They had been in my home a number of hours be- fore the elder brother dared make the inquiry. I noticed the frequent heavy sigh and sad countenance, and I thought he was probably very anxious over the safety of his mother, and I assured him that she was iu good hands, for I knew them to be true friends. While he assented, yet all my words of encouragement did not seem to cheer him, while the two younger brotliers were happy. I went through 2i2 A woman's I.IFE-WOr.K. my usual course of giving them new names. As they left that entirely with me, I gave as the family name Ross, and their given names Benjamin, Richard, and Daniel. But I came to the conclusion that the older brother was troubled over some friends he had left behind. At length, in a half hesitating and trembling manner, he ventured to ask if I knew any thing of a colored girl by the name of Mary Todd. "Certainly I do," said I; "and did you know her?" "Yes, ma'am," was his reply. "Do you know whether her husband was sold? She worried a great deal about him." "No, they talked of selling him lately." Then, after a pause, "She isn't married again, is she?" "Why, no, she is a very steady, nice young woman. Every one in the neighborhood where she lives takes a great interest in her. Perhaps you are acquainted with her husband ; why don't he come ? He promised to fol- low her as soon as he could." While his countenance lit up with joy, I had no sus- l)icion of who he was until he said, " I am the man. I am her husband." " Why did u't you tell me that before?" " I was 'fraid of bad news if I got any." "Afraid she was married?" " Well, it 's been mighty nigh three years, an' I could n't go for a long time off the plantation, after she left." As she was twelve miles from our school, and by this time it was nearly night, I hastened to inform brother Canfield, a Wesleyan minister, that the older brother of these fugitives was Mary Todd's husband. "Is it possi- ble," he asked, "that Mary's husband has come at last?" Soon, quite an excitement was produced in our neigh- borhood over the arrival of ]\Iary Todd's husband. The next morning brother Canfield took him in his buggy to meet his wife and little son he had never seen ; and a time SUPPOSING A CASE. 213 of great rejoicing was in the Avliole neighborhood. As they were married after slave style, brother Canfiold sol- emnized the marriage legally. The minister said we all forgot the black skin, when we saw that couple fly to each' other's arms. Surely, " Skins may diffor, hut affoction Dwells in black and white the same." Mary had lived most of the time in the family of Fitch Ivccd, of Cambridge. They soon had a home for their luothor, with her two little granddaughters, and were all hap])y, industrious, and highly respected. One of the common trials of life, to mar our hapjiiness in our il^mily-likc institution (February 23d) Avas the list- loss waywardness of some of our dear students, in a deter- mined j)urpose to attend a dancing party under the guise of an oyster supper. How many delusive snares are laid to entrap and turn aside the youth into divergent paths. AVe found it necessary to suspend eight of our students for the remainder of the term. It is a painful duty of the surgeon to amputate a limb, yet it may be an imperative duty, in order to save the life of the jiatient, aud restore the body to health. This evening a very remarkable fugitive slave came from Tennessee. He had been five Aveeks on the way, in which time he had slept but one night, having traveled at night and buried himself in hay aud straw iu barns in the day-time to keep from perishing with cold, and to avoid detection. He says six years ago his wife and child were sold from him, which caused him days and nights of bitter tears. He then firmly resolved to make an attempt to gain his freedom by flight. He was captured in Illinois after a severe struggle. He showed us four pistol-ball holes in the arm he Avas most dextrously using in his own defense, aud two large scars which he said were gashes made at the same time with a Bowie-knife, which enaliled 214 A woman's life-woek. his enemies to capture liim. After they secured him iu jail he was advertised in papers, which his master saw, and came and took him back, and caused him to be whipped on the bare back until the flesh was so badly torn that he was compelled to lie on his stomach four weeks. During this time he was not able to turn himself. After recovering his master put him in the iron works, of which he was proprietor. "If I hadn't been one of his engineers he would have sold me instead of giving me that awful whipping that he thought conquered me; but he was mightily mistaken; for it only imbedded in my heart a more bitter hate than ever. I appeared contented and performed my work well. After a few months, he said cue day, 'I've made you a good boy, Jim, and now I'll let you go to the big city w'ith me.' I was very obe- dient, but he little knew of my determination to leave him as soon as I could make sure work of it. That is the reason I would not make friends with Avhite people till I found Michigan, for Ave have heard that people in this State are friendly to us, and that it is next to Canada." As this man was above mediocrity as to intelligence, his two days' stay with us had a salutary influence over our school. He could not be prevailed upon to rest longer, as he could not be easy until he reached Victoria's domin- ions. His clothes were made comfortable, and I called on a few friends for a little pocket change, and sent by him a little note to the next station, Avhere he was aided on to Canada. Our Spring term opened with fair pi'ospects. A number of our students who were suspended last term returned to us, they said, to redeem themselves, and they were as good as their word. During our long vacation I attended an anti-slavery convention in Cincinnati, where I met a white slave man from Little Rock, Arkansas, who left his home in the night and by morning took public conveyance as any other white A WHITE SLAVE. 215 man 'woulil. Oq reaching Cincinnati ho found friends of tlie !\\'()IIIC. distressed that at foiu" o'clock I took a Avalk on the street, ostensibly to rest by exercise after a day of sewing, but really to give vent to tears that had bccu all day pent up, for all appearance of sympathy must here be restrained. On my return I heard the battling of the paddle, with the cries of poor Jack, so hoarse that I could hardly have recognized it as a human voice had I not known what it Avas. I got no glimpse of the poor child until the next morning. As the tailor, Joseph Brink, came in, the sister-in-law said, " We ought to have a lamj^ or candle lit before this time." Said the mother, " We do n't feel half thankful enough for this grate-fire. Just think, Joe Shears has been whip- ping those two little boys all this blessed day, and I should think they must be half dead to-night." "What have they done?" said Joseph. "I don't know; do you, Mrs. Smith?" "Yes; you know I slept in IVIrs. Shears's room last night; and the boys came in at nearly daylight with their ])an of fire and kindling, and the mistress wanted to know why their fires were not all built before, and they said Aunt Winnie did n't wake them. And she whipped them Avith her shoe rpiite a Avhile ; then Joe Shears came in, and swore at them, and said he Avould Avako them." "And that Avas it? Only think," said ]\[rs. Springer; "you kuoAV Aunt Winnie Avas sick yesterday. And just because they had n't these fires all built before daylight they 've had them tied up in the barn all day ; that coav- hide ]Mrs. Shears keeps hung on her door-knob her Joe has swung over those tAvo little niggers all day. I tell you, if the devil don't catcli such i:)eople there's no use of having a devil." Her son-in-law, in an undertone, said, " Be careful ; do n't talk so loud, or it will make a fuss here." "Well, I don't care, I am mad. I tell you, Joe, hell is lined this A'cry minute Avith just such folks as these." NEGRO BOY KILLED. 223 " Well, I thiuk tlicy arc more cruel here than they arc in Georgia." " I 've seen just such work in Georgia and in Alabama, and it's all over. I tell you, there's more in hell to-night for treating niggers this \vay than for all other sins put together, and I know it." "Be careful; they'll hear you, and it will make trouble. It's their property; it's none of ours." "I don't care for that; they are human beings, and have feelings as well as other folks. There 's that little nigger, Bob, they've hired of Dr. Webb, down street; they whip him and pound him about, and they '11 kill him some day. And I think somebody ought to report to Dr. Webb how the}' are treating that young nigger. He is a miglity nice-looking boy. He is almost white, and they've got him all scarred up." "Well, what of that? The doctor himself is no better. About three months ago his boy Tom was throwing wood in his cellar, and he did something he didn't like, and he kicked him down the "cellar, then jumped down after him and took a l)illet of wood and was pounding Tom over his head when two white men were passing by and saw the whole affair; and as Tom fell the doctor came up out of tlio cellar and went down town and reported his Tom had a fit. But the two men went into the cellar after the doctor left and found him dead and his skull broken in. They reported what they saw and had a coroner's inquest over him, who found that Tom came to his death by too severe punishment. They arrested the doctor and put him in jail a few days, when his trial came off. The doctor was fined five hundred dollars, and he paid it and went free." "Yes, that is the doctor we've been sewing for, is it?" "Certainly." "I tell you, hell is heaped with just such people." She went on in that strain that remindid nie of St. Clair's "cursing up bill and down" tliat almost frightened 224 A woman's life-work, the New England old maid of " Uncle Toiu's Cabin." I trembled myself, expecting every moment that some mem- ber of the family would hear her. Two days later was washing-day, and the cook. Aunt Winnie, told her mistress she was too sick to do the very large washing for three boarders besides the family. I heard the mistress cursing her, and telling her she could if she had a mind to, and charged her Avith being lazy. In came her sou Joe. "What's all this fuss?" "O, it's Winnie says she's sick and can't do the wash- ing this week." • "Sick! I'll see how sick she is," and he took up a billet of stovewood and commenced beating her over her head and shoulders, and swearing that he would give her something to be sick for. Mrs. Springer called my atten- tion to the quarrel of Mrs. Shears with her cook before Joe Shears came in. Then said she, "Poor Aunt Winnie will catch it now, I'll warrant. There, just hear those blows; they sound like beating the table; he'll kill her." And table, stools, and tin-pans or pails made racket enough for the whole kitchen to be falling down. The struggle with a volley of oaths lasted a few minutes. INIrs. Springer, up to boiling rage again, "Hear that; Avhat devils they are ; do n't you believe Aunt Winnie will die? Why, I can't hold still." In as careless a manner as I could command I said, "We can do no good by saying any thing. You know what your sou said the other night." "I know it; but there isn't a particle of humanity about tlieni. I feel as if I want to pitch into the whole Shears family." Soon all was quiet. "I believe Aunt Winnie is dead, don't you?" "I think not." "I am going in there to see." As she got up to go to the kitchen she took the pitcher for water. While she was pumping the water near the kitchen-door, Aunt Winnie staggered to the door trying to AUNT Winnie's dress. 225 wiiul a c'lotli amund her l)lc'cMliiig licad, ami one eye was swollen shut. As she came in ami reixjrtcd how badly she was bruised Uj), she wanted me to take the pitcher and go to the pump for water; but I told her I would wait a little, for they might think we went on purpose to see "Winnie. "Poor thing, I know she came to the door on purpose to let me see her." And Mrs. Springer could not rest satisfied until I drew the next pitcher of Avater, when the poor woman reeled to the door with her hand on her head and the cloth around it saturated with blood. I could not sleep a wink after the day of the unmerciful whipping of those two little boys. Again the night after this unmer- ciful beating of this poor woman was spent in weeping, and prayer to Ilim who hears the cries of his op2:)ressed children. A few days after Aunt "Winnie came to Mrs. Springer and asked her if she would cut and make a green delaine sacque for her, and cut a calico skirt, as she could make that in the niglit, and charged her not to let her mistress see it or let her know she had it, because her husband got it for her and gave her seventy-five cents to get IVIrs. Springer to cut it; "for he is going to take me away three weeks from next Saturday night, 'cause the people are so hard here ; he says I sha u't stay here any longer." "I am so sorry for her, I told her to come in when her mistress and Joe Shcars's wife are away making calls, and I would take her measure and cut and baste it: then for her to come in after they arc all in bod and I would fit it and make it any time, keeping it under a sheet I've got to make, and in that way I can keep it out of sight ; and I told her you and my daughter will say nothing about it. Said "Winnie, 'I knows that by her face.' Do you know hi)W quick these black people read faces?" "While she was sewing on Aunt "Winnie's sacque, Joe Shears's wife came into our room a little while, and the 226 A woman'.s j,ifp:-work daughter looked out the back Aviuduw, "where Jack was chopping, and said, "I don't think your Jack is going to live long." "Why? I'm sure he eats hearty." "He looks so bad out of his eyes; I've noticed it a few days past, and I've noticed he sort o' staggers sometimes, and he don't walk natural." She jumped up and looked at him and hastened to her mother-in-law's room. "Mother, Miss Springer says Jack is going to die." "What makes her think Jack is going to die? I don't see any thing ails Jack; he eats hearty." Miss Springer (laughing): "I thought I'd scare her out. I wish I could scare them to death, so they would treat their niggers like human beings." "Well, you've got her out of the way long enough to get Winnie's sacque out of sight before our Joe comes in, for he's so mighty careful for fear we'll get into trouble; .1 know he'd scold if he knew it." Strange position I was occupying, here among the most cruel of slave-holdei's. And they were calling me a super- intendent of the underground railroad at home; and here Avas the starting-point on our underground railway; but a silent listener, and in surprise, I said, "Where can Aunt Winnie and her husband go? As you say, he is a slave." "I don't know, but they do go somewhere out of the way of their owners, though they keep up a mighty hunt for a long time ; yet a good many of 'em are never heard from ; and I don't know where in creation they do go, and I don't care, so they get away from these hyenas that have no more feelings for their niggers than a wild animal, nor half as much. I just wonder sometimes that the niggers do n't turn upon 'em and kill such devils. I know I would if I Avere in their places." "Yet there are those who treat their servants kindly," I replied. I felt sometimes as if I was compelled to be indifferent. TAKING A WALK. 227 ^ly friend jjiissed the window at wliich I was engaged in sewing. After a few moments I made an excuse to rest niytjelf by taking a little walk, as each of us frequently did. I soon overtook this friend who informed me that Ann wished to see me after her tea was over, when she would be released for a half hour to v.'alk out on the back way with a free mulatto girl, who was her intimate and confidential friend, and I was to go in a large yard of shrubs and fruit trees where I was to meet this friend who would call for Ann, Avith whom we were to take the pro- po.sed walk. At the appointed time and place I met the friend, who directed me to stand in a place out of sight of the street, or little cabin, the home of her very aged and decrepit parents, who were worn-out slaves, and as I under- stood were given their freedom. Their slave-daughter was permitted to step in and do little chores for them after her day's work was done. While waiting in this lonely and solitary nook, three large I)loodhouuds came in sight. I remembered of hear- ing about their being let loose after sunset, to rcconnoiter the j)remises, and I called to mind what I had heard and read in history, that however ferocious an animal is, a stern and steady gaze in the eye, by a human being, would dis- arm it of ferocity, and cause it to leave. This course I resolved to pursue with these three formidable enemies, that were already assuming a threatening attitude, with a low growl, showing their teeth, with hair on end — the leader as large as a yearling calf, the two folhnving him slightly smaller. I fixed my eyes upon the sparkling eyes of the leader, that came within six feet and stopped ; soon the growl ceaf^ed, the lips dropped over the long tusks, the hair smoothed back, and he quietly walked off witli his companions. Soon came the girl, all out of breath : " Did the hounds come to you?" "They did." "Oh, dear! wliat did vou do?" 228 A woman's life-work. "I stood perfectly still," I answered, "and looked in the eyes of the leader, and they soon became quiet and walked away." " Oh, dear, that was the only thing that saved your life. If you had stirred a particle they would have torn you in pieces. I was so anxious to have Ann see you, I forgot the hounds until I started back, and I liked to have fainted, for I know they were awful. I liked to have screamed out ' God have mercy on that dear friend,' for I was 'most sure I 'd find you killed." " Oh, no, the Lord has preserved me, and I am not harmed." She Avas so badly frightened that it was some time before her voice ceased tx-embling; but He who is ever present with his trusting children was there. Arrangements were made for Ann to go North, but if a word of suspicion was heard, 1 told her she must defer going to a future time ; that she must go as her brother went, perfectly independent of any one, which she was confident of doing; but she wished to go on the same boat with me, if no one else Avas going from their city. I learned through her friend that she was overheard to ask a friend of hers for a shawl for a journey. I sent her word to abandon the idea of going then at once ; that I should take the first boat for home. She did not obtain her freedom until after her mother's death, two or three years later. I did not regard the trip lost, painful as it was. There was on the boat a sad couple, taken from a number of their children by a young beardless boy, perhaps eighteen or twenty, small and slen- der. I noticed them frequently in tears. They were noticed by a few of the jif^ssengers, who made remarks about the sad fl\ccs of those negroes. Said one heartless woman, "Look at that nigger cryin'. I don't see what she 's cryin' about ; she 's got her yoiuig one and man to her heels." I carelessly watched for an opi)ortunity to speak with one or both of these children of sorrow. As RETURN FROM ARKANSAS. 229 they sat ou a pile of cable ou the rear deck I caught the opportuuity to inquire where they Avere going. " We do n't know ; our young massa got to frcttiu', an' ole massa gib us to him and some money, an' tole him to go. AVe lef three bigger chilhui bcliin' ; never 'spects to see 'em ag'in ; I wish he 'd buy a plantation somewhar, so we could go to work ; 'pears like thar 's no comfort for us poor people, only when we 's got work, an' stops studyin' so much." As the tears began to fall thick and fast, I took them by the hand and told them Jesu.s was the friend of the poor, and he had many followers who also remembered them in prayer. And he knew of their sorrow, and as they went to him he would comfort their son-owing hearts. Pointing to his wife, he said, "She knows that, and I wish I did." I charged them to make no mention of my having spoken to them. For while they were slaves, I was not free. This young man with his heavy-hearted couple left our boat at Pine Bluff. Surely I had seen enough of slavery in its own house- hold. Three weeks was long enough to see and feel its virus. I met my old friends in Cincinnati with a glad heart, where I could draw a free breath. I could visit them but two days before I was on my way home, where were many glad hearts to listen in private circles to my experience in a slave State. More than ever they were convinced that the cannon and sword "svould, af^uo very distant day, destroy the monster. Our institution was now in its second academic year, in charge of Joseph D. milliard, of Obcrlin College. The stockholders had turned it over into my hands, making me sole proprietor of the institution, with all its multiform cares and responsibilities. I had also frequent calls from fugitives in flight for freedom, whose claims were second to none other. But to see prejudice in our students melt away l)y an acfiuaintance with our work, richly repaid me 230 A AVOMA.X'S J.IFK-WORK. for all my clay aud uiglit toiling and careg, that seemed almost crushing at times. I purchased for the young men's hall a building that was erected for a water cure. That project failed, and the building that cost ^2,000 to erect, "was offered for three hundred dollars for my institution. I moved it one mile, and repaired it with fifteen rooms ; and it was well filled the first year. This academic year of our usual three terms our students numbered over two hundred, mostly of those who had been teaching, or pre- paring themselves for teachers, or for a collegiate course. I served as preceptress, and was closely confined in school work. Realizing in a great measure the im^^ortance of molding the mind of youth for usefulness, these years of constant care passed pleasantly with the hundreds of young jDeople of our own and adjoining counties. A colored man, with a farmer's bag swung over his shoulder, approached two men at work on the railroad between Palmyra and Adrian, and inquired how far it was to Michigan. "You are in IMichigau, you fool you," was their reply. " Then, will you please tell me how far it is to Canada?" " You go to Adrian, about a mile ahead, and take the cars, and they '11 take you to Canada in two hours ; or, if you have n't money to go that way, you can go up that road till you come to the Quaker meeting-house, and go direct east two miles to the Widow Haviland's school, and she will tell you how to go to Canada, and it won't cost you any thing. She is a great friend to your people." He soon found me. I got my supper out of the way, and my men folks out again at their work. I then in- quired who directed him to me, and he told me "two men six miles from this school said you was a frien' to my people ; an' I thought if folks knew you six miles off I would be safe to come to you, 'case I wants to go to Can- ada right soon. I started once before, and traveled three nights by the North star ; and as Indiana was a free State A FIKHTIVK FIlo.M KENTUCKY. 231 I thoiiglit I would stop aud buy mc some bread, an' the people was mighty kiud, and said I could rest a week, and they would pay me for the work I did, to help me on to Canada. But firs' I knew my master come for me, an' I seed him pay them money — s'pose 't Avas reward." This time he was so cautious that he would make a frieud of no one until he reached INIichigan. They had always heard peo])le were friends to colored peo})le in this State. lie was six Avceks from Kentucky, and had not dared to make his condition known to any one, white or black, until he saw a colored man in the yard at Dr. Bailey's, of whom he incpiircd for my house.. I told him that his coat and i)ants were too ragged, and that I must repair them. As he had not a second shirt, I took one of my son's, and gave him a couple of towels, soap, and a pail of warm water, aud told him to take off his coat for me to mend, while he went up stairs to the room over the kitchen to change his shirt. He h^itated about taking off his coat, until I told him he must. "I am uot your mistress," said I, "aud yet you must mind me." Tears started as he slowly drew it off, when the torn and bloody shirt-sleeves revealed the long scars, and a few unhealed sores on his arms. Said I: "Are these the marks of the slave-whip?" He nodded assent, while tears were falling. "When was this done?" "Two nights afore I lef." " Wliat was your offense?" " Dis was what I got for runnin' off; an' I fainted, an' master dragged me in my cabin, and did n't lock mc in, 'case I's so weak. I reckon he thought I 's safe. But [ got an ing'on to rub over the bottoms of my shoes so dogs could n't f )ller me, an' I got four loaves o' bread and a big piece o' boiled meat, an' crawled into de liarn an' tuck dis bag an' buffalo-robe for my bed, an' dragged it into de woods, and tuck my bes' frieu', de Norf star, an' follered clean to dis place." 232 A AVOMAX'S LIP^E-WORK, " What did you do for sometliiug to eat?" "I tuck coru in de fid', \yhcu I fouu' log heaps an' brush burniu' I roasted a heap to las' a few days ; but I was weak an' trimbly to start, an' kep' so all de way." After this little history I made him take off his vest, Avhich was also very reluctantly done. But what a sight! The back of his shirt was like one solid scab! I made him open his collar, and I drew the shirt oft' from his shoul- ders ; and from the appearance of the shoulders and back it must have been cut to one mass of raw flesh six weeks before, as there were still large unhealed sores. I told him he must sit here until I called in my son and son-in-law to see it. As they looked upon that man's back and arms, and walked around him, said Levi Camburn, my son-in-law: " ]\Iother, I would shoot the villain that did that as quick as I could get sight at him." "But, Levi," I replied, "he is not fit to die." "No, and he never will be; and the quicker he goes to the place Avhere he belongs the better. Indeed, I would shoot him as quick as I would a squirrel if I could see him." Joseph, my son, responded : " I think Levi is about right, mother; the quicker such a demon is out of the world the better." " I know this is a sad sight for us to look upon ; but I did not call you in to set you to fighting." ]\Iany of my friends, and my son-in-law Levi, had thought me rather severe in judging the mass of slave- holders by the few unprincipled men who had fallen under my special notice ; but I never heard of any remark what- ever from my son-in-law or neighbors, after this incident, that charged me with being too severe in judging slave- holders. I furnished the poor man with healing salve, and tried to persuade him to rest a few days until he would be able to work ; but no, he must see Canada before he could feel safe. He was very loath to sleep in any bed, and urged me to allow him to lie on the floor in the kitchen, FUGITIVE FROM LOUISIANA. 233 liut I insisted ou his occupying the bed over the kitchen. I gave him a note of introduction to the next station agent, ^vith a little change ; and a few weeks after I heard from my friend, whose name was George Wilson. The reporter said: "The first two weeks he seemed to have uo energy for any thing. But then he went to work, and quite dis- appointed us. He is getting to be cue of the best hands to hire in Windsor." This was tlie second fugitive from slavery who slept in my home — mine being the first house they had dared to sleep in since leaving their old home. A few days later another fugitive came from Louisiana. He was a black- smith. I wrote to a wealthy farmer in Napoleon, Michi- gan, to learn whether he could not furnish business for one or the other of two new ai*rivals from slavery. To show the feelings of thousands of our citizens at this date, I will extract a portion of his letter : "There are constantly in our moral horizon threaten- ings of strife, discontent, and outbreaks between liberty and shivery. The martyrdom of John Brown only whets the appetite of the monster for greater sacrifice of life. Tlie continued imprisonment of Calvin Fairbanks and others are not satisfying portions. I read your letter to our Arkansas friend, and we are glad to learn that another has escaped from the land of bondage,, whips, and chains. In view of the wrongs and cruelty of slavery, how truly may it be said : 'There is no flesh in man's obdurate lieart; It does not feel for man.' "The natural bond of brotherhood is severed as flax that falls asunder at the touch of fire. Let the lot of bit- ter poverty be mine, and the hand of n)an bliglit every hope of earthly enjoyment, and I would prefer it to the condition of any man who lives at ease, and shares in every fancied pleasure, that the toil, the sweat, and blood 20 234 A woman's life-work. of slaves can procure. Alas for the tyrant slave-holder ■when God shall make his award to his poor, oppressed, and despised children, and to those who seek a transient and yet delusive means of present happiness by trampling his fellow^ and brother in the dust, and appropriating the soul and body of his own crushed victim to the gratifica- tion of his depraved appetites and passions. I would rather enter the gloomy cell of your friend Fairbanks, and spend every hour of this brief existence in all the bitter- ness that the hand of tyrants can inflict, than live in all pomp and splendor that the unpaid toil of slaves could lavish upon man. Yours, etc., "July 27th, 1860. ^' ^- Wexford." Our blacksmith, -whom we called Charles AVilliams, proved to be an honest and industrious man. We solicited over seventy dollars for a poor woman by the name of Jackson, from Marseilles, Kentucky, who had bought herself by washing and ironing of nights, after her mistress's work was done. During seven long years she did not allow herself to undress except to change. Her sleep was little naps over her ironing board. Seven years of night work brought the money that procured her free- dom. She had a son and daughter nearly grown, and to pur- chase their freedom she was now bending her day and night energies. Her first object was to purchase the son, as his wages would aid her to accumulate more readily the amount required for the daughter, as she had the promise of both of her children. But her economizing to purchase the sou first for the sake of his help fiiiled, as the master's indebt- ness compelled him to sell one of them, and market was found for the girl of sixteen. Nine hundred dollars was offered, and the distressed mother had but four hundred dollars to pay. She had trusted in her Lord and Savior in all these years of toiling, and now must she see that daughter sold REDEEMING A SLAVE DAUGHTER. 235 down the river? lu her distress she \veut from house to liouse, to plead for a buyer who wouhl advauce the five huudred dollars, aud take a mortgage on her uutil she emdd make it. At length she found a Baptist deacon who purchased her daughter, aud she paid him the four hun- dred dollars. He was to keep her uutil the mortgage was redeemed by the mother, who was compelled to abandon her first project, aud bend her euergies toward making the five huudred dollars. After working very hard one year, she was able to pay but one huudred aud fifty dollars to ward the mortgage, when her health began to fail. The deacon told her the money was coming too slowly, and that he could not wait longer than another year, before he would hav^e to sell her to get his money back. " Weeping and prayer was my meat and drink day aud night. Oh! must I see my poor chile' go after all my hope to save her?" A merchant in that towu by whom she had been employed, told her he would give her a little secret advice, which was, to go to Louisville as she had done before, but not to stop there, but to go on to Cincinnati, aud he W'ould give her a good recommendation to his brother, Mr. Ketcham, who was a merchant and knew the abolitionists. They would aid her in raising the three huudred and fifty dollars; but she must not let it be known that he had ad- vised her, or that she was going North. Mr. Ketcham introduced her to Levi Coffin and lawyer John Jolliffb, wluj gave her letters of introduction to friends at Oberliu, aud other places, and by the time she was sent to me she had over two hundred dollars toward the release of the mort- gage on the daughter. As her health was poor from con- stant overwork and troubles incident to slave life, to give her rest I took her papers, and while calling on the friends of humanity, did not slight some of my Democratic friends, some of whom had some years previously told me if I would go to Avork and purchase the slaves tlicy would aid me. Consequently I called on one who was liviug in spleu- 236 A woman's life-work. dor 'withiu liis massive pile of brick, aud reminded him of the promise he made me on a certain occasion. Now v/as his opportunity, as I was assisting a mother to purchase her daughter. I gave him the hne through which I had received the best of indorsements as to her industrious and honest Christian character, and what the friends liad done for her upon whom I had called, and but for her poor health would have brought her with me. After listening attentively to all my statements, he arose from his chair, walked nervously to aud fro across his room, as if striving to his utmost to brace against sympathy, and said, " Mrs. Havilaud, I 'li not give a penny to any one who will steal slaves ; for you might just as well come to my barn aud steal my horse or wheat as to help slaves to Canada, out of the reach of their owners." " Did I do right," I asked, " in rescuing that Hamilton family from the grasp of those Tennessee slave-holders?" " If I had taken a family under my wing, of course, I should calculate to protect them." "That is not the answer I call for. I want from you a direct reply ; did I do rig]d, or wrong, in that case ? You remember all the circumstances." " Oh, yes, I remember it well, and as I tell you, if I had undertaken to protect a family I should do it." " I shall accept no prevarication whatever," said I; "I demand a square answer, and it is your duty to give it; did I do right or wrong in that case?" He drew out his pocket-book, and emptied it in my lap. "There is hardly a dollar, and if I had more you should have it ; of course you are right, and every sane man or woman knows it; but my political relations are such I wish you ■\vould n't say anything about it." It is no new thing for politics to stand in the way of humanity. A few weeks later the glad mother returned and redeemed her daughter. I saw them together at Levi Coffin's, in Cincinnati, hapi)y iu their freedom. COLLECTINC; MONEY. 237 Anotlior woman was directed to me by William King, •who, with Eev. C. C. Foote, had ft)unded a colouy a few miles from Chatham, Ontario, for fugitives from slavery. She managed to escape with seven children, and her hus- band's master offered him to her for six hundred dollars, two hundred dollars less than the market price. I went with her a few days, and received from the friends one hundred and thirteen dollars. Then the sight of one whom she recognized hastened her back to Canada, a proceeding which probably saved us the fate of the Oberliu or Well- ington rescuers, who spent a few weeks in jail. A year after we heard the husband and father was with his family in Canada. A few weeks elapsed when another woman from Cincin- nati learned that her husband could be bought for a low figure because of a rheumatic difficulty. She had been freed three years previously, and by industry had accumu- lated three hundred dollars. She came well recommended by Levi Coffin and others. While making calls in her behalf in a store owned by a Democratic friend, upon ])re- sentiug her claim to the proprietor and a few bystanders, a gentleman stepped into the door with, "I see you come to Democrats for aid." " She knows her best friends," said our merchant. "I slight no one," I answered. "I call upon my acquaintances regarilless of politics. "I will give you five dollars for every one you'll get from an abolitionist in this place," said the sparkling, black-eyed stranger. At this quite a shout arose in the store. "That speaks well for your abolition friends," was the ironical retort of another bystander. "Who is that gentleman?" I inquired. "]\Ir. Lyons, the banker on INfain Street," was the reply. "All right," I said, "I shall remember him." I stei)j)ed into Edwin Conistock's ami nuntiniud lliis proposition. 238 A woman's LIFK-WORK. "Very \\e\\; I ■will give five dollars for the sake of twenty-five dollars from Mr. Lyons," aud I placed that iu my book. I next met Stephen Allen on the street and told him Mr. Lyons's pledge. "All right," he said; "I will give four dollars, aud that takes all I have in my purse to-day ; but I am glad to give it f(ir the twenty dollars we are to get from Mr. Lyons." I called upon Anson Backus with my report and he said: "Here is five dollars for the twenty -five from Mr. Lyons." I then stepped into the Lyons's bank. " This, I believe, is Mr. Lyons, the pi'oprietor, who })ledged a few minutes ago five dollars for every one dollar I would get from an abolitionist in this place." His face flushed iu reading the names with the fives and four dollar bills in the book I handed him. "There is no abolitionist's name here." "Isn't Edwin Comstock an abolitionist?" "No, he isn't." "Isn't Stephen Allen an abolitionist?" "No, he isn't." "Isn't Anson Backus an abolitionist?" "No, he isn't." "Then I ask you to define an abolitionist, for I call these men as radical aboliti(mists as we have iu our country." ». "Well, they are not." "Please define them that I may know who they are." "They are those who go down South aud steal slaves away from their owners aud report that they whip men and women and sell husbands and wives apart, aud sep- arate children from their mothers, and all that sort of thing, when it's all an arrant black-hearted lie." " Mr. Lyons, you know all these flat denials are sub- stantial truths. As you say you have lived in the South, you know iu your own heart that men and women are cruelly wiiipped, aud that families are separated, and these AUOMTIOXISTS. 239 cases of fruolty arc neither few nor far lietwecii. I will tell you wliat I have done for a woman who was a slave iu Kentueky when she eaine to nie for advice in Cincinnati, as she had a daughter to be sold, and her mistress was going to sell the whole family down the river. She was permitted to do her mistress's marketing iu Cincinnati because she had confidence that she would not leave her family. I advised her to put her husband and children in that market-wagon and cover them with hay and bring them to a certain place I designated, and she would be aided in her flight to Canada. She took the plan I sug- gested, and her whole remaining family, nine in number, found themselves free iu Canada. AVas that the work of an abolitionist?" "No, it isn't." "Then 1 know not where to find one, for I see I too am out of the catalogue." AVhile this conversation was in progress he took three dollars from his desk and handed it to me; but as much as ever, I stopped to thank him, and told him the worst wish I had for him was that he would repent of his wicked position before the hour of death overtook him, and that he might find peace and pardon fin* these Satanic assertions he had made. He sat quietly listening wliile I gave out my indignation without stint. " Hand me back that three dol- lars," and it was as freely returned as I received it. Ho put it back iu his drawer, took out five dollars and handed it to me, and hardly took time to nod "I thank you" for finishing my speech, which was not iu the least interrupted, even with the increased subscription. Poor man, I pitied him, for it was niore than a 3'ear before I could get another opportunity to speak to him. His clerk left the bank as soon as he commenced his tirade. Although it is unpleasant to meet with such spirits, yet I never flee from them. If my cause is owned by the author of the Higher Laiv, none of these things move me. A few 240 A AVOMAX'S i.ikk-\\'<)i:k. luonths after this avc received a letter from Mintie Berry, the anxious wife, for whom we succeeded in raising enough to reunite the long separated couple, saying that their happy reunion was the result of favors from their many friends, to whom they returned grateful thanks, while they praised the Lord for the blessing. I received a letter, July 4, 1859, from poor Calvin Fairbanks. Eight long years of the fifteen he had suffered in a Kentucky penitentiary. How sad are these lines, con- taining some of his prison reflections ! He says : " Speak kindly, ye muses, my spirit inspire. Breathe softly and sweetly, sweep gently my lyre ; There 's gloom in my harp-string's low murinuring tone, Speak kindly, speak gently, to me here alone. j\Iy spirit all broken — no soul-cheering ray To warm and illumine my cold dreary way, No kind and beloved ones of days that are gone — There 's no one to cheer me, I 'm alone, all alone. From friends fondly cherished I 'm severed away, From the hills where I laughed at the bright early day; And the morning of life like an arrow is gone, Like a shadow, a moment, and here I 'm alone. The guardians of childhood, like the bright early flower, Have blossomed with fragrance, and are lost in an hour ; And the cycle that brought them has eddied and gone, And left me behind them, alone, all alone. How solemn and dreary, how somber with gloom, Are my lonely reflections, of the cold silent tomb, The abode of a father once fearless and bold, Of a sister once lovely, now silent and cold; Of a mother lamenting her lost, lonely son. Awaiting awhile, but a day to be gone. And to mingle with spirits of blest early love, And to rest in the bosom of Jesus above. The thought of these loved ones, now silent for aye, Or lingering and trembling, and passing away. BreatJies sadness on nature, most cheerful and gay. And tra(X'S these numbers — we 're passing away. DEATH OF OUR PRINCIPAL. 241 But coase my complaining, -vvc Ml soon be at peace, "We '11 rest from our labors, forever at ease; There 's rest for the weary and joy for our gloom, For God is our refuge, in heaven our home. Yes, earth with her pleasures, ami all that we love, We shall leave for the land of bright spirits above; No blasting nor mildew, nor soul-blighting care, No sorrow, no dying, no sin shall reign there." The year 1861 opened full of excitement. Both Nortli and South assumed threatening attitudes. Eaisiu Institute was afTected by it ; yet the work of the Lord prosj^ered with us. Within three weeks fourteen of our students experienced the new spiritual life. But soon our ranks wore broken. The seventy-five thousand men in arms called for at the first by President Lincoln were not sufii- cient to suppress the slave-holders' rebellion. Seventeen of our students enlisted for the bloody conflicts of civil war. Our principal, F. !M. Olcott, had purchased my insti- tution, and I looked forward to a happy release of the $15,000 indebtedness that was resting over Raisin Insti- tute. The room-rent was not sufficient to meet the interest and other incidental expenses, and the tuition fees were required to pay the teachers. This indebtedness rested upon my shoulders. But for the salutary influence it ex- erted in molding the characters of our youth, I should have failed. The declining health of our dear brother F. M. Olcott brought increasing darkness over our future prosjX!cts, and the memorable battle of Bull Run increased the shock that etartlcd the liberty lovers of our nation at the firing upon Fort Sumter. The cloud that hung over our nation also overshadowed our beloved institution. We closed this year with sad forebodings. Our beloved principal was fast hastening to his reward. He suggested a friend of his to fill his position the ensuing year, and died of consumption within six weeks of our vacation. He was a noble Chris- 21 24*2 A woman's LIFE-WOrJC. tian man, aud had endeared himself to all who enjoyed the privilege of his acquaintance. His loss was severely felt by his stvidents, who enjoyed his faithful teaching, aud especially by myself, as I had indulged the fund hope that he Avould become the efficient permanent principal. The following year the institute opened with as fair prospects as could be expected, in charge of Edward A. Haight. Until the third year of the war our school was continued in successful operation. But during the last term of 1863-4, when the war had taken seventeen of our noble young men into the field, and the condition of our soldiers, daily reported as suffering and dying in camp aud hospital, called for tender nureing, I offered myself for that Avork. Leaving an excellent young woman as preceptress in my stead, I gathered from eighteen hundred to two thousand garments for freedmen, aud hospital supplies for soldiers, and with papers from Austin Blajr, governor of our State, from F. C. Beaman, member of Congress, and from others, I left my sweet home and the loved ones who still clustered around it. On my way to the depot I was met by Rev. P. Powell, who inquired how much money I had. " Fif- teen dollars," was my answer. "Why, Mother Haviland," he exclaimed, "you can never go with only that. Stop a day or two, and I '11 get up eighty or a hundred dollars for you." " But I have arranged for all my supplies to go on to- day. There are three or four boxes waiting for me at Hillsdale, and I wrote them I would be there to-night. I have not asked for money, but for supplies. I have a free l)ass to Chicago and return, and if I can get a pass free to Cairo and return, I think I can get along, and perhaps lives may be in peril in the twenty-four hOurs I might be waiting here for money." "Will you telegraph me if you do not succeed in get- ting the passes in Chicago?" FREE PASS TO CAIRO. 