YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

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FIFTY YEARS

-OF-

SLAVERY —IN THE—
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

BY HARRY SMITH,
OF OSCEOLA COUNTY,
MICHIGAN.

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
West Michigan Printing Co.
1891.
A Clarke Historical Library Reprint

S65~ ,9 73

(LCJ

Facsimile Heprint
Clarke Historical Library
Central Michigan University

HA^I^Y SMITH.

Introduction

This book by Harry Smith portrays aspects of slavery,
not readily available to the average reader. It describes con
ditions very similar to some related to me as a boy, by my
maternal grandmother, who was a slave in Virginia. I think
the stories in this book illustrate, among other things, that
there were many black people during slavery days who
refused to suffer degradation and others who hoped for
better times.
The book also supplies evidence that would tend to
support the endeavors of some present day black groups
seeking indemnities for past wrongs done to black people.
If the book does nothing else, it shows the depths from
which a race of people have come and the phenomenal
progress they have made in a httle over 1 00 years. Booker T.
Washington once said, "Measure me not by the heights to
which I have risen, but from the depths from which I have
come." The book does not make pleasant reading, but it is a
story that should be told. Lloyd M. Cofer, Ed.D.
Member, Board of Trustees
Central Michigan University

PREFACE.

In presenting this volume to the public it is only just
here to remark, it has been the intentions of the writer
who is perfectly acquainted with Smith that the work is
written with malice toward none, but with the full inten
tion of enlightening the public and future generations on
the subject of slavery in the United States of America.
It has been impossible to note all the dates of scenes, in
cidents and important events, as the subject of this work
could neither read nor wiite, therefore could not note
them down, Depending on his remarkable memory, the
writer has intended to picture to the intelligent mind, both
sides of thb subject, good and bad, during his life and
experiences in slavery. Many things of important events
contained in this work will be of historical interest. There
is nothing contained in the work but the most fatidious
can read and gain instructions from. While living in
Indiana, the author was often requested by many promi
nent men to have his history written for future generations
to read.

After many years residence in Michigan, by repeated
requests of prominent men of his acquaintance, in the
winter of 1891 he undertook and completed this history.
The subject of American Slavery as it existed in the
United States is truly an important one in the great
history of this country. Very few men in the annals of
history have passed through and witnessed the scenes in
all phases of life as the author of this work has. Born
and continued in slavery over fifty years now at a ripe old
age, can enjoy the blessings of God under his own vine
and fig tree with a degree of sympathy with all his fellow
kindsmen. While many may doubt the truthfulness here
in contained, many are living witnesses to these scenes.
The intelligent mind may grasp its flaming truths, forgiv
ing mistakes and hand it down to future generations as an
important factor in the history of this great and glorious
country, the United States of America.

BIOGRftPftlCftL SKETCH.

Harry Smith was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, in
the yea*r_Jjjil§^/ The book contains a full account of his
birth7~^boynood, early life, thrilling scenes in slavery,
narrow escapes from blood hounds, knifes and revolvers.
Explaining in full the complete history of American
Slavery, together with an account of the " Patrollers,"
showing their mode and manner of catching and punish
ing runaway slaves, and what finally led to their extermi
nation. Embracing a brief history of all the different slave
owners he was hired and sold to, how treated, tied to the
whipping post and whipped, explaining the reason he
could not be sold to be taken away to New Orleans in the
cotton picking.
Annual hiring out, buying and selling of slaves.
Slave pens and laws governing the same. Describing
his great feats of markmanship, foot races, conversations
with noted men in public life, such as General Taylor,
Cassius M. Clay and many others. Thrilling scenes wit-

nessed during the great rebellion ; inhuman treatment of
our Union men by the Guerillas.
Explaining how he was finally sold for eleven hundred
dollars ; the last slave owner he lived with ; what followed
on the announcement by his master of his freedom from
slavery while on the plantation.
Describing his feelings while witnessing the first
battle General Bragg and Buel fought on Charles Hayes'
plantation in Kentucky, sixteen miles from Louisville,
where he lived when set free. His removal from Ken
tucky to Indianapolis, Indiana, after his freedom. After
wards his final settlement in Osceola county, Michigan,
where he now lives, including his struggles in trying to
hew out a home in the wilds of Michigan.

CHAPTER I.
THE LIFE AND EXPERIENCES OF HABRY SMITH.
Harry Smith was born in the village of Fairfield, Nel
son Co., Kentucky on the 1st day of October", '1§19. ff-' His
grandfather was a native of Virginia. Tney were slaves
and owned by a slaveholder by the name of Higby, of
Virginia, who moved to Kentucky with his slaves in an
early day. His father, Ralph Smith, was born in Mary
land, Virginia, 1787, and died at Harry Smith's home in
Osceolo Co., Mich., the 4th day of December, at the ripe
old age of 90 years. His mother, Eliza Smith, was born
in the Higby family a slave owner. She was born in
Spencer Co., Kentucky. 1785, died 1865. His father
married her in the Higby family in the Caiholic church,
of Fairfield Co., Kentucky, by Father Elliot. Old Massa
Lisha Midcalf bought her of Higby, so his father could
have her society at home on the plantation. She lived
and died a true Catholic, a devoted christian. She was
the mother of eighteen children, eight sons and ten
daughters, all christened in the Catholic church, Fairfield.
His father was raised in Jack Smith's family, who owned
hundreds of slaves. The later part of his life he took
9

