Description
(See also 09/18/1857: Bloody Shootout with Runaway Slaves near Brownsville, Nebraska Territory)
“Capture of Runaway Negroes.” - - During the past week we heard, through a gentleman living near this city, the following interesting account of the capture of 11 runaways. About a fortnight since a gentleman stayed at our informant’s house on his return from Iowa, whither he had been in pursuit of the fugitives above alluded to.
The negroes made their escape from Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties, several months since, and eluded all pursuit until the last 3 weeks. The gentleman of whom we speak, we believe, lives in Clay or Platte, and owns 5 of the negroes. He relates that he first heard of them at or near Topeka, Kansas, sometime since, whither he went to capture them. The people of that famous burgh succeeded in defeating his efforts to get his property.
He then applied to the authorities for a force sufficient to effect his purpose. When this was ascertained, the negroes were secreted and assisted to again escape. He then hired a free negro of Jackson County to pursue them. This fellow being shrewd and having some knowledge of the character of an abolitionist, went to Topeka and represented himself as a fugitive. This he knew to be the key to the hearts of this philanthropic race of negro lovers.
A horse was furnished him and information given where he might join the party he was in quest of. The master, after receiving this information, again made pursuit, and overtook his negroes, in company with 6 others, about 2 weeks since, in Iowa, in a bend of the Missouri river near Nebraska City.
In company with 3 other gentlemen, he proceeded at once to capture them, as they had determined on resistance. The leader of the negroes fired 3 times without effect, when he was shot down. The other negroes were summoned to give up their arms when they threw down 30 odd revolvers, and surrendered themselves.
The negro who did the shooting is the same who killed Meyers at Brownville under similar circumstances some months since. It was not ascertained whether he was fatally wounded or not. The whole party of negroes, we understand, passed through this city under convoy of their capturers about 2 weeks ago.
For this statement we are indebted to Mr. A. Compton who lives near this city and at whose house the owner of the 5 negroes stopped and detailed the above circumstances. St. Joseph Gazette.Date(s) of Creation
12/5/1857