243 "I will," I said, aud weut forward. As I was taking leave of my son Joseph, and was about to enter tiie car, he held me by the hand, and said: "One promise I want you to make me, aud make it so strong that your couscience will come in for a share ; and that is, that you will stop, once in a while, to think whether you are tired or not. You are going among the suflering aud dying, aud I know you so well that you will go and go and do and do, until you will drop before you will , think of yourself. If you will make me this promise I will feel a great deal better about you." "Joseph," I said, "I will promise to do this," aud we parted. On visiting the sanitary rooms in Chicago I met iMrs. Hague, ]\Ii's. Livermore, and others, who thought it very doubtful whether I could secure a fare free to Cairo, as President Arthur had shut down the gate on free, or even half-fare, passes. He had told them that associations might pay their agents enough to pay their fare. But I was under the auspices of no association. I was only a self- constituted agent, and I must try. Leaning on the arm of my guide, I went to President Arthur, and introduced myself by handing him my j^apcrs. On reading them he asked, rather sharply, "What do you want?" " I am hoping to o1)tain a fre(> pass to Cairo and re- turn," I replied, "and. free transportation for the suj)plies referred to in those papers." " Are you alone, madam ?" " I am alone." " AVell, I think this is a heavy responsibility for a lady of your age. Are you aware of the rcsj)onsibility you assume in this?" holding the paper up. "I think I am aware of the responsibility. I do not know but the experience of age, however, may snmowhat make up for the strength of youth." " Well, I guess it will." 2-44 A woman's lilFE-WOUK. - Settling liirasclf back in his easy arm cliixir, he said agaiu, " How long a time do you waut it for?" " I can not answer intelligently," I said ; "I may wish to return for more supplies, within two 'or three months, and I can not say how long it will take to disburse these supplies judiciously." " Very well," and he took my papers to his chief clerk, and soon brought me back passes, saying, " There are your l)asses, and they'll bring you back any time this year.'" He gave me also an order for free transi^ortation. I left his office praising God for another victory. I was met in the door of the sanitary rooms with "Did you succeed in getting a half-fare pass ? " "A free pass to Cairo and return," I said, "and free transportation for all my supplies from President Arthur." The clerk clapped his hands, cheering: "You are a favored one ; not one of us would have got that favor." Not till then did they know of my leaving home with only fifteen dollars ; yet it was sufficient. A few hours more landed me in Cairo, where the wharf Avas lined with cannon, and piles of shells and balls. My first work was to find a soldiers' home, and visit hospitals. Oil, what scenes at once were presented to my view ! Here were the groans of the Avounded and dying soldiers. Some were praying— a few were swearing; and yet even these wouhl patiently listen to reading the promises of Jesus and his loving invitations, and become calm. HOSPITAL WOKK. 245 Chapter X. HOSPITAL WORK. Our last chapter left us iu hospital work at Cau-o. A portion of the freedmeu's camp of three thousaud the offi- cers j)ro]30scd to remove to Island No. 10, and wished me to take most of my supplies to that place. AVliile •waiting for their arrival I visited the United States Hospital at jNlouud City, a few miles up the Ohio River. Here, too, \vere dying soldiers, one of whom especially attracted my attention, as he was perfectly sane and rather unusually intelligent. I immediately addressed him: "My son, are you prepared to go hence?" " Mother," he said, " that is a matter which I ought to have attended to long ago, but I did not, and now it is too late! I am dying." "Oh, do not say too late! Remember the condition is, * Believe and thou shalt be savedf ' As thou hast believed, so shall it be unto thee.' These are the sure promises of our merciful Redeemer. Remember the thief on the cross looked at him with repenting spirit and living faith, and said, ' Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom;' and tlie quick reply w^as, 'This day thou shalt be with me in Para l)l:uno nC their escape on a carpeuter from llliuois, wlio had hoeii a few weeks working at Lis trade in their midst. To he avenged ou the poor carpenter, a hand of men came upon liim in the night, took him out of bed, gave him a coat of tar and feathers, and treated him to a ride ou a rail-horse. Then they furnished him with soap and lard witli which to disrobe himself, and charged him to leave the State within twelve hours, uever to be seen there again, or a calamity far exceeding this would be his portion. All his assertions that he knew nothing Avhatevor of their slaves were of no avail. He left the State as requested, but wrote back to the chief leader, ]\Ioss, that if an opportunity ever presented he would be avenged on those who had heaped upon him these aljuscs. Mr. ]\Ioss said he saw that sanie carpenter a few days previous to the house- burning, with three other men, in soldier's dress, but he did not believe he was a soldier, but only in borrowed clothes, as he did not think a Union soldier would do so mean a thing. Au officer remarked, however, that he was a hard master and a firm secessionist, but was now very tame. On our way back Curlie informed us that he had taken us three miles beyond our lines, and we were very near being caught just opposite the line at the firing of the sundown gun. But with Curlie's earnest pleading the guards consented to allow us to cross the line. In one cabin there were two quite intelligent mulatto women, better clad than any I had met in the camp, one of whom was the mother of three fine-looking children. I remarked to one of them that they had a better chance for life than others I had seen, and inquired how long they had been within our lines. One of them answered, "Only ten days. Thar was thirty-three when we left our ]ilantation seven miles below JNIemphis, 'bout three weeks ago, but some of our people stopped at Memphis when we came up the river," 274 A avoman's life-work. As I was interested iu licr recital, she became more excited iu giving details, and said: " Mistess got mighty feared of black smoke, an' watched boats mighty close. One day as she was settiu' on the sofa she say, 'Mill, I reckon thar's a gunboat comiu'; see de black smoke; au' if they do come, I reckon they won't fin' that trunk o' money, an' ches' of silver plate you j)ut up in the lof t'other day.' Lookin' out for the boat, * Yes that 's a gunboat sure. Now, if the Yankees do stop, you all run and hide, w^on't you?' I looked too, but didn't answer till I see the big rope flung on the bank. An' mistess got wild-like. ' Yes, they are stoppin'. Mill an' Jule run, tell all the niggers in the quarters to run to the woods au' hide; quick, for they kills niggers. Mill, why don't you go?' I said, 'I ain't feared the Yankees.' 'Jide, you run and tell all the niggers to run to the woods, quick. Yes, here they are coming, right up to the house. Now, Mill, you won't go with them, will you?' As the men had started for the house I felt safe, and said, ' I '11 go if I have a chance.' *Jule, you Avon't go, will you?' 'I slmll go if ]\Iill goes.' She began to wring her hands and cry. 'Now, 'member I brought you up. You Avon't take your children away from me, Avill you. Mill?' 'Mistess, I shall take what childeru I '\'e got lef. ' If they fine that trunk o' money or siH'er plate you'll say it's your'n, Avon't you?' 'Mistess, I can't lie over that; you bo't that silver plate Avhen you sole my three children.' ' Now, Jule, you '11 say it 's youru, AVon't you ?' ' I can 't lie OA^cr that either.' An' she was cryin' an' Avringin' her ban's, an' Aveavin' to an' fro as she set thar. 'Yes, here they come, an' they'll rob me of eveiy thing. Noav, 'member I brought you up.' Here come in four sojers Avith swords hangiu' to their sides, an' never looked at mistess, but said to me, 'Auntie, you want to go Avith us?' 'Yes, sir,' I said, an' they look to Jule an' say, 'You Avant to go?' 'Yes, sir.' 'AYell, you can all go; an' hurry, for Ave shall stay but a little while.' An' PROPERTY CONFISCATED. 275 Julo jus' flew to the quarters, au' they all tied up beds an' every thing, an' tote 'em down to the gunboats in a hurry. An' two sojers went up-stairs an' wa'u't gone but a few minutes, an' don't you think here they come, with that tin trunk o' money an' ches' of silver plate, au' broke 'em open an' tuck out a big platter au' water-pitcher an' a few other pieces an' say, 'See here, Tom, haven't we foun' a prize of solid silver for gov'ment,' an' he put it all l)ack. An' another open the trunk, ' O, see here, Jim ; see what a mine of money we foun' for General Veach,' as he tuck up a han'ful of gole an' silver money an' sif it through his fingers, droppin' in the trunk, sayin', 'Ain't ^Ye got a i)ile o' money for gov'- ment.' An' he han' it over to a sojer to tote to the gunboat. An' two ov 'em went down cellar an' come back with stone jars of butter, an' pezerves, au' opened 'em. ' Tom, see here, what a lot of goodies we got; won't we live well?' An' he cover'd 'em up agin an' toted 'em to the gunboat. Then they broke open the meal-room, an' rolled out barrels of meal and flour, saved for secesh sojers, an' rolled 'em down to the gunboat. An', last of all, they went to the smoke house, an' broke it open an' got a lot of bacon. 'Now, auntie, you all ready,' they say? 'Yes, sir,' I tell 'em. 'Here's a roll of linsey for our cloze, shall we take it?' 'Certainly, an' any thing else you'r a mine to.' As we started for the door mistess followed us cryin' an' wringin' her ban's. 'Xow, Mill an' Jule, I know you'll suffer when you leave me.' One o' the sojers turn to her and said, 'They won't suffer again as they have done with you.' An' this was the firs' words she spoke after they come in, an' the firs' they said to her. An' we all got on the boat in a hurry; an' when we's fairly out in the middle of the river, we all give three times three cheers for the gunboat boys, and three times three cheers for big Yankee sojers, an' three times three cheers for gov'ment; an' I tell you every one of us, big and little, cheered loud aud long and strong, an' made the old river just ring ag'iu." 27G A woman's life-work. She became so excited she acted the part of her mis- tress admirably in the half-beut, whining, crying, and wringino; of hands, as she followed them to the door. " How did you feel about that silver plate that was bought with the i)rice of your three children? Did n't you think you ought to have it?" ' ' O no, I could n't touch it. It was part o' my poor dear childern ; but I did n't want mistess to heep it. I was glad to see it go to gov'mcut." The tears coursed down her care-worn cheeks as she related the sale of her three older children. "I fell upon my knees afore master an' mistess, an' begged 'em not to sell my poor childern down the river, whar I could never see or hear from 'cm any more. But master say it 's none o' my business, an' I should stop my noise, or he 'd have me j^uuished. An' mistess say she won't have all this cryin' round her. ' Your childern be- longs to us, an' you know it; an' it's not for you to make all this fuss over it, either.' I said, 'Mistess, would n't you grieve over your childern, if somebody take 'em from )'ou?* ' You hush your sauce, or I '11 have you punished. That 's another thing ; my childern 's white.' An' then they had me punished." Her husband was sent, with many others, to what they called the "big plantation," in the interior. She said her master was a " big man" in the secesh army. I found they called all officers big men. After she finished her story I told her I saw the seven she said went to Memphis, a few days before they left, and how Aunt Peggy begged me so hard to tell the big man that they all wanted to come. And to impress me with the idea that the mistress could do without slaves, she told me about the trunk of money and chest of silver plate ; but I had no more idea of its being confiscated than had Aunt Peggy in her appeal. My attention from this episode was arrested by another scene of a different character, but truly revolting — a young POST HOSPITALS. 277 mntlicr of only fourteen years, with a vcr}' sick iufaut, pale and enuiciatcJ herself; the grandmother of a very light com2:)lexiou, and the grcat-graudniothcr a mulatto. All these four generations Avcre the children of their old master, whose hair was white with age. He was the father of the great -grandmother, and of each generation to the fourth, and master, all in one. As revolting as this fact was, I was compelled to believe it, as his former slaves told me of his licentious character from his early youth to ciglity years. He was never married, and was the owner of a large plantation, and his many slaves sought the first op])ortunity to make their escape. The condition of these women was truly appalling, and the history of their base and degraded master and father too revolting for the public eye or ear ! I turned away with utter disgust at their re- citals. The child soon died, and I thought it seemed a pity that its demented mother could not have gone witli it; but I did what I could to relieve their wants. The hospitals at this post were tolerably well cared for, except one regimental hospital, where were a nnnd)cr of sick and emaciated soldiers, who had no pillows but their haversacks, and no covering but their overcoats, and they pitcously begged for milk. I went to their surgeon, and inquired whether boiled milk would not be allowed for those men who were so low with camp diarrhea, and whether I could not bring them quilts and pillows. " ^ladam, you can bring them milk, or any thing you've named; but I tell you, if you undertake to listen to all these soldiers' teasing, you '11 have your hands full. As like as not, any way, they '11 trade whatever you give them for whisky the first chance they have." I could not sleep until I secured the aid of two soldiers to go with me to carry milk, pillows, and quilts for those sick men. Their tears of gratitude, as I handed each his bottle of milk, and placed a pillow under their heads, and a quilt for those who had only an overcoat for a covering, paid me well. I re- 278 A woman's life-avohk. turned to the Soldiers' Home quite relieved, but Avearied and sick, Avitli a* severe cough, that had followed me for more than a month. I found it necessary to hasten home to rest. I left this field of suffering and constant excitement May 80th, for dear home and anxious cliildren and friends. A few days' rest restored health and strength, but we were not relieved from excitement. Our principal, E. A, Haight, enlisted soon after closing the S2:)ring term of our school. Preparation for another school-year was before me, beside the necessity of calling on friends in various places for supplies. I Avas informed by officers that I could now secure jiasses and transportation for an assistant as readily as for }nyself alone. My school vacation was fully occu- lted in preparing for the following academic year, and in looking for a congenial companion to share Avith me in this Avork, — one Avho Avas Avilling to sacrifice all upon our country's altar. RliTUliN TO TUE aOUTil. 279 Chapter XL SANITARY WORK. We found a necessity for organized work, and formed a Freodineu's Relief Association, in Detroit, with Captain E. B.Ward, president; Ke v. William Webb, vice-president; Benjamin C. Durlee, secretary ; and Francis Raymond, treasurer. These did what they could in gathering sup- plies in that city for me to take South the coming Autumn. Brother Aldrich was engaged to act as principal of Raisin Institute, and this gave me leisure to hold meetings in towns and county school-houses for soliciting help for my ►Southern work. During vacation our two halls were made ready for opening the Academic Year, as usual, on the first Wednesday in September, 1863-4. The school, though smaller than before the war, opened with fair prospects, and I felt at liberty to leave. The institution, being in competent hands, I obtained as a companion in labor one of the most devoted of Christian woman, my dear sister, Letitia Backus, of Pittsford, Michigan. With a car-load of supplies we left our homes for fields of greatest suffering, where least help was found. Well furnished with docu- ments from our governor, Austin P. Blair, and two members of Congress, we secured passes to Chicago and return, then to Cairo and return, and from thence to Vicks- biu-g, ^Mississippi. Waiting a few days at Cairo, for our supplies to reach us, we visited the hospitals and camps. Here we met a company of men who were called "Jay- hawkers." They were all tall, large men. One of these carried the treasure-bag, but I do not think he was a Jndas to the government. A pillow-case was nearly half full of gold and silver watches, diamonds, and gold jewelry, which 280 A woman's life-work. they said was confiscated for the governmeut. They said ■wealth gave the rebellion strength, no matter in what it consisted. After the arrival of our supplies we took a steamer down the Mississippi, and stopped a short time at Colum- bus. A little before landing I discovered an Irish woman had in her possession a six-quart tin pail of whisky, and a gallon jug that she seemed very careful to keep out of sight under the sofa ; I took a seat by her side, and knew I could not be mistaken as to the contents of her pail and jug, and as I understood it was a forbidden article, I pen- ciled on the margin of my official paper to the inspector to look well to the whisky the woman at my side had in her possession. As he came to inquire for my baggage to inspect, I told him where he would find it, and he would see by my papers what were their probable contents. Taking a look at the lady by my side, as he handed back my pajiers he remarked, " I think I'll not take the trouble to inspect your baggage, as I see you are all right." As we were going ashore, my red-shawled companion carefully gathered her pail and jug under her shawl at each side of her, and hurried to bury herself in the crowd. The in- spector followed closely, and as he took hold of the pail to see what she had hanging on her arm, in her effort to get away from him it fell on the cabin carpet. As the cover came oflT we had quite a shower of whisky about our feet. At this the jug was seized by the inspector, amid shouts of " Good, good," and the laughter of the crowd, with mutter- ing and swearing by the Irish woman. She hastened out of the crowd, leaving her pail and jug behind her. At the Soldiers' Home we found Samautha Plummer and her excellent assistant. The following three days we spent in visiting hospitals. Hospital No. 2 was miserably cared for. The matron was a Southern woman, who had lost her husband in the Confederate array, but slie pro- fessed to be a Union woman, and said her husband would BADLY KEPT IIOSriTAL. 281 never have gone ou that side but for compulsion. Our officers seemed to pity her and her two daughters, and gave them a home in the hospital. The mother held the posi- tion of nurse, but not one of the three was a suitable per- son to be there. The sick and wounded soldiers did not look as if their beds or apparel had been changed in two weeks. The floor was filthy, and the scent was sufficient to sicken well people. From the appearance of the wash- boiler, running over with dried apples that were being boiled without care, I judged every thing to be done after the same style. I in(piired of one of the convalescents in the yard when their supper hour was, and proposed to re- turn to see how the brethren fared. Sister Backus was rather fearful I might make matters worse, as they might suspect we had an object in revisiting the hospital so soon; but we were on hand to see the burned and sour biscuits dealt out to those sick and wounded soldiers, with the half- stewed apples, and a choice given between rancid butter and a poor quality of black molasses. I hoped to see something better when the pail with a spout appeared, out of which was turned a substance half way between pud- ding and porridge. I asked if it was farina. "It's corn meal mush," and mush it was, running all through what- ever was on the plate. I passed from one plate to another, tasting the biscuits and cutting ])icces of apple to see if I could find one without an uncooked center, but with little success. In going around I came to half a dozen of the boys trying to while the time away with a pack of cards. Hav- ing an armful of Testaments, I proposed to make an exchange. This was readily agreed to, as each of them had left his home with one, but had lost it in battle or storm. I gave them advice to commit at least one verse from their Testa- ments daily while in the army, and each promised to do so. All this time of investigating their supper and making this bargain, sister Backus was busily engaging the attcn- 24 282 A woman's life-work. tion of the matron. I left that hospital with a heavy heart, aud spent a sleepless night. I told sister Backus I must remain there until that hospital ■\vas renovated. I wanted to go into it and *' make things fly," right and left, if there was no other way. In the morning I found the medical director, aud asked if he had visited Hospital No. 2 recently. He said he had not, but thought the surgeon having charge of that hospital a very clever sort of a man. " I thiuk there is not a single officer in that establish- ment," said I, " that is at all suitable to be there. Per- haps that surgeon is too clever. I tell you he is defective, or he would not allow such a hospital as that under his charge. But I find I am ahead of myself. You may take me to be some nervous mother, but I only claim to be a representative of common-sense w^omen. Here are papers from the governor of my State, and from two mem- bers of Congress." After reading them he said, "I will take up that hos- pital within two weeks, I think." "Two weeks!" I exclaimed; "many of those soldiers will die before that time. I can not leave them for two Aveeks." "Then I will tell you what I Avill do; I will bring the sickest ones here to this hospital, and put the rest on a boat and take them to Mound City, to the United States Hospital, and take up No. 2 within three days." "That will do," I said; "I am satisfied with Mound City Hospital, and with this one. If you will do this I will go on to-day with our supplies for Vicksburg, Mis- sissippi." "Mrs. Haviland, it shall be done within three days," he replied, aud I left him with a lighter heart. We went on our way with a number of officers and soldiers on board. As we were on the boat over Sunday, I asked permission of the captain to talk to the soldiers. He gave me leave, saying it was a very unsuitable place OrEPvIT.LA ALARM. 283 for ladies on the rear deck, over cattle, slieep, and hogs, but they would prepare a place as soon as possible. While ])reparation was beiug made, a young man who had been studying for the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, proposed to the captain to address the soldiers. As he was a minister the captain came and informed me that he had granted his request. I told him I supposed Ave could attend. " Certainly, certainly, if you like, only as I told you, it is an unpleasant place for ladies." Un- l)lcusant as it was, we listened to a long sermon, and re- mained a few minutes longer to give the boys a mother's advice, as they were leaving their Northern homes, not to allow themselves to become demoralized by the many dan- gers and hardships they would have to endure. About 8 o'clock the boat stopped a little below Napoleon, Arkansas, to wood. As it was very dark, our torches were lighted, and we saw a light advancing so fast on the bank that I thought it must be borne on horseback. "No, it's too low," said a woman standing near me. But it went out as soon as it came to the landing, and our light was immediately extinguished, the cable was drawn back, the men leaped aboard, and the boat was wheeled so suddenly into the stream that tliere was great danger of bursting the boiler. We heard many inquiries as to what Avas the matter. But the fact ran quickly over the boat that there Avere guerrillas after us. The running lantern Ave saw Avas carried liy an old Avhite man, Avho overheard the talk of more than forty men, Avho Avere secreted in a clump of trees and bushes near the landing. They had planned to capture the first steamer that stopped to wood at that place, to take all on the boat as prisoners, strip it of every- thing on board, and let it float down the river. The old man told the men not to let it be known, if Ave Avere cap- tured, that he had informed them of this, as it Avould cost him his life. Such a scene of excitement I never Avit- nessed; men, as Avell as women, turned pale, and their 284 A avoman's life-work. voices trembled. Yet many of them flew to their card tables, expecting every moment to be shot into, and trem- bling -with fear so as hardly to be able to hold their cards. The captain said if pouring tar into the furnace would send us beyond a bayou near by before they could over- take us, he thought we should escape. After passing that point our colonel came to me and asked after my com- panion. I told him as she Avas not Avell she had retired very early, and I thought she had better not knoAV any thing of this excitement until morning, if Ave should es- cape; if not, it Avas time for her to become excited Avheu Ave were taken. " HoAV do you feel in such an hour as this?" he asked. "The God of Daniel lives at this hour," I ansAvered, "and in him I trust." "I see you take it coolly," he replied, and looked sur- j)rised. I told him I pitied those card-players, for it was a hard play for them, Avhile standing face to face Avith dan- ger. " You see it is an effort," he replied, " to keep dan- ger out of mind as much as possible." " But see their pale faces and trembling hands. O, Avhat a poor substitute they have for substantial trust in an Almighty PoAver! You see that gentleman and his Avife sitting on the other side of the cabin. They are calm and perfectl}' composed ; they, too, have their pocket Bible in hand. They are trusting children of the Most High, no doubt." He thoughtfully looked OA^r that crowded cabin a moment, and walked away. Very few retired before 12 o'clock, and those men and women Avere all that time making an effort to quiet their nerves at their card-table. The next morning our colonel called again Avith a little joke : " You meet danger so coolly, I think Ave had better take you Avith us to Texas for a general." I was thankful for the improvement in sister Backus's FREEDMEN IX BATTLE. 285 health by a good night's rest, and that we had escaped. Without farther trouble we reached Vicksburg, but learned that the loudest cry for aid "was in Natchez, and Ave has- tened there with our supplies. AVe were offered a home with Lieutenant Thirds and family, who had been invited to occupy rooms at Judge Bullock's. The judge was too strong a secessionist to take the iron-clad oath of allegiance, though solicited by his wife; for she feared they might lose their property by confiscation. To save it, he very blandly offered his parlor and best rooms in his large three-story brick house, where we found very comfortable quarters. Through Colonel Young, we obtained the use of a good-sized store on Main Street for our goods, and the surgeon of the freedmen's camp provided for us a small room near the camp, where Avere congregated four thou- sand freed men in condemned tents. These tents were so leaky that, from exposure, after heavy rains and wind, we had from five to fifteen deaths in a day. Here we found constant work for head, heart, hands, and feet. But few days elapsed at any time without hearing the roar of liattlc near by, and sometimes the cloud of blue smoke met our eye. One battle was fought within two miles by the negro soldiers, only a few days after the ter- rible Fort Pillow massacre. They fought desperately. One of their officers told me they had to command their sol- diers to stop, and they obeyed only at the point of the bayonet; fir they mowed the enemy down like grass, al- though they lowered their colors and began to stack their arms. Their officers told them to stop firing; but a num- ber of soldiers replied, while rehiadiiig, " They hear no cry for quarter at Fort Pillow," aud fired again. But Avhen the enemy stacked their arms they were peremptorily or- dered to stop. I did n't blame the boys for feeliug as they did over that awful massacre. But strange as it seems, not one of our soldiers was killed, or even wouuded. There was a white regiment in reserve, if needed; and the col- 286 A woman's life-work. ored soldiers almost resented the idea that they needed any assistance whatever. There Avas great excitement in the freedmen's camp that day over their victory. Said one -woman, Avhose hus- band and two sons were soldiers in this battle : " Why did n't you shoot away as long as one was lef?" " Our officers compelled us to stop." " I do n't care for that; they need kiliiu', every one." Said I, "You wouldn't kill the women, would your" "Yes, I would," she answered; "for they's wusser 'u the men." " Well, there are the innocent little children — you Avould n't kill them, would you?" Hesitating a little, she said : "Yes, I Avould, madam ; for 1 tell you nits make vermin." She and all her family had belonged to Judge Bullock's wife, and she was still living in her little cabin and doing the work for the family, as she had done heretofore, though she did not work so hard. She would take the time to do our Avashing for us. She said Judge Bullock Avas harder to please than her misti'ess; but he Avas afraid of our sol- diers, and Avhen Natchez Avas taken he kept hid in a thicket of bushes in the garden a number of days. They took his meals to him Avhen no one Avas in sight, expecting the Yankees Avould kill every man they met; but as he found it otherAvise he came into the house, and now he talked Avith us quite freely. Their slaves Avere mostly house- servants, and better treated than many others. Judge Bullock was formerly from the North, and married in the South, and his wife inherited the slaA^es. Their cook Avas a mulatto, of more than ordinary intelligence, and she told me of the most terrible scenes of barbarity that she had Avituessed. The marks of cruelty were in that camp so frequently seen — men Avith broken shoulders and limbs — that it was heart -sickening to listen to the recital of their Avrongs. A SLAVE-^rASTE^w MURDERED. 287 One man I saw with a shred of au ear, aud I inquired how liis car became torn like that. He hesitated to tell ine, but one of his fellow-slaves said it was done by order of their master; that he was stripped and fastened by a large nail driven through his ear to a tree, and the over- seer was directed to whi[) him on his naked body until his writhings tore his car out, and that only ended the pun- ishment. One man by the name of ^Matthew Lasley, living within two miles of this city, owned one hundred slaves, and was his own overseer. He worked his slaves early and late, aud was proverbial for cruelty to them. They were not half fed or clothed. A few days after he he had sold the wife and child of his slave Jack, they "were burning log heaps and clcai'ing off a few acres of new ground. They had worked until about midnight, and were preparing to " turn in." Jack had split an armful of kindling-wood, and was now ready to go to his lonely hut. Then liis utter desolation rolled in upon his mind. When his master stooped over to light his cigar, the tliought <'ame to hiui like a flash to kill him, and then he too would die, aud so would end his bitter days. Ko sooner ■was the thought conceived than the act was done. The ax was buried in Lasley 's head; and he sank, a dead man, without uttering a Avord. Jack came inuncdiately to the city, tapped on the window of Dr. Smith's sleei)ing apartment, the son-in-law of Lasley, and told him hr wanted him to go at once to the new clearing with him. When the doctor went out Jack told him that he had killed his master. "What did you do it for?" " ^Master sole my wife and chile, an' I do n't want to live anv longer. Now, master, you may shoot me, or take me to jail, or do any thing you 're a min' to." "Well, Jack, I know you've had a hard time; but I sliall have to take you to jail, any how, and see what the court will do." 288 A woman's life-work. After ordering Lasley's body to be taken care of, he returned to his Avife and told her all, and added that he wondered he had not been killed long before, as it was what he had looked for. Dr. Smith employed one of the best lawyers in the city to plead Jack's case, and had all the Lasley slaves brought into court, not one of whom was without marks of cruelty — a broken arm or leg, an ear cut off, or an eye out. They were all in a nearly nude condi- tion, three children under ten years of age entirely so. The daughter begged her husband to allow better clothes for them; but the doctor and the lawyer insisted upon their coming into court with just the clothing provided for them by their master. The lawyer made an eloquent plea for Jack, and pointed to the hundred slaves, maimed and crippled and almost naked, and Jack was acquitted. Lasley's extreme cruelty had created a i^ublic sentiment in Jack's favor, so that unexpectedly to himself his life was saved. Jack was hunting for his wife and child among the multitude, but had not yet succeeded in finding them. Week after week was spent in making personal inves- tigations, measuring and preparing bundles for those nearly naked. As new refugees were daily coming in, the officers found it necessary to organize a new camp over the river, in the rear of Vidalia, Louisiana, on the Ealston planta- tion. As a few hundred were gathered there we went over and found them exceedingly destitute. There were twenty families, mostly of those recently enlisted as sol- diers. Some of them were almost ready to desert. Said one, "They say we ai'e free, and what sort of freedom is this, for us to see our families without a board, shingle, or canvas to cover their heads? We are concluding to leave our regiment and build something to shelter our wives and children. They hav n't got a place to sleep at night except in the open field." We told them we would make their families our first care, and advised them not to leave. U]>on Ihi.s they became more calm, and concluded to wait VISITING THE CAMP. 289 a few days to see whether we would succeed. I went immediately to the proper officer to make inquiries. He said he had ordered lumber to be sawed for the purpose of building barracks for them, and it ought to have been done by this time. He sent his sergeant to see what was done toward it, and he soon returned with the report that the lumber was sawed, as ordered, but had been iLsed for another purpose. He was sent back with a new' order. Within three days there was a storm of wind, rain, hail, snow, and sleet, such as had not been known for years. I spent another slceple;^s night listening to the wind and the jielting of hail upon the window-panes. Early in the morning I went to Captain Thirds and asked for an army wagon and driver, to take a load of bed-clothes and wear- ing apparel to the camp for sister Backus to distribute, and another to go with mc across the river to the new camp on the Ealstou plantation. The request was readily granted, and, just as I was ready to start, brother Wright, a missionary for the other store, a block above ours, came in great haste to forbid my going in this terrible storm. "It is our duty to stop your going. It is a duty we owe to your children in Michigan as well as to yourself to veto this imprudent step." "Your veto is worthless," I said, "unless you will go with this load to those twenty perishing families out in the open field in this pelting storm." "I know it's awful, but what will they do if you die?" "I will trust the Lord for my preservation. Unless some one goes with this load I must go." "I dare not go; but Mr. Thorn said if I could not hin- 9 der your going to toll you to drive up to our store and he would put twenty new army blankets on your load." "All right," I said. "Driver, go up to that store for those blankets." Soon we had an addition to our load that more tlian ever resembled a load of hay, and myself buried in it to 26 290 A woman's life-work. armpits, as I chose to keep my arms out iu case of tippmg over. Here came brother Reed, ouc of the teachers, offer- iug to aid me; but he had uo pass or transportation, aud no time to get it. I called the attention of a passing general to my necessity for help, to be able to return before the firing of the sundown gun. He said if he was in command he would allow him to go with my load, and advised him to try it. On we hastened, but met an ambu- lance that Captain Howe had sent to the new camp for a sick Avoman with two small children. It was obliged to return, not being able to pass through the lines, as the provost marshal was not to be found. The su])position was very strong that the lines were closed, as it was the weakest point in the post, and the smoke of rebel fix'es was in sight on Lake Concordia. A battle had been fought a few days before, aud another attack was daily threatened. The driver and brother Reed were doubting the propriety of crossing the river. "For if the lines are closed," they said, " the President himself would not be permitted to pass." But I told them as they did not positively know that the lines were closed, we had better cross. "It is your load, and if you say go we shall go," said brother Reed. "I say go," was my decision. Soon we were in front of the provost marshal's office. But he was not there, and no one kncAV where he was. After a long search, in accordance with my plea, some of the guards discovered and brought him back, reeling, with his head of long hair thoroughly decorated with feathers and straws. I met him in his office and read to him my papers, holding them before his face as I would exhibit a picture to a two-year old baby. After explaining all, I made my request to pass his lines with my load of supplies. "Who— who's there?" I told him Avho he was that so kindly offered to aid me in disbursing these supplies just as I was starting; and that SUFFP:KLN(i AT CAMP. 291 a geucral advised me to take him Avith my load, as he ■\vouhl pass him, if iu command. "Well, well, I dou'— don't — li-like— this — Avholc — vholc-sa-sale busiuess." But I pleaded for those suffering women and childrtu "svith all the politeness I was capable of mastering, Avith disgust boiling over. With stuttering and mumbling his dislikes, and shaking his head, with the feathers and straws waving and nodding in every direction, he took his pen and scril)l)led a pass that Avas difficult to decipher. The next line of guards hardly knew what to do with it until I told them the provost marshal was drunk. "O, yes, and it's no new trick; go on." And without further difficulty we reached the group of sufferers, who were shivering as if in an ague fit. I threw to each family two blankets or quilts, and more than forty children were crawling between them within three minutes. I gave to each of those twenty women a suit of men's clothing that day to help them out of this intense suffering. I gave them also three rag-carpet blankets out of the four that were sent me by a woman who took up a new rag- carpet she had just put down, and cut it into four pieces after listening to the recital of the great suffering in these camps. She said she should put no more carpets on her floor as long as the war lasted. Although I had seen so many marks of cruelty among these pe()])le, yet I said to myself, O that these poor people had remained iu their old homes a little longer! Surely they can not suffer there like this. A little girl came for me to go to the old blacksmith-shop used as a temporary hospital, as her mother thought her brother was dying, and another'brother was very sick. I entered that shop, and listened to the groans of the dying. I repeated to myself, () that they had waited a little longer! Four men and the little sou of the distressed mother that sent for nic were evidently dying, and four others were sick with 292 A woman's life-work, pueumonia. The mother of these two sick boys was doing all she could for them all. I gave her ground mustard to make poultices, aud ginger for those who had chills, and told her how to use them. I had a few pounds of each, and generally took a little package with me, especially after a storm. This miserable shelter leaked but little, but one side and one end were so open that we could throw a hat through the wall. I saw a pile of irons by the door. Placing my foot on a queer double-jointed ring, I said : " I wonder what that queer sort of a ring could have been used for," looking toward the old dilapidated cotton- gin near by. "That's a neck-iron," said an old Avoman standing near me. "A ueck-ii'on! What do you mean?" "Why, it's an iron collar to wear on the neck." "But you are certainly mistaken," said I, picking it up ; " you see these joints are riveted with iron as large as my finger, and it could never be taken off over one's head." "But we knows; dat's Uncle Tim's collar. An' he crawled off in dat fence -corner," pointing to the spot, "an' died thar , an' Massa George had his head cut off to get de iron off." " Is it possible for a human being to become so brutal as to cut a man's head off when he is dead?" Siie looked as if she thought I doubted her word, and v-aid : "It didn't hurt Uncle Tim when he was dead as it did when de iron wore big sores way down to de bone, and da got full o' worms afore he died. His neck an' head all swell up, an' he prayed many, many prayers to God to come and take him out his misery." "How long did he wear it?" " 'Bout two years." "Two years! It is impossible for any one to live that length of time with this rough heavy iron." SLAVE IRONS (IN POSSESSION OF THE AUTHOR) ST.AVE-IRONS. 