10 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
to drinking and drank up the value of ten slaves a year.
Among the slaves sold was Harry Smith's father, Misses
Eliza Midcalf bought him. Misses Midcalf owned his
father and mother then.
Old Massa Midcalf was born in Lexington, Kentucky,
in an early day. After he grew up and married, he moved
to Spencer Co., Kentucky and commenced business where
he built a fine brick building. Connected with this was
a fine hotel and also a liquor distillery in Fairfield,
Nelson Co., Kentucky. Harry Smith was born on this
plantation in the loom house where they wove woolen, tow,
linen and flax cotton cloth.
BOYHOOD TRIALS AND ADVENTURES OF HARRY SMITH.
After he grew up to years of understanding, he wit
nessed Massa Midcalf take his mother, tie her to a locus
tree in front of the house, her clothing nearly all stripped
from her body, his own son and two other colored boys, and
all were whipped, each in their turn. Harry's mother
begging for Massa not to kill her, and mingled with the
groans of the others it made a scene almost beyond de
scription, Harry crying and begging for Massa not to kill
his mother. He kept on until he struck each one hundred
blows. This inhuman treatment took place right in front of
the public highway, with each blow blood would follow,
and with each stroke of the lash he would utter oaths that
would put to shame the most infamous demon on earth.
They were ordered to cut corn stalks off the wheat. After
cutting with all their might the first half of the day they
stopped in a little ravine at a spring to rest and get a
drink of water. Massa Midcalf w as up in his tower over-

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 11
looking his plantation, when he discovered them resting
at the spring, their time did not consume over ten min-
minutes. He sprang from his pinacle and swore he would
give each of them one hundred lashes. The following
morning, each in his turn took the whipping mentioned.

MASTER MIDCALF WAS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AT THIS TIME.
There was considerable petty theiving done among the
slaves mostly to get something to eat. They worked very
hard, and being ignorant, did not realize the danger of

12 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
stealing. The white folks would watch them close and
when caught would enter complaint to Justice Midcalf,
who would individually order them to be tied and receive
thirty-nine lashes on their naked back. Often the blood
would run down to the earth. It was no uncommon thing
for Massa to have forty or fifty slaves tied and whipped a
day for these trifling affairs. For each slave punished,
Justice Midcalf received twenty-five cents, and with each
blow would send forth the most fiendish oaths possible
to imagine. On one occasion some white person broke into old
Burdines store and stole $8. Of course, it was charged to
the slaves. Justice Midcalf was kept busy whipping
negroes for four weeks in order to try and make them own
up to what they were not guilty of. The theft never
reached the right one and many a poor slave was unmerci
fully whipped principally for the twenty-five cents.
Another incident on Simpson Creek while under Mid
calf, between Fairfield and Bloomfield, with old Joe Bay
an inhuman slave owner. He owned a large plantation
and hundreds of slaves, tobacco being his principal crop.
Old Joe was a powerful man. weighing nearly 300 pounds,
and if the slaves missed picking a worm off the tobacco
Massa Ray would split their backs open with his bull whip.
Many of the slaves after being severely punished would
run away and remain six or eight months, and when found
were nearly whipped to death. Ray owned an old slave,
called Uncle George, who ran away, and after an absense
of a few months, was returned by some low white person
who received $25, but often $100 was paid for the return
of a runaway slave. Uncle George was stripped naked,
bound in the hen house, directly under their droppings,

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 13
taken out, received one hundred lashes from Ray, the
same from his son, and placed back under the roost naked,
face up. The next morning, received the same, with his
flesh all lacerated, was bound to a shovel plow to cultivate
tobacco, compelled to do a hard days work, after this in
human treatment. The day being spent, old Ray's son
saddled his horse going to the field untied Uncle George
from the plow and conducted him to the house, where he
received his rations as follows :
One cup of Bonaclaffer, known among the whites as the
coarsest corn meal, small piece of poor meat, then chained
in the corn crib compelled to shell twelve bushels of corn
before he could sleep, remaining there chained until
morning. As faithful a slave as he was he was put on the block,
sold to Richardson, put into his chain gang and taken to
New Orleans in the cotton fields.
At another time in the spring of the year while his
slaves were attending to tobacco fields, there suddenly
came a terrible thunder storm, the rain coming down in
torrents. The darkies all started for shelter, were met by
Massa Ray, riding up on the great stallion and using all the
oaths at his command, ordered them to return to their
work. After they all resumed work again, rain still com
ing in sheets, suddenly there burst forth from the
heavens terriffic thunder and lightning. Master Ray,
straddle of his horse, umbrella over his head, cursing
and swearing, the lightning struck the umbrella running
down one side of him knocking him off his horse, and the
slaves assisted him to the house, where he was confined a
long time. *In three years he died as a result of this
shock.

14 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
The day he died he called in one of his slaves who
could fiddle, using an old gourd for a fiddle. Calling in
two of his darkies who could dance he ordered his bull
whip brought in; then the music and dancing began in
earnest; when they would slack up he would hit them a
clip using an oath and a blow.
After their performance was over, the woman cook was
ordered to prepare some corn bread and bacon and or
dered to place the food in his mouth as he was hungry and
too weak to wait on himself. He then expired with the
provision still in his mouth. He was buried as he directed
in front of his door, so he could see all of his (d — m
negroes) and whites who came there. It rained for the
space of one week after he was buried.
Shortly after as the wash woman was bringing in the
clothes she stepped on the head of his grave, the ground
being all softened from the effects of the heavy rain she
sank up to the middle of her body. She screamed with
all her might, "for de Lord, old massa had her by de leg,
and to come and help her out." She was taken out, while
some enjoyed a hearty laugh, others were very serious
over it.
AN ACCOUNT OF TWO OF THE MOST WONDERFUL SLAVE
BUYERS AND SELLERS IN THE WHOLE SOUTH.
Atkinson and Richardson were two southern men,
living in New Orleans. They made annual tours to Ken-
tuckey in the spring attending all the resorts of Tennessee
and Kentuckey buying all the slaves they could find,
large and small, they could get. When the planters
would learn of their presence in the vicinity they would

