Description
"Former Slave Returns Here After Absence of 58 Years" - - (transcribed from longer article) - - To see a land in its infancy, when the hand of civilization is just beginning to make itself felt among the wilds of the country: to assist in those first steps toward civilization and then leave before the work has been completed, and to return some 58 years later and find the work completed; that is the experience of Thomas A. Todd, aged negro, who arrived in Leavenworth yesterday from New Haven, Connecticut, where he has lived since the Civil War.
The man, one of the few remaining slaves who can remember vividly the events of those stirring times, when the question of slavery was paramount in the minds of people settling in the western country, seems several years younger than his actual age, which is somewhere about 80. He was ambitious after obtaining his liberty when 30 years old and after that time he went to school and obtained an education that enables him to carry a conversation with any one, minus the usual number of “aints” and the like, which the average person uses.
Although those 80 years in which he has experienced the most exciting of American history have told on his physique to some extent the aged man is still able to carry his body erect, and his activities are remarkable for such an age. He is a carpenter by trade and his activities about the wagon shop of Henry Bayer, where he has secured employment, are interesting.
The old man, his head crowned with heavy shock of silvery hair, came into the wagon shop yesterday morning. He remembered the name of Bayer when that establishment was first operated here in the late 50’s (1850s)s and walked into the place to inquire if the present proprietor was of the same family. As he talked he interested Mr. Bayer, who has made somewhat of a study of the early history of Leavenworth. And the facts which have been collected by him are practically the same as those related by the ex-slave, whose memory of those exciting times in the history of the west is still clear.
Then the old man announced that he was a practical carpenter and would like to have a position. He was not taken seriously at first, but when he filed a saw in good style, the proprietor became interested in him and the manner in which he has done the work given him has won him a place in the shop.
The story as told by Thomas Todd is an interesting one. He was born in Barry, Clay County, Missouri, The exact date of his birth is unknown to him but it was about 1835. He can hardly remember his mother, having been taken from her when a mere baby. Shortly afterward, when Platte County was still unsettled, he was taken there by his owner, James Todd.
When about 20 years old he was brought into Leavenworth County and settled on a farm at Little Stranger Creek, on the old Lawrence road. That was in 1855. He lived in this county until ’58 (1858) when his master sent a son to the farm and had him removed to the plantation in Platte County. He was taken almost immediately to New Orleans where he was sold to a sea captain by the name of Sanford.
“My master told me that he gave $1,400 for me.” said the old man in telling his story. “We went to sea at that time and sailed around the world, visiting many places of interest. It was in 1864 that we returned, my master having been called back to serve in the U. S. Navy.
“He gave me my liberty and $100 following the fall of Vicksburg. I went direct to Connecticut and enlisted in the 13th Infantry of that state. That was in May and in September of the same year we returned after taking part in the Red River campaign in Louisiana.”
(Remainder of the article not transcribed).Date(s) of Creation
5/11/1916