293 " AVe "Work two seasons, any liow, over in dat cotton- fiel'," pointing to tlie two-hundrcd-ucre cotton-field at our right. I took lip anotlier iron, and incpiircd, "What sort of aa iron is this?" "A knee-stiffeuer, to w'ar on dc leg to keep 'em from ruuniu' off in dat swamp," pointing to the dark swamp bordering Lake Concordia, so fully draped with long South- ern moss that in many places in it nothing could be dis- covered three feet in the thicket. I went to the rear of the shop, with the ring under my shaw'l. Here stood a dozen or more of old and crij)- plcd. men and women. "Did any of this company," I asked, "live on this plantation before the Avar?" " Yes, missus, six of us live here. I live here seven year." I drew out the collar, and asked if any one could tell me what that was. One looked at another, and asked wliere I found it. " In that pile of irons by the door," I replied. One said, in a low tone, " Dat 's Uncle Tim's collar." " Yes, missus, dat is iron collar to w'ear on de neck." '* But you see it is fastened with heavy iron rivets." "Yes, de way you see it is 'case Massa George Ralston order Uncle Tim's head cut off to get de collar." "I want this collar," I said, "and another heavy iron a woman called a knee-stiffener. This plantation is con- fiscated, and these irons belong to you as much as to any l)ody. Will you give them to me?" Each seemed to wait for the others to speak, Imt tlie one to whom I bad mostly directed my conversation at length replied : "I reckon you can have 'em; for we 's had all we wants ov 'em." "I thank you; and if you can find any other slave-irons in that pile I wish you would pick tlu'm out for nie to 294 A woman's life-work. take home to Michigau, to show what sort of jewelry the colored people had to wear down here." They turned over the heap, aud found h"on horns, hand-cuffs, etc. , and explained how they were worn. They showed me also where the iron rod upon which was sus- pended a bell was cut off of Uncle Tim's collar. Among the group was a crippled man walking with two canes, clad in tattered cotton clothes, that were hanging in frozen strings from his arms like icicles. I selected a whole suit for him, and a soldier's overcoat. He stepped in the rear of a cabin and changed, and came to me weeping. " I come to show you," he said ; " dis is de best dressin' I's ever had in my life. An' I thanks you, an' praise God." As we Avere standing on the bank of the river waiting for the return of the ferry on her last trip that day, there were thirty or forty men waiting, who by their favorite gray appeared to be rebel citizens ; but our many bristling bayonets kept them in subjection. The ferry soon took us over the river, and we were within our post before the sundown gun was fired. As I had brought the sick woman and two little chil- dren that Captain Howe had sent his ambulance for in the morning, in one wagon, I must go to his hospital with them. This made us so late that the guard said I could not be allowed to enter the camp without a permit from the officer of the night. I told him where I had been all day without a fire ; and as he knew the storm had continued until late in the afternoon, and this sick woman whom the captain had sent for could not get through the lines in the morning, I hoped he Avould read my papers. He held up his lantern to see them ; but as soon as he caught sight of my old jwrtfolio he said, "Go on, I know who you are; I've seen that before." I was permitted to leave my sick familj' in the hospital, and drove the two miles to our head -quarters by eight o'clock. Although very much chilled, I felt relieved, notwithstanding I had witnessed REBEL REGIMENT I5UOUGHT IX. 295 such scenes of suffering and dying during tliat event- ful day. Que moriiiug the little drummer -boy of twelve years of age marched iuto camp with seven men that he had taken prisoners, ragged and almost barefooted. The suf- fering men were glad to find comfortable quarters. Occa- sionally we found them tamely submitting to be taken, on account of their suftoriugs for want of food and clothing. One entire company, who suffered themselves to Ije cap- tured, told our officers if they would allow them to wear out of sight some sort of a Union mark, so as not to meet with trouble from our soldiers, tliey would go and bring in their entire regiment, as they all wanted to come into our lines. They- were furnished with a badge of na- tional colors to wear under their coats. Soon the whole regiment were with us. One of our officers said they were among our most efficient helps. One of them told me if they had known the real object of the war they would never have gone iuto it ; for more than half of them had never owned a slave, and those who did were better off without them. They were surprised to find an abundance of supplies. Tliey had always been told that all the dif- ference between the Northern j^eople and their slaves was the color of their skin. Tliere was great excitement during the last presiden- tial campaign. The slave passed through terrible experi- ences, during 18G0-61. It seemed to be accepted as a settled fact, that if Lincoln was elected it would result in Avar; and in many i)laces regular drills were instituted. In Natchez the iialf-grown slave boys got together on Sun- day afternoons, ami drilled with sticks for guns. At first it attracted no particular attention, and the boys became as expert in handling their stick guns as were their masters. Two slave men were overheard repeating what their mas- ter said, that if Lincoln was elected he would free all the slaves, for he was a Black Republican ; and they declared that 296 A woman's life-avork. if this Avas true they would go to the Yankees and help (<> free their nation. This talk was sufficient to raise the re- port of an insurrection throughout all that jmrt of the State, and a large vigilance committee was organized to meet once a week and report what they might hear by listening outside the negro cabins. All slave men or boys who were overheard to pray for freedom, or to say any thing indicating a desire to be free, were marked ; and in the discussions of this large committee of a hundred men, every thing that had occurred during a fcAV years past, in efforts among the slaves to learn to read and write, was maguified and construed as pointing toward a long and set- tled purpose among the slaves to rise in insurrection. A majority of this committee decided by whipping and other tor- ture to comjiel confessions from all these marked slaves, and then to hang them. A number of the committee resigned because they would not consent to these severe measures. Many negroes were dragged out of their cabins or yards without knowing the cause, stripped, tied to the whipping- post or taken to the calaboose, and given as many lashes as could be endured. At the close of each whipj)ing the suf- ferer Avas called upon to make a full revelation of every sen- tence that he or she had heard in favor of liberty, or of the Yankees, among their people, either in conversation or prayer, and by Avhom, Avith a promise to be released from further punishment. Never was one released, but on Sat- urday generally ten or tAvelve of these sufferers Avere thrown into a Avagon and conveyed to the gallows, Avhere they Avere placed in a row, and all Avere hanged at the same instant. Some hundreds Avere thus hanged in the edge of the city, and on an adjoining plantation. I carefully investi- gated the facts, and gathered the folloAving statement from both white and colored citizens. I have good reasons for placing entire confidence in its correctness. A large num- ber of slaves were hanged, owned by the following persons: NEGROES HA NO ED. 297 Frauk Susetts, 2G ; James Susetts, 7; Dr. Stanton, 8; •Dr. Moseby, 26; widow Albert Dunbar, 48; Mrs. Brady, 12; widow E. Baker, 28; ^Irs. Alexanik^r, 10; Dr. George Baldwin, 8; Stephen Odell, 5; G. Grafton, 5; James Brown, 3; Mr. Marshall, 1; Mr. Robinson, 2; Melon Da- vis, 1 ; widow Absnlom Sliarj), 3 ; Miss Maiy Dunbar, 3 ; Joseph Reynolds, 2; Baker Robinson, 3; Lee Marshall, whipped to death 1 ; Mrs. Chase, whipped to death 1 ; a total of 209. I was told by a number of persons, both white and colored, that there were over four hundred tortured to death in this reign of terror, before Natchez fell into Union hands, but I put in my diary only such as I found were proven to be fiicts. ^liss Mary Dunbar was very much distressed over the loss of one of her three slaves who were hanged, and of- fered the vigilance committee ten thousand dollars for his release, but to no purpose. Joseph Reynolds also offered the committee $100,000 for the release of his two, but was denied. One little boy of twelve years of age was taken to the calaboose and whipped, then taken with the wagon-load of other victims of their unrelenting cruelty to the scaffold, followed by his mother in wild despair, praying as she went through the streets, tossing her hands upward: "O, God, save ray poor boy! O, Jesus jNIaster, pity ray poor child! O, Savior, look down upon my poor baby ! " The woman who went with her to the scaffold said she cried these words over and over; "and when we got there," she said, "she fell on her knees before the head man, and begged for tlie life of her baby. But he kicked her on her head, and cursed her, and told her the boy had got to die. The boy exhorted his mother not to grieve so for him, ' for I'm going to Jesus ; meet me in heaven ; ' and he, with eleven others, were swung off. The mother cried out, ' Oh, my God! my poor son!' and fainted." So perfect was this reign of terror that not even slave-owners, in many ca-ses, 298 A woman's life-work. dared to protest against this wholesale butclieiy. The re- peated whij^piugs mangled the bodies of many so badly that they were taken to the gallows in a dying state. One man died while being taken upon the scaffold ; his sides were cut through to the entrails, and even a part of them protruded. I visited the calaboose, which had two apart- ments. The first entrance was large enough for two per- sons to be fastened to the strong iron staples. There was room for two men to each victim, one on each side, who, seated on a stool, could alternate the strokes upon the writhing sufferer. The floor of this calaboose was of hard Avood, but it was so thoroughly stained with human gore that the grain of the wood could not be distinguished. Into the second room not a ray of light entered except on open- ing the middle door. Frank Susetts was a millionaire in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and made his boast that he had no fear of Yankees, for he had gold enough to cover his front walk from the door to the gate, and could buy up any Yankee who might attempt to trouble him. "There are two things," he said, "they can never do: First, make me poor ; second, make me take the oath of allegiance." He owned nine plantations, besides very much city property. Though hundreds of his slaves had left him, he felt himself secure in the abundance of his wealth. The government engineer, who had been casting about for the best place to locate a fort, had been looking over Frank Susetts's place and said it was the most elevated and desirable location he had found in the city, but he rather hesitated because of the magnificent buildings it would destroy. When Susetts's independent words reached his ear he at once decided, and took his men the second time to look over the ground. Standing near the palatial mansion, and within hearing of the owner, he said to his men, "Yes, yes, this is the place for our fort." Frank Susetts approached him with the offer of TITK TAl>.M',rt TrUNEI). 299 lliiiiy (lu)usaii(l dullars in gold if he would spare his place. "I cau not accept it, sir," said the cngiueer. "I will give you fifty thousand dollars in gold if you will save it. It cost me one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to build this house and the out-houses." "Should you ofler all that you say it cost you, it would be of no consequence. We give you ten days to take away every thing movable from your jiremises, for this house will then be destroyed to make room for the fort. This is the site we have selected." At the expiration of the time set, it was iu flames. Frank Susetts and wife stood a block distant weeping. Two of their former slaves were looking at the con- flagration. "Ah," said one, " a little while ago it was massa Susetts's time, when he had so many of our people hung; now it is God's time. Praise de Lo'd, he's here to-day for sure. Glory to Jesus, massa Susetts's day is over; he can never have any more of our people hung." It was now the 21st day of ]\[arch, 1864. jNIany com- plained of these turned tables. Judge Bullock remarked that he couldn't even go to meeting without a "pass;" just what used to be required of the six thousand freed slaves who were then in this city of refuge. Painters were seen in various parts of the city dexterously using their brushes in wiping out standing advertisements for the sales of slaves. I saw a number of these whitewashed signs. In some cases the paint was too thin to hide them. "Slaves, horses, mules, cattle, plantation utensils sold on reasonable terms." They knew these advertisements were not agree- able to Northern eyes. But I fear the covering of many of these hearts was as frail as the thin whitewashing over these advertisements. On the Ealston plantation we visited families, gave tickets, and directed them to meet us at the ])lace and hour 300 A avoman's life-work. appoiuted. Himdreds in squalid wretchedness were sup- plied. The following day, in the afternoon, all orphan children were to meet us. One hundred and twenty-two ragged children came. We placed them in two rows, the boys on one side and the girls on the other. Selecting each an assistant, we commenced measuring and distribut- ing, keeping them all standing in their respective places until we had given every one something, but yet too little to meet their necessary wants. There were at that time twenty-seven teachers and missionaries in the city repre- senting nine States. Six day-scbools and three night-schools were established by them. Two other schools were taught by colored teachers; one of these was a slave woman, who had taught a midnight school for years. It was opened at eleven or twelve o'clock at night, and closed at two o'clock A. M. Every window and door was carefully closed to prevent discoveiy. In that little school hundreds of slaves learned to read and write a legible hand. After toiling all day for their masters they crept stealthily into this back alley, each with a bundle of pitch-pine splinters for lights. Milla Granson, the teacher, learned to read and write from the children of her indulgent master in her old Kentucky home. Her number of scholars was twelve at a time, and when she had taught these to read and write she dismissed them, and again took her apostolic number and brought them up to the extent of her ability, until she had graduated hundreds. A number of them wrote their own passes and started for Canada, and she supposes succeeded, as they were never heard from. She was sold after her master's death, and brought to Mississi])pi, and placed on a plantation as a field-hand; but, not being used to field-work, she found it impossible to keep up with the old hands, and the overseer whipped her severely. " O, how I longed to die!" she told me; "and some- times I thought I would die from such cruel Avhippings upon my bared body. O, what a vale of tears this was slaves' night-school. 301 for poor me ! But one thing kept me from sinking, and that was the presence of my dear Savior." Her health so far gave way that she reeled with weak- Dess as she went to and from her work ; and her master saw she was failing, and gave her permission to go into the kitchen a part of the time. " O, how thankful I was," she went on, "for this promotion ! and I worked as hard to keep it as any Con- gressman could work for some high office." At length her night-school project leaked out, and was for a time suspended; but it was not known that seven of the twelve years since leaving Kentucky had been spent in this work. Much excitement over her night-school was produced. The subject was discussed in their legislature, and a bill was passed, that "it should not be held illegal for a slave to teach a slave. "All this time," said this dear woman, "I constantly prayed that God would overrule this to his own glory, and not allow those I had taught to read his Word to suffer, as we had lieen threatened. I can not tell you how my heart leaped with praise to God when a gentleman called to me one day on the street, and said he would inform rae that I could teach ray midnight school if I chose, as they found no law against a slave teaching a slave." This was accepted by that trembling teacher and scholars as a direct answer to prayer. She not only opened her night-school, but a Sabbath-school. I found more intelli- gence among the colored residents of this city tlian any other Southern city I had visited. Milla Grauson used as good language as any of the white people. We fnind many little incidents to cheer in all our rounds of pitiable scenes of sorrow. We sometimes met men and women among these Southerners of correct views en secession. One man said he never believed that slavery was right; all the arguments brought forward in its favor never convinced him. Although ho lield a few' slaves by 302 A woman's life-work. inheritance, he never could buy or sell one. His black people remained with him, and he paid them wages now that they were free by law, and he was glad of it. As he was nearly sixty years of age he had managed to keep out of the army, but had to keep quiet on the subject of seces- sion. From the first he thought it the height of folly to resort to arms, as the Lord could not prosper their under- taking. 1 believe that man was a conscientious Christian ; very different in spirit from Judge Bullock, who said one day in rather a careless mood, " I think you have one class of men in your North the most despicable I ever knew." Now, thought I, we abolitionists are going to take a bless- ing. "Who are they?" I asked. "They are that class you call Copperheads. They are too dastardly to come down here and help us fight, and they are too pusillani- mous to fight for their own side." Our daily work was very w^earisome, having to walk from four to six miles each day. Fresh arrivals daily re- quired our attention, and after wind or rain imeumonia and deaths were frequent. Bible-reading and prayer were also a part of our mission. One day, while sister Backus Avas opening barrels and boxes, and sorting and arranging their contents in our store, I went with a load, in a re- cently confiscated stage-coach drawn by mules. One of the mules the colonel said he was afraid to allow me to ride after ; but I thought a little mule could do but little harm with the experienced driver, and I ventured the ride, taking in a poor crippled man on the way, who was just coming into camp. He was clad in a few cotton rags that he had patched with old stocking-tops and bits of old tent- cloth, to hold them together, and it Avas impossible to de- tect the original fabric. In passing down the "Paradise Road" to the camp in Natchez-under-the-Hill, the unruly mule pranced, kicked, and reared, until both of them be- came unmanageable, and the dust rolled up a thick cloud, hiding the way before us, as well as the galloping mules. ACC'IDKNT. 303 I believed that we should turn over at the short curve near the base of the hill, where was a number of large stumps; aud that if we should strike one of them we should be dashed in pieces. But prayer for a guiding hand seemed in a momeut to bring relief. We were overturned amid stumps, and were dragged a few rods on the side of the coach, when the canvas covering was detached from the wheels. Our driver was dragged a few rods farther, while the crippled man and myself were doing our best to crawl from under the canvas. By this time fifteen or twenty men reached us. I was out and hauling the canvas off the groaning man, whose head and face were covered with blood. I told one of the men to run for a pail of water, for I thought the poor man must be dying. " O, no, it's all right, — it'll make me a better man," said he, while catching his breath, and wiping the blood from his mouth. " You had better sit down yourself; you are badly hurt," said one of the men. " O no, I am not hurt," was my reply. But as I was getting a little child's shirt ready for the men to wash the crippled man's head, I found the front breadth of my dress torn across, and I had to throw back my bon- net to see ; but I knew my limbs were all sound. Al- though it seemed as if we had turned many somersaults in a second, yet I never felt more vigorous. I knew the sur- geon of that camp was within a few rods of us, and re- quested some one to go for him to care for my comrade. I saw a man carefully washing out the large gashes on his head, aud I left for the surgeon, holding my torn dress- skirt in my hand. Just as I reached his office he was jumping on his horse, starting for me. He exclaimed in surprise, "Why, Mrs. Ilaviland ! I 've just this moment got the word that you were nearly killed, aud I was going to see you." "I am all right," I said; "but I wish you would go 304 A woman's ijfe-wohk. aud see to that crippled man, for I am afraid he is nearly killed." " Very well, but I shall look after you first." By this time he was handling my arms, and pressing here and there on my body, I thought pretty harshly ; for he either found or made some sore places. He ordered his ambulance, in which I was taken to head-quarters. As I was badly bruised, the surgeon urged me to take morphine. I was sure of not needing it, but pi\)mised to call for it if needed, and he allowed me to go without it. I found my- self too lame to resume work for a couple of days; then I commenced again moderately, but carried marks of bruised flesh for a mouth or more. A])out two weeks after this, while investigating a new arrival of a company of slaves, I learned that some of them were shot by their pursuing masters, and one woman's babe was instantly killed in its mother's arms ; but the mother succeeded in passing into our lines, with her dead child in her arms, to be buried, as she said, "/re€." A Avoman and a little boy of three years, with dresses torn with briers to shreds, and feet and limbs swollen and bleeding with scratches, came in, from whom I was getting her sad history. Two gentlemen passing by, halted, and said one : " This looks as if these would have been much better off at their old homes. Don't you think so?" " I think this picture shows great effort in escaping from their old home," I I'eplied. " Do you live here?" " I am only a temporary resident here. I\Iy home is in iMichigau." " jNIay I ask your name?" I gave it, and he continued : "And so am I from Michigan. I've heard ot you be- fore. I thought tliis was some good Samaritan," giving his hand for a heart v shake. A POMPOUS GENEPvAL. 305 "And who is this?" I asked. "I 'm Dr. , from one of our IMichigau cities. And what are you doing here?" "I am doing just the work you see before us." " Yes, and I saw a span of nudes trying their best to kill her two weeks ago, when they came sailing down tliat Paradise Road up yonder ; but they could n't do it," said his guide. I asked him what he was doing. He said he had just come to see if there was any thing he could do. I told him of the new camp on the Ralston plantation, and of this camp of four thousand. I hojied he would look after these, as we proposed to leave soon for other fields of labor below. On March 24, 1864, I took letters to post-office, and found one from our dear friend, Addie Johnson, assistant matron of Soldiers' Home, in Columbus, Kentucky. I went to General Tuttle for an order for transportation to Baton Rouge, and, as usual, introduced myself by handing my official papers. Being a very large man, he was in jiroportiou consequential. "What do you want?" I told him I would like trmisportatioii to Baton Rouge. "I don't know," he said, "that 1 am here to make the Government a great benevolent society, by giving every thoroughly loyal and earnest Christian man or woman transportation." "Is there not an order," I ro})]ied, "from Adjutant- general Thomas, granting us transportation, rations, and quarters?" "I have received no such order personally." I l)ade him good morning, and left his office, fully de- termined to bring him an order, although I knew he must have seen one. My purpose was to take the first boat to Vickslnu'ir, as General Thomas was tiicn in that cilv, lo see whether his order was to be honored. Passing Colonel 20 306 A WOJIAN's I.IFE-WOJIK. Young's office, I called to see if he could grant the favor, and fouud that he could give the transportation desired; consequently I left the general without troubling him fur- ther. On my return I called at the other mission store, and met brother Burlingame and Isaac Thorne, who also wished to go below, but were doubtful whether General Tuttle would give them transportation. They said they Avere waiting to learn of my success, and were surjirised to find that Colonel Young had the power to grant it. We took the steamer "J. H. Russell" for Baton Rouge. On March 27th, Sunday morning, we jiassed the mouth of Red River, where Avas a gun-boat, from which a few pris- oners Avere taken aboard of our boat. A Avoman named Crosly Avas also taken on board, to go to New Orleans for the purpose of exposing those Avho had run through our lines contraband goods. There Avas a Avonian of property and standing on the boat, Avho still held her household servants, and made her boast that no one could even hire her skives to leave her. " I 'd like to see any one offer my niggers a book," she declared; "I reckon they'd take it as an insult. They'd tell you mighty quick they 'd no use for books or schools. The niggers never will be as happy as they have been. They'll soon die out. It 's fearful to see them die off as they do in these camps. They know nothing of taking care of themselves. They are cared for by us as tenderly as our OAvn children. I tell you, they are the happiest people that live in this country. If they are sick the doctor is sent for, and they are cared for in every Avay ; they know nothing of care." "If they are such a happy class of i:)eople, how Avas it that you had such a time of punishing and hanging them Avitlun the last two years?" I asked. "O, that had to be done to save our lives, because they Avere about to rise in an awful insurrection." " But what Avould induce them to rise in insurrection, INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY. 307 w'licu they are so liaiiji}' iii^t^ cunteuted as you have de- scribed ?" " O, there is always somebody ready to put the devil in their heads," was her ready reply. But Mrs. Crosly's report was of a very different char- acter. She said, "There lias never been the half tohl of this hell upon earth — the awi'ul wickedness on these Red Kiver l)]anlations, where I have lived ever since I was fifteen years old. If you knew what I have passed through, you would not wonder that there is nothing but a wreck left of me. I married a plantation blacksmith when a young girl of fifteen, and left my people in Indiana, as my hus- band was hired by a rich slave-holder, Mr. Samuel Lay, who lived on Red River. We lived on his plantation many years, though he used to do a great deal in ironing negroes for neighboring planters." I told her of the slave-irons I had found on a deserted plantation, to take to my Michigan home "Don't let the people here know it," she said, "or they will take them from you and drop them in the river ; for they bury them, or throw them in the river or creek, to put them out of sight of Yankees. When the city was taken tliey sent painters all over the city, with brushes and paint -])uckcts, to paint over all advertising signs of slaves for sale, and hid all slave -irons they could lay hands on." I told her that was done in Xatchez, when that city was taken. "And that is just what they did," she went on, "in Vicksburg. Among the slave-irons you found, were there any of those new-fashioned gags?" I told her that there were not. "You ought to get some of them. If I were at home I could get you two or three kinds; but you ought to see the new gags anyhow. They are made with barbs, as they make on fish-hooks, and they pierce the tongue if 308 A AVOMAN's LIFP>AV(niK. they attempt to speak or make a noise. They cau 't live many hours Avith one of them iu their mouths, for the tougue swells up so. Mr. Lay had an old slave woman we called Aunt Hannah whi2:)ped, and gagged with that new gag, and left her all night in her cabin ; and when I opened her door her tongue was swollen out of her mouth and looked so awful, I would n't have known her if she had n't been in her own cabin. I told 'em she groaned so, I reckoned she was dying, and they sent for the doctor to come and cut the barbs out, and he told INIr. Lay she would have died in an liour longer. It was a long time before she recovered from it. But as near as she was to dying, the overseer left Ben all night with that kind of a gag ; and they found him dead in the morning. You of the North have no idea of the perfect hell upon earth we 've had down here. Mr. Lay brought Alice from Kentucky, and she'd been a kitcken-maid, and never worked in the cot- ton-field till she came here. The overseer was a mighty hard man, and he drew that long whiji of his over her shoulders so often because she could n't keep up with the other hands, that she ran away in the bush, and was gone two days before they caught her. Then they whipped her awfully, and in two or three days they drove her out in the field. Within a week she ran away again, and was gone about two weeks. They caught her with the help of bloodhounds; and when she was brought in, her arms Avere torn by the dogs, and I trembled for the poor girl, for I knew they 'd nearly kill her. Sure enough, the first I knew my husband had her at his sho]), to iron her with a full set. There was a knee-stiflTener, an iron collar with a bell, and a pair of handcuffs, Avith a chain betAveen to alloAV her to use the hoe. When I saAV the heavy irons I went to the shop and liegged iNIr. Crosly not to iron Alice like that, for it Avould kill her, as she Avas badly torn by the dogs. But he swore at me, and told me to go back into the house, where T bclongtMl ; tliis was liis business. T went A HELL ON KARTH. 309 back and cried over it till it appeiiretl I could u't live; and I went out again and begged him not to put on all these irous; for he knew they were heavier than the law allowed, and he would commit murder, for she could not live in this way. But he only swore at me the more. At this ]\Irs. Lay came out in a rage, and said she would see whether any one could come in and interfere with the puu- islmient of any of her slaves, and ordered another slave to cut across both of her feet with a pocket-knife, through the skin, so that blood was left in her tracks. I turned away, for I thought they would murder the poor girl be- fore my eyes; and I cried myself sick and could u't sleep, for I thought she must die before morning. The cotton- field was opposite my window, and after breakfast I watched to see the hands go to their work; and, sure enough, there was poor Alice hobbling out into the ct)tton-field. They had been at Avork but a little while when a heavy blow from the whip-handle on the back of her head brought her to the ground. '0, my God!' I cried, to see that overseer hit her like that because she could n't keep up her row. I prayed God that Alice might die at once and be out of her misery ; and, sure enough, they brought'her out of that field dead ! I was glad of it. Poor girl ! she could suffer no more under their hands." " And did not her death call forth some action from the law ? " I asked. " Nothing of the kind was ever noticed on our planta- tion. I tell you it was a perfect hell on earth down here ; you do n't know anything about it; and yet, if these things are told, they '11 deny it, and call them black abolition lies, when it's God's truth, and they know it. There was Uncle Jack, poor fellow ! He ran away, and they brought him in with the hounds, after he 'd been gone a week, and they made him strip and lie down on his face, and fixstened his hands and feet to iron rings. Then a man sat on each side of him to do the whipping, altL-rnatiug iif their strokes 310 A woman's life-work. from bis feet to his head, then back to bis feet, and so back and forth until tliey 'd given him one hundred lashes. I passed by them, and saw his back cut up to a raw jelly, and the flesh twitched as you 've seen newly killed beef. But this was not all. They took burning pitch-pine slivers and held them over his quivering flesh, dropping the melted blazing pitch from his head to his feet. After this awful torture, the two men carried him to his cabin, I thought, to die ; and I had another all-night cry over Uncle Jack. He was not able to go out in the field again for two Aveeks." Mrs. Crosly related many other incidents in her own experience, some of which are too shocking for the public eye or ear. "My husband," she said, "bought two slave women, one of whom was the mother of two illegitimate children, that my children were compelled by their father to address as bi'other and sister. He also brought the mother to my apartments, and occupied my parlor bedroom with her for years — all to aggravate me. I did n't blame the woman Molly, for she could n't help herself. She and I cried to- gether over this state of things for hours, many a time. She often begged my husband to let her live a virtuous life, but it was of no use. He Avould only threaten to punish her. Poor thing! we felt sorry for each other, and she used to do all she could for me. I am so thankful she can now go where she pleases. She took her two children, and with the other woman went as soon as they could get through the lines. I am so glad all the slaves are free. Mr. Crosly has got our oldest boy with him in the army, and threatens to take my youngest boy of fourteen. But the Union ofScers say they will confiscate our property and make it over to me and my boys, so that Mr. Crosly can not take it from me." The terrible scenes she had passed through, and wit- nessed, substantiated our oft expressed opinion that unlim- TRIALS OF SLAVE LIFE. 311 ited power on the part of slave-ownerri was equally degrad- ing to the slave-holder and to the slave. Even more : it fostered the worst passions of a depraved nature. Her ex- perienee was no isolated one. Such eases in many locali- ties were neither few nor far between. On Mai'ch 28th we learned, with surprise, that the briglit light we saw the evening before, as we came from the soldiers' meeting, was the steamer "J. H. Russell" burn- ing to the water's edge. No lives were lost, but all the baggage of passengers and many mules, horses, cattle, and sheep and other government supplies were destroyed. O, how thankful we were that we exchanged boats when we did, and were safely landed here in Baton Rouge. "Bless the Lord, O my soul! and forget not all his benefits," was my first thought. How many favors are often bestowed in disguise! At three o'clock, P. ]\I., I attended a meeting of colored people at the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was built by themselves, and upon invitation addressed them. I spoke perhaps twenty minutes, taking for my theme Psalm cxi, 12: "I know the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor." At the close of the meeting the colored pcoj)le gatlicred around us, and gave us such a hand-shaking and "God bless you" as w'e seldom find outside of this oppressed people. In the evening more than a dozen came to our lodgings and spent two hours recounting the trials of their slave- life, which were of thrilling interest. O, what a bitter draught was theirs, even to the very dregs! One poor man named Henry, owned by John Reese, near Baton Rouge, for the crime of visiting his wife and children oftener than once a month against his master's coniiuand, Avas ordered to be nailed to a tree by his ear, and whipped until it tore out. But even more awful scenes of persecution and out- rage these people passed through, wliich we can not record. We closed our interview, after listening to their sad recitals. 312 A woman's life-work. with jH-ayer, iu which all took i:)art. A solemn season it was, to mingle our tears and voices with those who had passed through such scenes of suffering and were now prais- ing the Lord for freedom. On Tuesday, 29th, we visited the general hospital in tiie noble asylum for the mute and blind. Of the latter there were thirty inmates. They played on the piano and sang very sweetly, and we were interested in seeing tlie mutes converse with each other in their sign language. One little fellow was asked by the matron to give us their name for Yankee. He quickly passed his fingers through each other, and we all laughed to see ourselves with such an unstable name. All seemed much pleased to receive our visit. We found here our sick and wounded soldiers with nothing but army supplies, boiled fat pork and bread. Surgeon Pole told us they were out of other supplies. "We sent immediately to New Orleans for dried fruit, crackers, etc., and within four days they came rolling in by the barrel. We left this marble-faced edifice to visit a few camps surrounding the city of Baton Rouge. By request I attended a six o'clock meeting in the cliajjel for soldiers at the general hospital, accomjmnied by Rev. Joel Burlingame and Rev. Mr. Merryfield. On Wednesday, 30th, we spent some time in visiting and distributing tracts and Testaments, and conversing with soldiers. We also visited a colored school of two hundred and twenty-four pupils. All were much engaged in study. We were invited to address them. Sister Backus and myself complied, and it seemed gratifying to them and satisfactory to us. We returned to our pleasant boarding place, wrote a letter, and made a number of calls. We found a woman who used to sympathise with Eliza AYilsou in her slave-trials previous to her escape to the North. Through her we heard from Eliza's little girl, whom she left with her old master Bissel. A few days before she WOUNDED SOLDIERS. 313 had come to her aunt, in riu(jueiniue, about nine miles, iu tlie uight, she heard that Yaukee soldiers were in posses- sion of that town. She had been told that a certain road led to Plaquemine, and took it iu a moonlight night and found her aunt. Although she was only about ten years of age, and could not remember her mother, yet this woman said the child had heard I was going to take her to her mother, and that she was nearly insane over it. I had previously sent word to them by a soldier who was a dis- patch-bearer, that the mother was very anxious to get her child if she was within our lines; and when he returned to Plaquemine he found the child and liel})ed her to escape from Bissel with much less trouble than her mother had had seven years before. About the close of the mouth we took a long walk to Fort "Williams, where were three thousand sick and wounded soldiers. The scenes here were indescribal)le. The mingled language of acute distress, in prayer, groans, and occasional oaths from the profane,' could be heard. One young man seemed too near death's door to sur- vive. Said he : " If I die it will be suddenly, upon the amputation of this arm. It is too late for me now ; but if I am spared I will seek an interest in Christ." But we had heard the cry of despair before, and could not give him up. The arm was taken off without causing instant death, as he was fearing. He then became an eager lis- tener, and said he could now pray for pardon, and believed that the merciful Redeemer would grant the earnest desire of his soul. \Ye found a few men, whose lives were given up by the surgeon, who were tnisting, and possessed the comforting assurance of a glorious future. As we were a])out to leave, another soldier attracted our attention, who said he was not a Christian, but wished to 1)(\ and after reiicating a few promises and praying with him we left. In tears, he requested us to sec him again. While we were waiting for a boat for New Orleans we 27 314 A woman's life-avork. again visited the hospital, and found both of those who were anxious at our previous visit rejoicing Christians, I went to the office to inquire for a steamer for New Orleans, and on leaving was accosted by a young man with the query whether I was looking for a boat. As he saw that I noticed the feather in his drab hat, and star, with stripes on the sleeves of his gray coat, he remarked that he was an exchanged prisoner, and was on his way to his home at Atlanta, Georgia. Said I: " You appear like a young man of intelligence, and I hope by the time you reach your home you will conclude to cast your net on the right side." "We've been fishing on the right side these three years," he replied; "and we'll fight three, ten, or twenty years longer, if we live so long, but what we will have our rights — the right to hold our slave property without inter- ference from Northern abolitionists. You need not judge of our strength because you have a little strip of this river, and our folks are rather discouraged here, and tired of war. If you could see our troops in Virginia, you 'd see as hopeful and jolly a set of fellows as you ever saw. Give up? No, never! I tell you, madam, we are determined to have our independence if we fight till we die." "I am sorry," I answered, "you can not be induced to adopt a course worthy of your zeal. Young man, the worst wish I have for you is that you may be prepared to die, for the fiat of the Almighty is against you. The sword and the boys in blue are going to bring you to terms. You will never again buy and sell men, women, and chil- dren like horses, cattle, and sheep in the market. The judgments of tlie Lord are upon you for these things." "You needn't think God is on your side, for you've made our niggers our mastei's. Look! within four rods of us stand nigger pickets, Avith their bayonets, and we can't pass those bayonets without a pass— and our OAvn niggers, too. I tell you, madam, if I could have my REPRESENTATIVE SOUTHERNERS. 315 Avay, I \1 have a rope around every nigger's ueck, and hang 'em, or dam up this Mississippi River with them;" and his black eyes flashed with I'ury. "Only eiglit or teu miles from this river slaves are working for their masters as happily as ever." " We know that they are remaining on many planta- tious; but we know of a number of plantatit)ns that arc worked by their former slaves because their former mas- ters are paying them wages. But if they are as happy and contented as you describe, why do we see them daily coming into these camps, frequently for twenty to fifty miles, wading swamps and creeks, with swollen and bleed- ing feet ? Why all this painstaking to get away from their masters, if they are so attached to them?" "They are poisoned by the Yankees. You talk about the justness of your cause — any thing but justice to put arms in the hands of these uiggerr;, to be our masters — to set our slaves over us with gun and bayonet. God Al- mighty will never prosper you — never." " I see I can say nothing that will avail with you. I perceive that it is beyond the power of man. Hoping that a Higher Power may reach you, I bid you farewell." With these words, I turned away; but had not ad- vanced five feet when he called out: " Madam, I hope we '11 get the same boat. I 'd like to see you again ; for I like to meet people who stand up for their own principles." Widely differing from this captain's spirit was another, who was the owner of a large plantation, with numerous slaves, yet a strong Union man, and his wife and daugh- ters sympathized with him. Before the fall of Vicksburg he called all his slaves together, and told them this war "would result in the freedom of every slave in the United States, and he wanted now to make an arrangement with them to work for him as heretofore. He })romi.s('d to pay all the grown hands eight dollars a month, and board them 316 A wo:\rAN's lifk-wouk. "with their famihcs as he had done before, and to pay them at the close of eacli mouth. With tears of gratitude, they accepted his propositiim. He told them that this arrange- ment must be kept secret, for their safety as "well as his own ; for they all knew there had always been a prejudice against him because he allov.ed them privileges that other planters adjoining them did not. They said to him, " Your niggers think they arc white," because he never would have an overseer (m his 2)lantatiou, and would not liave whipping and punishing among his grown people, and the families among his slaves managed their own children. He came into our lines as soon as he could, to save his life; and he told us he had not visited his home for a long time, except at night, as his life had been threatened, and that his wife and daughters, for their own protection, kept loaded pis- tols at their bedside. He had also armed a number of his servants, as they Avere likewise cx])osed to an attack. He was a noble -appearing man, and said, in conversation: "Mrs. Havilaucl, I have alwaj's held the same views on the subject of slavery that you do; but it was against the law to free them and allow them to remain here, and Ave could not send them away Avithout breaking up some of their families. But I rejoice that it has come to an end ; and I knoAV of others who rejoice, but they do so secretly." His Avife came to sec him Avhile Ave Avere there, and seemed to be a Avoman of sterling principle. She said they had to Avatch day and night, fearing their buildings Avould be burned, and perhaps some of them murdered. We called on a Avidow and her two daughters Avho Avere in deep affliction on account of the bitterness of feeling toAvard them in consequence of their Union principles. They were a Christian family, and owned some property in the country, besides their residence in town. A number of our officers boarded with her. I Avas in her family a day or two, and as I left I took out my purse to pay her. "Don't open that," she cried; "I can't take a farthing. PORT HUDSON. 317 You don't know what we have to endure. I have two brothers in the rebel army, and when they came home, because I told them they were fighting against God in fighting against the Union, they swore at me and threat- ened to take my life; they saitl I was a Soutliern Yankee, and they were the worst of all. I ex]X3ct they'll burn my house some night or get some one else to do it; and I know there are enough that would gladly do it. O, you can't tell how much good your prayer did us this morning. I do feel a daily necessity of looking to God to keep us. I want to make a request of you to remember us at God's throne, for we know not what a day may bring forth. Do plead fir us in i)rayer, my sister." I left her and her daughters l)athcd in tears. We then took steamer Nhifjara for New Orleans, April 2d. It being dark, the captain con- cluded to wait till moonlight, when an order came to go up the river, near Port Hudson, for twenty soldiers and thirty thousand dollars in contraband goods with two men prison- ( i-s, wlio had l)ccn in charge of these goods for the rebels. While they were loading the goods sister Backus and myself took a long walk to the residence of John Buhler, aged seventy-five years, who lost a few weeks before one hundred and tliirty slaves. Tlie old man and his wife took us into their flower-garden, where Avere one hundred and twenty- five varieties of roses and many kinds of shrubbery, and the greatest variety of cactus I ever saw; many of them were six and eight feet high. One large pecan-tree was almost covered with a small yellow rose-climber in full bloom, presenting a beautiful appearance. They gathered nearly an armful of flowers for us, and took us into the room in which a bursting shell made sad havoc. They made many excuses for the weedy flower-beds in the yard and garden, as they now had no servants to keep them. Two drunken women came aboard the lioat and were put off" by our captain, but through the influence of their friends came on again. AYe tiu-ned from this scene, and took a stroll to 318 A woman's life-work. another residence, where we found the former slaves of the owner the sole occupants. They had a hearty laugh when I asked if the "smoke-house key Avas fro wed in de well?" "Yes, yes, missus," they answered; "we's got de raauagin'." We returned to Baton Rouge (the place where we halted some time is called West Baton Eouge), arriving late in the afternoon. We walked up to our old boarding- place, and took supper with our dear friends. On April 3d we arrived at New Orleans at nine A. M., in time to attend a colored Sunday-school. At its close I gave them a little talk. From thence we were piloted to the Bethel JNIethodist Church (colored) and found a quar- terly meeting being held. Here we listened to a very interesting and intelligent discourse by Rev. William Dove. I made a few remarks on the comparison of present times with the former. At the close of the service many came forward to shake hands and tell us of the time when min- isters and people were hauled out of this church of their own building and taken to jail. The free people were compelled to pay twenty-five dollars' fine, and slaves were punished with twenty -five lashes on the bare back, well laid on. This persecution the authorities deemed neces- sary in order to keep these poor peoj)le from rising in insurrection. They locked up their churches two years and a half, until the Union soldiers unlocked them. Though the authorities forbade their meeting at all, they often stole away two and three miles and held little meet- ings in deep ravines and in clumps of bushes and trees, to hide from their cruel pursuers; but they could not even tliere long escape their vigilant enemies. ''Insurrection! Insurrection!" was constantly inflaming the guilty mul- titude. Imprisoning, putting into stocks, and all sorts of punishments seemed to be the order of the day, A few months after the closing of their church the spotted fever broke out, slaying its thousands. An old pious colored woman said to one who was losing all his SPOTTED FKVER. 319 family, aud called upon her to assist them: "Now, who is plottiug iusurrcctiou ? Who you gwine to take to jail uow? AVho you gwine to whip an' hang now ? You can't take God out to jail." They heard that their enemies had con- cluded to stop their praying, for it was thought to be tlirough the jjraycrs of the colored people that all this trouble was sent upon them; for the plague was almost entirely confined to the white people. This class of accus- ers became even more bitter than before. No one can look at this volume of history without call- ing to mind the hardness of heart of the ancient Egy])- tiaus. 320 A woman's LIFE-WOllK. Chapter XII. MISSION WORK IN NEW ORLEANS. At New Orleans, where Ave arrived April G, 1864, our home was a very pleasant one. Beneath the windows of oar room was a grove of fig-trees. We had the kindest of friends. AVe visited ten colored schools in the city, filled Avith eager learners. One Avas taught by Mrs. Brice, Avho had in charge sixty scholars. She had been teaching here three years, under much persecution, and stemmed the torrent of opposition, sometimes in secret, before the Avar. Sister Brice and her husband had been struggling in this city nearly five years, through this bitter hate to the North, contending for Unionism everywhere, through civil, relig- ious, and jiolitical life. We called on them, and spent two hours in eating oranges and listening to the fanaticisms and Avild conceptions of this misguided people and terror- stricken multitude Avheu the "Yankee" soldiers marched up the streets from the gun-boats. Schools Avere dismissed; the children cried as they ran home, telling those they met that the Yankees had come to kill them and their mothers. But there Averc those who cried for joy at the sight of the national flag. The starting tear manifested the deep feel- ing of these friends as they attempted to relate the scene, but said it Avas impossible, as it Avas beyond description. It seemed like an oasis in a desert to meet such kindred spirits. We left them, Avith their urgent request to make another call before Ave left the city. We Avcre iuA'ited by the pastor to attend a love-feast meeting at half-jiast six o'clock, P. M. , Avhei-e Ave met a large congregation. The services Avere opened as usual. COrX)UKl) I.OVK-FKAST. 