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 15
tell their negroes who would not toe the line that they
would sell them to go south and drink Mississippi
water. When the slaves were aware of the presence of these
two slave buyers a number of them would run away to the
hills and remain often a year before they returned. Some
would reach Canada for fear of being sold.
Going to New Orleans was called the Nigger Hell, few
ever returning who went there. Usually those who ran
away when caught were sold. As fast as they were
brought back by Richardson and Atkins, they were taken
to Louisville and placed in the negro pen and guarded
until fall, when they were fettered, chained together and
started on their long journey South.
Mr. Smith's old Massa Midcalf, as the reader is aware,
kept a large hotel and when they were on their way with
droves of negroes every negro that would stop there that
night would be ordered not to leave the plantation under
penalty of death. All night long chains would rattle.
Some were crying for a mother left behind, some for an
only child, and altogether it made a scene almost inde
scribable; and all the consolation they could hear would
be the crack of the bnll-whip of some watchman and floods
of profanity. Some were tired out by their bloody feet
walking on the frozen ground, and were compelled to dry
up. " I will take you where it is warm enought — where
you d — m backs will crack instead of your feet." Many
were so crippled they could not walk and were thrown
into some old wagon and conveyed in this manner to their
journey's end. Water and mud made no difference ; they
were compelled to move right along.
At that time there were no turnpikes. The roads were

16 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
all dirt and rock roads. After reaching Louisville they
were put in a negro pen — barracks where they could not
get away. Then these traders had them all washed and
each one had a new suit of clothes, consisting of hard
time cotton, this was for the man's breeches and shirts ;
and then cheap calico for the wowan and a hard-time
shirt constituted the woman's clothing. No shoes on any
of them. There were two negro pens in Louisville. Nat
Garrison owned one of them and Artiburn owned the
other. They were marched out hundreds at a time after
dressing and put on the steam boats and taken down the
river. In their boyhood days there was a law enacted that
any person found off the plantation where they belonged,
if caught by the patrollers, would receive forty lashes on
their bare back and blood must follow every stroke.
At the time Mr. Smith was growing up the patrollers
never caught him as he was one of the fleetest runners in
the whole South.
Dancing was one of the main amusements in the
South. Mr. Smith's old. massa would give him a pass to
prevent his being whipped, but he seldom asked for it,
because he was so fleet of foot no one could catch him* not
even the blood hounds as the reader will find later on.
Many were caught by these patrollers when the corners of
the fence were raised enough to get their heads through,
their backs made bare and they received their punishment
in this attidude.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

17

LOG CABIN.

The patrollers became so desperate that the colored
people cut off their horses' tails and saddle skirts. At last
some would remain and take charge of the animal while
others would go and search the cabins and see if colored
visitors had passes.
At that time all the grain harvested was stacked, and
thrashed by horses walking and tramping it out. Some
colored person who had received a severe whipping from the
patrollers would wreak out his vengance by firing the
grain in the field. One of those men, when the firing was
going on, was captain of the patrollers. This man was
John Montgomery. He was one of the most desperate

18 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVEBY.
men with the colored folks then known in Kentucky.
He had most all the colored folks whipped in Nelson and
Spencer counties. The same night his grain was burn
ing up he was several miles from home whipping negroes.
He saw the fire and on reaching home found his grain and
barn all consumed ; then he directly set about to find out
who did the deed. Mr. Smith's old Massa Midcalf, at
that time was justice, also whipping master, and over 300
slaves were brought there at a time to be whipped. They
all had togive an account of where they were the night of
the burning. Some had one excuse and some another.
It was several days before any were whipped as the
examination was going on. The town was alive with
white men who owned slaves and they would not allow
them to be whipped unless the cause was proved against
them. They would remain until eleven o'clock P. M. ex
amining them, after that they were taken in charge of by
Massa Midcalf until the following day when the same pre
liminary service would be gone through.
After about ten days they commenced whipping to
compel them to tell who did the firing. Many were so
frightened that they would tell a lie to prevent being
whipped, and when that was found out they would receive
thirty-nine lashes which would cause the blood to run
down their backs. Finally it was decided that George
Willis and Soloman, two colored men belonging to George
Wells were the guilty ones. The way it happened to be
fixed on them they were out possum and coon hunting the
night of the fire. They had to go with a large company
of men and show them tracks and cut trees, and also the
routes where they climbed over the fences and where
they came home that night. They caught eight possums

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 19
and five coons. After proving their innocence they still
insisted on whipping them, but George Wills would not
permit it. Old Montgomery and George Wills together
with their friends went to law about it. George Wills
had to take his two men and put them in jail at Bardstown,
Nelson county. They commenced lawing in the fall and
ended in the summer. George Wills beat Montgom ery.
Thus the men did not receive the whipping. It cost
Montgomery $2,000.00. After this Montgomery continued
whipping negroes just the same.
It was not long after that the darkies got up a plot to
destroy the patrollers. A number met together and
arranged the following plan : The plan was this, to get in
a ravine and stretch wild grape vines across the road
where they knew the patrollers were sure to come. Then
they would get on an elevation and commence to sing
comic songs. When they would discover them they
would start on the run. The patrollers coming in contact
with the vines it would knock them off injuring many of
them. Many were thrown against the banks and rocks and
severely injured ; then they would directly set about to
find out who the guilty parties were; the darkies would
run home slip into bed and to deceive them, would pre
tend to be sound asleep. Mass Bill at that time was Mr.
Smith's foreman and was in the habit of drinking. Uncle
Bill was in the still with Mr. Smith one night, when the
patrollers came there to get some whiskey and also to
look for darkies. Mr. Smith having no pass they concluded
to whip him. Down by the still house was a steep bank,
and a few rods from there was a large creek, so they took
Mr. Smith out and wanted to know if he could run, he

