Description
The March 29, 1859, news article describes the beginning of the trial in the Buchanan County Circuit Court, St. Joseph, Missouri, against John Doy charged with stealing a slave. The trial started on March 28, 1859, was continued, and then resumed on March 29, 1859. Article excerpted for the testimony of Platte County, Missouri, men:
Fielding H. Lewis (Weston, Missouri) testified to accosting Dr. John Doy’s party on January 28, 1859, 10-12 miles from Lawrence, Kansas. Fielding said he was accompanied by Benjamin Wood, Mr. Raley, Dr. Garvin of Lawrence, Jacob “Jake” Hurd, Jacob McGhee, George Robbins, Tom McGhee, William Whitley and two other unnamed men.
Edward Washburn (Weston Township) testified for the State of Missouri. "I was acting as clerk of the ferry boat at Rialto on the 5th January. Dick crossed there that day and had a fiddle. I noticed him. It was about 11 or 12 o'clock. I am positive that he had nothing but a fiddle when he came on the boat. It was in a sack with the end sticking out. He did not come back that day, and did not again until brought back.' Cross Examined: No one was with Dick. Dick had a pass for 3 days from his master, Benjamin Wood. Once before Christmas he crossed there with his wife, and had a similar pass for himself and wife. He was gone about 4 days and came back with his wife. The first pass allowed him 4 or 5 days. The last pass allowed him 3 days.”
Hugh Murdock (City of Weston) testified, “I guarded Doy in Weston, and went with him to Platte City. I asked him how he could run away and steal Negroes. He said he did it in accordance with the laws of his country and the laws of God. He said he would like for his son to get a clear, because he was a young man, but if the law liberated him he would have revenge, and be severer than he ever was. He said he had been engaged in the business for a long time but this was the first time he had been caught. Cross examined: I was with the prisoner 2 days and nights. When he made the statements, we were alone and talking politics. When I asked him how he could liberate Negroes in that way, he said he was doing service to the laws of his country in the laws of God. He was not handcuffed at that time. When he was taken out to be carried over to Platte City, I heard no remarks made to him by any person. I never heard any insulting remarks made to him. Re-examined: All the prisoners were under my charge and they were treated like gentlemen. I did not abuse them myself nor allow them to be abused. I received the prisoners from Mr. Lewis in the hotel. When I first saw them there was something of a crowd about, but I did not see them maltreated. They asked for water and I went and got them a pitcher myself.
John S. Woods (Marshall Township) testified: I do not recollect exactly when Dick left but I think it was about a week when I went over to look for him. I stayed 4 or 5 days. He is worth from $1500-$2000. Dick gave me a paper like the free paper here shown and before proved to have been taken from one of the captured Negroes. Cross examination: I went direct from Leavenworth to an Indian house about 5 miles this side of Lawrence, and the next morning went into Lawrence. Then went to Lecompton by a roundabout way and remained there 2 days, and then returned to Weston.
General Bassett read the testimony of Benjamin Wood (Dick’s enslaver, Mayor of Weston, Missouri): “On Wednesday 5th of January last, he was the owner of the Negro above named, Dick, a copper color, about 30 years of age. That he gave said boy a pass to go to Findley’s one mile north of Kickapoo to play at a party; that Dick took only a fiddle with him; that he captured Dick afterwards in charge of Doy and son, in Kansas territory, and that he then had a carpet sack, coat, etc. which had belonged to Dick before he left home; that Dick was worth $1500; and he never gave him a deed of manumission.Date(s) of Creation
3/29/1859