321 Soou they were " l)reaking bread" with each other, sliak- iiig hands, aud singing. INTany were weeping. Some broke to each other the bread, exchiiniing, " Praise God fur this day of liberty to worship God!" One okl man said to one of the ministers, as he })hiced liis hand on his shoulder : *' Bless God, my son, we do n't have to kee}) watch at that door," pointing to it, " to tell us the patrollers are coming to take us to jail and fine us twenty-five dollars for prayiu' and tiilkiu' of the love of Jesus. O no, we 's fuee! Yes, thank God for freedom!" Cla]>ping his hands, his shouts of "Glory, glory, hallelujah!" were followed by others, until "Glory, hallelujah to the Lamb forever!" was heard from many voices. jSIeu clasped the necks of their breth- ren, aud shook hands with the sisters, singing, weeping, shouting, jumping, and whirling. Said one woman, as she clasped another, "O sister, don't you 'member when da tuck us over in dat jail dat night, an' said da would whip us if we did n't stop prayiu'?" and then they both jumped and shouted, throwing up their hands in wild excitement. A half-hour was spent in these outbursts of long pent-up feel- ings ; then they settled down into comparative quiet, and the pastor exhorted them t;'s i.irj>'\voiiK, cliildreu. We had visited aud addressed a number of other sehools ainoug these ])eo})le of this eity, one of which numbered over four hundred scliohirs, in a confiscated col- lege ; but this in interest surpassed them alL Here in an old slave -pen, where hundreds and thousands had been cried off to the highest bidder, wlicre the cries of parting mother and child had been heard and unheeded, where the pleadings of husbands aud fathers were only answered by the lash, those many tears, sighs, and groans were exchanged for intellectual culture aud religious instruction. Here were sundry Union flags waving, and a large portrait of Abraham Lincoln hung on the wall beliind the desk. The scene was inspiring. After returning, two colored Avomeu, genteelly dressed, and quite intelligent, called on us and gave us a thrilling history of the past. They gave us some startling facts of the efforts made to return slaves, who had come within our lines to their masters, by making friends of our officers aud soldiers. Men had enlisted from this State (Louisiana) aud Mississippi as Uni(m soldiers from selfish motives. Their sole object was to assist in getting their slaves back, by taking them out of houses when employed by colored people, aud from the street Avhcn sent to market, and placing them in jail. After orders were passed to give rations to the famihes of colored soldiers, one young girl, whose name was Rhoda, was doiug well until she was over- taken with chills. Her brother gave her a paper certifying he was a soldier, and requested rations for her, but she was arrested oa the street, and lodged in jail, where she re- mained three months, sick with chills and fever, aud with- out change of clothing, although her female friends made many efforts to get food aud clothing to her. At length a deliverer came, who found thi-ee hundred miserable, ver- min-eaten ])risoners, and set them free. A more grateful company was never found. Find fault who will with Beu- jauiin F. Butler, this was just the work he did; and many A WICKED riX)T. 323 lives were saved, and much sufreriug relieved, under his adniinistratitui. We diued "svith a widow who had paid $1,800 for her- self, and lived in good style by boarding her friends, who paid her extra board-bills to assist her. A Creole lady called to see us who could converse a little in English. The Creoles in New Orleans generally spoke French. This madanic was a woman of wealth and position, and well pleased Avith the freedom of the slave. "We heard of a project devised by many masters to massacre all the blacks. One brought in three hogsheads marked sugar. A httle slave girl, heariug her master say at dinner-table, that he had one filled with loaded pistols, another with dirks, and the third with bowie-knives, went and told her mother. She was directed to be caix^ful and listen, while busy about the room, to all her master said, and report to her. In this way she heard the plans that her master and his friends designed to carry into execu- tion, and informed her mother. The plan was to paint a large company of their men black, who should assume the attitude of fight; then all were to cry out " Inamredwu! iNSunuECTiON!" and fly to every negro man, woman, and child, and kill them all off. The mother made an errand down town with her little girl, and called on General But- ler, to Avhom they told all. A party of officers and sol- diers were dispatched at once, who visited that house, de- manded the keys, and searched the premises. There they found the hogsheads, broke in the head of each, and foiuul all as reported. The master was banished i'rom the city, his family sent outside the lines, his property confiscated, and his slaves set free. No wonder they disliked General Butler, when he defeated their base designs. The convention which met in the City Hall to frame a free constitution for Louisiana created considerable ex- citement. !Many slave-<^)wners v.crc confident they would have all their slaves back again, or get pay for them. 324 A avoman's i.ife-wohk. As there were no sanitary agculs at Brazier City, and we learned of much suflering there, we called at the Chris- tian Commission Rooms to make further inquiries, and found brother Diossy had just sent both an agent and a teacher to that point. " But if you are hunting for desti- tute places," he told us, " I wish you would go to Ship Island, in the Gulf of Mexico, as there are soldiers and many prisoners there, and they haye no chaplain or agent to look after their sanitary condition." While I was in- clined to go, sister Backus thought, in view of the very warm weather, and because we were so nearly worn out with several months' constant toiling, we had better turn our faces homeward. I knew there was but little more than shadows left of us, yet I could not rid myself of the impression that it Avould be right to go; but I told her I would not draft her into service, or persuade her against her judgment. I met at these rooms brother Merrifield and brother Horton, and the chaplain of the Michigan 6th Infantry. By their request we attended a soldiers' j^rayer-meeting. Near the close one soldier expressed his gratitude for the privilege of listening to the voice of mothers in counsels that reminded many of them of their own mothers far away. He could say no more for a moment, being over- come with emotion. " You may call me weak, and if this be weakness, then I am weak," he said. Another requested prayer for his sick soldier brother, and for the preserva- tion of the Northern ladies who were laboring for them. After this meeting I called at tlie office for transporta- tion ; but there Avas no encouragement that I could get it for a number of days, perhaps two weeks, as General Banks had nearly all the boats up Red River, in his fleet. But as I was passing the gulf office I called and found the steamer Clyde going out for Ship Island in four hours, and at once secured transportation for us both. I returned to our boardiug-house, and reported what I had done, and ON SHIP ISLAND. 325 told sister Backus if she was willing to go the sea-breeze might do more to rest us than the labors would add to our weariness. She consented to accompany me, and we pro- vided ourselves with lialf a bushel of reading matter at Christian Commission liooms, and secured the aid of a couple of soldiers to carry our books to the street-car, from thence to a steam-car that lauded us at the Clyde. As there was no berth for us we obtained a couple of blankets, but there beiug room for only one to lie down, we man- aged, by taking turns, to get considerable sleep. On April 8th, at ten A, ^I. , we lauded on Ship Island. It was of white sand, that resembled, at a distance, a huge snow- bank. We found a little sprinkle of brown sand, upou which grew a few scrubby trees and a species of cactus that spread out in clusters as large as a dinner-])late. The island is eight miles in length, and from oue-fourth to three-fourths of a mile wide. The captain told us he sliouhl not leave until four o'clock, P. M., and we made use of our time accordingly. When we landed with our large market-basket heaping full of Testaments and other read- ing matter, the gunboat boys and prisoners gathered around us like hungry children. Prisoners in irons came holding the iron ball in one arm, while the other hand reached for a Testament, crying out, "Please give me a Testament, I lost mine in battle;" "Please give me one, I lost mine in a long march;" "Please give me something to read, I lost my Testament in a rain-storm." Many hands were reached over the shoulders of others, until tliirty or forty hands at a time were extended. We soon exhausted our basket- supply. We had a few in our satchels, but we reserved them for the hos})ital and military prison. As we had dis- posed of the most of our books in an hour, we spent an hour on the beach gathering sea-shells until noon, then took our rations, and spent the remainder of our time in ht)spital-visiting, and in learning from tlie ofKcers what was needed to be sent on our return to New Orleans. 326 A woman's ijfk-avork. While engaged iu other matters, we found our boat had left us, and was steaming away perhaps a mile from us. Sister Backus was greatly disappointed at being left, and gave way to despondency ; but I assured her it was all for the best, and that as the Lord had heretofore provided for us, so he would provide for us now. We returned to the tent of Mrs. Green, a tidy mulatto woman, where we had left our satchels. As she met us and learned of our being left, and heard sister Backus lament over "not having where to lay our heads," she quickly replied: "Yes, you shall have a place for your heads. In that chest I have plenty of bedding, and I '11 dress up this bed for you two. My husband can find a place with some of his comrades, and I'll make a bed ibr myself on the floor till the boat comes back." "There, sister Backus," I said, "the Lord is providing for us already." Tears filled her eyes. She replied, "I will not doubt any more." Mrs. Greeu had a nice dinner prepared in the best style; table-linen of the finest damask, chinaware and solid silver spoons, pitcher, forks, and plated table knives, etc. I inquired how this came about, as I had not seen a table so richly set since coming into the array. Her reply was, that both of their fathers were wealthy planters, who made them free when they died. Her husband received by will twenty-five thousand dollars, and she also received from her father's estate a fine brick residence. They had it nicely furnished, and their property was valued at fifty thousand dollars. Her husband was making in his busi- ness from seventy-five to one hundred dollars a month, but he Avas so confident that this war would result in the free- dom of their race that he, with others, enlisted in a col- ored regiment for seven dollars a month, under the rebel government, with a secret understanding among themselves that they would all go in with the Union army as soon as opportunity presented. The opportunity was furnished on the taking of New Orleans by Union trooi)s. The regiment FINDING FRIENDS. 327 ^Ylls officered by men of their own color, but the indignities they received at the hands of Union commanders caused their officers to resign their positions. One of the many "was on one occasion of an order by one of their captains for shoes and blankets for his destitute men. It was not honored, and he went in person to inform the commander how needy his men were. The reply was that he need not expect negro regiments to be supplied the same as white soldiers. This was thrown in their teeth by Confederates: "You see what you get by going over to the Yankees. We never served you like that," said a Confederate. We found Mr. Green an intelligent and pleasant man. Just as our dinner was ready, Captain James Noyce called to see us, and urged us to make our home with his family during our stay on the island. We told him of the kind offer of Mrs. Green. "I know," was his reply, " that Mrs. Green has the nicest things of any one on this island, but my wife and I want you with us." lie said he should call for us in two hours, which he did; and we felt that our lots were cast in a pleasant place. There were two lieu- tenants boarding with them, both of whom, with the cap- tain, appeared like men of sterling princii^le. AVhile enjoying a very pleasant social visit with our new friends, sister Backus espied the life of Orange Scott on their center table (a goods-box with a newspaper spread). In surprise she exclaimed: "Sister Ilavilaud, here is the life of Orange Scott! Isn't this home-like? away here in the Gulf of Mexico!" "Do you know any thing of Orange Scott?" inquired our hostess. " I guess we do. We know all about him," replied sister Backus. "You are not Wesleyan ^lethodists, are you?" " Indeed we are, both of us." She almost flew at us, placing her hands on our slioul- ders. " I do n't wonder you seemed so nuicli like relatives. 328 A woman's life- work. Orange Scott is my fatlicr, and Mr. Noyce and I are Wes- leyans, " and she laughed and cried at the same time. The dear little homesick woman Avas overjoyed. She had been on the island a long time with her husband, and in poor health, sick and tired of army life, and longing for her Northern home. Yet she would not consent to leave her husband so long as he could stay in one place a sufficient time for her to ho with him. But he was fearful it was impairing her health. On her account, as well as our own, we were thankful for the privilege of mingling with kin- dred spirits. The two lieutenants who boarded with them brought in their new mattresses to make a double bed for the captain and his wife, as they gave up their own bed to us during our stay. This left the lieutenants to sleep on the bare tent floor, with their blankets only. But we did not know of this arrangement until the day we left. April 9th was very windy. We could not go out for the drifting sand, without being thickly veiled. I walked to the beach, near the soldiers' burying-ground, and stood two hours Avatching the waves as they lashed the bars of sand. Their briny spray bedewed the graves of soldiers, who had fallen far away from their kindred and their loved ones, in their Northern homes. I could not repress the tear of sympathy as these reflections came to me, and I listened to the solemn moan of the ocean. Yet here is the God of peace and love. " He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm." This evening we listened to Lieutenant Kingsley's thril- ling description of the cruel irons he filed off from a num- ber of slaves, who were too intelligent to be held Avithout severe measures. He said these men made soldiers Avho hesitated not to brave the greatest dangers. His experi- ence reminded us of the words of another : " Beware the time when that chain shall break, That galls the flesh and spirit; PRISONERS IX IRONS. 329 When the yoke is thrown from tlic l)en(UHl neck, That is chafed too much to l)ear it. There 's a God above, that lof)ks with a frown, To see how long you have trodden liim down." lu distributing the remainder of our tracts and Testa- meuts to prisoners we met a number of very intelligent meu, who appeared to be men of Christian principles. I always made it a point to say nothing to a prisoner of the particular crime that 2>Iaced him in confinement, but di- rected his thoughts to the Lord Jesus, the lover of sinners. As my sympathies became deeply enlisted in behalf of many of the prisoners in irons, I inrpiircd of Captain Noyce, in whose charge they were, Avhat crimes these soldiers had committed, that they should be confined in irons. " No crime," he answered. "Then j^lcase tell me," I said, "why tliey arc here?" "For drunkenness, being late at roll-call, absence with- out leave, and selling government property, mostly ex- changing rations for groceries, such as sugar and tea." "Is this possible?" I exclaimed. "All these trivial oflTenses have been settled in their own regiments wlierevcr else I have been." "So they have wherever I have been, UTilil I came here. But you seem almost to disbelieve my word. It" you do, you can step into my office and examine the record for yourself. You will find these meu sentenced from one- year to thirty-eight for the offenses I have named." " I have no reason to doubt your Avord, but I Avill thank you for the privilege of examining tliat record. AVho pro- nounced these sentences?" "Judge Attocha." "Who is Judge Attocha?" " lie Avas a rcl^tel captain, but. after New Orleans fell into our hands he took the oath of allegiance, and General Banks promoted him by giving him the position of judge advocate." 28 330 A woman's life-work. " That man is a rebel still," I said. " He is doing for the rebel cause more than when at the head of his com- pany, in the rebel ranks. You say a few over 3,000 have passed through your hands here and on the Dry Tortugas. We read in the paper, the day we left New Orleans, an Older from President Lincoln to draft men, and here are three whole regiments laid upon the shelf. Are all these Union soldiers?" "They are all Union soldiers. "We had a Confederate here for murder, sentenced for a year. He was hero only three months, when he was j^ardoued ; and on your return to New Orleans you may see him walking the streets as independent as yourself." "This is a flagrant wrong in holding these 3,000 men. Why do n't you report Judge Attocha?" "He outranks me, and should I presume to do it I would be put into a dungeon myself, and probably die there without an investigation." Sister Backus and I went into the ofhce, and the cap- tain brought us a great roll, as large around as a man's hat. I unrolled a few feet, and read the name, regiment, company, offense, and penalty of each man, thus : For drunkenness, fifteen years hard labor with ball and chain, and all wages forfeited, except three dollars a month; for selling government property, eight years hard labor, with ball and chain, and all wages forfeited except three dollars a month. Some prisoners were sentenced to longer, others to shorter, terms ; but upon all were imposed the same for- feitures, and all were put in irons. One man from near Battle Creek, Michigan, was sentenced for life. Plis offense was simply "suspicious character." No other reason for his sentence was given. I handed this fearful record to sister Backus, and we both read with heavy hearts. Every free State was represented. What can we do, we asked ourselves, for these poor men, some of whom arc sick and dying with scui'vy ? This was a query hard to answer. I VISITING THE PRISONERS, 331 retired to bed, but not to sleep, wrestling in prayer to Him who hears the sighs of the prisoner to lead me to a door that would open for the 3,000 men in irons. The captain Avas a kind-hearted man, and told me that he had in many cases put the irons on so loosely tliat they could relievo themselves when out of his sight, but he charged them to be careful not to allow him to see them off. On account of the injustice of their sentences, he had favcrcd them wher- ever he could do so, and keep his own record clear. The next day, April 10th, was Sunday. The morning Avas clear and ])eautiful. Sister Backus said : " You are sick, or very weary; for you groaned iu your sleep so much lust niglit." " I am not conscious of having groaned," I said; " but I did not sleep a wink. I am distressed, and have spent the night in prayer for a guiding hand to open a door of relief for these prisoners, and I must see them before I leave this island. I am this morning bearing as heavy a heart as at any jieriod of this deadly strife." " Try and dismiss this subject if possible," she returned, "as they have api^ointed a meeting for us iu the regiment, and I presume there will be an opportunity for you to see the prisoners." As best I could, I dismissed the all-absorbing theme; and according to jirevious arrangement we met the regi- ment, Avith a few gun-boat soldiers and the officers. Wo enjoyed a favored season, and found a liberty of spirit our dear Redeemer only can give. After closing the services to the peace of my own mind, and to tlie apparent satis- faction of the large congregation, Captain James Noyce came to me and said : "You are certainly too weary to visit the prisoners now." " no," was my reply, " if you will allow me that privilege." " They arc in very large barracks, and it is a very un- 332 A woman's life- work. pleasant place for a lady to visit; but if it is your wish, these gun-boat officers wanted me to ask you if you had any ol)jections to their going." "Not at all; all can go who wish." Captain Noyce and wife took us to the barracks, where the prisoners were arranged in rows, six men deep, on both sides and at the end, leaving an aisle three feet in width between. In every berth there was a man in a horizontal j)Osition; and all were in irous, either in handcuffs with chain, or in a clog for the ankle, to which was attached the chain and ball. What a scene ! The click of the irous at the least move greeted our ears. We walked midway of the long aisle, and looked over the sad faces before us. Upon the necks of those who stood near vermin were to be seen. Filthy aud ragged were many of these jwor boys. Some had been there a year, without change of raiment. I could say nothing of the injustice of their punishment ; but I exhorted them to come forth from this furnace of affliction with higher, nobler, aud holier aspira- tions than ever before, and to lift up their heads in hope of better days, altliougli the heavens might then seem as brass and the earth as bars of iron. I spoke a few min- utes, and as I closed my remarks I turned to sister Backus, standing by, aud asked her to say a few words of encour- agement, but slie declined. She said that all she could do Avas to weep Avith those who wept. I knelt to pour out the overflowings of a full heart in prayer, and as I did so they all knelt with me, amid the clank and clatter of irous that made it necessary to Avait a moment to be heard. As Ave Avere leaving, two prisoners advanced a few steps toAvard us and said, "In behalf of our fellow-prisoners, Ave return to you our thanks for the kind Avords Avhich you have spoken to us, and pray God to restore you safe to your Northern homes." We bade them adieu, Avith many tears. After leaving this place we visited other quarters equally largo, Avith similar experiences. IN A now-noAT. 333 I had become very mucli interested in a number witli whom I conversed, who were very thankful for llie Testa- ments we gave them. They gave evidence of possessing an earnest trust in God and of enjoying the cleansing power of tlie blood of his dear Son. Accompanied l)y the captain and his wife, on IMonday we visited the light-house, and ascended the flight of steps of sixty-four feet. The weather was clear anel calm, and we had a fine view of the Gulf of ]\Iexico on one side and the grand expanse of the ocean on the other. After din- ner with the same party, accompanied by Lieutenant Kingsley, we took a ten-oar row-boat and went to see the burial-ground of four hundred deceased soldiers. The graves were all plainly marked with head-boards. Tiicse soldiers were mostly from ]\Iaine and New York, with a few from New Jersey, Wisconsin, and IMichigan. This was another solemn place for reflection. The soldiers' grave-yard on this island differs somewhat from all others. Here their funeral dirge will never cease ; the requiem of the ocean's surge will ever sound as if saying, " Sleep on undisturbed until the last trump shall wake the nations of the dead !" We returned to our boat, and pursued our way to the extremity of the island. Here the picket-guards were much pleased to see us. They had been on the island al)out two years, ever since it was taken from the Confed- erates. We gathered a basket of shells, and our men gathered a quantity of crabs for breakfast. We were pre- sented with some beautiful shells by one of the pickets. We returned home, having had a ten miles' ride. We passed the wreck of a ship burned many years ago, which gave tins island its name. We could clearly see its charred cabin twenty or thirty feet below the surface. So clear was the w'ater it did not seem more than eight or ten feet deep over the white sand, upon which beautiful shell-fish were crawling, as if to brautiiy the grand scene so new to us. 334 A woman's i.ife-work. In a long conversation with Lieutenant Kingsley con- cerning liis religious experience, he said he was not satis- fied with his attainments in the divine life, and very earn- estly requested to be remembered at a throne of grace. The moon rose full and clear on the sparkling face of the deep, reminding us of David's sublime thoughts when he exclaims in the eighth Psalm: " AVhen I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained ; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the an- gels, and hast crowned him w'ith glory and honor." After our return we enjoyed a season of prayer, in which Lieutenant Kingsley was earnestly remembered, and he expressed himself greatly encouraged. Leaving all those burdened souls with the Lord Jesus, who cares for all that he- has redeemed with his own precious blood, I retired to rest. The next day one of the jmsoners came to inform me that their keeper had granted them the privilege of asking me if I would take a petition from them to General Wcit- zel, fi»rmer commander of seventy of their number. They had heard he was then in New Orleans, and they thought if he could do any thing for their release he would, as he was a very kind officer. I cordially assented to his request, of course, and he thanked me with tears. In company with the captain and wife we visited the gigantic fort that had been two years in building, but was not yet completed. It was to cost two million dollars. The brick wall at the base is six feet thick, and al)Out two hundred and fifty men were employed on it when we were there. It is constructed to mount forty cannons. At supper I received a request from Lieutenant Fos- ter, who was sick, to visit him. I found him in low spirits. He wished mc to write a request to his wife to come to him, which I did. I read to him some extracts THE TRISONERS' I»ETITI<)N. 335 from au excellent little work, "The Soldier's Armor," aud a chapter in the best of all books, closing with prayer. Lieutenant Foster seemed a devout Christian man, and expressed great satisfaction with this interview. The cap- tain smiled on my return, saying J hud " better remain ■with them aud be their chaplain." Ou April 13th we made a few calls, and two of the soldiers' wives came for us to dine with them. I made a copy of the record of the soldier prisonei-s, as a specimen of their alleged crimes, and the penalties imposed upon them. One of the prisoners brought me their petition, which reads as follows: "Ship Island, April 12, 1804. "Major-general Weitzel: Sir, — We wliose names are afiixed, prisoners on Ship Island, respectfully beg our release, and that we be allowed to return to our respective rejiiments. AVe are here for various military offenses, and for nothing crim- inal. Nearly all of us have participated in the engagements under your lead in this department, l:)oth on the battle-field and on the long, wearisome marches we have 1)een called to undergo; and we have always followed cheerfully wherever you have led. "We naturally feel that you arc the proper person to appeal to to give us one more chance to redeem ourselves. And we solemnly assure you that we never -will, by any unsoldier- likc act, give you any occasion to regret any act of clemency that you may exercise toward us. Many of us have families dependent on us for support, and are suffering for our forfeited wages. Many of us are already sutfering from that dread scourge — the scurvy — which must increase to a fearful extent in this tropical climate as the season advances and sweep, us away. And now that the campaign is open and advancing, and men are needed, Ave hope we may be permitted to return to the field,, and by future faithfulness in our country's cause be able to return to our homes with what all good men so highly prize — untarnished characUrs. Should you exercise 3'our influence in our favor in procuring our release, rest assured you will ever be remembered with gratitude." This petition was signed by "Moses Fuller," sentenced to three years' hard labor, with ball and chain, and forfeited wages, except three dollars a month, charged with sclHiig 336 A woman's life-work. government property, to wit : exchanging his surplus rations; but Judge Attocha would listen to no witness in the case." Sixty-nine other names were appended to this petition. Our anxiously looked for steamer, the Clyde, came in view, but it was too windy for it to land until noon. It brought about thirty prisoners, who had come in with a flag of truce, mostly white refugees. One family was from INIobile. The woman said the suffering from the war was not much there, and all she knew any thing about had enough to eat and wear. "But I reckon poor people suf- fer," she said, evidently wishing us to understand she was not poor. She had two servants to wait on her and five children. But her servants seemed to think they were free here, and said they should leave her unless she paid them wages. There were a number of slaves who came here for freedom. I called on Colonel Grosveuor, the commandant of the post, who aj^peared hke a kind-hearted officer, and he approved of the petition. The next day, April 14th, we took the Clyde for New Orleans, after being a week on the island. On our way to the boat a soldier came running to overtake us, with a message from another soldier that he had that morning found peace in believing. He Avould have come himself, only that he was on j)icket-guard and could not leave; but he wanted us to know that our mission was not in vain. As Ship Island receded from view sister Backus, as well as myself, felt thankful that our Heavenly Father had ordered all things well in regard to our having been left " 'way off in the Gulf of Mexico." AVe reached our pleasant New Orleans home, at Elder Rogers's April 16th, and were as kindly received as if we had been friends of many years' standing. The next day, after a good night's rest, we made an effort to find General Weitzel, but fliiled. At two P. jNL, we attended prayer- meeting and bad a rich season of communing witli our GENERAL WEITZEL. 337 Heavenly Father. There were present two chaplains, one of whom had been at various points in Arkansas, and he gave a thrilling account of some engagements his regiment had had with the enemy. The other was just from the dreadful fight at Alexandria, up the river. It is reported and l>elieved by thousands that the rebel general came to General Banks with a flag of truce and informed him that, unless he withdrew his colored troops, he should take no prisoners and give no quarter. Report said further that they were withdrawn and were not permitted to advance on the enemy, as they desired, and the consequence was an awful slaughter of our Northern men. The colored troops complained of inactivity in the field more tlian any thing el.rayer, and some were blessed with par- don. At six P. M. we attended a soldiers' meetiuir at 350 A woman's MKi:-\VOIlK. Wall Street Church, in which we took a jjiirt; also a num- ber of soldiers spoice and prayed. IJetween meetings I wrote a letter for a colored man to his wife, who is still a slave in Woodville, twenty miles distant. I was sick with a chill and fever May 2d, and the nearest to being homesick since I left Michigan. The next day I was better. Here I met Joseph Warner, with whom I had been ac([uainted from his childhood. He was a lessee at AVaterproof. He had a large plantation, and two hun- dred hands employed. He was twice taken by guerrillas. He told them they could hang or shoot him, but they might rest assured that forty of their men's lives would pay for his, and forty men stood ready to take his place; and they let him go each time. A distressed mother came to us to inquire for her two daughters, that her mistress had sent to Texas to elude the effects of the Proclamation of Emancipation. She had begged her mistress to allow them to remain in town, if she could not have them with her. The mistress said, "No, you shall never have your girls with you again, not even to give you a drink of water if you are dying." This was at the retaking of Baton Rouge, when the mistress considered herself again in full power ; but she was soon to suffer herself. When that city was retaken by Union men, the only son of the mistress was burned to death in the house at which he was board- ing. Upon this she fell into fits. Yet, Pharaoh-like, s4ie persisted in keeping the slave-girls in Texas. A number of missionaries called on us, and urged me to remain with them a few weeks longer ; but for two reasons I had to decline: First, those three thousand sol- dier prisoners were daily on my mind ; and, second, my poor health made it a duty to return home. Skirmishing four miles off took place May 5th, and we could see the blue smoke of battle. The shooting seemed n(^ur us. How little this terrible war was realized in our own free State homes! DEM'IIIXK AND CHILD. 3/)l I met on the street a mulntto girl seventeen years old, Aveepinsf, and inquired the cause of her grief. She said her owner, ^Irs. Moreiiersd, had been beating her. " Why do you remain with her?" I asked. "She keeps my baby locked up," was her reply; "and she says if I leave I shall never have him." I told her that I could tiike her to the provost-marshal, who would give her au order for lier child. At this she cheered up, and went with me, and received au order, in case she conld not get it without. She said she would go back and pack her few things in her old trunk, and then watch her opportunity when the mistress was out to bring her baby to the freedmeu's store. After the child was secured I sent a soldier with her, who brought her trunk, without letting any one in the hotel know of her movemcuts. Only a short time elapsed before we saw INIrs. jMorehead in front of the hotel, looking up and down the street for licr Delphine, who kept herself hid in the freedmen's store with her little Charlie, about two years old. Just before the war ^Ir. ^lorchcad had brought her away from her mother in St. Louis, Missouri, aud the height of her am- bition was to get back there. I secured transportation for herself and child to Cairo, aud paid her fare to St. Louis. But she was iu constant fear of her former owners. Her history was a sad one. She Avas bought for their hotel fancy girl, and the father of her child was her own master. The child resembled his father so much that he was frequently taken by strangers to be the child of the mistress. The mother was two-thirds white ; and the Ro- man uose, straight hair, aud Avhite skiu of the child Avould DOt give a stranger the least idea that he had even the sixteenth part of African blood in his A'eins. As a boat was expected to arrive within an hour, we took leave of the many kind friends, aud repaired to the wharf-boat. Soon ^Irs. iSIorehead followed, and called for Delphine ; but the trembling girl caught her babe aud hid. 352 A woman's life-work. But as her mistress repeated the calls, she at length came to me with the child, asking, " What shall I do? I would rather throw myself and baby into the river than go back to her." Said her mistress, "I tell you, Del., I've got an officer to come and take you to jail for stealing." I told Delphine she could rest assured that none of the officers would trouble her, for they informed me they should not notice her mistress's complaints, let them be Avhat they would, as they had had more trouble with that rebel fam- ily than a little ever since they occupied the ci-ty. I told her to leave Charlie on the boat, and go out on the levee and tell her mistress plainly that she was going to St. Louis to her mother, and not be .so excited. She did so, and Mrs. jVIorehead kept her nearly an hour ti'ying to coax, hire, and frighten her, but without avail. Delphine all this while was trembling with fear. I believe if she had seen an officer coming with her mistress, she would have thrown herself and child into the river. Mrs. JMorchcad at length came upon the wharf-boat. When Delphine saw her coming she snatched up her child, and ran to the rear of the boat, and the mistress after her. Again she came to me with "What shall I do?" I replied, "Sit down here by me and hold your child, and she will not dare touch you." She trembled as if having an ague fit. Soon her mistress stood before us in a rage, and turned to me : "You came into my kitchen Avith an order, and took ner, when she was doing better than you ever dare do." " I never went into your kitchen," I said. "A soldier Avent with her for her trunk. I understood an officer called on you and called for her child, at her request, before she came to me." " It's a lie. Delphine lied about me." Said sister Backus, "I shouldn't think you would want such a person about you, if that is true." "Well, tlie child seems so near to me. I've always had the care of it." ox TiiK noAT. 353 She loft us at Icnirth \vitli a tlnvat that nhc would lirinj^ the officers to take her to jail Ibr stealing. Tlie Kcnnct came iu at 11 o'clock A. ^I., May Gtli, bound for St. Louis, Missouri, and we went alioard. As we pushed out from shore, Dcl})hine clapped her hands. '■ Now I know ^listress Moreliead can trouble me no more; thank God, I've got my Charlie too! Kobody knows what I have gone through since 1 've been iu this city." We arrived iu Vicksburg ^lay 7th, and took breakfast at the Soldiers' Home, where we met Ex-Governor Harvey, a sol- diers' friend. Here was a lady who had charge of the body of her brother, killed uj) Ked River, takiug the re- maius back to Iowa. After spending a little time iu this large city of soldiers, wliose tents whitened the adjoining fields, we left. On the day this city fell into Union hands, report said, there was an old man very confident of the success of the Con- federate government, and he said that God could not let it fail ; if he did, he would never believe there is a God. When the gun-boats came iu, and he was told the city was taken, he would not believe it, until he rose up from his chair and saw marching columns of soldiers, with their bayonets glistening iu the Fourth of July sun. He im- mediately sank back in his chair iu a faint, and soon died. May 8th was a sort of a war Sabl)ath. The night be- fore our boat ran aground, and it took three hours to get her off. ^lany of the passengers dressed, and made ready to escape at the first possible chance, in case she should become wrecked. AVe were told that at one time the water was three feet deep iu her hull. By making great effort the men succeeded in pumping it out. She run slowly, being a very large boat. AVe haem all the wood they needed that was on the ground. They borrowed an ax to chop it. I found the four Avomcn had husked corn on shares until two Avere sick Avith pneumonia; and the corn, boiled Avilhout salt, Avas all they had to eat during the five Aveeks they had ])ccn there. Noav they Avere nearly out, and Avhat to do they knew not, as they Avere forbidden to go into the field to husk more. I made out an order for rations, and measured their bare feet for shoes and stockings. I took one of the Avomen to the post -office, Avhere I had left my trunks, and gave her four army- l)lankets, six pairs Avoolen socks, six pairs of drawers, four pairs of stockings, and two pairs of shoes, Avhich Averc all I had to fit them. As I ])iled the above articles upon the shoulders and arms of the i)oor Avoman she Avept for joy. The postmaster said, " Is this your business here?" CIIlLDliEN OF WANT. 363 Ou receiving an affirmative reply, he said, with tear- ful eye: "To-morrow morning the ground will be frozen, and I will go with you where the most of these poor people are." I procured lodging with a widow Johnson and her sou, who Avas with Captain John Brown's party all through the bt)rder- ruffian troubles. INIy kind friend regretted my having made the mile and a half walk to the log-house in the field and buck to the post-office before supper, as I had not taken refrcblunents since leaving Leavenworth, very early. But when I told her of the distress I found, she rejoiced with nie at the })artial relief I had given tlicin. After a good rest and an early breakfast, I went with the kind postmaster to visit the most wretched tenements of both white and colored, and found eighty-one to report for rations to the commander in Wyandotte. The postmaster and Mr. Johnson agreed to go with their team every week and distribute to the destitute ; and if others were found eife-avork. the Lord may open a way for us where thei'e now scciiis to be uo way." My frieud who served as guide said, " INIy head aclies Avith weepiug, in witnessing these heart-rending scenes. I must decline going with you farther this afternoon. I shall be obliged to take my bed. I do not see how you live, as you meet similar scenes so frequently." These visits made us quite late for dinner, but my kind hostess kept it waiting for me. With interest, she sat by my side to listen to a report of my morning calls. She was surprised to learn of so much suffering near them. After dinner I resumed my work. On my way I met a woman shivering in aai ague chill, thinly clad, and weepiug. J inquired for the cause of her grief. She said she had been hunting for washing or sometliing to do, to purchase l)read for her three little children, for they had had noth- ing to eat for a whole day. I told her I would call ou her before night. I found a number in as great distress as in my morning calls. One man, who lost his wife, leavinsf him with six small children, had found Avork six miles away; but he returned at night to care for his little ones. The oldest child, ten years of age, Avas left during the day in charge of the five younger ones. For the sake of fur- nishing bread for his children, he Avalked the tAveK'e miles back and forth daily. I found the woman Avhom I had met on the street in a high fe\'cr, with an infant of eight monnths in her arms, and two of her children crying for bread. I took tliem a few loaves, and gaA'e her an order for rations. The husband had been pressed into service when they had been but two Aveeks from home, and was not allowed to see his wife and children to say good bye. She had heard noth- ing from him since. In the corner lay a crippled dis- charged colored soldier, wlio was also suffering for food. I stepped into a grocery and purcliased sugar and crackers for the sick and for the children. I\Iy next call Avas on another woman Avith six cliildren. AGNES EVEKETT. 367 Her luisbaiul luul ht-eu in the army a long time, and slic had not heard from him. She I'eared he w;us suffering iu a rebel prison. Ne-ar this cabin was Agues Everett, with five childreu between the ages of fifteen months and twelve years. Her two youngei>t children were in a starving con- dition — the baby, slie said, had been too sick to allow her to do much iu procuring food. Her boy of twelve years ■was her only dependence iu getting little jobs of wood- sawing or doing chores £ov cold victuals, or a pint of meal which she made into pcji-ridge. The little cnuiciated baby ^vas fed with the porridge. Its face waa wriuklcd like au old person's of ninety years. Its eyes were sunken and glassy; its hands looked more like birds' claws thau like human hands. "Don't, Clarkic; poor little Fannie is so sick she must have this," said the mother to the little fel- low who watched the mother when her attention was occu- pied for a chance to snatch a floating lump. As I looked upon these famishing childreu I could not refrain from "weeping. Her husband and grown S(m were iu the army. She had beeu lookiug for money from them for a number of mouths, but had heard nothing from them. I gave them two loaves of bread for their supper, and directed them to meet me at the post-office the next day at ten o'clock A. M. , and I would give her au order for six half rations imtil she received help from her husl)and. This closed my day's work. On my return to the Garno House, !Mr.s. Ilalford informed me that the lady who went vith me iu the morning was sick, for she had hardly ceased weeping over those 2)itiful families we visited iu the morning. At the time a})poiuted I met a number at the post- office, among whom was Agues Everett, to receive orders for half, quarter, or whole rations, and gave out a few articles of clothing. As I gave Agnes the order fir rations I charged her strictly to give the two younger children no strong food for a few days, but only a little at a time and 368 A woman's I,IFE-W0RK', often, especially the youngest, as it \voul(l live but a few hours if slie allowed it to eat all it eraved. A number of geutlemen listened to my charge, and as the little group left the office one of them inquired \vhere I Avas from, Witli my rei)ly I gave them my papers from the governor and members of Congress of Michigan. After reading they introduced themselves, — Dr. AVood, Dr. Speck, Lawyer James, and others. Dr. Speck informed me of a family whose youngest child actually starved to death three days before. He was called when it was dying, but too late to save it. He said, " There were two other families who would have died soon if the citizens had not rendered the aid needed; and there would have been another death by star- vation before we should have known it, here in our midst, but it took you to come from ISIichigan to find it out.'' LaAvyer James said there was a family on the hill opposite the ferry he would like to sec visited, but there were so many crowding in here of late that it seemed as if they had done all they possibly could. They Avere rejoiced to learn of the liberty granted by General Curtis to issue orders for rations. Said Dr. Wood, "The frcedmen are seeking for work, no matter what kind, but the white refugees are the most do-nothing set I ever saw." While I acknowledged his jiosition true in most cases, yet there were noble exceptions, and I mentioned the Bethel family and stated their condition. One gentleman said h.e would look after that family. In confirmation of his remarks I told of a family of poor •whites in Quindaro who wore asked to assist a neighbor in sickness. As there were the mother and two grown daughters, it was supposed one of them could be secured a few days with the promise of i)rovision3 or money; but the mother contemptuously tossed her head to one side and drawled out the reply, "I reckon we hain't come dshooter, that the captain car- ried through the border-ruffian conflict in Kansas, and during his movement at Har])er's Ferry. After a few days' reflection I readied the coiu-hi-sion to go. General Curtis gave me a pass to Detroit and return. 