20 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
answered them he could. One white man by the name of
Joe Radish, was an expert runner. The creek was frozen
nearly over. He informed Smith if he could catch him
before he got to the point of the island, some eighty rods
away, he would give him one hundred lashes. Mont
gomery, the captain, would run the whip over Smith's
mouth saying he wanted some nigger meat tonight. Mr.
Smith was started in the race, Radish pulled off his great
coat and pursued him; before reaching ths opposite bank
Radish caught him. That stirred up Smith's blood. The
second heat Smith distanced him and ran home, amid all
the cursing Radish was capable of. Smith was the
greatest runner in the state of Kentucky. This was
Smith's first race in his boyhood with the patrollers.
The man who destroyed Montgomery's property was
Bailey. He was not whipped but sent down the river.
Finally Magroo, who lived on the Bargetown turnpike,
turned out to be a patroller. He was cruel and wicked
to the colored folks. He owned a large steam distillery.
He caught a colored man out one night and undertook to
whip him, he resisted and it took six men to accomplish
it, but they succeeded in cutting his flesh all into pieces,
striking him over six hundred lashes. He finally reached
home and was confined to his bed six weeks before he
was able to resume work. Dick said nothing until the
next fall. Then he repeated he would fix old Magroo for
whipping him. When Magroo commenced making
whiskey in the fall, he had a fine colored girl who Dick
was paying some attention to. Magroo happened in one
night when Dick was there and ordered him home; Dick
started at the word. A few nights following, Magroo's
still house and mill was all on fire. There was another

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 21
great excitement among the colored folks, as it was all
laid to them. So they had about a week's whipping to
find out who fired the mill. All the clue they could get
on Dick, some of the colored people heard him say, he
would fix Magroo. Uncle Dick was taken before Squire
Salone, his sentence was to place him in jail, and in a few
days send him down the river. The patrollers still con
tinued in their nefarious business. This concludes
Smith's trials and scenes in his boyhood with the
patrollers.

CHAPTER II.

SMITHS MANHOOD — FLEET OF FOOT— WHIPPING NEGROES —
THE PATROLLERS DEFEATED — $100 FOR A SINGLE
HAIR — END OF THE PATROLLERS — PI8TOLS.
The scene following took place with the patrollers
after Smith grew up to be a man. The reader will bear in
mind Smith never was caught by no man, as his equal as
a runner could not be found. During the time that he
was hired out in Jefferson county, Kentucky, patrollers
were in the heigh th of their glory, and it seemed as though
they were part blood hounds and wanted nigger meat.
Sim Lewis was captain of Jefferson county at that time,
and Smith had a pass to go to a dance on Fern creek, ten
miles from Louisville. The patrollers came there that
night, about twelve of them, there being about one hun
dred and fifty colored people at the dance. They whipped
about fifty that night who were so unfortunate as not to have
a pass. Finally a colored man there by the name of
Armstage Brisee, a powerful man weighing two hundred
and twenty-five pounds, whom they had threatened pre-

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 23
vious to this time, but had never whipped him, had no
pass ; so Captain Lewis went to Massa Brisco and in
formed him that he must give his negroes passes or
he would whip them. He informed him that he would
not give them passes and if he whipped any of his negroes
he would law them to the full extent of the law. Finally
he told Massa Brisco that he should whip them the next
time he caught them — Mr. Armstead being there the
night of the dance. After going through and whipping
all who had no pass they came to Armstead and informed
him they would whip him,' He told them that he guessed
not. The patrollers had an iron rod with a large head to
knock negroes down with. Armstead was standing in the
corner by an old time fire place, eight of the patrollers
were in the house and five outside to prevent the darkies
from getting away. Captain Lewis came to Armstead
and asked him for a pass. He informed him that he did
not have any, and says, " you will not whip me." The
patrollers closed in on him. The captain struck at him,
missing his head the blow landed on his shoulder. The
wildest excitement then commenced. On the fire was a
stick of wood about three inches through all ablaze. Arm
stead seized this blazing piece and struck down several
of the gang. He cleared them all out of the room and
then went out of doors and resumed the same business.
They struck him with their iron canes and at every blow
blood would flow. Armstead seized one of the iron canes
and every white man that he struck disturbed him no
more. He soon had the yard all to himself. Tho pa
trollers were so enraged that they cried out, " Shoot the
d  d nigger." They fired three rounds at him with

24 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
common shot. He still lived through all of this. His
master sued them and it cost them $3,000.00 to settle their
inhuman treatment of the slaves. The darkies carried
the news to his master that Armstead was shot. He sent
a conveyance after him and placed him under the doc
tor's care.
The next encounter the patrollers got into, was with a
colored man belonging to old John Hycus, Harrison was
his name, and he was away visiting his girl, where they
found him and took him out to whip him. Harrison
resisted them. They struck him as usual with their iron
caues. Harrison was getting the best of them. One of
them stabbed him. Harrison whipped out his knife and
the wildest excitement ensued. The man who owned the
girl Harrison called to see, saw the whole affair, also his
three sons and his wife. In the fight at that time the
darkies wore their hair long, many took great pains with
their hair. In the melee that ensued, one of the first
party struck Harrison on the head with his iron cane and
cut off a large tuft of hair, clearing the skin from the scalp.
They succeeded in getting the advantage of him at last,
and leaving him for dead they quit the bloody scene.
Immediately his owner, John Hycus, was informed and
he came down with a conveyance and took him home.
When Harrison got a little better, the patrollers sued
John Hycus for injuring some of them, then he sued them
for barberously using his colored man. For each
man Harrison cut with his knife, the court granted them
$700 each. For every hair they knocked and cut off from
Harrison's head it cost the patrollers the sum of $100,
which amounted to a good many thousand dollars.
The hairs were counted in the court house at Louis-

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

25

ville. John Hycus won the suit after one year. This
tragic affair forever ended in Kentucky the nefarious
work of the patrollers. Mr. Smith at this time was about
twenty years old, about the time Mr. Smith changed from
the Midcalf family to Mass Salone's plantation. Mr.
Smith's mistress married Jack Salone. Mr. Smith came
into Massa Salone's family when he was ten years old.