374 A woman's life-work. The John Browu guu created much interest Besides this rehc, the fifty pounds of slave-irons, which we picked up on deserted phmtations in the far South, Avere exhibited in this fair. A petition from Lenawee County was sent to the committee having charge of the fair, to place the avails of our county, one thousand dollars, in my hands for distribution. This money relieved much suffering, and uo doubt saved many lives. During my visit home I sold Raisin Institute and ten acres of land, with an excellent orchard, to the State Frcedmen's Aid Commission for an orphans' home. I do- nated three hundred dollars of the purchase money to this enterprise, stipulating that the jiremises were to be used for no other purpose. In my absence the friends gave the asylum the name of " Havilaud Home for Homeless and Destitute Children." This home I intended as a nu- cleus for a State Orphan Asylum, as the war had increased the necessity for such an institution. After two weeks' absence I returned Avith supplies. Spring was lessening the suffering, yet sickness from long ex- posures still prevailed. ]Miss Fidelia Phillips, a teacher, came with a letter from the Michigan Frcedmen's Aid Commission, for us to locate and secure board, which duty fell upon me. I hired a conveyance and took her to Oska- loosa, Jefferson County, and found board for her in the kind family of Dr. J. Nelson, who proposed to assist the colored people in securing a house for the school at once. I found here a poor sick woman with her five children, who was ordered out of her cabin, as she could no longer pay the rent. Dr. Nelson promised to see that she was not disturbed until she was able to be moved, when he would take the family to Leavenworth to go with me to our Home for Homeless Children in Michigan. Her hus- band was in the army, and she had not heard from lum since he enlisted. On my return to Leavenworth I re- ceived an order from our Frcedmen's Aid Commission, to THE ItKFUGEK mJILDIN(;S. 375 scud twenty-five children with five niotiiers to assist in car- ing for them. 1 accompanied tliein as far as Quincy, Illi- nois, with i\Irs. Lee and a teacher who had been in the work a few months. They pursued their journey, and I Avent back On A]n-il 15th the sad news reached us of the assas- sination of President Lincoln! A nation in mourning! Every house of any note or size was draped Avith black. We were now preparing to close the two refugee build- ings before leaving for Michigan. I offered the women the best dresses for finding their own places for Avork, and by this means many found places, if only to work for their board till they could do better. A good old Avomau avc called Aunt Phoibe came to us Avith her four grandchil- dren, and begged to go to IMichigan Avith me. She said the father of the children ran aAvay to enlist in the army, and his master followed him. After an absence of three days, he returned with the report that he had got sight at liim, anil ordereil him to come to him, but he refused, and he shot him dead. At this report his Avife (the daughter of Aunt Phoebe), gave a scream and fainted. Both mas- ter and mistress Avere very severe, and Avhipped her severely for making so rnuch. fuss, as they called her grief. She sank under their scA'crity, and died, leaving her infant, a Aveek old, Avith her mother. Within a fcAV days the oldest boy Avas taken Avith small-pox, but as he Avas not very near the other sick children. Dr. Carpenter thought the others would escape. I nulled him in a couple of (piilts and sent him to the j>est-liouse. Aunt Phoebe Avept bitterly, as she said she should prol)ably never sec Jerry again, and he Avas such a good boy to help her take care of the other children. A few days later she Avas taken Avith a Ioav type of lung fcA'cr. I had one of the colored Avomcii in tlie })lace nui-se her. The Avhite refugee Avomen took but little notice of my offer of best dresses, in finding homes for themselves. I 376 A avoman's i.ife-woek. found these women of tlie lo^Yest class of humanity. I called on General Curtis, and told him I had expended my fund of lecturing material upon these white women in the refugee building, and now I had come to re])ort to him as I had of late threatened them, that, while I was willing to do to the extent of my ability in relieving and improv- ing the most degraded, I could not consent to keep under my charge a house of ill-fame. " I will give you a good honest guard day and night over that building," said the noble general. This did more than all things else to scat- ter them. They swore they would not be tyrannized over by that Yankee woman any longer, and left, very much to my relief. "Within four weeks our little small-pox boy was returned, but not as safe as the surgeon reported. I took him into the Avash-room and gave bim a thorough cleansing, before taking him to see his grandmother, who we2)t fir joy. I spent a few days in revisiting Quindaro, Lawrence, Wyandotte, and Kansas City. I found seven homeless ciiildren, and a mother of three of them who wished to go with me to ^Michigan. During the day and night I was ia Kansas City I was t;ikc'u witli a severe attack of pneumonia. I called on an army siii':;con for mustard, of Avhich I placed a plaster over the seat of the pain, that had l)ecome so severe as to cut every breath. I could )ieithcr lie down nor sit still, but Avalked the room. Placing the chil- dren in charge of the mother, I telegraphed my sergeant to meet me at the boat with a hack. I took tlie boat for Ijcavenworth, where the carriage met me, and I was taken to our home, with a high fever, but the pain not (piitc so severe, as the mustard Avas serving its purpose. Dr. Car- l)enter said I could not go to ^Michigan under a month. Although my side remained very sore, yet I managed to sell the furniture. I took a hack to General Cnrtis's office, and managed to secure transportation for seventy-five, my- self and i\[rs, Lee included. There were three sick chil- ORPHAN CIIJLDREN. 377 drcii, and I very nuicli doul)tc(l the propriety of removing them. Dr. Carpenter said they would be more likely to live thau if taken to the hospital, as I [)roposed. We left the city May 28th, with a cloud resting over the nation. My health was still ])oor, and we had three sick childreu, whose mother was with them; three other children began to complain of chills and fever soon after leaving. These cases soon developed in measles, but my haste to reach home urged me to proceed against my better judgment. While it looked like presumption in others, I felt safe, as prayer for guidance was my daily bread. AYhile waiting at St. Joseph, Missouri, for the train, I ob- tained rations for the company. Susan B. Anthony had jM'ovided a lunch-basket, well filled, for Mrs. Lee and my- self, to serve for the cut ire journey. While we were handing around rations, various i-emarks were made as to what I was going to do with all this com- pany. Said one, "I reckon she's got a big plantation to stock with a picked set of young niggers, she 's going to train to her own liking." Said another, " I am going to ask where she is going with them." At length one ven- tured, "Will you please excuse me, madam, if I ask you where you are taking all this company?" "Certainly," was my answer; "I am glad to inform you. I am taking these orphan children, Avho have been 2)i('kcd up on the streets, and out of freedmen's homes, to an orphan school in ^lichigan. By order of the State Freedmen's Aid Commission, they will be sent to school until good homes can be secured for them, where they will ])C taught habits of industry, as well as to improve their intellects. AVe of the North think they can learn, if an opportunity is provided. "- At this he was much pleased, and, as it was communi- cated to other bystanders, a number came to congratulate me in my good work. One, who had a large number of slaves, said he wished they were with mc, "as it wimld be 378 A "WO.MAn's LIFK-WOIIK. a riglit smjirt of a "while before it '11 be settled here to have schools for 'em." All stood ready to put the sick ones on the train. Mrs. Lee took care of the sick during the night, and I had them in charge during the day. After our arrival at Quiucy, Illinois, and our transpor- tation papers were filled out for Chicago, "with a little diffi- culty I secured the largest coach for the seventy-five pas- sengers. By 9 P. M. all "were in their beds. A few men were disjxjsed to trouble us, because we did not allow them to enter. I called for the night policeman, and told him of four drunken men Avho "were disposed to give us trouble, and as the train was not going out nntil eleven o'clock I appealed to him for aid. He assured me we should not receive further annoyance from them. We arrived in Chicago thirty minutes before the ^Michigan train left for Adrian. I bought tickets for four omnibus loads, but the drivers were determined to crowd them all into two. As they were putting little folks from four to eight years old on the tops I ordered them down. "We are capable of taking care of these children, madam," said they; "you take that one." "So am I capable of taking care of them," I replied, "and of you too; I paid for four omnibuses and must have them." They had their own sport over their counter- manded orders. We arrived at Adrian June 1st, and met the superin- tendent of the " Haviland Home" Avith teams for the women and children. Plere my heavy burden fell off, and I dropped into the home of my children to get the rest which I so much needed. A few week's rest restored my health. Meanwhile I visited our State Prison, and one of the convicts, Thomas Lean, requested an interview Avith me, Avliich Avas granted by the officer. Pie appealed to me to aid him in securing his pardon, as he had served seven years of his term of PETITION- FOR PARDON'. 379 fifteen. He pleaded as earnestly in behalf of his wife and two little children as for himself. I told him I would do ■what I could, but as efforts had been made twice before, I thought success quite doubtful. I drafted a petition, and secured a letter of rccommeudatiou from Governor Blair, and a strong letter from Judge Ross Wilkins, who gave the sentence, and from the j)rosecuting attorney who acted in behalf of the United States iu his case, and also secured fifty other names to the petition. AVitli six hundred dol- lars placed iu my hands by jSIrs. Campbell and iMrs. Pap- pineau, committee who had charge of the funds of tlic Frccdmeu's Fair, 1 left for Washington, D. C, August 3d. At Pittsburg I spent one night, and on the following day visited the State Prison at Allegheny City. The next morning I took the early train for Baltimore, and from theucc to Anuapolis, to learn the result of Eliza- beth L. Comstock's petition in behalf of fifteen convicts ia the jMaryland Penitentiary for aiding slaves to escape from bondage. I found ten of those men had been pardoned, but as four of them had used weapons in defending them- selves, and one had taken a span of horses which the friends engaged in their behalf deemed theft, they were retained in prison. I found another on the governor's record fiir the same offense. I took the names of the six on my list, as the governor thought they were as wortliy of release as the others, since the weapons Avcre designed for self-defense, and the horses were only used to take them to the river, and were left to return to their owners. I saAV the names of the friends who co-operated with E. L. Comstock on the petition, and called on James Bains, who introduced me to Judge Bond. The judge said he thought 1 was correct iu my views as to the worthiness of the six men presented for his recommendation to the governor for clemency, and that he woidd attend to it soon. Said the Friend: "If thou fecl'st easy to i)i'titiou Cov their pardon T think thou hadst better reuuiin with us until it is accom- 380 A AVOMAX'S LIFE-AVOliK. plished, as tliey have such au ainouut of business ou hand at this time." The judge seemed to thiuk himself distrusted, and said: "Mrs. Havilaud, I Avill atteud to this "within a week." AVith this assurance I tokl tlie judge and the Friend that I shouki feel easy to pursue my journey the first of the week. From this office I Avas accompanied to the penitentiary and introduced to the Avarden, Avho sent a guide to conduct me through the shops and granted me the privilege of addressing the sixty-eight female convicts. A large major- ity of them Avere colored, placed there by their former owners for trivial offenses, the real cause being that of leaving them, bu"t ostensibly for stealing a dress, a jiair of shoes, or a dollar or two, etc. One smart-looking octoroon girl of eighteen years Avas about to be Avhipped by her mistress, but she had heard of the proclamation of eman- cipation and concluded that she had been Avhipped long enough, and snatched the cowhide from the mistress and whipped her. For this she was arrested, had a sham trial, and a sentence of nine years' imj^risoninent in the peniten- tiary. One man told me that the mistress reported that the girl half killed her, but he saAV her riding out Avithin four days after the Avhippiug, and she looked as well as usual. I visited a very sick Avhite Avoman in her cell, to Avhom I read a portion of Scripture, and at her request led in prayer. She said she Avas going to meet her Judge, in Avhom she trusted. Jesus hears the cry of a repentant sinner, and she Avas confident. The following day Avas the Sabbath, and I accompanied my friend to the penitentiary, Avhere he opened the Sab- bath-school and invited me to teach a class of thirty men. Thei'e Avere nearly five hundi-ed inmates in pi-isou. As Ave were leaving the yard a request frojn the Avarden reached me to conduct the funei-al service of the Avoinan I liad visited. She died within a few hours after T left. Three PRISONER PARDONED. 381 o'clock P, M. was the hour appoiuted. I met them in tlu'ir chapel, that was well filled, some ladies of the city being prcseut. Many of the convicts were mucli aflected. They also manifested great interest at the meeting on the previous day. On the following day I arrived at Washington. I found the White House perfectly besieged witli i)ardon- seekers from ex-slave States. I called on a number of the officials, who said that the severity of Thomas Lean's sen- tence made the case look dark. I told them of one who had robbed the mail of five thousand dollars and was par- doned in three years, whose term was ten years. But he had wealthy and influential friends to intercede for him, while this man robbed the mail of forty-two dollars and had served over seven years of the fifteen, and was poor. Besides, his wife was in poor health, and was supporting herself and two small children. I was advised to take the letters, with petition, to Postmaster-general Dcnnison, from whom I secured a recommendation for his pardon. From tlience I went to tlie ca})itol and secured the names of Hon. F. C. Bcaman, ^lembcr of Congress, Senator Z. Chandler, and all other Michigan members of both Houses to my petition; and through Mr. Wade, the President's house-keeper, I secured an audience Avitli the President, who took my letters with the jietition and said he would refer them to the Attorney-general, and do what seemed best in the ca.se. I then left him with his room crowded with Southern pardon-scckers. While in the Postmaster-general's office the chief clerk said, "Come into this office at nine A. I\I., next Wednes- day, as I think tliat will be liis pardoning day, and you will learn the result." I waited until eleven A. M., fearing for the worst. As I opened the office-floor the clerk tluew up both hands, crying, "Your man is pardoned! your man is pardonedj Come and see tlic notice in this nioniing's paper." A licarty handshaking foUawcd thi- good urws. 382 A woman's life-work. I told him I did not know that he had taken such an inter- est in my cause. He replied, "I have had an interest in this case from the first time you came into this office." A few days after I received a note from the pardoned man conveying his tearful thanks. Here was another burden laid aside, for which grateful thanks were tendered to the Healer of broken hearts. I received a permit from Secretary Stanton to trade at the government store, where new goods were being sold at auction rates. For five hundred dollars 1 purchased two thousand dollars' worth of supplies to disburse among the sick, crippled, and aged, both colored and white. There Avere many in Washington and Georgetown relieved from great suffering. I learned of much suffering at Harper's Ferry, and took four hundred dollars' worth to that point. On my way I called at the Baltimore penitentiary. As I entered the warden's office he informed me that our men had been released ten days before, except one, who w'as going out within a week. Another burden left me. These men were making ofForts to free their families by flight, and were caught and received long sentences, according to the number in their families. Three men of the six had bought themselves, and in their eff(jrts to free their fiimi- lies received from ten to thirty years' sentence, although two of these fiimilies were recovered by their owners. They all looked like intelligent men. I took an early train for Harper's Ferry. In the seat opposite sat a Pres- byterian D. D., with his body-servant, who was very at- tentive in bringing him his coffee, books, or roll of manu- script. "How far are you going on this road, madam?" inquired our dignitary. On informing him he inquired, " Have you friends there?" "I have," I said, "but I never saw them. They are the poorest of the poor, the sick, lame, and blind, of all classes, black, white, red, or yellow. I draw no lines of dcmarkation." A sorTHF.RN ci^r.iunMAN. 383 " Woll, niiidani, that is a noble work, aud God will l)los.'i you in it. I am now on my way to Vicksbui'g. I ]trcaclK'd in that city a numlicr of years. I own a planta- tion near that city, and had forty slaves. A little before Vicksburg fell I moved with them to Richmond, Virginia, ami when that city fell 1 set tliem free, and they are now as free as myself. Madam, I will tell you what your duly is. It is to go to New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, and gather up fifty thousand dollars, and follow Sherman's track througli to the Gulf. You will find plenty of suf- fering to relieve among both white and black ; aud you can do it. Those cities I have named are wealthy. I have been there myself. I spent a few months iu New York, and I know you can gather up that amount easy, and it's your duty, madam ; and God will bless you iu it." The consequential air he assumed would give one an impression that he, at least, considered himself inspired with power from on high. He did not feel quite satisfied Avithout repeating his command on our arrival at Harper's Ferry: " Do as I have told you, madam, and God will bless you ; good by." I found my goods had just arrived, and the commander of the post kindly ofll'red to store the bales of supplies aud furnish an ambulance and driver whenever I desired. My first inquiry A\as for a boarding j)lace, as the house where the colonel was boarding was full. ISIrs. Johnson was aliout 0})ening a boarding-house, aud I called on her for a few days' board. "AVhere are you from?" "From AVa.shiiigton," was my reply, "Avith supplies for the poor freedmeu and whites who are in a suffering con- dition." "Oh, you are a Bureau womau then. We don't have uothin' to do with Bureau folks. I cau 't board vou." After being directed to two others, who made Hke in- quiries, and received like replies, I found I was going to have 384 A woman's life-work. au all-day job ou hand in feeliug the public pulse at Har- per's Ferry. After making eight calls, chatting a while at each place pleasantly, for I would talk in no other way, although I was told in nearly every place that no one in that town would disgrace himself by walking on the streets with a nigger teacher, or speaking to one, on my way to report my unsuccessful day's work to the colonel, it beiug after sunset, I found an army surgeon sitting on his front porch. " Have you found no place for dinner?" he asked. "O no," I said, "I have been aniusiug myself over Confederate fever that I find runs too high for health in your town," "My mother-in-law is away," he answered, "but my Avife and I will give you our room to-night, and we will see that you have supper at once." At Mrs. Bilson's (the mother-in-law) I remained during the week. At the close of the week I attended a quarterly-meet- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. "When the min- ister invited all who loved the Lord Jesus to testify, I, with others, accepted and took part. At the close he came and inquired who I was. I introduced myself as usual. After readiug my papers from the Governor, Members of Congress, and a few ministers of Michigan, I received a number of invitations to their houses, Avhich gave me an opportunity to relate my first day's experience in their town. They made a number of excuses. Among them was the fact that Miss Mann (Horace IMann's sister), kept herself exclusively with the colored people. She not only taught their school, but boarded with them, and made no calls on white people. They acknowledged that those upon whom I had called were not in sympathy with the Union. Here, as in other places, W'cre those in extreme sufTcr- iuir, both white and colored. Om> blind man, and an old MISSION SCHOOL. 385 wliitc man aud his wife, ^vcre too sick to take care of each other. One sick woman, whose husband was in the army, had no fire, only as the httle girl of three years old gatli- ered old boots and shoes around an old camp with which to build it. All of these cases were relieved. One day it rained too hard to be out. A little girl brought an umbrella with a request from her folks for me to call on them. I w'ent aud met about a dozen men and women, w"ho wished to consult with me. The troops were lial)le to be withdrawn. If so, their lives would not be safe an hour. A few nights before a mob broke tlieir windows and rushed into their grocery and took sacks of flour and meal, pies, cakes, and crackers, aud strewed them over the street, in front of their grocery, and broke uj) their chairs and tables, and swore that no nigger should have a business place on Main Street. They threw stones and brick])ats into their living rooms, and tlic men, women, aud children ran to the soldiers for protection, with bleed- ing bruises that were bound up at the time of my call. A sad picture they presented with their broken furniture and injured bodies. "What use is there in gathering more? Can you tell us Avhat to do? You see our lives are in danger as it is. If the troops shall be withdrawn, what shall we do?" There was a Free-will Baptist just arrived, who pro- posed opening a mission school in that town, and had just sent word that he wanted to meet them at their jirayer- meeting. Of this I, as well as they, was glad to hear. I met with them, and was jileased with the Christian spirit of this l)rother, and the prosi)ect of his school among them seemed like a silver lining in their dark cloud. We learned of his success in opening and continuing that school, which a few years after assumed the character of an academy. The following day I took the train for Washington, and was accompanied to the deix)t by a number of the citizens, Avlu) manifested very kindly feelings. I was told by some o86 A woman's i.ifk-avork. to be sure to call on them if I ever visited their town again, and they would see that a week's or a mouth's board should cost me nothing. One man and his wife pointed to their brick house, to which I could come, and be more than welcome. I left them, and soon met kindred spirits in AVashington. COLOllED SCllOOJ.S. 387 Chapter XIV. HOME MISSION WORK. TiiERK were many sick, crippled, aged, and l)rnid suf- ferers in Washington to visit and relieve, but the severest trial I endured was encountering the virus of disloyalty wlierever I went. "Women were more outspoken than men, bccau.-^c they could dare Isc. IMen were more subtle and appeared more pliant, only to hoodwink government. They said in secret, "We'll yet gain by the ballot, with the help of Northern symjiathizcrs, what we failed to ac- comj^lish with the bullet." By order of President Johnson tlie colored soldiers were every Avhcre discharged and witlidrawu from forts and garrisons, at the request of their f )rm(T masters, only to be left to their unrelenting hate. One colored man returned to the plantation of his wife's master, and asked him if he could take his wife and chil- dren to himself, as he had means, after two years of serv- ice to support them. The only answer he received was the ctmteuts of a pistol, that took his life instantly! I licard of similar murders in this vicinity, of wliich no notice was taken by tlie State authorities. I visited a number of large schools in Alexandria, Sep- tember 14th, and was invited to address tliem. Two of tlicse were kept in two of the largest slave-pens in the city. Alexandria was one of the greatest slave marts in Virginia. In tlie Avery slave-peu there was a dungeon-like room, designed for one standing, with iron stajiles to wliich the wrists wore locked, and a sort of stocks for tlie feet, wlien a stream of cold water was pumped over the nude form of tlie refractory slave, from ton minutes to an liotir or more, according to the ofreusc. They told me tht'y had 388 A woman's ijfe-work. known them taken down chilled to death. It was said to be one of the most cruel punishments. They showed me the stump of the whipping post, where hundreds of writh- ing victims had suffered this kind of torture. But it did seem as if the better day was coming, to see a hundred and fifty-three black children here so eager to learn, and to hear them read so well after only four mouths' schooling. I met a woman on the street in deep mourning who was weeping. I inquired the cause of her grief She said: "I have been to visit the grave of my only son. His father died a few months ago, and this darling son was my only child. He died in the Union army ; but what does all this terrible sacrifice amount to ? President John- son is giving strength to the rebels. Every rebel general has been pardoned, and the vast amount of land restored to them is increasing their power. You see, wherever troops are withdrawn they commit murders, and no notice is taken of it. I feel as though my son's life and thou- sands of other precious lives have been sacrificed for noth- ing." I could say but little to comfort that poor, broken- hearted, widowed, childless mother. I could only commend her to our Heavenly Father, who alone can console the widow's aching heart. On September 15th I took a steamer for Eichmond, Virginia, and arrived on the 16th at Fredericksburg. Here were standing many cliimneys, showing us the Avaste places and burned houses in this small but quaint old city. I called at the teachers' boarding-house, kept by a good Union family, Wm. J. Jeffries. JNIrs. King accompanied 3ne to the soldiers' hospital. Here, as elsewhere, the poor suffering soldier seemed rejoiced to see and hear the repre- sentative of their mothers. After reading the Scripture and prayer I left a number in tears. Here Avas the home of General Washington's mother. I visited the house, and a feeling of solemnity came over me as we passed through her sitting room into the large SCHOOL FOR WHITE CHILDREN. 389 bod-room, where report said she died. Near by is her tomb. The pedestal only stauds erect, but badly marred by the chisel in chipping off pieces, by hundreds of visitors. Our teachers inquired if I would not like a cliip from the tomb. I told them that no chisel or hammer should be applied for me ; but I picked up a little piece at its base. We had gone but few rods before a carriage drove to the tomb, and the chisel and hammer were flaking off kee]> sakes for four men. The long block of marble designed to have been placed on the pedestal lay near it liaif buried in the ground where it had lain nearly or quite a century. After iusix5cting the rebel earth-works and rifle-pits, I visited i\Iiss Strausburg's school of 181 poor white chil- dren, quite unlike any colored school I had visited any Avhere, as to order. They commenced to sneer at me the moment I entered, but their teacher invited me to speak to tlie school, and they became at once quiet and respectful. Little James Stone asked permission to sing for me, and he sang a religious hynui in wliich nearly all the school joined. To my surprise tliey sang the "Red, "White and Blue" and "The Soldier's Farewell to his Mother," for which I thanked them. In passing along the street after the school was dismissed, many of the children came out with their mothers, pointing toward me. At two places I halted to speak to them and their mothers, wliich pleased them very much. The next day I visited a few Union families, who gave some interesting facts concerning their trials. I left two dollars with one sick woman, who wept as I left her. I called at Major Johnson's hcadq-uarters. He was very anxious to send on an orphan baby one year old to Camp Lee orphanage, in Richmond. He gave me a pajwr that would secure its admission. On arriving at Richmonu won't leave me after our arrival in Kichmond until 1 am with my flither, will youV" MONRV DIOIANDKI). 395 AVilli jin assurnuco that I would icnmiii nl licr side until her father took Lior iiiidcr liis i)r(»tection, she IcCt her babe with her mother aud we departed for Richmond. We met her lather, with whom I lelt she would be safe. I fiud these extremes of love and hate more prevalent in the South thau iu the North. Ou the IcSth of October, after visiting fifteen suflferiug families, J called at the office for an ambulance and driver to go to Libby Prison for supplies. These were obtained aud distributed, and such gratitude from the recipients I never found elsewhere. Some vi' them wept aloud. A number of the wcmeu kissed my bards as I left them, aud the hearty "Gcd bless you, honey," was an every-day blessing from these poor crushed spirits. One of our officers came to me with the urgent request of two women, livhig in a large I rick he use, to see me. I obeyed the summons at once. As I rang the door-bell, a genteelly dressed lady iu black satin met me at the door. I incjuired if there were two la. lies here who had sent for me? She replied in the affirmative. By this time the other la'dy appeared iu the hall, also dressed in rich silk. "What are ycur greatest needs,"! asked, "that will come within my pcwer to siip| ly?" "We want money, madam," they said, "and must have it." "Are any of your family sick?" "No, madam, but money we must have." "Will rations answer your purpose?" "No, madam, we want no such thing; we want money, and must have it." I told them I iiad no money to disbur.se, and only sup- plied f bed and clothing t) tho.se who were suffering from greatest destitution, and left them without lieing invited inside their house. I saw at once they wore most accus- tomed to the imperative mood. 'ihe captain came to me a few days after and inquired oOG A woman's life-avork, if I fiuiud it in the way of my duty to relieve the wants of tliose two ladles? I told hira I asked them a few ques- tions aud did not think it worth the money demanded. He said they had sent for him, aud a number of other officers, making the same demand, and as they had not succeeded they sent for me, aud he was not disappointed at the result. As I was passing their news depc t, I saw blazoned in red letters, " No New Nation sold here." I stepped in and inquired for their best paper. The Examiner was banded me, edited by Pollard, the whilom son-in-law of Judge James, one of the most rabid Confederate sheets in Rich- mond. I inquired where the Neiu Nation was sold. They said nowhere, unless a few "niggers" might be found sell- ing it on the street. One cf them poured forth a loug catalogue of epithets: "Arrant liar," "reckless villain," and finally a "crazy scamp." As I was passing the street one day, and saw " New Nation," I thought I would call on the "insane editor," Mr. Huuuicutt. I ascended to the third story, where I found the busy editor and his son. They w^ere surprised to see a lady of sufficient moral courage to call on them. The editor exhibited a pile of anonymous letters, threaten- ing his life. He was an outspoken T^niou man, and had received over oue hundred of these nameless letters withiu three months. He was a native of Virginia, and said : "The Union of the States is a fixed fact, and I will advocate it squarely, though it cost me my life, but Union principles must and will prevail." 1 left a dollar for a subscription to the Neiv Nation for six months. As I was about to leave, said he, with tear- ful eye : "A select few in this city meet once a week fin* a prayer-meeting, but I can not attend it in the evening, as it is unsafe for me to be out after dark." I told him I had received a secret invitation, aud had CAMP I.EE URI'ITAVAGE. ->07 attended each meeting siuec my first knowledge of this praying baud. I told him it Avas one of the most solemn meetings I had ever attended. As in the days of the apos- tles, we met in an upper room at the hour of prayer, where I had heard the editor of the Xew Kation remem- bered. "I know," he said, "that I have friends in this city, and seme I know are secretly friends for fear of this bitter spirit that reigns to a fearful extent. Do n't forgot to i)ray for me and my family. I dare not bring my wife aiul daughter to this city." i\Iy wcrk kept me here many days. November 2r)th I spent mostly at the sauitary rooms in Libby Prison, with i\Iiss Morris, a French lady, who served as a spy for the Union generals. Report had it that she was writing a book of her exploits. A sddier told me he saw her a pris- oner in Southern hands beftre the fall of New Orleans. But she managed to make her escape from that city, and in disguise revisited it, and reported to our generals. She could six?ak French and German better than our own lan- guage. She often disguised herself most eflcctually. Her French politeness would have been quite annoying to me had it not been for the ftiithful assistance she rendered in seeking out the sick and dying, not hesitating to enter filthy alleys, dark, cold cellars, or with me to climb rickety flights of stairs into dark attics. I have found in almost every place one or more Christian women who kindly ottered to assist me, but few would dare visit tnose filtliy places, fearing contagious diseases. Having had the small-pox, and all other common contagious diseases, Avith my very plain habits of living, I dared to visit the sick and dying in any of these loathsome places, many of which I found in Richmond. The next day, being Sunday, was spent as usual in attending Sabbath-schools. I spoke in two of them, and in one meeting. At night I was at Camp Lee Orphanage 398 A avoman's J.I fe- work. with Annie Gibl)ons, the matron, who had an interesting group of little folks. As they gathered around the ta])le, at the tap of the bell, with clasped hands and closed eyes, they repeated the verse: " Lord, teach a little child to pray, Thy grace to me impart," etc. I met a colored man from Raleigh, North Carolina, Avho gave a few items of Andrew Johnson's early history, in regard to his ajoprenticeshij) in tailoring. If there was a dance Avithin reach, black or white, it was all the same to "Andy," — he was sure to be there. His boss, !Mr. Selby, lectured him about his late hours, and to evade these lec- tures he often ''turned in" with Handy Luckett, a steady old slave man, Avhose bed Avas in the loft of J. O. Kork's carriage house. At a shoe-shop, I met John Blevins, a noble appearing John BroAvn sort of man. whose sentence Avas forty years in the Virginia Penitentiary in Richmond. His crime Avas, aiding sla\'^es to their God-given rights. He had served sixteen years when Richmond was taken. The Union sol- diers opened the prison door, and John Blevins, with four hundred other jirisoners, Avalked out free men. His in- telligence speaks of better days. He is sixty years of age, and hard treatment had added ten years to his ap- pearance. During the first few years of his prison life he could tell Avhen a master had lost his slaA'CS, as they Avould then place him in the dungeon, Avhere he was kept for weeks at a time, to compel him to give the names of other abolitionists, but they never succeeded. He Avas at this time teaching a colored school. Out of school-hours, he worked in the shoe-shop, and was trying to make enough to purchase for himself a suit of clothes, Avher. he designed returning to his home in Philadelphia. He had just heard from a family that he assisted to tlicir lil)erty, sonic c.f wlmm had become quite Avcalthy, and Avere trying to hud liim. MARCIA COLTOX. o99 He luul writteu to tliem and was expecting to receive assistauce. Whenever he went out on the streets he wa.s annoyed by half-grown boys hooting after him, "Old John Brown, nigger thief." At tlie time he was arrested, they took all of his money, amounting to five hundred and fifty- seven dollars. I visited a Baptist Sabbath-school where three thousand members were enrolled. Over one thousand five hundred were present. They were addressed by Professor Johnson, who introduced and invited nie to address tlic scliool. They very cautiously discussed the coming holidays, as they iiad never held one there on their own account. They decided to observe Thanksgiving, Christmas, and celebrate the Proclamation of Freedom on New Year's day. Their minister advised his people to be very careful in word and deed, so as not to give the least occasion for misconstruing their motives. Some of the white people said it ought not to be allowed. They feared an " uprising," but our soldiers said they should have the privilege. I visited Howard Grove Hospital, under the charge of IMiss INIarcia Colton, matron. She was a missionary among the Choctaw Indians nine years, and was a noble, self- sacrificing woman. The surgeon of the hospital was D. .R. Browery. I found a little boy of about eight years, whose mother he said was " done dead." He knew nothing of his father. I took him to Camp Lee Orplianage. Here and there I find kindred spirits, but none more devoted to the cause of Christ than sister jNIarcia Colton. She gave herself entirely to the advancement of his cause during nine years of labor among the poor, despised Indians. During the terrible conflicts of the war she unreservedly gave herself to the suffering and dying soldier, and she said that when no longer called for in that field her life was just as cheerfully given to uplifting the lowly among the freed slaves of the South. On visiting the State Penitentiary, tlie keeper liesitatcd 400 A woman's life-work. about allowiug me admittance. Said lie: "I am afraid you '11 give a bad report of us, as did ^liss Dix, who gave us a bad uame, aud I thought of her as you entered my office. You look like her, and I am afraid of you. You know we dou't have our prisons like yours of the North, like grand palaces, with flower-yards; and I reckon I had better not let you in." I told him I perceived ihef were rebuilding the part burned awhile ago, and would make due allowance for bad house-keeping. "Well, if you'll do that, I reckon I'll have to risk you, for you '11 see we are whitewashing the old cells and other parts of the prison, and then you must make allowance for its age. It was built in 1800, and is the first peniten- tiary in the world, and you Northerners have had all these sixty -five years to improve in, aud then your gardens about your prisons are all so grand that I am a little afraid of your report. But, steward, you may take her through, and we'll see Avhat she'll do for us." I discovered a contrast, it is true. But, as in other places in the South, they seem a century l)ehiud the times. I found here, as in our State prisons, a majority of the convicts were left orphans in childhood. The number of inmates was at that time two hundred and twenty-four. I called on the general in command to inquire for Oliver Williams, whose wife requested me to see if I could find him. She was in Washington, D. C, and had not heard from him for a long while. I found he had been sentenced to lliree months' imj^risonment to hard labor, with ball and chain, but the time had now ex2)ircd. The general referred me to Fortress Monroe, as the military prisoners had been removed to that prison. He advised me to call on Gover- nor Pierpont, who gave the same reference, and gave me some interesting items concerning this State. He said that, but for slavery, Virginia would have been one of ilie richest States in the Union in mines. Colored men were then making a dollar a day ia gathering gold dust without NEW YEAU CELEB RATION'. 401 the facilities of euterprisiug meu \vitli capital. There were also silver, copper, uickel, aud a fine quality of kaolin or l)orcolaiu clay. He exhibited a specimen of each metal, and two bowls made of the native kaolin, a very fine material. To show the absorbing interest in slave-dealing he gave the figures of income, as shown during the discus- sions in their State Convention in 1861. The Metropolitan Press reported that "the income from slaves for the last twenty years amounted to twenty millions of dollars annu- ally, and from all other products eight million dollars annually." This Governor Pierpont believed to be a true estimate. I called at Sarah E. Smiley's Teachers' Home. Here I found Rachel Snell, daughter of Richard Snell, of Lock- port, New York, my old childhood home. With this group of kindred spirits I spent a refreshing season during a hard rain. New Year's Day, 18GG, was long dreaded by a large majority of the white citizens of Richmond. Great excite- ment prevailed over its celebration by the colored people. Soldiers were seen in every direction. A few companies of colored men went on the common to organize for the day's procession. The citizens were excited over that, and said they were preparing for "insurrection." They had per- mission from the governor to form in front of the State House. In the park were rustic seats of ancient style, chipped off and notched here and there, yet a colored per- son had never been allowed inside unless as the body servant of his master. But now their banners of various devices were floating, interspersed with United States flags. Each society had its motto, such as, "Peace, Liberty, and Freedom with all ^Mankind;" "Union, Liberty's Protecting Society;" "Peace, Good Will to all Mankind;" "Li Union there is Strength;" "In God Ave Trust." On a blue satin banner were initials of a Benevolent Protective Association. The religious exercises were opened in the morning by 34 402 A woman's LIFB-wnUK. reading the eighth chapter of Deuteroiioniy and singing an appropriate hymu, The text of the minister's disconrse was a part of the second verse, "And thou shall renieiuljer all the way which the Lord thy God led thee forty years iu the wilderness." The minister could read qu'te well, though his life had been spent iu slavery. He jti-eseutel the past and present prospects of his people in a clear and affecting manner, and the necessity of remembering the past, to 1)0 fully prepared to praise God fjr the precious bojn of freedom he had bestowed upon their race. There were four very large congregations opened this morning in a similar manner, and songs of praise were heard from the marching multitudes wending their way to the State House Park. There was shooting from a hotel window. Two of the suspected men were taken to Libby Prison. With the soldiers on the alert, and an increased force of policemen, they had no further trouble. At the meeting of fifteen thousand or more in the park good order prevailed. I passed along through the moving masses, a silent hstener to many outburstings of joy, con- trasting with past sorrows — a great change indeed. Editor Hunuicutt, of the Neiv Nation, was called upon to make a speech, and he exhorted them to cultivate industry, hon- esty, and virtue. He was followed by a number of others. At three o'clock the crowds began to disperse, so as to reach their homes before nightfall. It is passing strange why the white people here were so much excited over this cele- bration. There were two colored Baptist Churches l)urued two nights before, and on the night previous threats were made that all who took part iu the celel)ration would lose their places of business. The Episcopalian rector came after ten P. M. the same night to advise the two teachers, ]\Irs. Starky and ]\Iiss Hicks, to continue their school, and persuade the scholars to remain, and take no part iu it themselves whatever, as the white people said this rejoicing was over the fall of DUAWIXG RATIONS. 408 RiclinioTid aiul (he downfall of tliC Confederacy. Tliis idea was dwelt upon to such an extent that the Committee of Arrangements printed circulars and scattered througli towu during the week previous, stating their object in full, "that it was only to cele])rate the day that God gave free- dom to their race, and nothing more." But ^^in.mr reef ion," ^'7tprising among the negroes," bad been household words since the days of Nat Turner. The rel)el Hag was carried past iSarah E. Smiley 's Mission Home for Teachers twice that day. Had the fact been reported at head-quarters, the bearers would have found themselves in the military prison. As the army was ])cing disbanded, and rations curtailed, and the suffering for want of them equaled that for cloth- ing, I was informed by the general in command that there were more calls for rations by white than the colored peo- l)le since the fall of Richmond, f^aid he: "I will mention a few to show the importance of investigation. Daniel I^acy had nine houses and servants and a]i))licd for and drew rations for his whole family. John Kimbo had serv- ants out at work and drew rations for all his family, and had a uund)er of houses. Mrs. Mary Ann Mosel)y had a grocery store well supplied, and drew rations and sold tlicm. Mrs. Elizabeth Hunt also kept a full grocery, and drew rations to sell. IMrs. Sophia Coach, whose husband was a plasterer, drew rations. ^Irs. Miller represented herself as a widow, and drew rations all the season, but I found out that she had a husband at home all this time. ]\Irs. Hous- ton had a husband, but represented herself a Avidow, and drew rations and wood, as did all the others. The whole of two blocks drew rations, and most of them wood. Jo- seph Mayo, who is mayor of the city, and was when it fell into Union hands, drew rations, and owns a nund)er of houses, and has servants. Ten years ago his slave ^larga- ret's babe died with the croup, and he charged her with choking it to death, and had her hung on the scafT()ld after 'lO-l A woman's I.IFH-nOUK. bt'iug wlilppcil almost to tlealli. IIo sent one of bis slave women to the i)euiteutlary six months ago, for a trivial offense. I heard by one of her friends, that she said it was a relief, for she was treated better there than at her master's. She is sj rejoiced to learn that when she comes out she will be a free woman, and never again be com- pelled to serve that cruel master. But what contrasts we find here in both races! I have never found as much lying, misre})rescntation, and cheating, among the negroes as among the white people, in my experience in this four years of war. Our records show more rations, wood, and coal issued to the whites than to the blacks in the State of Virginia." I was careful to take down these items, in writing, as be gave them, in his office. O, wliat changes, what re- verses, were here experienced. A. R. Brooks, who bought himself fourteen years ago, was now a wealthy man, owned ten horses, and six fine hacks and carriages, and his for- mer master, by the fall of the Confederate government, was reduced almost to beggary. A few nionths ago he sold his 2:)lantatiou of three thousand acres for Confederate money, and is now penniless. Last February his wife died, and his former slave, A. K. Brooks, bore the entire expense of her burial. lie said he })raised the Lord for giving him the ability to do it. But how greatly was that wealthy ])lanter, Henry A. Winfy, now changed in his prospects, when, a few months before, he considered himself the owner of three thousand acres, "well stocked" with slaves to work it. With every day come new scenes, and yet such a simi- larity; investigating, relieving, reading Scriptures, advis- ing, and often by the cot of the sick and dying. I often felt myself a stranger in a strange land, and yet I was never alone. Although boisterous waves dashed around me, yet the dear Savior was near at hand. T learned of much sutlering on tlie IViiiusuhi, and de- I.EAVINd UlCIIMOXD. 405 cidcd to take tlie rest of my supplies down the James River to Williamsburg. While arranging my packages for leaving Libby, a multitude of people were thronging the street near the prison. I inquired for the cause of this excitement, and was informed that a Union soldier was about to be executed for murdering a man for his money, horse, and buggy. As he was led out of prison upon the scaffold I hurried away, trembling with the terrible thought that a young life was about to be taken. As it was im- possible for me to speak to him I hastened to escape the sound of the drop, but did not succeed. The horrors of war no pen can describe, no tongue can utter, no pencil can paint. The demoralizing influence over the soldier is dreadful. No doubt desertion was this fellows aim, and, to serve his purpose, he fell into this strong temptation and crime. Desertion cost the life of one whom I saw in ^lississippi sitting on a white-2)ine cofiin and followed by his armed comrades, who were soon to take his life. It was then as now, too late to speak a Avord to that soldier- boy. And I hastened to outdistance the report of the guns that took his life. But I failed, as in the present sad event. I called on a number of friends and co-laborers in liichmond; for here, as in every place, I have found kin- dred spirits. I spent the night with dear .sisters in Christ, who labored in his vineyard to uplift the lowly. Scrip- ture reading and prayer closed this eventful day. Ou ^Nlarch 3d, at six o'clock A. ^I., I left Richmond and took the steamer Martin at the Rockets, followed by my friend, ]\[rs. ^Morris, with a basket of fresh cakes, ap[)les, oranges, and a bottle of wine. I asked her to ex- cuse me for objecting to the bottle of wine, as I never drank it. "O, indeed, you must take it; your royal highness may be ill, and you may find it quite proper to take a little wine for your 'stomach's siike.' Don't, my dear madam, 406 A woman's life-work. refuse your most humble servant the privilege of prcseut- iug this basket and its couteuts, wine and all, to my royal madam." And I saw by the starting tear that she would feel quite hurt if I refused her, and accepted her gift. As we steamed down the river I saw many little hil- locks where were buried the fallen soldiers who left their northern homes with high hopes of saving the nation's life from the hand of treason. Here they fell long before Ilichuiond was taken. We passed Burmuda Hundred and City Point, upon which stood General Grant's head- quarters. Next came Harrison's Landing, near President Harrison's birth-place, an ancient apj)eariug building situ- ated upon a high bluff. At Wilson's Lauding and Clarmouut Landing there was a high bank, upon which lived one of the wealthiest men in the State of Virginia, ^^^lliam Allen, who adopted the name of his father-in-law for the sake of his inmiense wealth. William Allen, sen., had no son, but an only daughter, and he offered his entire estate to any young man whom his daughter might be pleased to accept, if he "would assume his name; he cared not how poor he might be, if he was only respectable. The daughter had many suitors, but at length a young man Avon this bride and adopted the whole name — William Allen. At the death of the father-in-law he came into possession of thirteen l)]antations and over four thousand slaves. All these plan- tations were managed by overseers. One man told me he had seen him take a keg of gold and silver coins down to the sand-bank, with a company of his comrades, on a holi- day spree, and when they were all thoroughly drunk he Avould take up a handful of gold and silver pieces, throw them in the sand, and tell them to scramble, and he that got the most was the best fellow. He, with the rest, "scrambled," as he called it. William Allen declared tliat the Yankees had robbed him of fifty thousand dollars' AT JAMKS'roWN, 407 •worth of negroes under tcu }ear3 of ago, and more than one huu(hTd and fifty thousand dolhins' worth of slaves above tliat age. At twelve o'clock we landed at Jamestown. In this old, dilapidated place were yet standing hrick walls of three old buildings ojjcu to the birds and the bats. The brick of these half-toru down buildings were transported from England more than two hundred years ago. I saw a piece of a marble slab from the graveyard dated 1626, broken iu ^^ieces by soldiers 'for relics. We were soou met by the ambulance-driver, and he took us through a nice field of wheat owned by "William Allen, just referred to, who Avas one of our passengers to the ancient city of AVilliamsburg. Here was a lai-gc insane asylum, built of imported bricks from England, Avith a marble front, erected by Lord Bottctourt, governor of the colony. It was founded in 1688. The tower was ninety-six feet high, and the number of inmates one hundred and one, forty- two of whom were colored. Robert ]\[. Garrett was the l)hy.sician and superintendent. This is the oldest institu- tion of the kind iu the Union. In the front yard of this asylum stands, in life-size, the statue of Lord Bottetourt, As we were passing through the apartments we listened to a very sweet voice singing a hymn. Said my guide, "]\Ir. ►Scott is singing for you. He is General "Winfield Scott's nephew. He bet both of his plantations that the Conted- crates would succeed iu this war, and when Richmond fell he became insane and was brought liere two weeks ago." I was shown an old brick church iu which was a colored school of one hundred and ninety-six scholars, taught by ^liss Barton, of Connecticut, and a gentleman from Mich- igan. Here I found myself at home at once. There were here, previous to the late war, two institutions of learning — the AVilliam and Mary College at one end of the main street, and at the other, three-fourths of a mile distant, the female seminary, llic college was burned iu the 408 A woman's life-work. "svar of 1776, again in tlie war of 1812, and, for tlie third time, a few mouths before I was there. There was no school now in the female seminary, and it looked as if waiting for repairs. Here is the old ivy-bound church in which George Washington was married. The bricks of this build- ing wore also brought from England. This town was the capital of this State previous to its removal to Richmond. I walked nearly two miles to Fort Magruder, where 1 found a colored school of one hundred and fifty-eight members, taught by Maggie Thorpe and Martha Haines, of New York, under the auspices of the Society of Friends. To accommodate men and women who could not leave their work during the day they opened a night school, and had fifty of that class. Half of these did not know their letters when their school opened in February, and could then read quite fluently in the second and third readers. A few miles further there Avas another school of thirty scholars who had made commendable progress. The teachers infijrmed me that there were many very old people on the oldest plantation near King's ]\Iill, who needed help. I was furnished with an ambulance, in which I took a bale of bedding and clothing, and went from cabin to cabin to visit twenty-seven aged peojile, from sixty to a hundred and five years of age. After learning their most urgent needs, I selected supplies for each. When I expressed my surprise at seeing the old plantation with such a grove of woods. Uncle Bob Jones, the oldest of them all, said: "IMissus, all dat woods on dat side I helped clar off when firs' woods Avas thar, beech, maple an' linn wood, only now an' agin a pine. Den we work it till it wore out, an' would n't noffin grow on it, an' we lef it to grow up to de 2:)ines you see." "Is this possible?" I said. "I saw men chopping saw- mill logs as I came through that wood." "Yes, missus," he answered; "shure's you are bo'u. A NF.W QUILT. 409 my sweat lies dar under dciu big tree roots. JMy INIilla an' me Avas married when we 's chillen, an' we 's had a good many chillen, but de Lo'd knows whar da's gone to; da sole down de riber, many, many year ago. But wc prayed to Lo'd Jesus to take keer on 'cm all dese years, au' we '11 go home to glory soon." In answer to my query as to his age, he said: "JMassa Moses' book say I 's a hundred an' five, an' my ]\Iilla 's a hundred an' three. I might slip count a year or two, but I reckon not." I never before met one couple living to this advanced age. I gave them the best new quilt I had, made by a class of Sabbath-school girls, from eight to fifteen years of age, iu Wayne County, Michigan. The names of the little girls were written on the blocks they pieced. The old man was quite blind, but he felt of it; then he exclaimed: " iNIissus, did you say little white gals made this? Lo'd bless the little angels! Honey, look at dis; avc's ncbcr bad sich a nice bed-kiver in all our lives." To this she assented : "I see it 's a beauty ; we 's nebcr had sich a kiver afore, missus; tell de sweet little angels we'll pray for 'em as long as we live." "Yes, tell 'em we won't stop prayin' for 'cm when we gits up yonder, iu de mansions," rejoined the old man. It seemed to them wonderful that Avhite girls should make such a nice quilt for black folks, and they were in an ecstasy over the surprise. Aunt Milla could see to do considerable work iu their little garden patch, that some of the younger men among them had spaded i'or her. Every thing about their little cabin was neat and clean, and their clothes were well patched. Uncle Bob had been off this plantation but twice in his life; then he went to Williamsburg. It was aflrcling to see these old, worn-out slaves rejoicing over freedom, but it seemed to be more on account of their children and of their race. They had 35 410 A woman's j>iFr;-w()RK. passed through many hard trials, but theii* faith Avas strc:;^J that they were soou goiug to rest with Jesus. A colored luau brought two cripples to me, iu his cart, for relief, aud their v.auts were supplied. He said he wished I could see two old men who were living iu the mill. One of them was an old soldier in the Jackson war. My ambulance friend took me to the old brick mill, that Avas the first one built in that country, they said, more than a hundred and fifty years ago. The roof was cov- ered with thick moss. The cedar shingles, as well as bricks, were brought from England. I found here an intelligent mulatto man, of about sixty years, who had had a fever-sore a little above the ankle a number of years. He was the eldest of twenty-seven chil- dren. His mother had thirteen pairs of twins, and he the only single child, and they were all sold to slave-dealers of the lower States. "When my mother died iu the cold cellar," he told mc, "I begged to see her, but my old master said he would shoot me if I dared to set foot on his plantation, 'case I'd been with Yankees ; and she died one year ago, without a child to give her a sip of water. ^My wife and seven chil- dren belong to another man, Avho said he would shoot my brains out if I dared to come on his plantation. But I pray God to help my Avife to go to the soldiers before they are all gone, and get them to help her to come to me Avith our children. I Avas one of the slaves that master promised freedom, at the close of General Jackson's Avar, and the general promised us ten dollars a month besides during service, Avhich was one year and eight months. There Avere five regiments of colored men. Some got their free- dom as promised, but my master and many others Avere more severe than ever. On my return home I reminded my master of the promise of freedom by him and General Jackson, but I found it unsafe to say any thing more about it. We thought General Jackson ought to have seen the TWO ACKl) SISTKIIS. 411 promise made good, as long as he promised freedom as well as our masters. He gave us credit for being among the best soldiers he had. But we never would have fought as we did had it not been for freedom ahead. We pledged ourselves to each other, that we never would fight for white folks again, unless we knew our freedom was sure. And never would our people have gone into this war had it not l)L'eu for the Proclamation of Emancipation from the Pres- ident of the whole United States." This man was the most intelligent and used the best language of any colored person of his age I met in this portion of Virginia. His mother's name was ]\Taria Samp- son. She lived and died in King William County, Vir- ginia. There were twenty sons and seven daughters of her own. Yet, through wicked enactments, her master tore from her every one, and claimed her own body besides, as a valual)le piece of property. j\Iy next visit was to an old brick kitchen. In the " loft," lived two aged sisters of seventy-five and eighty years, whose youngest brother, of about sixty years, was insane. His sisters said about twenty years ago he " lost his mind." His wife and children were all sold from him down the river, and he grieved so long over it, he lost his miud, and never came right since. As I entered, I took him by the hand and incpiired for the aged women in that house; he pointed to the stairway. As I was going up the stairs, he danced to and fro, slapping his hands, " Glory, hallelujah to the Lamb!" I paused to look at hinj. His sisters met me at the head of the stairs, and said, " Do n't mind him, he has no mind, and is rejoicin' to see a white woman come up these stairs, for it's a new thing. I reckon there hain't been a white woman up here more'n twenty year, an' he don't know how to tell his gladness." They said he was good to bring them wood and water, and take care of him- self in washing and patching his own clothes. I presented 412 A woman's life-wokk. him a suit, aud when he found they would fit him, the daucing and singing were resumed. 1 should judge from the history his sisters gave of him, aud from his high fore- head, that he had been a man of more than ordinary talent. These sisters, too, had been made widows and childless by slavery's cruel hand. This 1 found to be the hard lot of all those old people. They told me of many cruel over- seers, that would take the life of a slave, to get their names up as " boss overseers." I told them I had heard of in- stances where an overseer was missing occasionally. One old man dropped his head, then looking up said, in a hes- itating manner, " I's knowed that in my time, but massar keep it mighty still, an' say de overseer runned away, an' he git one right soon agin." I talked and read, and offered prayer with these stripped and lonely ones. During my three weeks' stay in Williamsburg, Fort Magruder, and vicinity, I had a number of meetings with these newly freed slaves, three of them in those old slave- pens in which were large schools taught. I took a stroll through the old grave-yard which sur- rounded the old ivy-covered church. The marble slabs were mostly in a horizontal position, with quaint inscrip- tions. In these J, or I, was often found in place of the figure 1. The spelling, too, we should call badly warped. I copied a few of the epitaphs, as follows: Here lyes the Body of Mr. John Collett, who departed this life February 24th, J794, aged 52 years. Sacred to the memory of lames Nicholson, late ftuard of William and Mary College. Was born in the Town of Invenck, North Britton, ano IJli; died the 22nd of January, 1773. Fru- gality — industry, and simplicity of manners and independence of Soul Adorned his character and procured universal esteem. READER, I, earn from this example as the moft exalted Station may be de- bafed by vice, fo there is no fituation in life on which virtue will not confer DIGNITY. MKKTIXC} AT ]?AllltACKS. 413 Mrs. Calharlac Slcphenson died April 22; horn in Xultingliani- shire, J778. Ilcr body now slumbers along with the dead; Her Savior hath called, to him she has gone ; Be ye also ready to follow her soon. Under this marble lieth the body of Thomas Ludwell, Esq., Secretary of Virginia, who was born at Dritton in of Summerset in tlie kingdom of England, and departed this life in the year J678; and near this place lye the bodies of Richard Kcrdp, Esq., his predecefsor in ye Secretary's office and Sr. Thomas Lunsford, Kt., in memory of whom this marble is placed by order of Philip Ludwell, Esq., nephieu of the faid Thomas Ludwell, in the year J727. As Yorktowu was an important post, after tliree weeks* work iu this scctiou, I repaired to tliat ancient place. There I found two large camps. A few lar^e freedmen's schools were established under the auspices of Philadelphia Friends, and of these Jacob Vining had supervision. Two others were under the supervision of the American Mis- sionary Association. Both were doing a noble work for these people, who were like hungry children, grasping at the food lianded them by these Christian teachers. We had a very large meeting iu the old barracks fitted up for school and meetings. There were more than could get inside, and groups stood at the door and outside the windows. Here I met two young men who had walked all the way from beyond Fort Magruder, eighteen miles, to attend this meeting. They were more intelligent than the larger portion of life-long slaves. They were encouraged in the future prospect of freedom. They said the white l)eople declared they would soon have all their slaves back again, the same as they had before the war. Said one, "They talk it so strong it makes us trimble. For we-inis think they'd be harder on us than ever." I told them to look at that strong fort built by Confederates, which they had said "all the Yankees of the North could never 414 A woman's MFK-WOUK. tixke." "vViul where is it now?" I said. " You may rest assured it will be as I repeated to-day, 'Except the Lord keep the city the watchman walketh but in vain; except the Lord build the house they labor in vain who build it.' The Lord will never permit the house of bondage to be re- built, for the cup of our nation's wickedness has been filled to the brim. They will never again barter for paltry gold the bodies and souls of those whom Christ died to redeem with his own precious blood. No, never." They Avept, while talking over the past, with new ho])es before them of their future. They said they were well i)aid for their long walk, though they should work the next day with blistered feet. They were working for their old owner, as he had promised to pay them. They had sometimes felt fearful as to the final result of this war. If there were doubts, they would go as far North as they could while they were enjoy- ing their jirescnt liberty. A number lingered to talk with me on the prospect of freedom or slavery for them, telling me of the positive expressions of their former masters, and of their threats of haviug them all back again within a few months. They wanted to know what the prospect was in Washington. " Do you think we are sure to come out of the wilder- ness?" said one. "Will this sun of freedom, now peepiu' troo de black cloud, come cl'ar out, an' make a bright day ?" said an- other. I found many of these people in trouble, because they saw plainly the old slave spirit reviving, ami they were trembling with fear; but others had stronger faith. There was one poor woman, whose husband and four children Avere sold to a trader, to be taken down the river in a gang. When the news came to her mnster's home that Richmond had fallen, she said : " ]\Iissus an' all was cryin', and say da catch Jctf. Davis. An' I hurried de supper on de table ; an' I say, AT^VT SAI,T,V. 415 jvlissus, ciiu DiJhi wait on luljle (ill I ^'o to dc bush-.^priug au' git IX bucket <>' (''"il watori" She any, 'Hurry, ]\Iill ;' an' I seed 'em all (h wn to tabic afore I starts. Den I walks slow till I git ( ut o' sight, when I runn'd wid all my might till I git to de spring, an' look all 'round, an' I jum}) up an' scream, 'Glory, glory, hallelujah to Jesus! I 's free! I 's free! Glory to God, you come down an' free us; no l)ig man could do it.' An' I got sort (/scared, afeared somebody hear me, an' I takes an(jther good look, an' fall on de groun', an' roll over, an' kiss de groun' fo' de Lord's sake, I 's so full o' praise to IMassar Jesus. He do all dis great work. De soul buyers can neber take my two chillen lef me; no, neber can take 'em from me no mo' ;" and the tears fell thick and fast as she told me how she clung to her husband, then to her children, as the trader took them to the slave-pen to lock up till they were i-eady to start for the river. Her mistress ordered her to be whipped because she cried so long for her husband and children. I did not wonder at her ecstasy. A poor old slave, called Aunt Sally, came to me April 15th, crippled with rheumatism, and walkmg as well as she could with two canes. She asked for a blanket or quilt, saying that one old blanket had been her only bed for seven years. I told her I should pass her home the the next day, and would bring her some things. She said, " r mus' hurry back, or missus will fin' me out. You gib 'em to the man chiij)pin' wood in de yard; he'll put 'cm in de cellar f)r me. Missus is mighty hard on you alls;" and she hobbled back as fast as she could with two canes. But her mistress found out that she had been to see me, and told her she should never set her foot inside her yard again, neither should a Yankee. Tlie day following 1 took a package for Aunt Sally, containing a straw bed-tick, •juilt, blanket, and a good suit of clothes; for I had learned that Mrs. Pendleton, the daughter of ex-President Taylor, •was a hard mistress. Aunt Sally had served her father, 41 G A WOMAN.S IJl'K-WORK. autl helped bring up liis cliiklreu, and was now seventy- five or eighty years old. From the cold, damp cellar, ■with only one blanket to cover her, slie had become badly crip- l)led, and was left to die, like au old worn-out horse. The colored man near the fence of the back yard told me 1 would find Aunt »SalIy in a little cabin he pointed out, with two old colored people. I found her crying. She said her mistress had turned her out, and told her she should never come inside her yard, nor eat a kernel of tlie corn that she had planted in ground all spaded by her- self, aud it was growing so nice. The old people very kindly offered to share Avith her. He was a cobbler, and made all he could; but he said they had but one bed. I furnished one for her, aud gave the old people a quilt and a few needed garments for their kindness to Aunt Sally. They, too, had been stripped of all their large family, as well as Aunt Sally of hers. As I passed Mrs. Pendleton's front yard I saw a large bloodhound on the door-step as sentinel. Even a look at him from the street brought a threatening growl. Here, too, were William aud Phillis Davis, over eighty years of age, they think. They had fourteen children, "all sold down the river," they said, "except those we 's got in heaven. We 's glad they 's safe, an' we trus' de jubilee trum})et will reach their ears, way down Souf, we (.lo n't know whar. We 's cried for freedom many years, an' it come at last," said the old, tottering man. Eva Mercer, over seventy-five years of age, had a large family. Her husband and all her children were sold twenty years ago. She had been left to perish alone, aud had had no underclothes for seven years. She was sup- plied, and made more comfortable than she had been for years. David Gary, one hundred years old, in great suffering, was relieved. He, too, had a large family. Three wives were sold from him, and his children, one, two, and three BAPTIST MEETING. 417 at a time, Nvore sent (Idwii tlie rivor, never to be heunl from again. lie saitl l>c forgot a great many things every (l;)y, " l»ut I ean never forget the grief I passed througli iu ]>artiug with my good wives and chillens." Pross Tabb, ninety years old, was turned out of his cabin, and came to the captain crying. He said, "Massar Tabb turn me out to die by de roadside. I begged him to let me build me a cabin iu de woods, and he say if I cut a stick iu his woods he '11 shoot me." The captain in- formed J. P. Tabb that he would violate the martial law, and be fined and imprisoned, if he turned that old maa out of Ids cabin, where he had lived and served him many years. The poor lone man was permitted to remain. J. P. Tabb owned twelve thousand acres of land, and had called himself master of one hundred and sixty slaves; now all had left him. Sunday, May 3d, was a beautiful Sabbath. In the morning I attended service at the school-house, conducted by a Baptist minister, who examined nine new converts. Among them was a little girl, Susan Monroe, eight years old. The preacher asked her, " What have you got to say 'bout Jesus, sis ?" " He tuck de hau' cuffs off my ban's," she replied, " an' de spancels off my feet, an' Jesus made me free." With a few other satisfactory answers he passed to the next, a man of forty, perhaps: "And what have you to tell us?" "It 'peared," he said, "like I's so heavy here, ou my heart. I could do uuflin but groan, 'Massar Jesus have jiity on iX)or me;' an' as I was a walkin' 'long de road, he cum sure, an' poured hisself all over me, an' cover ('Ver my ban's an' my feet, an' made me all over new. I say is dis me? Glory, hallalujahl dis is me. I went on an' met sis Molly. 'What's de matter o' me? its all full tide here,' I says. 'Why honey,' she answered, ' you's got 'ligion ; praise de Lord ! Now keep de pure stuff, don't trade it off 418 A woman's t.ife-work. fur tie devil.' An' by de help o' de Lord, I do ii't do auy sicli tradiu'." The next ^vas queried. "Ah, I's phxyed de fool," he said, "in jist dat kind o' tradiu'. I's an ole backslider. Ole Satan had me, sure, an' I cried, ' Massar Jesus, save me from dat horrible pit,' an' he fotch me out, an' put dese feet on de rock, and here I means to stan'." Others Avere examined, and a season of prayer fol- lowed. Their prayers were marked for their originality and earnestness. Said one woman, " Oh Lord, do please hitch up your cheer a little nearer your winder — draw aside your curtaiu, an' look down '|)on us poor creturs, an' gib your table-cloth a good shake, dat we may pick up a few crumbs." There were many of these much more intelligent than I supposed I should fiud them, and used as good language as the white people. House-servants and body-servants were more intelligent than those who lived only in the field. They were very imaginative, and talked with God. One woman in giving a sketch of slave life, said a young girl went to a night meeting contrary to orders, and for so doing was stripped naked and whipped in the presence of the other slaves, the master himself plying the lash. While she cried for mercy her master replied, "I'll give you mercy." " Good Lord do come and help me." " Yes, I '11 help you" (and kept plying the lash). "Do, Lord, come now; if you ha' n't time send Jesus." "Yes, I'm your Jesus," retorted the inhuman persecutor, and he continued to ply the lash until thirty strokes were well laid on. The colonel commanding this post called on me with a request to go to Gloucester Court-house, to look after the condition of the freedmen there. There were several very old, crippled people in Gloucester, in almost a nude condi- tion. I agreed to go, and the colonel went to procure a buggy, as his own was broken ; but he failed to get one, though more than a double price was offered, because he A BRIGADIER -(JFA'ERAF,. 119 ■was a Yankee. He returned disco limited, as lie Avas iiii- ^villing to send me in a Virginia eart, the only govcrn- ineut couveyauce. I told him 1 had frequcutly seen the ■wealthiest ladies sitting r her simpering and tossing the head with overstocked affectation. She Avas to be pitied for her unfortunate sur- roundings. Her "splendid man," a "beautiful gentle- man," was a coarse, burly headed " I^egrce" in ajipearance. I arrived at Norfolk at four o'clock P. !M. , and found a pleasant home at the Tyler House. Here I met eighteen 424 A woman's life-work. teachers, Vt'itli wliom I eujoycd a refreshing prayer-meeting, led by S. J. Whiting, a missionary, who gave an interesting sketch of his experience in the Meudi Mission in Africa. I gave an account of the work accomi)lished through the ])lessing of God in tlie Mississippi Valley, while I was ac- companied by my dear sister Backus, and spoke of trials I had recently passed through. Here were kindred spir- its, with whom Ave held sweet communion, and w'itli our Heavenly Father, who is ever near at hand. While in this part of the State, I sa^v' a white woman Avho had been cruelly assaulted and beaten Avith a raAv-hide by her sister and niece f)r associating with the teachers of our freed men's schools. They thought she had dis- graced the family; but she said she Avould not turn aAvay from those Christian ladies, hoAvcA'cr her OAvn kindred might treat her. the Avrongs and outrages wdiich the sjiirit of slavery inflicted not only ou the blacks, but also on the Avhite people of the South I freedmen's sciiooks. 425 Chapter XV. EXPERIENCES AMONG FREEDMEN. I WAS told by General Armstrong, commander of the post in Elizabeth City, that twenty-five thousand inhalv itants had been supplied with food, and that more whites than l)lacks liad called for rations. There were six thou- sand frecdmen in this district. Twenty -six hundred of their children were in schools ; and thirteen hundred were half or' entire orj^hans, that drew rations. They had had no civil court here since ]\ larch 20th, and no justice Avas shown to freedmen. There was as much comj^laint here as elsewhere about their unwillingness to work ; but the general said it was only because they got no pay. A few plantations were rented here by Northerners; but they made no complaint for want of hands, and had more ap- ])licati<)ns for work than they could furnish. General Armstrong secured a carriage, May 18th, to take his wife and myself to the Downey School, a few miles distant, to see what a noble work the two Stewart sisters were there doing. He took us to a large farm of eight hundred and six acres, rented by a Northern man by the name of Jackson, who said he had worked it three years, and had taken it for two years longer. He had no difficulty in keeping good help. "All these people want is fair and kind treatment" he said, " to make good and faithful hands the year around. I can not employ all who come for work. I have seen them leave weeping over their disappointment." Near this place was the school conducted by tlu- two sLsters, Emily and Jennie Stewart, of South Hill, Steuben 36 426 A woman's life-work. County, New York. They had oue huudrcd and eighty- five scholars, and were doing a grand worlc among the Avhite i:)eople in that community. Two young men were converted through their instrumentality, and were exerting a powerful influence over the white people. They were attending the school, to which a number of white families sent their children. It widely differs from all others I have visited in the South. These earnest Christian girls were emphatically teaching a school of Christ on week-days as well as on the Sabliath. The two young men referred' to had the ministry in view, and were very earnest in their exhortations. I addressed the school, and conversed with those young white men, who seemed in a very tender frame of mind. These dear sisters urged me to spend a Aveek with them ; and General Armstrong kindly offered to send his conveyance for me at the close of the week, or when- ever I might fix the time. But as my supplies were out, I Avished to hasten back to AVashington. During the day's ride we passed the place of a large Sabbath-school, which was first opened by a soldier, W. Badger, Jun., a faithful laborer in this Avork. It had flourished ever since. We visited a number of plantations Avitli Avhich the general Avas unacquainted. He hailed a passer-by to in- quire the distance to the Old Brick Church. "O, you 'x-e smash up to it," he said. I looked up to see it, AA'hen he continued, " 'T ain't but tAvo miles ahead." The general thought it Avas three miles, at least, before Ave reached the old colonial church, built one hundred and twenty-five years ago, out of brick brought from England. We passed through a forest of young pines that had been rented three years to colored people in fiA'^e and ten acre lots. They Avere to receive one-fourth of all they raised, and pay the remainder as rent. Said the general, as we came opposite a ten-acre lot where a man, his Avife, and daughter Avcre all hard at AVork grubbing, "That man SLAVE MARKET IX A CHURCH. 427 \\]]\ liardly get a mcagor subsistence from one-fourth of that land." And lie inquired of the man if he expected to get his living off the fourth of that lot. "1 reckon so," Avas the answer. "After wo gets the crop in my wife and gal can tend it, and I '11 get work by the day while its growin'." Sunday, May 20th, was a pleasant Sabbath. I attended a large meeting, and listened to a very interesting discourse by a freedman. At the close he earnestly exhorted his hearers to purity of life in their new freedom. He wanted to see all filthy hal)its left behind with bondage. "Do not let us take with us," he said, "any habit of drinking — not even using tobacco. Let us search ourselves, and see if we are worshiping God with clean hearts and mouths." Opportunity being offered, I made a few remarks from II Chronicles, xv: 12, "And they entered into covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul." After meeting, minister and peo- ple gathered around me to shake my hands, until they were lame a number of days. Said one, "Da's took de bridle off our heads, an' let us loose to serve God." Near the place was the Zion INIethodist Church, that had been used occasionally for auction sales of slaves. There were thirty acres here, purchased by colored people, laid out in two-acre lots. Most of them had built little cabins, but others were working out by the day to earn means to })ay for their lots before they built. In the evening I visited a school of twenty-five adults, who could not attend during the day. A number of them read for me very intelligibly. James "Wright did not know his letters at Christmas, but could now read fluently. He was sixty years of age. Robert Bell, aged fifty, who did not know his letters in March, could now read in the sec- ond reader. ("a])(ain Fhigg and wife invited me to take another ride out in the country where colored people had rented latid. 428 A woman's life-avopvK. Ou our way we met five carts laden with F. F. V.'s. The captain inquired of one man how far it was to Providence Church. "Sir," he answered, " you are slap-jam on to it; only a mile and a half, sure." As usual we went twice the distance ; the captain said he always calculated a Virginia mile to be double the length of ours. This church had been built one hundred years before with brick brought from England. We called on six families. Said one woman, "I tried hard to serve God forty years ago, ])ut mighty idle; Massa's lash so sharp, 'peared like we poor creturs never rest till we drop in our graves." We visited Ex-Governor Henry A. Wise's j^lantation of five hundred acres, with fifty cabins in the negro quarters. This was confiscated. There were many of his former slaves here, aged and helpless, and a successful school was taught in his dwelling-house. Here were seventeen schools under the charge of the American Missionary Association, which were taught by eleven lady teachers and six gentlemen. H. C. Perry was the superintendent of schools in Norfolk District. The Taylor plantation was the next which we visited. It contained seventeen thousand acres, seven hundred acres of which were worked, and ready for renting to freedmen. In Captain Flagg's district there were three thousand four hundred and eighty-six freed children attending day-school, and five hundred and one scholars in the night-schools. One hundred and ninety-two of these were over sixteen years of age. The above included seven counties : Nor- folk, Princess Ann, Nansemond, Isle of Wight, Southamp- ton, Accomack, and Northampton, the last two on the east- ern shore of Chesapeake Bay. It is well to note the income of these confiscated i)lantations, that had, up to May 25, 1866, been returned to original owners. There had been paid over by Captain Flagg to government toward liqui- dating the war debt, thirteen thousand dollars. All of this was the avails of negro help on the government farms, PREPARING TO (iO HOME. 429 except the Wise aud Taylor i)lantati(>iirf, that were still occupied for the benefit of the aged, sick, blind, and cri[)- ])led men, women, and orphans. I returned to Washington, where I found a request that I should take fifteen colored orphans to our Home in Michigan. The commissioners having charge of money sent here by all the Free States, for sanitary purposes, proposed to place five hundred dollars in my hands for the two or- phan asylums in Michigan, out of the nine hundred dol- lars that came from our State. This was to be equally divided between Detroit Orphan Asylum and the one in Ivaisin Institute, known at that time as Ilavilaud Home. A majority of the commissioners objected to its being })laced in the hands of a woman, to select goods to be purchased at auction rates. Consequently, a young man was sent with me to see that wise selections were made for the little homeless waifs for whom the relief was designed. Being somewhat acquainted with my work, he said he was ashamed of the vote of the board, in distrusting my abil- ity to select goods for the little children of the asylums, when I had been at this work all my life, and constantly during three years past. But I told him I was thankful to get the five hundred dollars, and could waive their no- tions of woman's inability very comfortably. He assent(>d to all the selections I made, and I arranged to return home with the fifteen orphans and forty laborers, who Avishcd to go to Cleveland, Ohio, where their friends had gone for work and reported to them favoral)ly. I found in these pcoi)le a strong attachment to their own color; hence the unwillingness for a few to go a great distance without a prospect of others to follow. It was a heavy pressure of persecution that could drive them from their old Southern homes to Washington for jirotection, and the heavy pressure of want staring them in the face that could induce them to leave for Northern States to 430 A woman's LIFE-'WORK. find work. Fifteen thousand were then huddled in and about Washington. Hundreds could not get work at ten cents a day, besides rations. General O. O. Howard gave transportation for many car-loads to go to the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other free States. But the freedmen could not be persuaded to go into the former slave States, after having left them. General Howard said Northern humanitarians ought to have a share in this Christian enterprise of furnishing work for the able-bodied and assisting to care for these indigent children ; and he urged me to bring as many as practicable. Mrs. Ricks knew of fifteen who wished to follow their friends that had gone to Ohio, and said she would assist me in going through to Adrian, where Joseph McKenzie had spoken to me for eight or ten strong men for his brick- yard. If they had families he said he would help them in building houses on his own laud, and if both were suited he would eventually sell lots to them. While calling on F. C. Beaman, member of Congress, and wife, I was urged to rest three or four days, at least, before leaving for home. But I told them I must hasten home to rest. Transportation was secured for fifty-five adults and fifteen orphans. Before we reached Altoona I found rations had not been provided for adults, and that we must purchase at least seventy-five loaves of bread at that town. As the train halted a few minutes, I left for the bakery, but found that it had been removed a block further. We went on a run, and secured the bread ; and I sent the men running with it, so as to reach the cars before they should start. But I Avas left behind, Avith three young men who refused to desert me. The men with the bread reached the cars just as they Avere begin- ning to move. Mrs. Packs being with them, I Avas easy as to their condition. I found I had better keep as quiet as possible, as I was threatened wilh an attack of dysentery. But transportation, Avith my official ])a]icrs, had all gone PASSES SKCURED. 431 on, and there was not a soul in Altoona that I ever knew. Yet I was not discouraged, but took the three young men with me to the raih-oud su])eriutendcnt's office, and told the superintendent I had come on a queer errand, and told my short story. "And now I solicit tlie favor of a pass for myself and these three young men. But you do not know whether I have given you a truthful representation, for I have not so nuich as a scratch of a pen with me to prove it." Said he : " You say your name is Laura S. Ilavihuid. Did you not secure a pass to Chicago and return, tliree years ago, of Mr. Campl)oll, at Adrian?" "I did," was my reply, "as I was going South witli sanitary supplies." "I thought I had seen you before," he said. "I was his chief clerk, and made out those passes for you ; and I will give you a pass, as you request. "Would you like to telegraph to the lady assistant?" "I suppose," I said, "she will stop over at Pittsburg until I overtake them; but it would be a favor if their baggage could be properly rechecked at Pittsburg to stop over one train at Cleveland, as a portion of the adults arc to stop there." " I will telegraph the freiglit agent to take special care in rcchccking their baggage, and recpicst the operators to telegraph to raih'oad authorities at Cleveland that this car- load of blacks in charge of Mrs. Ricks are to wait over one train for you." I told him if that could be done williout fail it would be a great favor, as I was sick, and Mrs. Ricks would have time to send these colored jKople up town to their friends. lie telegraphed all these directions, and also re- quested the ticket-agent to meet me with the passes. While waiting for the train I Avas furnished with a sofa by the kind matron who kept the ladies' waiting-room. I was met at the Pittsburg depot with passes, and conducted 432 A woman's j.ife-avork. to the waiting-room for a few moments, when tlie young man came to assist me on the right ear. By this time my fever ran high, but higher still on reaching Cleveland, and finding that all had gone on to Adrian. Here tickets to Adrian were waiting for me. I met brother J. Berry at Adrian depot, who informed me that all were cared for. I left all with the Lord and the good people of Adrian, who knew nothing of my try- ing experiences. My children were urgent to send for the doctor at once. I insisted on my water treatment, but j^romiscd to comply with their request if not materially better in twelve hours. A few days of rest and quiet restored my health. Although Adrian was a little alarmed at this new ex- perience of army stampedes, yet in due time places Avere found for all to work, and eventually many of them be- came owners of their own homes. The children of soldiers and other homeless waifs, needed attention, and I found more than a dozen in our Orphans' Home without a shirt for a change. But sister Auuie Berry donated forty yards of heavy sheeting, and Avithin tAVO Aveeks Ave had a hundred yards made up into substantial garments for these little homeless ones. My bealtli being still too poor for hard Avork, I spent a fcAV Aveeks Avith my son, Josej^h B. Havilaud, at Acme, Grand Traverse County. On my return home, I found our commission had con- cluded to close the asylum Avork, and expend its means in supporting schools in the South. They had sold the West Hall, and it had been remoATd to Tccumseh, and they Avere about to sell the team and other property. I now stated the motive I had Avhen I gave the deed with a pro- viso, and said that removing the building Avas a Avrong step for our commission to take, in view of the proviso. I met the commission in Detroit, and laid before them my object, and my desire to make it a State asylum, for the TRANSFER OF ASYLUM. 