MISSES SALONE.

Smith was his mistress' pet. After two years elapsed they
had a child, Smith was at once put in charge of this child,
and he by his faithfulness in taking care of it was their

26 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
favorite. He was raised and granted many favors and at
times was very saucy and mischevious and many times
deserved punishing, in all of Smith's experiences in
slavery he never found any person who treated him so
kindly as Master and Mrs. Jack Salone. He never struck
any of his slaves with a cowhide whip, as he did not be
lieve in that kind of business. He was a kind and
indulgent master, and his excellent wife had few superiors.
Smith was great at making wagons and sleighs. He
was very ingenious and far above the ordinary man, either
colored or white, and as a result, most all came to him to
get what articles they wanted made, and one of his favor
able amusements was making water mills on the small
streams that are so numerous in the South. During the
time he was nursing this child when out on the creeks
making mills, often the child wanted to go home he would
try and stop her crying and not go until he was ready.
His mother lived on the plantation at that time. He was
very 6aucy and mischevious for over-indulgence and when
it became necessary to punish him his mother did it.
His mother was a great spinner in flax and linen. One
evening his father was taken sick. His mother sent him
to a neighbor to get some red pepper for his father's
cholic. He remained there, playing with the children
some two hours or more. His mother came out on a rise
of ground and called for him. He lit out for home as
lively as possible; his mother took the pepper and im
mediately prepared' it for use ; he commenced to play with
the children, perfectly contended. His mother seized
him, placing his head between her knees gave him a good
warming up. His sister Maria was engaged holding the
baby. He was standing in the corner pouting, while his

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 27
sister was making fun of him for getting such a smart
whipping. His mother was spinning and singing; they
had an old-fashioned fireplace, the fore sticks rested on
large stones which after using awhile would all crumble to
pieces. His sister continued to keep up her mirth and tor
mented him. He stepped out of doors and picked up a
piece of one of these broken stones. He secreted the
stone and came in while his sister continued to laugh.
He threw the stone, knocking his, sister over together
with the baby, and skipped out. The moon was shining
bright —this was in the fall. In a clover field was a large
poplar tree turned up by the roots. He ran throug the
orchard toward this fallen tree. His mother sent one of
the servants in pursuit of him, and after due course of
time reached the fallen tree. Not thinking any one was
there in the hole at the turned up tree he gave a spring
and landed all right, only to find the servant there whom
his mother had sent in pursuit. He grabbed Smith who
set up a terriffic yelling. His mother, hearing the noise,
came to the scene with the raw hide whip. She led him
home and tied him to the bedstead. She whipped him
severely ; so much that it was necessary to wash the sheets
the following morning ; they were covered with blood as
a result of the whipping he got.
SCENE WHILE HANDLING AN OLD FLINT-LOCK PISTOL.
While his mistress was engaged clearing up the house
one Sunday morning — it was customary in those days to
eat breakfast at nine o'clock — during this time his mistress
kept him in the house most of the time. While cleaning
out the clothes press Harry espied in the corner an old

28 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
pistol. Taking the pistol he went out of doors, pulled"
back the hammer and continued to snap it in order to see
the fire fly, but did not realize the danger while handling
it. Peter, Uncle Peter, most every fall would try and run
away to Canada in order to be. free.
Uncle Peter ran away and came to Michigan. His
master and brother pursued and overtook him. At the
time he loaded the pistol previously mentioned. Not
having any trouble in catching Peter they did not use the
pistol, but brought it home and placed it in the closet.
It had been there about four years, not having been used.
Harry of course used it as a plaything to see the fire fly.
The white child he nursed, as has been mentioned, was
near him and he snapped it in her face several times, but
fortunately it did not go off. So he would slip up and
snap it in his mistress' face occasionly and it did not
respond with any harm. She finally drove him out of the
house and threatened him severely if he continued to use
it, but he knew she would not harm him. His master had
gone to a neighbor's. After he had left Harry took more
liberty and did as he pleased. He went out among the
children who took turns in snapping the pistol in each
other's faces to see the fire roll. It seemed to be very
fortunate for him in this carelessness, as it did not seem
to harm any one. The old cook, Aunt Hanna, being
about four feet square, would occasionally have the
deadly weapon pointed at her and snapped in her face.
It seemed that providence had a hand in all this and
stayed the danger. The old cook would drive them out
with the poker. There were about twenty-five of the
children, all taking part in the exercises.
The master had about twenty-five Fox hounds. They

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 29
would snap at them to see them howl and run. There
was one boy among them named Buck who was the oldest.
He was a knock-kneed, awkward boy and stuttered consid
erable. There was a large bull dog named Tag. During
this time old Tag was lying at the corner of the house in
the shade. After old Aunt Hanna called to Harry to
come and take the milk pans and put them on the bench
outside in the sun. The awkward boy said, " ha, ha, ha !
Give me the pi-pis-pistol while you put out the milk pans!
I-I-m-I'm g-g-going to shoot Tag ! " Providence seemed
to interfere previous to shooting Tag. There had arrived
on the scene some neighbor children. Buck pulled the
trigger on Tag and to the great astonishment of all it
went off, the ball passing through Tag lodged in his hip-
When the pistol went off the children all ran, yelling at
the top of their voices. All seemed frightened out of
their wits. Buck, who shot the dog, stood dumfounded,
yelling, " Ya ! - Ya ! O ! O ! " Tag was bounding up
in the air howling and tearing like a mad bull. It seemed
that that pistol was heard for miles around. Tag ran out
into the garden and stopped on the walk. His mistress
yelled to Buck to bring her the pistol. He continued to
jump up and yell as though he was scared to death.
Finally Buck took the pistol to her and she said run
and see if he is hurt bad. They all ran to see if Tag was
hurt much; Tag was cold in death. Buck says "go and
get a piece of meat and put it in his mouth and it will
bring him to life again." Harry presented the meat, but
there was no eat there. Buck says "I will hold his mouth
open, you put the meat in first and the bread next." Harry
placed it in his mouth, the hoecake was so hard old Jumbo
could not have broken it had he stepped on it. Then the

30 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
children concluded they would take Tag out in the wheat
field in a little ravine and hide him before Massa came
home. At eleven o'clock Massa came home and a number
of children came there to play marbles. It seemed as if
all who came would go to the field and see Tag. As a
result they would tramp down a good deal of wheat.
Massa did not say anything about the affair until about
four o'clock in the afternoon. He did not keep any raw
hide whips, but used his riding whip. Massa was six
feet six inches tall, very slim and sickly. While the
children were playing he put in his appearance with a
whip in his hand and ordered Harry and Buck to follow
him to the barn. When the marble game was concluded
they repaired to the barn and Massa took off the lines
from the harness and ties Harry and Buck and then takes
them out in the barn yard and ties them each to a poplar
tree. The reader will understand, at that time both boys
and girls wore nothing but tow linen shirts. They were
tied in such a manner giving them twenty feet to play on
and ordered to run so that each revolution would
bring them closer to the trees. He had struck them
about thirty lashes each during the time they were wind
ing up, then after giving them about twenty lashes each,
he sat down to rest. He had three turns at this whipping.
He untied them, ordered Buck to skin old Tag and hang
the skin up in the barn. Harry held the dog's legs and
Buck did the skinning. They made terrible bad work of
the job. He charged Buck to be very careful not to cut
the hide, if he did he would be whipped. After they had
finished, each picked up the fragments of the skin and
brought it up to Massa. He asked Buck if he skinned
him good, he replied that he had done a good job.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 31
Now Massa told them to take it up to the barn and hang
it up on a pole very carefully. They immediately did as
ordered, and as a good many white folks came there he
would take them and show how nice his boys had skinned
old Tag. The skin was cut in fifty pieces or more and
they would leave with a broad grin. Massa did not renew
his whipping however. The reader will learn that Master
Jack Salone and Misses were the best slave owners that
Harry ever had the good luck to be under, and this dog
experience will long live in his memory.
THE FISHING EXPERIENCE.
Some of the children, together with Harry, concluded
to go fishing. Harry, to be a little cute, started ahead of
the rest. While the children were getting bait Harry
was at the river digging his. Harry reached the river at
a point where they used to launch flat boats, never having
learned to swim. The water at that place was twenty
feet deep. Harry was engaged with a long pole prying
muck out of the bank for bait when suddenly the pole
broke and he landed away out in the stream. Harry
realized the danger he was in. When his head came out
of water he began to paw. puff and blow, and no steam
boat could possibly have made more noise or thrown water
livelier than he. He finally reached the bank much ex
hausted with his narrow escape. While resting on the
bank he discovered the rest of the party coming. He did
not want the boys to see him so he ran on toward home.
Within about one mile of home he had to pass up a lane,
and he imagined he heard an old goose setting, so he
thought he would have some eggs to take with him. Climb
ing on the fence to see where the nest was the first thing

32 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
that met his gaze were two large black snakes staring him
directly in the face. He sprang off the fence and ran
with all his might. The snakes close behind they ran him
nealy a half mile, but Harry being such a fleet, runner he
outdistanced them and reached home much exhausted and
frightened over his first fishing day. After reaching home,
finding no one there and the cattle in the oat field, he
took his bow and arrows and concluded to shoot the old
bull, as he was the one which broke the fence. Some of
the arrows were steel pointed and in order to make some
of the cattle run he would shoot them with blunt arrows ;
when he encountered the bull he showed fight, so placing
one of the steel-pointed arrows in his bow, fired away
striking him in the forehead bringing him to his knees.
For fear of being hurt he neglected to pull the arrow out
of his head, and he soon jumped and ran with the rest of
the cattle, the arrow still sticking in his head. After
nearly two hours trying to corner him to get the arrow,
he finally concluded to get him in the barn with the rest
of the cattle. After considerable trouble he succeeded in
pulling the arrow much to his relief. Smith was nearly
scared out of his wits and turned the cattle out. Night
coming on he drove the cattle up as usual. The milk
maid informed Massa the bull's head was bleeding and he
must be hurt bad. Massa enquired of Harry if he had
hit him with a rock. Harry informed him to the con
trary. Massa then thought that some one had shot him,
trying to kill him. He enquired of Harry if he was
bleeding when first discovered. The answer was yes.
The next day being Monday massa informed his neigh
bors some one had shot his bull. Massa remained
ignorant through his life of how Harry wounded the bull
while as yet a mere boy.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 33

SNAKE STORY.
Harry and his mistress were working in the garden.
She had a goose setting in one corner of the lot.
The goose got terrible noisy all at once and Harry was
dispatched immediately to see the cause of the alarm.
This pleased Harry thinking he would get rid of pulling
weeds for awhile. He made his tow linen shirt snap, as
this was all he wore at that time, running to see what was
troubling the goose. Reaching the goose, who was all
excited, feathers all ruffled up, it tickled him so that
he did not at once discover the intruder. Raising the
goose up he saw a huge black snake wound around the
nest, eleven feet in length, with a goose egg in his mouth
trying to swallow it. Harry took to his heels, nearly
frightened to death and every jump brought forth a yell
that made the earth almost quake, screaming all the time
"snake, snake oh ! Misses." Harry not only ran but joined
the bird company and flew as it were. Misses at this time
was in no proper condition to encounter such a monster;