433 cliiklivu of poldiors aud all others who were in our county poor-houses, that were mere nurseries for the prison. I had inquired of superintendents of penitentiaries, how many of the convicts had been left orphans in childhood; and the average iu Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, aud our jMichigau State Prison was more than three-fourths. Emma A. Hall, matron of the female i)risoncrs in the Detroit house of correction, informed mc that every girl and woman under her care had been left an orphan in childhood. In view of this record, and of there being a greater number of that class since the war than ever be- fore, I had felt the necessity for this asylum. George DufRcld, D. D., the president of our commis- sion, replied: "We know not but this check is of the Ijord, for we are finding it hard work to secure homes for the forty children now in the Home who are under ten years of age." And he moved that a month be allowed me to make satisfactory arrangements according to my de- sign. "While I was endeavoring to secure ten-dollar sub- scriptions to effect this result, J. R. Shipherd, secretary of the Western Division American Missionary Association, sent an agent to purchase the asylum and continue it in its present form. He stated the American Missionary Associa- tion could not take it with the proviso, but would pay mc two hundred and fifty dollars of the five hundred dollars I had agreed to deduct out of the two thousand dollars pur- chase money, if I shoukl relinquish the proviso. I feared the result, thinking the enterj)risc might be only an experi- ment, and might close at some future period, leaving these children a public burden. But J. R. Shipherd pledged his word that no child of whom the American Missionary Association slioidd take control should become a public burden, and would further agree to expend on the build- ing and grounds, at least from three thousand to five thou- sand dollars within a year and a half or two years at longest. From the confidence I had in the association I yielded, 37 MISSION "W'OKK. 435 serve. All the sufferiu' I's luul all the year is notliiii' compared to the suffcrin' of my Jesus for poor me." The colored woman who had the care of her said she never had seen such patience in all her life. The next day I took her another flannel garment, and relieved many others during the month I spent in this field. Our lieutenant was an excellent man. One day he wished me to go with him to see his old building that he had ordered fitted up for a school for three hundred freed children in that part of his district. But he fotind that nothing had been done. '* Upon my word," he exclaimed, *' not a stroke, not a stone, not a window. O, I can 't stand tliis red tape; I just want to leave every other duty and l)itch into this house. I know I am too impulsive, but that is the Avay of an Irishman. I have often thought Peter was an Irishman, he was so impulsive." I spent the greater portion of New-year's day, 18G7, in calling upon twelve families and taking to the sick and aged ones, blankets and clothing. I walked nearly a mile to the ferry, and called at the mission-rooms, where I found the secretary, E. i\I. Cravath, just returned trom his South- ern tour. He thought my work was most needed in Mem- phis, Tennessee. I received from him my commission for that field. I met in his ofiice Rev. A. Scoficld and daugh- ter, just driven from Camp Nelson, by returned secession- ists. After a very busy New-year's day, I returned to Levi Cofiin's fi)r the night, and the next day left for IMcmphis, which I reached on the 6th, spending two days in Cairo. In the evening I attended a large colored church, and at the close of the service introduced my work. The meet- ing, as usual, was very demonstrative. The home assigned me was a ^lission Home, with thirteen teachers, Joseph Barnum, formerly of Oberlin, Ohio, being superintendent. It was a rich treat to meet several who had l)oen co-workers in the field of clashing arms and roar of cannonading. But few can realize the strength of the tie that binds those who 4o6 A woman's life-work. liavc labored together in the llou's deu. One of the teach- ers l)eing sick, at the request of the superintendent I tem- porarily took her place. On my way to school, one morning, I Avas conducted to the place where lay twelve dead bodies till the third day after the terrible riot which occurred a few months previ- ously. One of the bodies was half burned. I was shown anotlier corner of the streets where lay six bodies more at the same time. what horrible scenes were enacted then. My conductor j^ointed to a charred sjjot of earth where had stood a cabin in which lay a very sick woman, whose daughter of sixteen years stood in the door pleading with the infuriated mob not to burn their house for her mother was near dying, and it Avas impossible for her to carry her out. One fiend caught her up on his bayonet and tossed her into the midst of tlie flames of an adjoining cabin. In a moment her screams of agony were hushed by the crack- ling flames. Fire was then thrown into the dying woman's cabin, and both mother and daughter perished. Their charred bodies were taken out by their friends and buried Avith others slaughtered in the riot of IMay, 1866. In that riot there were forty-six negroes killed, seventy-five Avounded, five rapes were committed, ten persons maltreated, and one hundred robbed, and ninety-one houses and cabins burned, besides four churches and twelve school-houses reduced to ashes. These fiicts were given me by white witnesses as well as colored, and they probably may be found on General Kiddoo's military record, as he was oue of the officers with armed soldiers who quelled the terrible riot. I was soon relieved of school duty, and as I received a few boxes of goods, a portion of which were from England, I found constant employment in the ever-varying mission Avork. Tlie grandmother of a little girl who had died a few days before Avas very sick and in great distress of mind Avhen I entered her cabin, she said imploringly, "O, missus, do pray for poor me. Can God foi-give sich an ole sinner as FEAR OF RIOT. 437 nie? Can I fiu' Jesus so quick as poor Mary Jauc did afore she died? I knows she Avent so happy; I prayed all night, but 'pears like so dark; do n't see dc place o' de candle." I read to her of the readiness of Jesus to forgive, and how he forgave the thief on the cross, because he repented and looked to Jesus in faith even in his last moments. As I knelt by her cot I implored unbounded mercy in the Spirit's teaching this precious soul the way to enter in through the door. I left her more calm. She lingered a few days, but her mind became clear from the shadow of a cloud. She died in the triumphs of faith, leaving, she said, her little lambs with the dear Shepherd, "Dat hunted de lost sheep an' foun' her 'mid de wolves, dat scratch her mightily." The children were taken to the orphanage. AVhile pursuing this work our lives were daily threat- ened, and some had fears of another riot. One Union Avoman on our block told me that she had often spent sleepless nights on our account. Slie had heard suclx fre- quent threats that ' ' Kigger teachers should be cleared out, as well as free niggers," that she expected every day would be our last, and every pistol shot she heard in the night, or the alarm of fire, she listeuework. "But God turned it iuto a great blossiu'. He dismissed his overseer, au' never 'lowed one of his slaves to be pun- ish' after that great day. In one year seventy-thi'ee on dat plantation was converted. Two nieces of massa's Avas 'moug 'era, besides a few other white folks. But Massa Malachi tried to git 'em to give up 'ligion, an' sent 'em to danciu' frolics. An' da come to me for advice as if I was deir brover. I tole em Massa INIalachi took keer of 'em, 'caze day was orphans, an' de sin would res' on de uncle dat make 'em go agin deir will, and not on dem. Two years after one of 'em got married an' moved thirty miles away, an' she got leave of massa to let me go an' stay a week or two at a time. At las', poor gal, she died of con- sumption, and sent for me a month afore she died to stay wid her, an' she often asked me to pray wid her. how happy she died, in full faith in de 'ligion she foun' on de blessed day massa compel me to preach, little thinkiu' he Avas 'pointin' a meetiu' for de Lo'd of hosts instead of little Phil. But my people on other plantations often sent for me to preach, but I never call it preachiu', only 'ligious talks. Da would have me help organize Churches all 'roun' thar. In four years we organized seven Churches an' the cause prospered. "At las' so many persecutions an' sufferin' was goiu' on I got disheartened. I began to question whether it wan't me causin' all dis sufferin', an' I stop goin' to prayer-mect- in' four months, an' de ministers an' Christian men an' Christian women come to see me an' say, ' Brodder Philip, why don't you come to meetin', as you use' to?' I tole 'em, 'caze I didn't feel like it. Said one man, 'I's feared de devil's got hold of you.' I tole 'im I 'spectcd he'd had hold o' me a long while, for I felt bad enough to be his Avork. I tole 'im JMassa IMalachi made me preach, an' God did n't have nothiu' to do wid it, for he knew massa was a wicked man." These doubts and fears seemed to follow Uncle Philip uxcLK tiiil's story. 447 (lay and iiiglit, until, as he said, his distress was great. Then he fell into an insensible, lifeless state, in whieh he lay fourteen days. >Said he : " My mother dressed me for de grave; but as my limbs did not stiffen, IMassa Malaehi sent for a doctor who placed a glass before my face, an' moisture gathered on it. He tole 'em it was not entirely cole over de heart, an' da mus'n't bury me until decomposition took ])lace, caze it might be a trance. An' da kep' me in de kitchen wid Aunt Milla, de cook, to watcli me. It 'pearcd like J 's goin' down into a horrible place of awful soun's an' rattlin' of chains; an' I prayed mightily for helj), an' Jesus reached down an' took my hau' an' lifted me up to a glorious palace so beautiful, an' every thing was light. Steps seemed built out of light, somehow made into sub'sance; I can't 'escribe it. My guide tole me I was wrong to doubt, when God had been so good to me in all my hard trials. He showed me de windows dat let light down to dis earth, an' to de churches I helpt organize. It seemed like bein' led from place to place into a mighty big country. When I seen 'em all dress' in pure Avhite robes an' singin' such splendid music, I look at myself and see how filthy an' ragged I look, I say to my guide, ' I can never go in dat company.' ' Yes you can when Jesus wash you in his blood. All you see was as filthy an' ragged as you. But da is made clean.' An' we crossed over a line like, an' firs' I know I 's in de pure white robe too, an' singin' wid all dat great company. O I can 't 'escribe how hapj)y I felt in rangin' wid my guide de fields of light an' sich glorious visions. At las' he said, 'You mus' go back to earth an' teach your people de way to dis glorious home, dat is your home if you be faith- ful in readin' dis book.' I said, ' I am a slave back thar, an' can't read.' 'But this book you can read,' an' he laid de open book on my outstretched lef arm; de tip of do goldeii leaves reach the tip of my fingers, an' the other tip of the leaves touch my head. He took me two or tliree 448 A woman's LIFE-WOrUv. little steps, an' I thought I was back to earth, an' I ask Aimt Milla for a drink as I was so thirsty. And she said dc bucket of water was on de bench, an' my little cup by it. " When I cum to myse'f I was standin' by de bucket drinkin' out o' my cup. But nobody was in de house but I\Iina, a little gal 'bout eight year ole, massa bought out of a drove was passin' by de kitchen door, and run to the fiel' shoutin' all de way 'Phil's alive! Piiil's alive !' An' all de ban's on de plantation cum runnin' to de house, an' my mother caught me firs', ' Praise God, my chile's alive.' De firs' 1 said, 'Is been wrong to doubt God; I never, never will doubt him any more.' I never can, for I's had a glimpse of hell, and have been in dat beau- tiful world of light." I have given Uncle Philip's narrative in his own lan- guage as I took it down in my note-book at the time of my interviews with him. His was indeed a green old age ; his mind remarkably clear, and his memory retentive. From time to time, as I read a chapter or a psalm, he often referred to certain passages that he had dwelt upon since I had left him. In relating his history he often shed tears; at one time with his elbows resting upon his knees, and face buried in tlie calico 'kerchief until it was wet. At another time he was just raising himself up from the kneel- ing position when I came in. "I's jus' bin prayin' for you," he said. "I did 't know as you 's so near, but I felt your spirit. It sort o' lif s me up to talk wid you. I prayed dat de good seed you 's sowiu' 'inong our people may lodge in good groun' an' bring a hundred fol'. De men you talked to on de bridge 'bout swearin' never '11 forgit your words. You's doin' more for our poor, ignorant people dan you knows on." He lived about a year after I left Memphis, Tennessee. I sent him occasionally two or three dollars, through Superintendent Baruum or his wife, who often called to see UN'CI.E rilll.'s STOKY. 449 his wants supplied. The last words he uttered were a few lines of cue of his favorite iiynuis, "Give me wings," and his happy spirit took its fligiit, having faithfully read the hook he said he had always kept in his heart. I was often forcibly impressed while conversing with that aged saint. How manifest is the power of our Wonderful, in his deal- ing with his followers, just according to their needs. Tliat ])oor ignorant man could not read the written Word, ))ut God took his own way to lead and instruct him, to fit him for an instrument in his hand of turning many souls to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. On May 11, 1867, I took the cars for home. Having instructions from the American Missionary Association and transportation, I took fifteen homeless orphans to our asy- lum in my former school. Raisin Institute. I left this field of arduous toiling, often passing the former residence of John P. and Thomas K. C'hester, who had so often threat- ened my life. Both closed their earthly career by untimely deaths. I reached home on the 14th, praising the God of Daniel for his keeping power in the lion's den. 38 450 A woman's life-work. Chapter XVL CHRISTIAN LABOR AND RESULTS. It seemed refreshing to meet with sympathizing friends after toiling for months among false brethren. It was a relief to enjoy a few days of freedom from care. After asking a few friends to sign an article of agreement to pay one dollar a year during five yeai*s for the orphan asylum, and mailing a couple of letters to Levi Coffin and Rev. E. M. Cravath, of Cincinnati, I took from the office a drop- letter from Mr. Burton Kent, County Superintendent of the Poor, containing the following notice: "Mrs. Laura S. Haviland, — Many persons trans- ported by you last year have become a county charge, and it has become an intolerable burden to the tax-payers. Any person bringing a child or indigent person into this county Avithout being legally indentured, shall be prose- cuted to the full extent of the law." Within five minutes after reading the above notice I was on my way to our County Poor-house, three miles from town. To my surprise I found that no colored child had been there, and of the fifty-one inmates but three were colored, and only one man (jNIr. Morris Brown) w'ho came with me the previous Summer had been received. He was discharged in a short time. A stay at the infirmary for two months and a half was a burden, but was it "intol- erable to the tax-payers" of our county? I felt that I must search diligently to discover all the facts. I called on Mr. Helms, who said there was a widow with four or five children that was sick a couple of weeks, and he had supplied her with a load of Avood and grocer- ies. I asked for the cost, but as it was not convenient for OEPHAN ASYLUM. 451 him to give the figures then, he said he woukl furnish them the following Tuesday. JNIr. Young had told him tliat he had buried a family. I called to learn what family it was in his ward. He gave the name of the man who died after a short illness, and to whom he had taken a load of wood, a small sack of flour, and some other grocer- ies. I inquired if he had taken these things to them more than once. He said he had not, as his wife was all there was to look after, and she took care of herself after her husband's death. He gave me the exjieuses — eight dollars and ninety-six cents. I called on Mr. Helms at three ap- pointed times, and failed to get his precise figures, but, 2)lacing them at highest rates, from all I could gather it could not have been more than thirty-five dollars. I wrote an article for the Adrian T'unes, in which I stated the figures, and informed the citizens and tax-payers of Lenawee County that tins orphan asylum was under the auspices of the American Missionary Association, which was responsible for its support. I solicited some mathe- matician to give us the fraction of a mill to each tax- payer as his share of this "intolerable burden upon the tax-payers." Our county superintendents of the poor, Burton Kent and Allen "Warren, the ofiicials from whom I received the notice, were surprised to learn that the American INIission- ary Association was the responsi])le i)arty. But all those threats sprang from prejudiced parties, and clearly indi- cated the necessity of a few strokes of the reconstruction Innish north of Mason and Dixon's line, as well as soutli of it, to obliterate the color-line. Friends here and there paid me a dollar on their pledge of a dollar a year, and our colored friends in the city of Adrian — Sarah Lewis, with her brothers and Mr. Wilson, managers of a festival — realized thirty-two dollars and sixty-one cents, cash, and fifty pounds of meat, beans, fruit and clothing, valued at fifty dollars. 452 ' A woman's life-work. July the Fourtli was a merry day for the forty little folks at the asylum. At dark fire-crackers, torpedoes and sky-rqckets flew in every direction for an hour, when all were arranged in a semicircle and sang " John Brown," "Red AVhite and Blue," "Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys," and a few temperance songs, in great glee. It was a happy group. We had a few visitors, who left us the hap- pier for seeing the children and listening to their sweet voices in song. I Avas often engaged in procuring good homes for these orphans. A few homes were found that were not suita- ble, and the children were withdrawn and placed in other homes. On September 19th I met Mrs. Edgerton, the matron of our asylum, with T. D. Allen, of Kalamazoo, agent under J. R. Shipherd, secretary of the American IVIissionary Association, who Avere authorized to build a school-room for the asylum. Heretofore the children's play-room had been used for the school during the warm season. As the American Missionary Association was doing a great work in the late slave States in maintaining freedmen's schools, the officers concluded to solicit aid in the State of INIich- igan for the building of the much needed school-room. They urged me to engage in this work, but I thought that I had done my share, in giving the time I had to solicit- ing money for the purchase of supplies. Elizabeth L. Comstock, having received one thousand dollars, appro- priated it to enlarge the little farm to thirty-five acres, buy a horse, and furnish the little folks with hats, etc. Then I Avanted to look for a home, as I Avas becoming rather weary of singing the old song, " No foot of land do I possess, No cottage in this Avilderness." This had been my condition for nearly three years; but Avith all my pleading, I failed to be released. As it Avas already cooler Avcather, and Winter Avould soon overtake us, RAILROAD OFFICIALS. 453 T. D. Allen said I had worked long enough without re- ward, save that of blessing these little homeless waifs, and now, if I would take hold of this enterprise, I should be })aid the same amount he was receiving. At length I agreed to spend a week or two at least, and took from him the bill of all the kinds of lumber needed, and left for Detroit. Judge F. C. Bcaman fur- nished me with a letter of introduction, indorsed by Rev. Dr. George Duffield, of Detroit. I called, as he advised, on Samuel Pitts, who subscribed one hundred dollars in lumber. I selected out of my bill what Avas first called for to enable the carpenters already engaged to conmience their work. I then called on jNIr. Cooper, freight agent, to secure, if possible, free transportation to Adrian; to him I gave my introductory letter. When he glanced at the heading, without reading it, he gave it a toss on his table toward me, with a look of disgust, saying, "I've seen that thing before, and I 've nothing to do with it." "That is a mistake," said I ; " that paper is from F. C. Bcaman, and not a week old." "If I'm not venj much mistaken I've seen it before." " Well, you are very much mistaken, for I brought it to this city with me yesterday, and I have not been in your office until this minute. But I am not soliciting money. I only called to see if I can secure free transpor- tation for one hundred dollars' worth of lumber to Adrian for an orphan school-room, as forty little homeless waifs, under our care, have no school-room, except a wood-house and play-room. The cold weather will soon overtake us." He listened patiently to my short speech, and said he had no authority to grant such a favor ; that I would have to write to C. H. Hatch, then in Chicago. "I know he would grant it," I said, "for he granted this quarter pass on his road for my mission work," show- ing the jKiss. He turned it over and spent double the time in exam 454 A woman's life-work. iuing it that be did on my introductory letter, and said, slowly, "I think I Avill risk sending this car-load," and wrote an order to his assistant to send it forthwith to Adrian. I thankfully returned to my duty of calling on the list of the benevolently inclined wealthy persons whose names Dr. Duffield and J. F. Conover had furnished. Rev. Dr. Hogarth, Mr. Raymond, the book-merchant, and Rev. Dr. Duffield gave sufficient to pay the cartage of the lumber to the depot. Soon it was on its way. I dined at Moses Sutton's, Avho gave $5, and his sister Annie $1. Mr. Brooks gave me $25 in lumber. Mr. Bronson gave five thousand shingles; another gave $2.50 in shingles. After a few days at home I returned, October 25th, to Detroit, and toiled, like the fishermen, nearly all day, and caught nothing. Weary, and almost discouraged, I was about to retire to my resting-place at Augustus Leggett's, when one gave $5, another $2. The following day I called on C. Merrill, who gave $5 ; another gave $5 ; Mr. R. C. Remick gave $10; Mr. Whitney gave $5. "Weariness coaxed me to another sweet resting-place, the home of my dear friends J. F. and Hannah Conover. I called on a few persons whose names had been given me by Mr. Pal- mer, from whom I received $17; and from a few others I received $15. John Bagley gave $10; another gave $5; Rev. J. A. Baughman, $5 ; and Mr. King, his son-in-law, $5. I also called on Governor Crapo, who gave $5. Oth- ers gave $5, $2, and $1, until I had forty dollars more to aid in constructing our school-room. We secured sufficient means to build our school-room. In all, with the favors granted by the Michigan Southern and Lake Shore Railroad, we received about four hun- dred dollars. Through the kindness of my friend, L. Tabor, Esq., who ])urchascd a house and small lot for me, I again had a place for my children to occupy, which I could call my MISSION WORK NEEDED. 455 hnmc ; for which I praised the Lord, from whom all blessings flow. As our orphan asylum was now in a good condition, Mrs. Edgcrtou, the matron, said the secretaries of the three divisions of the Missionary Association, Chicago, Cincinnati, and New York, met and voted her one hun- dred dollars a month, with which to carry forward this asylum. She deemed this an ample supply, with what had been raised on the place. She said it was then on a more sul)stantial l)asis than it had been during the year she had had it in charge. Through General O. O. Howard I learned that mission work was much needed in Charleston, South Carolina, and received from him transportation to that city by way of Washington, District of Columbia. j\Iy health being now restored, on January 29, 1869, I left my sweet home and loved ones at three o'clock P. M., and spent the night in Toledo, with my old friends, AVilliam ]\Ierritt and wife. I attended with them the ]»rayer-meeting in tlie new colored church. I arrived at rittsl)urg with but little detention. Passing through the mountains, we found the snow deeper tlian Avhen I left ]\Iichigan. At seven A. M. we passed the wreck of three cars which had run ofl* the embankment and were still burning. Among the killed taken from the wreck was a woman partially burnt. I did not learn the number of killed and injured. Among these dead and dying I should probably have been had I not spent the night in Toledo, as this was the train I would have l)een on had I remained on the one I left. O, how sad to look npon this smolder- ing wreck, from which I had so narrowly escaped ! This Avas the third accident of this kind which I had thus prov- identially missed in my travels by river and rail of three thousand miles. Many are the dangers, seen and unseen, through which I have passed, and tlic remembrance of this disaster calls forth a renewed song of deliverance and 456 A woman's life-work. praise for the Guiding Hand that preserves tbrougli the vicissitudes of this ever-chaugiug life. I arrived in Washington early in the morning, and took breakfast Avith my friend Dr. Glenan. Here I found my brother, Harvey Smith, and his sou, who were teaching freedmen's schools, and with them I spent the Sabbath. In the evening I attended the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, and was invited to address the large meeting. I sjioke half an hour, and told the history of Uncle Philip, and how, amidst the persecutions and sorrows to which his slave-life subjected him, he had kept his hand in the hand of his Savior all these ninety-seven years. AVhile speaking of his being whipped until he fainted, a few wept aloud, and after meeting a number came to tell me of their being whipped for praying. One woman was Avhipped until she fainted, and one man was kept in the stocks all night after being whipped, and came near dying. His master told him he ' ' would whip the praying devil out of him," using the same words that Uncle Philip's master used to him. The surgeon-in-chief. Dr. Reyburn, wished me to re- main in Washington another day, and thought General Howard would permit me to stay there for a time, to engage in sanitary work. I had an interview with the general, who thought I was most needed in Washington, during the Winter season at least. He gave me authority to visit the free soup-houses, and investigate the sanitary work generally. After reading ray commission, I told him I had a request to make, and that was that the authority with which I was vested, might be kept secret. To inves- tigate to the best advantage was my object. I was also appointed to examine, as far as practicable, the condition of applicants for charity, and the maimer in wliich the charity Avas applied. My office Avas furnished, and board Avas allowed mc at the head-quarters of the freedmen's hospital in Campbell Camp. soiTP-H{)Usi:s. 457 Ou February Gtli I callod at Josephine Griffin's relief office before 10 o'clock A. oM, Between sixty and seventy jiersons called on her, mostly for work. I followed a num- ber of the applicants for soup-tickets to their homes. In visiting twenty families during the day, I found a number of persons in squalid wretchedness. One man wa.? very sick with a high fever, and unconscious. He had received no help, because unable to make }x>rsonal application, and lie had no family to intercede for him. His bed was a pile of rags in the corner on the floor. I called for the Bureau physician and saw that he had suitable bed-clothing and food. The physician said he must have died within two or three days in that condition. Among the applicants for relief was an Irish woman, who had a brick house she was renting, except the back room, which she occupied, and hud another nearly finished. She and her family for whom slic Avas begging soup, lived in good style. The fourth day of my investigations revealed great de- ficiency in properly looking after applicants for aid. The greatest sufferers were often too diffident to ask for help. The sou|)-houses were generally well managed. I called as one whom curiosity had drawn into the motley crowd, and ■was treated to a taste of fine soup, even at the " Savage Sou}>liouse," where I saw two caldrons of soup. The one from which I was served might well tempt tlie palate of an epicure, but the other looked too forbidding for a human stomach. I soon found the good soup was being given to the white applicants, who were first served, while the colored people, standing in the yard, were waiting their time. Policeman Ross told a shivering colored man to go inside and put his pail c)u the fiirthcr block for soup. "I shall be sent out," he replied. "I tell you togoin,"said the policeman , "I'll see to that." He obeyed the order, only to receive curses: "You know better than to come yet; anotlier thing you know, this soup is for white folks, the other is for niggers." 39 458 A avoman's life-work. At this, Policeman Ross came in: "I liave seen," sai>] he, "fish made of one and flesli of another long euongh. Here are women and children standing out on the ice and snow, waiting all this afternoon for you to serve the white people fir:jary, and gave his name and number. The result of the report was, that a notice was sent at once to Mr. Savage that there must be no difference in giving to the poor, either in qual- ity or quantity at his soup-hou.se, and that the difference made between white and colored, as reported to him, could not continue. In reply, Mr. Savage denied having made any difference in his soup-house, and charged the reporter with being an arrant liar, and he also made the same state- ment in the Daily Chroniclr. I wrote a confirmation of my report, using his own words in connection with the remarks of policeman Ross, 460 A woman's life-work. au(l took it to Dr. Reyburn, surgeon-in-chief iu the sani- tary work. The doctor ap))roved my statement, and wrote a few lines of preface himself. As I used Mr. Ross's name, I called on him, who also approved, and referred to the lieutenant of police, who was present, and both sanc- tioned my rejiort. This was published in the Chronicle. At this Savage raved, and swore he would arrest me for defamation. Neither did the policeman whose name I used as reference go unscathed. The chief of the police force requested ]\Ir. Ross to see me and learn by what au- thority I was acting, as there seemed to be none indicated in my article in the Chronicle. Mr. Ross said the chief of police did not doubt my authority, but would like to know, if I had no objection. I j^resented my paper, with a re- quest that the matter should be held as confidential, as I did not wish to make it public. After reading the paper he said: "I think you are authorized to insjiect the work of the whole of us; I see in this the whole field is included. Would you object to my taking this to the chief of police, if I bring it back Avithiu an hour or two? We may in some cases render you assistance." I had no objection, and he took it. I found their as- sistance in a few cases very important, as well as conven- ient. But with all the Savage threats, nothing was done, and not even a reference was made to the subject iu either of the papers. Sui^gcon Reyburn told me, as he was jiass- ing a corner where a group of secessionists were discussing the subject quite freely, that one man said, " Why do n't Savage do something about that souj^-house affair, and not be a immb-head, and let that woman wind him around her finger like that?" Another said, "If I'd lied once over tliat old soup-house, I'd lie again, before I'd hold still and take all that." He changed his soup-house policy for a little while; but the complaints among secession friends and white customers caused him soon afterward to backslide. DESTrrrTR famitjes. 461 Mr. (Jiirpuntor, treasurer of the Provident Aid Society, wrote a letter to George Savage tliat he thought might improve him. But Surgeon Royburu t?ont for nie, and requested me to j)repare for running the Fourth Ward snup-liouse, as he had heard they were going to discharge George Savage. I called on INIr. Shc])herd, the proper authority to discharge him. He said that in a Aveek or two all the soup-houses would close for the season, and, as Savage had received letters that he thought he Avould im- prove by, he would release me from the task of running the soup-house. I therefore continued visiting and reliev- ing the sick and suffering. I met in my roimds Dr. Cook, avIio said there was a child frozen to death in Kendal Green Barracks, nearly two miles away. Neither the doctor nor myself knew who had charge there. I went, and found a child of ten months old that had chilled to death. The mother said hers was the fourth child in that row of cabins that had died ; and that none of tliem Avere allowed more than two four-foot sticks of fire-wood for twenty-four hours. I called at the other cabins, and found them without fire, and all tuld the same story of lack of wood and no coal. There was neither bedding nor clothing enough among them all to make a sin- gle family conifortal)lc. The mother of the dead child had been to see the superintendent of the poor of the city to get a coflin. AVith shoes but little better than none, she had waded through melting snow until her dress was wet four inches, at least, around the bottom. I inquired who the sujjerintendent of this camp and barracks Avas, and they said, ^lajor Thompson. I went to his head-cpiarters, but found that he and his fixmily had gone to the Capital to learn how President Johnson's impeachment trial Avas likely to end. I repaired to General C. H. Howard's oflfiee, and reported the condition of these families. He sent me back in his ambulance, with fifty loaA'es of l)r( ad, a coffin for the dead child, and two quilts and a few 462 A woman's life-work. bliuikets for the destitute, Avith iustructions to give the bread, except one loaf to each of the four families I had visited, to Major Towiisend, a man that I had met in the Sabbath -school he superintended. He was surprised to find 'those families under his care in such a condition. The general furthermore I'equested me to make a thorough in- vestigation of Kendal Green Barracks and camp. The following day I visited forty families, and found twelve sick, and not sufficiently supplied. I listened to many sad stories by a white man, who had been one of JMajor Townseud's police guards while he had charge of Campbell Camp, before I went to Washington. I was in- formed that the major had charged his two police guards to bring the woman that was interfering with his camp to his office till he returned, if she should come again in his absence. Although they were quite cross, they did not take me to the major's head-quarters, as I told them I was calling by request. The major had no more idea of who the intruder was than I knew who the superintendent was nntil I made mj' rep(jrt to the general, when he informed me that it was not Thompson, but !Major Townsend, to whom I had been introduced in a colored Sabbath-school. But as he knew by the supplies which I took to the families that they came from head-quarters, he called on General Howard, and from him learned who the inspector was, and he told the general he would aid me in calling on the poor who needed aid. Wliile he spent most of the day in call- ing at my office and going to see the genei'al, I was visit- ing the barracks. For sundry misdemeanors while in office the major was relieved, and another appointed in his stead. Tliough I did not think he was the right man for the place, yet I felt sorry for his excellent family. His wife and two young lady daughters I had called on, and was much jileased witli their self-sacrifieing Christian spirit. There was much cxcitcjuent in Wasliinh instantly took his life. His wife and children knew noth- 484 A woman's life-avork, ino; of it uutil the sliockiuff tidino-s i-eaclied them the ful- lowing morning. Thomas Graham, a wealthy merchant at Forest Station, rej)orted that the man who shot him had gone to Texas and could not be found or heard from; and nothing was done to find the murderer or to bring him to justice." Elder Perry Bradley was told by a number of this class of Democrats, at various places where he was accustomed to preach, that he could not live there and preach unless he would vote the Democratic ticket and teach his people to do the same. Said he, "In the town of Hillsboro, at one of my meetings, the bulldozers came into the congre- gation and took me out of the meeting, held in a school- house one mile from Hillsboro, on April 15, 1879, at ten o'clock P. M., where I had jireachcd during our day meet- ings without disturbance. Captain Hardy, leading the band, took me into the woods to an old deserted house, in which was their general or chief commander, Warsham, who asked the following question : ' Will you stop 2:)reach- iug to your j^eople that Christ died to make you all free, body, soul, and spirit?' 'I can not stop preaching God's truth as I find it in the Bil)le,' was my answer. 'I want you to understand now that you can't preach such doc- trine to our niggers,' was the rejoinder. He then directed them to give me two hundred lashes. They took me out in the front yard and drove four stakes in the ground, to which each wrist and foot was fastened. After being dis- robed of my clothing and fastened, face downward, two men were selected to do the whipping, one on each side, alternating their strokes, while the rabble stood around until the two hundred lashes were given. Then they were told to stop and let me up. Too weak and trembling to stand, I was again queried whether I would not now preach the Democratic doctrine and vote that ticket? I re])lied, 'I can not conscientiously make such a promise.' 'Why PERSECUTIONS. 485 not?' 'Because I do not believe there are Democrats in licaven.' Said their trcneral, Warshuin, 'We'll turn liiiu loose Avith this brushing; may be he'll conclude to behave himself after this.' Turning to me he said, ' Re- member, this is but a light brushing compared with Avhat you'll get next time; but we'll try you Avith this.' I returned to my home Avith my back cut in many deep gashes, the scars of which I shall carry to my grave. Yet I praised God in remembrance that my loving Savior suf- fered more than this for me, and that this suffering Avas in his cause. As soon as I Avas able to continue my Avork for my Lord and Master among my people I Avas again enabled to proclaim the riches of his grace. A few weeks after resuming my Avork I preached on the Dan. Lewis' place, in Scott County, Avhere I had held meetings undisturbed. But the same company sought me out, and took me out of an cA'ening meeting into the Avoods about three miles dis- tant to hang me. After due preparations Avere made they passed their whisky around, of Avhieh they all drank so freely that in their carousings they got into a fight, and Avliile drawing pistSuspectiug that their object was to take his life she refused to tell. U])on this a roi)e was i)laced around her neck and tied to a horse's 494 A woman's life-work. tail, aud she was thus dragged to the Dcarcst wood and hauged to the limb of a tree until she was dead. Her hus- baud made his escape as best he could Avith bis mother- less babe. There was a plantation in Mississippi rented to six colored men, three of Ihem with families. At Christmas they called for a settlement. INIorgau, the proprietor, brought them into his debt, and swore "every nigger had eaten his head off." He took seven hundred bushels of wheat that they had raised, and fourteen fat hogs, the corn, and even the team aud wagon they brought on the jilacG. They concluded to resort to the civil authorities, li«)})ing to recover a portion of the avails of the season's hard work. But JMorgan gained the suit. At this the colored men told him just what they thought of this whole- sale rob])ery. Within a week after the six men were taken out of their beds in the dead of night, by a comj^any of masked "Regulators," Avho stripped the bedsteads of tl'.cir cords, with Avhich tliey Avere hauged and then lashed to boards and sent floating down the MississipjH River. A white cloth was fastened over their bosoms, upon which Avas written : "Any one taking up these bodies to bury may expect the same fate." They Avere taken out of the river one hundred miles below. Two of the AvidoAvs sent for the l)odies of their husbands, and a number Avhom I couA'crsed Avith attended the funeral and read the notice on the linen, Avliich had not been removed from their persons. Surely Ave have a right, aud it is our duty to A'entilate these facts, though Avc may be deemed sensational. "We can not be charged Avith political Avirc-pulling, as they are beyond our reach. But I ask, in the Avords of Elizabeth M. Chandler, Avho has long since gone to her rest aud rcAvard — "Sluill AVC liehold unlieeding Life's liolicst feelings cruslied? AVlien Avoman's heart is bleeding, Shall woman's voice be Imshcd?" REFl'CJEES IN KANSAS. 495 Is it a \Yon(ler the freedmcn floe ]\v hundreds and thou- sands? They are still coming into Kansas. There are many sick and dying among them. Let every man, woman, and child arise and work for the refugees, who are suffer- ing for food, fuel, and clothing. There is great necessity for immediate and vigorous effort, in taking the place of the Good Samaritan in caring for the robbed and bruised stranger, who find many priests and Levites passing by. During the "Winter all money and supplies for Kansas refugees should be directed to Elizabeth L. Comstock, North Topeka, Kansas. Our work is by every possible means aiding these poor l)eople to help themselves, which they are doing Avhcrever work can be found. But Winter season overtaking them ou the way to Kansas, and no work to be obtained, the phi- lanthropy of our North will not withhold her liberal hand. It is a debt which we owe to this peoj)le. Comparatively few call for assistance who have been in the State a year, and most of these are aged grandparents, the sick, and widows with large families of small children. .Of those who came early in the S[)ring of 1879, many have raised from one hundred to four hundred bushels of corn each year, but they divide with their friends and relatives who follow them. Some raised a few acres of cotton in their first year, and they iivv, jubilant over their future outlook. They say, " Kansas prairies will blossom as the rose, and whiten her thousands of acres with their favorite staple." One old man whose head was almost as white as the few acres of cotton he produced, said, "We'll 'stonish the nation wid thousands of snow-white acres of cotton in dis yere free Kansas, raised wid black hands." I find they are writing back to their relatives and friends in the far off South, that they can raise cotton as successfully in Kansas as in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. In this prospect the door of hope is opening before them, as if by the Almighty hand, which they accept as having 496 A woman's ijfe-work. led them to the "laud of freedom," as they often express themselves. They are coming in larger numbers again, notwith- standing every j)ossible effort of planters to keep them back, and false reports from their enemies in this State that the exodus had ended; but Ave who are in communi- cation with other portions of the State know to the con- trary, and all who conic report more to follow. These poor people who, between March, 1879, and March, 1881, have made their escape from an oppression that seems almost incredible, and have come to Kansas to live, now number more tliau fifty thousand, and still they come. Like a great panorama, the scenes I witnessed in tliis State six- teen years ago, amid clashing arms, come back to me. Suffering and dying then seemed the order of each day. True, there is a great deal of suffering and ignorance among these field hands still, l)ut there is a marked im- jii'ovcmcnt, both as to the intelligence of these masses and their personal comfort. Arc they not as intelligent as were the children of Israel when they left Egypt ? They made a golden calf to worship after jNIoses had left them a few days. All ignorant people are prone to depend upon lead- ers instead of relying on themselves. Joseph Fletcher, who came into Kansas July 8, 1879, I fi)und by his papers to be an honorably discharged sol- dier from Mississi])pi. He testifies to the following facts: "I saw one hinidred men killed by shooting and hanging during the two years, 1878 and 1879; and my brother was one of them. I can point to their graves to-day in the two parishes I worked in. This was in the Red River section, Mississip})i. Their crime was their persistence in voting the Republican ticket." A number of the representative men from those parishes were interviewed, and they testi- fied to the same things. A number of them had been soldiers. Andrew J. Jackson, directly from Waterproof, Missis- lU'LLDO/INCi. 497 sippi, says: "Fairfax was a smart, educated man. Ho owned liis house and land, and u^ave a lot to the colored Baptist Church and nidstly built it. But the liulldozcrs burned both house anil church. He rebuilt his house. The Republicans nominated him for Senator, and the Bourbon Democrats found he would be elected. They threatened his life, and as he found snares were laid to entrap him, he made his escape to New Orleans for safety. When they learned as to his whereabouts, a uundxir of men wrote for him to come back, and they w'ould drop the matter and let the election go as it would ; but he heeded neither their letters nor telegrams. One of his friends was fearful that he would heed their persuasions and went to see him, and told him not to listen to their sweet talk, for the bulldozers only wanted him back so that they might take his life. The white Democrats continued to write to him to come back and advise the colored people not to go North, and they would })roniise to protect him, for every body wanted him to return and none would molest him. As he did not return for all their pledges, one man, who had always appeared very friendly with him, went to see him, and told him that all who had opposed him })le(lgcd their word and honor that he should not be disturbed in the least if he would only return and persuade the colored people not to go to Kansas, as he had more influence over them than any other man. He assured him so confidently that he concluded to trust them, and returned to the bosom of his family on Saturday; but before Monday morning he was shot dead. The heart-rending .scene can better be im- aeriued than described." Said (me intelligent man, "We can do nothing to pro- tect the virtue of our wives and daughters. Near Green- ville, Mi.