34 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
she however, concluded to go, and after working around
a while, struck his head off with the hoe. Harry saw her
dragging the snake to the house as a trophy, and still
frightened he ran away down the creek- An old man
on the plantation skinned it and kept it to show what a
monster it was.
The foregoing instances transpired while living in
Jack Salone's family. Harry at this time was taken to
Bryant Salone's family, father of Jack Salone, and was
still looking after the child so often spoken of in a pre
vious chapter.
There were a number of colored children on this
plantation. There were boys from twelve to thirteen who
never had anything on but a tow linen shirt ; girls from
ten to twelve nothing but tow linen chemise on, except
when their parents worked overtime and bought them
dresses ; all these children were raised and nursed by an
old colored negro, named Uncle Paul, about four feet in
height, called a Guina negro. There were four acres in
the door yard. Old Master Salone's house stood nearly
in the center of it. The house was two stories, built of
hewed logs, with a huge stone fireplace at each end of it.
Three sides of this yard were negro cabins, none over ten
feet high, all joined together. One end of the cabin con
stituted the fireplace, built of large flat rocks set edgewise
to take in a large back log. Nothing but clay floors to
sit or dance on, as occasion demanded.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

35

BYRAN SALONE.

Old Massa Bryan Salone, who was an Englishman,
was born in Burkhamshire, England, in 1733, and was one
of the smartest men who ever lived in Kentucky and one
of the earliest slave owners. He brought fourteen slaves
with him and settled in Spencer county, Kentucky, where
he remained during life. Some of his colored children he
bought for nine-pence and others he stole. At that time
the Indians were very troublesome to the settlers. He
lived in the hollow of an old Sycamore tree for fourteen

36 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
years and was constantly on the watch for Indians. He
took up 7000 acres of land, claiming it as his own, but in
the course of time other parties arrived and procured a
portion of it; and in this way he lost considerable. After
giving each of his children 300 acres apiece there
still remained 2,400 for himself. After the Indians be
came hostile he rallied and commenced to clear and
improve the land. He was possessed with great perse
verance and forethought. During the fourteen years he
lived in a hollow tree a number of colored children were
born and old massa was all the doctor there was, as there
were no physicians in these parts. While the slaves were
working he was on the watch, as he never trusted an
Indian, uncivilized or hostile. He was familiar with their
habits, and with his flint-lock rifle he has sent many an
Indian to his happy hunting ground, and they all stood in
great fear of him. He lived single this way until he had
a large tract of land under cultivation ; then he married
a lady by the name of Miss King and moved out of the
hollow tree and built a log cabin, and one son was born to
them. His wife soon after died and six month later he
married his first wife's sister whose name was Nancy.
His farm soon began to pay him abundantly and he
branched out in other enterprises. His first enterprise
outside of farming was the building and operating of a
still house. Corn was worth nine-pence per bushel and
whiskey brought twenty-five cents per gallon. The corn
was taken off the cob at night by the slaves, both men
and women using the flail. It was conveyed to the mill
to be cracked and prepared for the still by putting it in
sacks, placed on horses, a boy or girl thrown on and in this
manner often twenty would be loaded and started at one

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 37
time. Massa was very severe on his slaves, and very
peculiar in many respects. He would not allow any per
son to interfere with his business in any manner
whatever. He only allowed each slave one pair of shoes per year
and the soles were sewed with heavy twine. They were
made on the plantation by an old colored man named
Uncle Jakey and were called flat-downs instead of shoes.
They were handed to each man and woman the day before
Christmas and then they would not get any until the
next Christmas. For winter clothing, one pair of Linsey
breeches and one blouse for the men ; one Linsey dress
for the women, and those had to last, for winter clothing,
until winter came again The colored folks thought more
of this menial outfit, than the people at the present day
would of silk and broadcloth. For summer wear, each
received two pair of tow linen shirts, the collar was made
with a string to tighten, and pants of the same material.
From September until the last of April, they had only two
meals per day. Rations were measured out to them, con
sisting of a piece of hoe cake, a small piece of wild pork
and sour milk, never sweet milk. In the fall corn was
gathered, first by topping it and the tops were then
used in making what they called a fodder house, by stick
ing Crotches in the ground and covering with stalks, often
being forty reds in length, then the corn was taken off
and thrown into piles, shucks all on. Some two or three
teams would haul it and pile it in front of the fodder
house and would average forty loads a day. After work
ing all day, this corn had to be shucked before bed time.
All the corn shucked at night the women had to pack in
baskets and crib it. The children both boys and girls

38 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
carried the shucks and packed them in the fodder house
as fodder for winter. These scenes were often followed up
by the children in all the merriment possible. Uncle
Paul, the overseer, was there with his bull whip,
hustling them up. They usualy quit at eleven o'clock at
night. Then Uncle Paul had to report to Massa how
many loads were hauled and how much corn shucked.
Often other negroes would come in and help them out and
then all would join in and have a big time. Then the
cook, Aunt Hannah, would have supper ready, Uncle Paul
served out their rations, each taking it in their hand, none
dared, under penalty of a severe whipping, to disturb
the provender in any other way. The bread was baked
in a large oven in front of the fireplace. The meal was
baked as it came from the mill, never allowed to be sifted.
Their meat was an old stag from twelve to fifteen years
old. They were fatted with the hogs, all in one pen.
Bull meat and wild hog was all the meat they recived,
each had a tin cup filled with bonaclapper, a puter plate,
and the bread, all of which they held in their hands,
never being allowed to sit at the table while eating. In
the cook room, on large iron crane, stewing all the time,
two large kettles filled with corn and beans mixed. Uncle
Paul always did the serving of rations. After eating, often
preaching and prayer meetings by some of the old folks
in some of the cabins, and in others fiddles vwould ring out.
It was a scene never to be forgotten, as the old christians
sing and pray until four in the morning, while at the other
cabins many would be patting, singing and dancing. At
five in the morning Uncle Paul would make his rounds
to the cabins with the end of his bull whip knocking on
the doors. His first words would be, "is you all here ?