«si.ssippi, a colored woman was passing through a little skirt of woods, when she was attacked by two wliito men, who violated her jierson ; then, to prevent exposure, they murdered her in the most savage manner. They tied 42 498 A woman's life-work. her clothes over her head and hanged her by her waist to a hickory sapling, and ripj^ed open her bowels until the one that would within a few weeks have occupied its place in its mother's arms, fell to the ground. Just at that junct- ure two colored men came in sight, and the white men dodged into the woods. This drew attention to the awful scene of the dying woman weltering in her gore. They hastened to cut her down, and just as she was breathing her last she whispered, "Tell my husband." One watched the corpse while the other went to inform the husbaud. This barbarous murder, which took place in April, 1879, was twice related to me in the same way by different women from the same neighborhood, who attended the funeral. As I related this to our friend, W. Armour and wife, of Kansas City, he remarked that the same incident had been told to him by some of the new arrivals. We repeat. Who can wonder at their flight? On July 12th and 13th two boat-loads more of refu- gees, numbering four hundred persons, landed in lower Kan- sas City. I heard it again repeated, "What shall we do? Here in Topeka are two hundred poor jicople waiting to go somewhere to get work, and only two hundred dollars in our treasury!" Where shall we send them? More than fifty men and women were then out hunting work ; many found it and rented cabins. We waited for a reply from the railroad authorities, t(,) see if they would take two hun- dred passengers for that money to Colorado. This association met and reached the conclusion to tel- egraph Mr. W. Armour and his co-laborers, at Kansas City, to send the four hundred at that place to other points, as it was impossible to receive them in Topeka until those already there were furnished with homes, or more money should come to their aid. I returned to Kansas City, and found their hands and hearts full also, and heard the query repeated, "What are we to do for these poor people? We can not send them back, and tliey viast be fed until we. KANSAS OVER-FUI>L. 499 hear from places to wliich wo have telegraphed." Favor- al)lc re})lies came for seveiity-five families to Colorado. The colored minister, Elder Watsou, was to take them away, iind visited St. Louis to re(|uest the friends in that city to send no more in tiiis direction for the present. A white woman called to see some of these poor people, and brought chicken broth for a very sick man. She said she was born in Virginia, raised in Georgia, where she had taught school, and also taught iu Mississippi and Alabama. Because she contended for the rights of the colored peo- ple, as they were free, she was ostracised and compelled to leave the South. Said she, "I have seen them hung and shot like dogs. They can not tell you the half of what they suffer. I know it, for I have seen it." While I was still visiting among these 2)eople, the steamer Fannie Lewu landed with one hundred and four more refugees from Mississippi. Here they had nothing for their covering except the open sky. "NVc feared that, un- less other States should rally to the rescue, nothing but suffering and death would be before them. Kansas had dnmiciled about what she could for the present, unless further aid should be given from without. This State had hardly recovered from the sweeping devastation of war when drought swept over her rich prairies, and .scarcely had she recovered from that di'awback when the grasshoi> pers came and desolated her again. Then the JNIacedoniau cry, "Come over and help us," was heard and answered. Again we raise this cry in behalf of this oppressed people, and it will meet a generous response. When forty thousand dependents were thrown into young Kansas by Price's raid through Missouri, followed l)y Colonels James Lane and Jennison, I received from General Curtis the report that twenty thousand poor whites and as many freed men were here to be cared for by government and the ])enevolencc of the North. At that time of sore need JNIichigan placed iu my hands two thou- 500 A woman's life-wokk, saud six himdred dollars in money, and from seven thou- sand to eight thousand dollars in supplies to relieve the perishing and dying of that day. The lesson is not forgot- ten, that it is more blessed to give than to receive. He alone who knows the end from the beginning can tell the future of our country, and of the five million of its inhab- itants of African descent. Yet eternal right must and will trium])h. The debt our nation owes to the ex-slave should be paid. The hundred thousand colored soldiers wIkj fought as bravely to save our nation's life as did their paler-faced brethren, and fiiced the cannon's mouth as fear- lessly for the i:)rize above all price — liberty — are worthy of consideration. They were ever true to our soldiers. Many of our prisoners escaping from rebel dungeons were piloted by them into our lines. Many black "aunties" took their last chicken and made broth for our sick Union soldiers, as did the one I met in Natchez, Mississippi. She had been free a number of years, and had her yard full of geese, ducks, and chickens ; but all went for Union sol- diers. She was a noble Christian Avoman. She said, "I feels so sorry for a sick soldier, so flir from their home. I feels happy for all I kin do for 'em. I knows Jesus pay me." Another colored woman whom I met at Gloucester Court-house, in Virginia, did the same. An ox-soldier wrote in a note, found in a box of val- uable clothing sent to the refugees in Kansas: "I send this as a small token of the gratitude I owe to the colored peo- ple for saving my life when I Avas sick and escaping from a loathsome rebel prison. They took care of me and con- ducted me safely to our Union camp. This goes with a prayer that God will bless that suffering people." We have the testimony of many witnesses. Among them is J. C. Hartzell, D. D., of New Orleans, editor of the Southivestern Christian Advocate. He says, "The cruelties endured by the colored people of the South ea7i not he overdrawn" He knew of a number of families that took PROTECTION NEEDED. 501 liomcstciifls on government lands and were doing ^rell for themselves, but masked "Bourbons" went in a company and drove them off", telling them they "hud no business with homes of their own. The plantation was their j)lace, and there they should go." One man undertook to defend himself and family witli his gun, but receiving a serious wound from one of the Bourbons, he hid from his j)nrsu- ers. One of his Avliite friends heard of what had befallen him, and took him to New Orleans for saftity, as he knew him to be an industrious and peaceable man. Here ho employed a skillful surgeon to treat him. Our informant saw the bullet taken from his body, and thouuht his life could be saved. But he is sure to lose it if he returns (o his own home. Rev. J. C. Ilartzell said he had received letters from various places all over the South, written by intelligent colored ministers, that their Churches Avere closed against them until after election. The same thing was told me by many of those I interviewed. The Bourbons said their meetings were the hot-beds of emigration and Republicanism. In some places they were forbidden to meet in their private houses for prayer-meet- ings, as their enemies said they met to make plans to go to Kansas. Is there no guarantee for life, liberty, and the })ursuit of happiness? What a state of society is this for a iVee country? Our first duty as a government is protec- tion. But if it is too weak for that, the second duty is to welcome the fleeing refugee and point him to work, or to the thousands of acres of good government land, and help him where he needs help to keep body aaid smd together during the few months it may i*C(juire to make himself self-sustaining. From Daniel Votaw's report from Independence, Kan- sas, I extract the following: "Thomas Bell, of Dallas County, Texas, was hanged alx)ut October 5th for attem{)t- ing to go with his family and a few neighlwrs to Kansas. Blood and rapine mark the fugitive. After supjX'r, from 502 A woman's life-work. meal furnislied them for this purpose, they gave us a his- tory of their trials in Texas, which was truly sorrowful ; aud with the uotes, mortgages, and credits given — to the whole amount, two thousand five hundred dollars — for their farms, they were compelled to leave and flee for their lives, as David did before Saul." Shot-gun rule still continued. Philip Fauber, recently from near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, testifies as follows: "I rented land of Bragg and James McNealy, and was to have one-third of the crop and furnish team aud seed. I took three bales of cotton to the weigher, who read my contract, and set aside one bale for me. But the McNealys claimed the three bales, and I referred the matter to the Justice of the Peace, Avho, after reading the contract, sanctioned the decision of the weigher. But the INIcNealys brought another officer, who asked to see the contract. I handed him the paper, which he read and tore up and threw away, and INIcNealy took possession of the last bale of cot- ton, which I told them was my only dependence for my family's support for the Winter. On my way home through a little woods I received the contents of a shot-gun in my face, both eyes being put out. In great distress I felt my way home. The doctor took a number of shot out of my face, but he couldn't put my eyes back. I can now do nothing but depend upon others to feed aud clothe me till God takes me from this dark world to that glorious world of light and peace. The old man, McNealy denied shoot- ino; me, ))ut he never said he did not know who did. But he and his two sons died within a few months after I was shot. In the last sickness of Bragg McNealy he sent for me to tell me for the last time that he did not shoot me. Still he would not tell who did." The industrious wife of this poor man whose face is speckled with shot scars, is anxious to get four or five acres of land to work herself, and support herself and lilind husband. A. A. Lacy, an intelligent colored man from New MICHAET. WALSH. 503 Orleans, who came to us indorsed by a number of others from the same city, testifies to tiie facts related by him as follows: " May 5, 1880, I called at the custom-house to report for duty to General A. S. Badger, collector of cus- toms, by whom I had been employed. He directed me to Captain L. E. Salles, the chief weigher, to whom I had reported a number of days, but failed to get work, and as I failed this time I asked if I had better continue calling for work. He replied, 'You had better call again.' As I was passing out of the door his partner, ^lichacl Walsh, came to me (in a gruff, commanding tone), 'What is that you say. Lacy?' 'Nothing to you,' I replied; 'I was speaking to Captain Salles.' At this he gave a stab, and as I turned to see what he was hitting me for, he added two stabs more with cursing. As I was going down the steps I felt the warm blood running down my side, not yet realizing that I had been cut. I opened my vest and saw the flowing blood. I stepped into Mr. Blanchard's office, the assistant weigher, Avho was a Republican, and showed him my side, with clothes saturated with blood. He was so shocked and excited tliat he was taken ill and died in just two weeks. He advised mo to enter a com- plaint against Michael Walsh, which I did, and he was placed in jail in default of thousand dollar bond. I was sent to the hospital. As there were many friends and rejKjrters calling on me, the surgeon forbade callers except immediate attendants and my wife. He said the deei)est wound reached the left lung, and an eighth of an iucli deeper would have produced instant death. On the tciitli day I was allowed to be removed to my home, and pro- nounced to be convalescent. Michael Walsli was released from prison with no other mark of displeasure resting upon him for this attempt at murder than a few days' imprisonment. As soon as I was able to walk about I took a boat with friends whose lives had been threatened for Kansas, where we arrived July 15, 1880. I am only 504 A woman's life-work. able to do light work for wliicli I am thankful. Yet it seems hard to lose all this time from the assassin's stab iu a custom-house that belongs to the government I fought two years to sustain." Uncle Peter Cox, an aged man of eighty-eight years, has a wen on the l)ack of his neck, running between his shoulders, larger than a two-quart bowl, that has been over thirty years coming. It was caused by heavy lifting and continued hard work during his slave-life. He came to Topeka, Kansas, iu July, 1880, with his aged wife and deaf and dumb grandson of eighteen years. His advanced age and deformity induced me to inquire more closely into the cause of leaving his State (Louisiana). After giving the sad history of his slave-life — the common lot of that class of goods and chattels— he said: "Missus I stay'd thar as long as I could, when I seed my brodder iu de L(j'd liangiu' on a tree not more'u a hundred rods from my house, near Baton Rouge. A sistah was hanged five miles off, on de plank road, in West Baton Rouge, in a little Avoods. Her sistah followed her beggin' for her life, and tole de bulldosers she could n't tell whar her husban' was that da's gwine to hang. But da sw(jre she should hang if she did n't tell." Giving his head a shake, while tears dropped thick and fast down the deeply furrowed checks, he continued: " O, Missus, I couldn't live thar no longer. I's so distressed day an' night. De chief captain of dis ban' of murder's was Henry Castle, who wid his ban' of men was supported by jNIr. Garrett, Mr. Fisher, an' Mr. AVashington, who were merchants in Baton Rouge." But that poor grandfather's heart was filled with grief to overflowing when the faithful grandson was walking alone iu the railroad track, and was run over by the cars and instantly killed. Although the warning whistle was given the poor deaf boy heard it not. As he was all the aged pair had to depend upon for their living, it was to them a heavy stroke. No one can look over these testi- OTHER TESTIMONIES. 505 monies without exclaiming, with David, " Is tlierc not a cause" for the flight of this persecuted people? We find many among them, like Lazarus, begging for the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table ; but let us not allow tlicm to die in this land of plenty. During three weeks in July, 1879, spent in Kansas, I interviewed many of the eight hundred and thirty-four recent arrivals in that State from the far South, and found one continued train of sad recitals of wrongs and outrages equal to the darkest spots that ever stained the history of savage life. A. W. Armour, of Kansas City, Missouri, who had taken much interest in assisting these refugees, believed there had been eight thousand arrivals of these people since ]\ larch. The query arises, "Why this stampede? why this unlooked-for emigration? We answer. Go to these hundreds and thousands and listen to their story of the increasing oppressions jiracticcd upon them, the most bar- barous murders, committed so frequently that intelligent colored men in many localities know not when they retire at night but they may be called out of their beds and hung or shot ere the dawn of another day, and here the answer is found. Of such testimonies we add a few more. Mary Clark had been two weeks from New Orleans. She says, "Tax man make me pay three dollars for my license for washin' for people. !My ole man had to hide away for his life till he get a boat; an' we Icf all behin', 'case two men shot dead a few days afore we lef. One man standiu' in his own yard, an' de bullet shot over some o' de people's heads standin' in de church yard next his house, an' struck de wall o' de church, an' fell on de groun'. Some of our people picked it up all battered." An ex-soldier and a few other neighbors of Dickie Smith said he was called out of his bed at two o'clock in the darkness of night, a rope slipped over his head and tied to a horse's tail, and he was dragged across ridges to the nearest woods, where the dead body wad hung to a tree 506 A woman's ijfe-avork. because he refused to report the colored people in Candia parish. Mary Crawford, over oue hundred years old, said: "I'se had heap of ups an' downs. Great many years ago my husban' sole away; some chillen sole off; nebcr know Avhere da went. When de war free us, had two lef ', My baby goiu' on seventy; he's here." This was spoken in a low, sad wail, indicative of a life of sorrow. Her son was suffering from rheumatism from a month's exposure on the bank of the river waiting for a boat that would bring them. Said his wife, " ^Ye hailed all de boats dat pass, an' show 'em de money (me time, an' da say, 'No, we can't take you; planters gib us three hundred dollars dis trip not to take niggers Norf ' My ole nu\n was gettin' might- ily crippled up, out so long in chilly nights. "When we got here we had jus' eight dollars left ; dat I paid for dis little house for a month to get under shelter, for mother got sore throat from cole. If me an' chillen can get somefiu' to do afore dis month is out we'll get on again. But da is shootiu' an' haugiu' so fas' back dar we packed up an' got away." Said a white man, as he stood looking over this group, "What did these old people come for? they can't do any good." The quick reply was, "We ct)uldn't leave our fathers and mothers back thar for Reg'lators to kill, an' not know whar nor how they dies." This answer is suffi- cient excuse for all the old people they bring. It is astonishing to see the insults heaped upon these ignorant people. A stranger came to these ex-soldiers who left the service without back pay, jn-ofessiug to be a lawyer authorized to take their discharge })apers and collect it for them. Fifteen of these men gave him their papers. One of them called for a receipt for his, though assured, as were all the others, that the papers with their money would be given them the following week. But neither the lawyer nor the papers nor the money was ever heard from CRUEL TREATiMENT. 507 afterwards. Another swindler came to the soldiers and offered for sale a jieculiar badge tliat he said, if presented in Kansas, would be sufficient to secure eighty or one hun- dred and sixty acres of good land, and great effort was made to secure it. One man sold his cow for two dollars to get enough to purchase the valued badge. Several hundred dollars were thus taken by him before he came to one intelligent enough to expose the fraud, antl then he left them. It seemed quite a general testimony among these ])eo- ple that they were liettcr treated the first year or two after the war closed than at any time since, and that loss of life had since then increased perceptibly. One man and his three sous, who had been soldiers, carried with them their discharge papers and were strong Republicans. They Avere offl'red two dollars each if they would vote the Democratic ticket; but they refused, and told the man who offered the jnoiicy that they were not ready to sell themselves* But ho s;'.ld it was only voting for iheir home government, and it was their duty to vote the Southern ticket. Then assuming a threatening attitude he went on, " We are troinir to clean out all these Eepublicans before the next election."' A few nights after this throat all four were called out in the dead of night and hung. This was in the Red River section. While listening to this account I was reminded of the remarks of an ex-slaveholder in telling nic of a new-fash- ioned gag made with barbs similar to those ou fish-hooks, that pierced the tongue so badly that she knew a man ou Samuel Lay's plantation, on Red River, that was found dead in the morning from wearing one during the night. "Why, you Northerners have no idea of the hell upon earth this Red River country is." And it seems that the reconstruction br*ish has done but little on Red River can- vas since T was there amid booming cannons and clash of arms in 18G3-4. 508 A woman's life work. One woman from that section told me, " De agent say he gwine to put us all in purgatory." I thought they had got them in already hy her reports, and kept them there, until they made their escape. "One man with his wife worked twenty-five acres on the widow Garner's place. Her son, Richard Garner, was her agent, and had a fair prospect of a good crop. When he heard we talked of going North he brought an officer to take possession of all we had to prevent our going. Our Avagon cost us one hundred and ten dollars; we paid for our horse one hundred and thirty dollars, and for our four plows thirty-four dollars. After he had taken all we had he then pretended we owed him four dollars more. We left and then worked by the day until Ave got eight dollars that brought us to St. Louis, and the kind people there paid our fare here. God bless 'era forever, I pray. If Ave keep Avell, in a year or two Ave'll get us a little home of our OAvn." This seems to be the height of thSir ambition. In some places planters are making ucav arrangements by having them sign articles of agreement to Avork the same plantation the next year or forfeit this year's crop. But it is apparent that no contract, hoAvever binding, Avill hold them there, unless they remove this iron rod of oppression Avliich now rests so heavily upon them. Their policy of striking terror to their hearts is failing. Increas- ing barbarities Avill not bring tame submission. One man from Louisiana, near Baton Rouge, wlio was an honorably discharged soldier, reports that he cut one man doAvn that must have been hung a number of days before. In this company there Avere a number of witnesses Avho Avent to the Avoods to behold the aAvful scene reported by their friend. They reported also another act still more barbar- ous, committed by a drinking I'abble who first hung a poor colored man and then cut him into pieces, scattering his limbs in different directions in the Avoods for the Avild CHARLIE ROBISON. 509 beasts to devour. lu listening to these demoniac deeds the blood seemed to curdle in my veins, and I cried out, " How long, O Lord, how long?" But a few more iustances we will give and close this paintul record. A number of men and women reported that Charlie Robison was a nice, quiet man. His wife did not know of his having a difference with any one. "But as de Reg'lators swore da kill de las' Republican afore de next "lection we spose dat was all. We lived near Baton Rouge. Charlie was workin' rented Ian', an' his wife M'eut in de fiel' dat day to help 'im. On goin' in for supper he ])ut his ban's on her shoulder an' said : 'Now, Babe [his pet name for his wife], I want you to wake me up right early in de mornin', case I want to feed de mules an' get in de fiel' right soon.' After enteriu' the house his wife said : 'There, Charlie, I forgot my basket I lef by de fence.' 'Never min'. Babe, I'll go an' get it after supper when the team is fed.' They both went, an' she said da talk a long time, after the chillens all asleep, 'bout what they'd do nex' Christmas, an' what happen last Christmas week. At two o'clock dat night a loud rap on de door wake 'em, an' Charlie say, 'What's wantin'?' 'We want Charlie Rob- ison.' 'Who's thar?' 'No matter who 's here; we want Charlie.' His wife clingin' to 'im, beggiu' 'Don't go, Charlie; da's Reg'lators, da' 11 kill you.' The urgent call came with bitter oaths and cursing with threats, ' Come out here, or we'll kerosene your house and burn you all u]).' The trembliu' man went for de door an' jus' open it a little, an' da say, ' Do n't stan' thar, or we '11 throw kero- sene over you an' burn you up in a minute.' Amid cries of his wife, beggin' 'Don't kill Charlie,' an' he .siyin' 'Now, you won't hang me away from my poor wife an' three little chillen, will you?' they cursed an' said, 'Who said we are going to hang you ?' An' da hauled him out an' dragged him away while beggin' for his life. As soon as it was li-rht cuou;rh to see she come to us to i^o wid her 510 A woman's life-wohk. to hunt Charlie. As we went the way she heard 'im last, we seed 'im haugin' on a little tree in de edge of de woods; his back was to us till we got up to 'im, an' it peared like he knew his poor wife dar, wriugiu' her han's and cryin' for 'im, for as soon as we got up to 'im he turned squar' round wid liis face to 'er. And, 0, what a sight! His tongue hung out over his chin, an' eyeballs on liis cheeks! 'O Charlie, my Charlie, my Charlie,' slie cried; 'God have mercy !" Dis was Monday night, an' de nex' Sunday da hung Jonathan Jackson, an' two week after da hung 8tei)hcn Bray." We rei)eat, is it a marvel that this sorely oppressed people risk suffering in a colder climate when life for them is so uncertain ? O how vividly these thrilling recitals brought the Red Sea of war to view. Surely its tributaries are flowing still. The query why they are not better able to cai'e fur themselves when they reach our jSTortheru States is finally answered in the cloud of oppression that has so long hung over that crushed race. The majority of those I interviewed were of the IMeth- odist and Baptist persuasions. They have great faith that the Lord is leading in a way they know not, and that King Jesus is opening the prison door for them as surely as he opened the prison door for Paul and Silas. Let all who de- sire to lend to the Lord by giving to his poor send material aid to Governor John P. St. John, Topeka, Kansas, who has drawn around him like benevolent spirits. They have done, and are still doing, what they can to relieve the poorest of the poor of these refugees who have sought a " house of refuge " in that young State of Kansas. Yet, through all these dark clouds we perceive the silver linings. The heaven-born cause of temperance is gaining a foothold in our Southern States. A crusade against the liquor-traffic commenced in Ohio, and has swept over IMioliigan and other neighboring States, and is still going on coiKpieriug and to conquer. PROSPECTS OF THE FEEEDMEN. 511 Chapter XTX. PROSPECTS OF THE FREEDMEN. Our last chai^ter contains the dark side of our picture. In this we present the brighter i)rospects for a long and sorely op])ressed race. We first note what has been and is being done for the sixty thousand who have emigrated to Kansas. As I have been a co-lal)()rer with Elizal)eth L. Conistock more than two 3Tars in rescuing the perishing in their new liomes, I speak from personal knowledge. During the first Winter — 1879-80 — as mild as it was, morr than one hundred refugees were found witli frozen feet and fingers. Five were frozen to death in coming tlirough the Indian Territory with their teams. Tiirougli faithful agents, with supplies forwarded from other States, and even from friends in England in response to appeals sent out l\y Elizabeth L. Comstock, very many sufferei's were relieved. The goods from England were forwarded mostly by James Clark, of Street. Over seventy thousand dollars' worth of supplies have passed through our hands for the relief of the refugees between September, 1879, when wc commenced working for them, and March, 1881. Thirteen thousand dollars of this amount came from England, having been sent by Friends or Quakers. Besides money, we received new goods, as follows : Warm, now blankets, 2,000 New <.'arinents for women and girls, 5,000 New frarments for men and hoys, 1^,000 Now fiarmonts for babies and small rliildren, 5,500 New knitted socks and liose, five hundred dozen jiairs, ". 6,000 Large quantity of sheets, pillow-cases, bed-quilts, tow- els, etc.^ .^,000 Qnoensware. — Six large crates, one hundred and ninotoon dozen i)lates in each, 8,508 512 A AVOilAX's LIFE-WORK. • Cups and saucers, nearly 6,000 Bowls and mugs, 4,000 Platters, pitchers, and clian:iber wares, 3,500 Scissors, 0,000 Sets of knives and forks, 4,000 Spoons, 8,000 Needles, 15,000 Knitting-needles, 2,500 Piags with sewing materials, 2,500 Papers of pins, six hundred and fifty dozen, and tape, 350, 1 ,000 Tin-cups and basins, 6.000 Bed-ticks, 1,500 AV^ ash-dishes and pans, 2.000 AVoolen dresses for women and girls, valued at $1,680 New overcoats for men and boys, valued at $650 Three whole bolts of Welch flannel (seventy-two vards each), '. • • $150 Two bolts heavy broadcloth, for overcoats, valued at . . $144 Women's cloaks and shawls, valued at $2,250 New red flannel, valued at $150 Mu.slins, valued at $150 Gray flannel and three hundred pairs mittens, valued at $500 Buttons, hooks and e\'es, cotton thread, silk, etc., .... $500 New pieces goods, chiefly cotton, valued at $5,000 Over uiuety thousand dollars iu money and supplies were distributed by the Kansas Relief Associatiou, until it was disbanded in May, 1881, and its head-quarters removed to Southern Kansas, where thousands of these Southern emigrants are congregated. That locality is more favorable to cotton raising. ]\Iany of the refugees know but little of other JKisiness ; hence the necessity for an agricultural, industrial, and educational institute, of which Elizabeth L. Comstock is the founder. At the present date (August, 1881) eight thousand dollars are invested. This includes the Homestead Fund. To meet the crying need of this people she, in connection with her daughter, Caroline De- Green, are untiring in their efforts to establish a perma- nent or systematized Avork. They have established this much needed institution ou four hundred acres of good laud, which is tilled by colored people, who receive pay for their work in provision, clothing, or money until they can l^urchasc cheap land for their own homes. It has been no small ta.sk to disburse wisely the large NOETHERN OUTRAGES. 513 suj^plics sent fri)iu every Ni)rllieru State and England in various portions of the ^State of Kansas. It has been done through the instrumentality of self-sacrificing men and women. The noble women of Toi)eka did their full share. They districted the city, appointed a large investigating committee, and gave tickets calling fi)r the articles most needed in the families found in a suffering condition. By this plan impositions were avoided. While we have entered bitter complaints against our Southern ex-slave States, we ought to call to mind many persecutions endured by the opponents of slavery in our own States of the North. I have still in remembrance the many mobs to which abolitionists were exposed for discuss- ing their views. I have not forgotten the burning shame and disgrace upon our whole North because of the treat- ment it allowed to an earnest Christian philanthropist, Prudence Crandall, of Windham County, Connecticut. She opened a school in Canterbury Green for girls, and was patronized hy the best families, not only of that town, but of other counties and States. Among those who sought the advantages of her school was a colored girl. But Prudence was too thorough a Quaker to regard the request of bitter prejudice on the part of her other patrons to dis- miss her colored pupil. But she did not wait for them to execute their threat to withdraw their children. She sent them home. Then she advertised her school as a boarding school for young ladies of color. The people felt insulted, and held indignation meetings and appointed committees to remonstrate with her. But she stood by her princijiles regardless of their remonstrance. The excitement in that town ran high. A town meeting was called to devise means to remove the nuisance. In 1833 Miss Crandall ojiened her school against the protest of an indignant populace. Another town meeting was called, at which it was resolved, "That tlic establishment of a rendezvous, falsely denominated a school, was designed 514 A woman's UFE-WOPvIC. by its projectors as the theater to promulgate their disgust- ing theory of amalgamation and their pernicious sentiments of subverting the Union. These pupils were to have been congregated here from all quartei's under the false pretense of educating them, but really to scatter fire-brands, arrows, and death among brethren of our own blood." I well remember the voice of more than seven thousand, even at that day, who had never bowed the knee to the Baal of slavery that was raised in fiivor of the course ])ur- sued by the noble woman. Against one of these young col- ored girls the people were about to enforce an old vagrant law, requiring her to give security for her maintenance on penalty of being whiijped on the naked body. Thus they required her to return to her home in Providence. Canterbury did its best to drive Prudence from her post. Her neighbors refused to give her fresh water from their wells, though they knew their own sons had filled her well with stable refuse. Her father was threatened with mob- violence. An appeal was sent to their Legislature, and that body of wise men devised a wicked enactment which they called hiAV, which was brought to bear upon her jmr- ents on this wise: An order was sent to her father, in sub- stance, as follows: "Mr. Crandall, if you go to visit your daughter you are to be fined one hundred dollars for the first offense, two hundred dollars for the second offense, doubling the amount every time. Mrs. Crandall, if you go there you will be fined, and your daughter, Almira, will be fined, aud Mr. iNIay, and those gentlemen ihnn Providence [^lessrs. George and Henry Benson], if they come here, will be fined at the same rate. And your daughter, the one that has established the school for col- ored females, will be taken up the same way as for stealing a horse or for burglary. Her jjroperty will not be taken, but she Avill be ]>ut in jail, not having the liberty of the yard. There is no mercy to be shown about it." Soon after this Miss Ci'andall was arres-ted aud taken PEOGEESS OF FREEDOM. 515 to jail for an allcijjid oHense. Her trial resulted in an acquittal, hut her estal)lishnient Avas persecuted hy every c'ouceivahle insult. She and her school were shut out from attendance at the Congregational Church, and religious services hehl in her own house were interrupted by volleys of rotten eggs and other missiles. At length the house was set on fire, but the blaze was soon extinguished. In 1834. on Hepteniber 9th, just as the family was retiring for the night, a body of men with iron bars sur- rounded the house, and simultaneously beat in the windows and doors. This shameful outrage was more than they could endure. Prudence Crandall was driven at last to close her interesting school and send her pupils home. Then another town meeting was held, a sort of glorifica- tion, justifying themselves, and praising their Legislature for passing the law for whicli they asked. All this abom- inable outrage I well remember, and am glad to see it called up in Seribiiers Magazine for Decem])er, 1880. A scathing denunciation of the outrage was published in the Boston Librrator, edited by William Lloyd Garrison. Prudence Crandall did more for the cause of freedom by her persistence in the "Higher Law" doctrine of eternal right than the most eloquent antislavery lecturer could have accomplished in molding pulilic sentiment of the whole North. Her name became a household word in thousands of Northern homes. When we see the changes forty and fifty years have wrought in the North, surely we may look forward in strong faith for like changes to take place over the South. It may take longer, but come it will. AVe note with pleasure the rapid strides of education among the colored people in sixteen years. In 1864-5 [ visited large schools in slave-])ens that had become useless for the purposes for which they were designed. The stumps of their whipping -posts and the place of the dreaded auction block was vacated. Although many of tluir public 51 G A woman's T.IFE-WOrJv. schools are not all that could be desired, yet they have them, aud they are doing a good work. In Virginia, beginniug with 1871, the colored children enrolled for successive years numbered as follows: 38,554; 46,736; 49,169; 54,945; 62,178; 65,043; 61,772; aud 35,768. In South Carolina the enrollment from 1870 was, 15,894; 38,635; 46,535; 56,249; 63,415; 70,802; 55,952; 62.120; and 64,095. In Mississippi, beginning with 1875, the enrollment was 89,813; 90,178; 104,777; and 111,796. At the present we foot up the astonishing number of 738,164 pupils. Maryland has appropriated two thousand dollars per annum for the support of normal schools for the training of col- ored teachers. An ex-Confederate aud ex-slave-holder of high degree subscribed five thousand dollars toward a col- lege for colored people under the patronage of oue of the colored Churches in the State of Georgia. All honor is due such noble deeds. May there be more to follow his good example. From the best authorities we have the figures of over a million communicants among the colored people in the United States. Of those in the Southern States we have as follows, at this date, 1881 : African Methodists 214.S0S ]\Tethodist Episcopal Church (Colored), . 11 2,000 Colored Baptist Church, 500,000 Metliodist Episcopal Zion Church, .... 100.000 Methodist Episcopal Church, 300,000 Almost every Church in the North has coutributed to educational purposes in the South, but they are doing none too much. The Friends have done much toward support- ing a school in Helena, Arkansas, under the supervision of Lida Clark, an untiring worker for that people. But we have not the figures of amounts. But the ^[ethodist Episcopal Church has done, and is still doing, a great work, as our figures will show, in building commodious school- houses iu various States. Ih-DICAL COLLEGE, NASHVILLE, TENN. TICACUKUS. PUPILS. 12 43:i 7 17G 9 888 4 200 8 277 6 323 FREEDMEX'S SCTTOOES. 517 Schools of tlie Froodmon's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 1880-81 : CIIAUTKUlCr) INSTITI'TIONS. Central Tennessee Collcjie, Nashville, Tenn., Chuk University, Atlanta, (ia., Claflin University, Oranjiebtirg, S. C, . . . New Orleans University, New Orleans, La., Shaw University, Hotly Sprinj^s, Miss., . . Wiley University, Marshall, Texas, .... THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS. Centenary Biblical Institute, Baltimore, Md. 4 118 *Baker Institute, Orangeburg, S. C, .... ... *Thonison Biblical Institute, N. Orleans, La., ... MEDICAL COLLECiE. ]Mehary Medical College, Nashville, Tenn., . 8 35 INSTITI'TIONS NOT CllAUTEKEn. Bennett Seminary, Greensboro, N. C, . . . Cdokman Institute, .Jacksonville, Fla., . . . Haven Nornuil School, Waynesboro, (ia., . LaCirange Seminary, La Grange, Ga., . . . ^leridian Academy, ^leridian, ]Miss., . ■ • Rust Normal School, Huntsville, Ala., . . ■ AValden Seminary, Little Rock, Ark., . . . "West Texas Conf. Seminary, Austin, Te\-., La Teche Seminary, La Teche, La., .... West Tennessee Seminary, Mason, Tenn., . We must here put in our claim for the sixty thousand emigrants in Kansas from the South. The Frcedmen's Relief work in Kansas has been thoroughly orgaiiized and officered, and the contributions received for the refugees judiciously distributed. Au agricultural and industrial school was established some time ago, and is meeting, so far, Avith good success. It will, if properly sustained, prove to be a blessing not only to the colored race, but to the State. From a circular issued in June last, by Elizabeth L. Comstock, one of the superintendents of this work, 1 extract the following paragraphs: "Our first object is to emi)loy those who come for work 5 loO 5 1G6 2 ()0 2 !)fi <> 100 3 112 o (50 3 101 p, 100 2 lO *Piipil3 enmnerntpd in tlio otlu'i sdiools. 518 A woman's t.ife-work. or for aid. We are strongly advised by their best friends, and the kind donors botii sides the Atlantic, not to give any tiling (except in return for labor) to those who are able to work, especially during the warm weather. Wages are paid regularly every Saturday, and they come with their money to buy and select from the stock on hand what will suit themselves. Second-hand clothing and bed- ding have a price affixed almost nominal. Coats, 10 cents each to $1, very few at $1; pants, drawers, shirts, and vests, 5 cents each; shoes, 5 cents a pair; stockings and socks, two pairs for 5 cents; women's dresses, 10, 20, 30, and 40 cents each; children's clothes, 5 to 10 cents a gai*- ment; bed-quilts, comforters, and blankets, 20 to 50 cents; new ones, $1 each, if very good. New shoes and other articles, provisions, etc., that we have to purchase we buy at wholesale, and try to supj^ly them below the market price, some of tliem at half the retail price. Thus what little is gained on the old clothes makes up in part what we lose on the new. We could employ more laborers if we had more money. The state of the treasury is low now. It seems hard to turn away any poor people who want to work. We should be very glad of help just now in th.e way of seed for sowing, money to provide food and shelter, and to finish up our buildings. We greatly desire to start several industries before Winter, as blacksmith's shop, carpenter's shop, broom factory, etc., etc., that they may have \vork during the cold weather. We hope to have our school-house soon ready and to educate the children, and have an evening school for adults. "An important part of our work will be to train the women and girls in the various branches of household work, and sewing, knitting, etc. Nor do we lose sight of the spiritual garden while providing for the intellectual fields and the physical wants. We greatly desire that this long-oppressed race, wlio liave been kept in darkness and ignorance, should have the light of the glorious Gospel, INDITRTTIIAT. INSTITUTE. 519 and should have the Bil)lo put into their liand.;, and he taught to read and understand it. Of court^e wo meet \vi(h sonic opposition iu our work, as many a brave soldier has done before us, in battling for the right and for the col- ored race." AVe extract an item froni the Columbus Courier (Kan- sas) : "AVe are proud of the work cf the 'Agricultural, Industrial, and Educational Institute,' and earnestly desire its success, and we feel pi'oud of these good men and women who are led on by Mrs. Elizabeth L. Comstock at their head, and Mrs. Laura S. Ilaviland, their secretary. Characteristic spirits of the broad philanthropy of our beloved land, they need no commendation to sustain them. This has been their life-work, and tlicy now select our State for their field of labor. J. E. Pickering was chosen from a body of eighteen directors as its president, because ( f his cxpei'ieuce in this kind of work, having at one time been a conductor on the 'Under Ground.' He does not receive or ask for salary. He only presides at meetings of the Board of Directors, and has general oversight of the work in jirogress. His son, Lindly, was selected by the Board according to the expressed wish of Mrs. Comstock as superintendent. His wife is acting iu the capacity of matron, but neither of them receives a salary, and they are to be paid by some friends of the work when it is established. But now pay is a matter of no consideration. Charity does not require that these people should leave their comfortable homes and devote their time and energies to the laborious duties of their positions without some reward. Forty acres of the four hundred upon which the institute is located was purchased of Eindly ^l. Pickering, at one hundred dollars less tlurn he could otherwise have obtained for it. It was selected for its improvements and its fine location, unsurpassed in the country. In conclu- sion, we desire to refer to the good management with which without ostentation its affairs are vigorously j)ushed 520 A woman's life-work, forward, believing that the ever-living, ever-aggressive principle of right will sustain them and secure the success which so commendable an enterprise deserves. May heaven prosper the work of the nation's truest spirits and best and most respected citizens!" From the financial statement from April 15th to June 13, 1881, we find that there has been received for this industrial institute, in cash, $6,931.9G. Two large consign- ments of goods were received about the last date at Co- lumbus by Elizabeth L. Comstock for the same object. We appeal to the Christian public to give us at least one school in Kansas for the refugees. "Sow thy seed in the morning, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not whether this or that will prosper." " Sowing the seed with an aching heart Sowing the seed while the tear-drops start, Sowing in hope till the reapers come, Gladly to welcome the harvest home. O what shall the harvest be ?" THE END. TESTIMONIALS AND LETTERS. AnuiAN, April 26, 1882. I have known 31rs. Laura S. llaviland, author of the book entitled "A Woman's Life-Work," for twenty-five years past, and most cheerfully bear testimony to lier high character for integrity and truthfulness, and to lier remarkable faithfulness and devotion in the work of benefiting the lowly and the op- pressed. 1 believe her narrative true, and entitled to credence in every respect. Charles M. Crosswell, Ex-Governor of the State of Michigan. I fully and cheerfully coincide with the above sentiments. F. C. Beamak, Ex-member of Coiigress and Probate Judge. Adrian, April 4, 18S2. Afrs. Laura S. llaviland: Dear Friend, — You will remember how often, in past years, I have urged upon you the work of writing a history of your adventures in the work of aiding the oppressed in the dark d'ii/K, now, thank God! replaced by days of unclouded human freedom in our nation; and I wish to express my admiration of the manner in which you have discharged your duty in your " "Woman's Life-Work." Some of the scenes you have recorded many of us have been personally cognizant of, and we who have known j-ou all these years are well assured of the perfect truthfulness of your narrative. Witli best w'ishes, F. R. Stebbins. Lansing, April 6, 1882. The events narrated in the work entitled "A Woman's Life- Work" are so remarkable we are not surprised that some who have i-ead it have doubts of its complete truthfulness, and sus- pect that more or less of the stories are greatly exaggerated or inire fiction. Did we not know i\Irs. Haviland, the author, we niiglit sympathize with this impression, but our personal ac- quaintance and knowledge of her pure character from twenty to thirty years forbids the idea. Kemarkal)le as is the tale she narrates, we give full credence to its truth. A considerable part of it, including sonu' of the mo.st romantic incidents, we know to be true of our own knowledge. C. B. Stebbins, Formerly Editw of Michigan Expositor, and twenlj/ years Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction. TESTIMONIALS AND LETTERS. We, the undersigned, having been acquainted with Laura S. Haviland (the author of the book entitled " A Woman's Life- Work") for more tlian forty years, would cheei'fully bear testi- mony to her upright walk as a Christian worker, following the example of the dear Master in caring for the afflicted, in admin- istering to the fallen, and to her self-sacrificing spirit manifested in her endeavors to break every yoke that the oppressed might go free. Richard PIarkness, ^1 Minister among Friends. Deborah R. Haekness. Adrian,4, 28, 1.S82. IlociiEBTER, N. Y., Septembei- 22, 1882. Mrs. Laura . -^^ -^ ^. ^.%~ '^y^ V^' :■, m LI BRAKY OF CONGRESS