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 39
any sick ?" then Paul had to make a full report to Massa.
Paul would then inform him what he thought ought to
be done through the day. Breakfast was served from
nine to ten, some ten to twelve. Women usually worked
in the field with the men and several of them would be
nursing children; then a member of the family would
bring their breakfast out. It was carried in large
wooden pails, often in their hands. Neither rain or storm
would stop them. Many were employed to bring out the
babies to nurse. Then the babies were taken back to
the cabins where they remained until four, for dinner.
Many of the old colored men and women were detained
at the cabins to look after the babies. Cotton and flax
was raised in abundance, from fifteen to twenty acres of
cotton had to be attended to and from thirty to forty acres
of flax would be sown. In cotton picking time, women
were employed night and day, picking and carding cotton.
Uncle Paul had this all to look after, he being overseer.
Three hundred sheep were kept on the plantation and all
the wool was carded and spun there also. Two looms
were kept busy the year round handling flax, cotton and
linen. In corn pulling and husking, marks of blood
would often remain on the husks, caused by their hands
being all cracked, and their feet would all be done up in
rags, as they did not have shoes but once a year. Nights
they used to grease their hands and feet with salve made
from wild turnips.
In harvesting time, grain was all cut with sickles and
was stacked in the field forming a circle and tramped out
or thrashed by horses. Usually the last of August would
begin the thrashing time. This was all done under Uncle

40 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
Paul's administration; and as many as fifty horses would
be employed at a time. The floor would be covered very
thick with wheat. Iron forks were not known at that
time and crotched forks made of wood was used. At
sundown Uncle Paul would put on the last floor to be
thrashed, this all had to be cleaned up and stacked before
quitting, often it would be twelve o'clock before they would
finish the work set for them to do.
In the afternoon everything having suited Uncle Paul,
he would take three or four darkies and repair to the
orchard with sacks, fill them with apples and returning
with them would scatter them on the ground, the same as
hogs were fed, and they were picked up and eaten by the
slaves This is all the dinner that they would get, and
this depended on how Paul felt. If he happened to have
a good streak occasionally several would be dispatched to
the woods to fill up baskets with pawpaws which would be
served the same as apples. This would continue until the
wheat was all thrashed. From fifteen thousand to twenty
thousand bushels usually .the thrashing. The next job
would be to clean up the wheat. They used what they
called old-time wheat fans, putting through from seventy-
five to eighty bushels per day, running it once through.
The wheat had to go through this operation two or three
times before it was fit for market. Wheat at this time
was worth from eighteen to twenty-five cents per bushel.
The next work to be done was shucking corn for the
still house to make whiskey with. They had invented a
cast.iron corn sheller and the men had to shell twenty-five
bushels of corn every night after their day's work was
done, except Saturday night. After all this work was

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 41
over, before they could retire, each had to bring in twelve
sticks of tobacco and strip them and hand them up to be
counted, examined and reported by Uncle Paul, and if it
was not done they would receive thirty lashes from old
massa.

CHAPTER III.

HUNTING WILD HOGS— SMITH'S DREAM — APPLE AND CIDER
TIME — SELLING APPLES AND BACON.
The reader can get an idea from the following sketch
about how the slaves secured their year's meat. Uncle
Paul would take a force of men and women, repair to the
hills and arm themselves with hog clubs and kill as many
wild hogs as they could. It was attended with great
danger as often the slaves were treed and dogs were
devoured by these ferocious animals. The hunt would
last four or five days, and when a large number had been
slain they would gather them up. Some of the wild boars
were of enormous size amd many of their tusks would
measure eight inches in length. Some of the hogs were
seven and one-half feet in length. Many when taken to
the plantation were frozen so that ashes and water
were used in order to get the hair off. This was Baited
and kept expressly for the colored folks to eat, they
never being allowed to eat tame meat under Massa Sa
lone's treatment.
42

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 3
SMITH'S DREAM ON NEW YEAR'S NIGHT, 1891.
As New Years in the time of slavery was the occasion
of buying and selling slaves, scenes of separation of the
mother from her children, father from son, husband from
wife were numerous and heart-rending, making a scene
impossible for the mind to contemplate. We will digress
a little from the regular form of writing this history, as
this is New Year's day, and will relate a dream of buying
and selling on that day. Mr. Smith was back in slavery
and trying to get away, and they were after him with blood
hounds. Making for the woods with a knife, now in his
possession, presented to him by a friend, and the hounds
coming on to him so close, he rushed for a small body of
water. Being closely pursued he came out and made for
the hills — they after him in hot pursuit. They at last
overtook and surrounded him. Fighting at once com
menced. Smith drew his knife and fought bravely.
After fighting some time they overpowered him ; then
they brought him back, and in passing through the stream
the water was tinged with blood as many were badly cut.
It appears that he came to a town where his wife lived,
and seeing him a captive she cried, "I knew the whites
would catch you and sell you down the river."
Smith's answer was this, " I do not care a d  where
they send me."
Carrying him on to where they had a number of others
bound and chained they served him in the same Way.
Some said shoot him, while.others insisted on selling him
so to get their money back. Some wanted to whip him,
while others were sure that he would die any way, for the
cuts he received in the melee were of a serious nature.

44 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
Others more sympathetic wanted him placed under the
doctor's care. Finally they were all chained together
and taken down to the cotton picking. He awoke find
ing it only a dream. The reader will bear in mind
this is a memorable day to the poor slaves.
APPLE VND CIDER TIME.
Twenty-five bushels of apples had to be brought
in every day and peeled prepared to dry ; they were
usually brought in by the children. Old misses had a
scaffold made out doors, twenty rods long. Timber put
up this way and the fruit was dried. The following
night peaches would be brought in and go through the
same process. This was continued until the apples and
peaches were disposed of.
Old misses would often have three hundred bushels of
apples and peaches, and often they were all dried, the
work being done nights. Old misses would then have
a large load of apples, and usually from three to four
yoke of stags would be hitched up to draw it, and
another load of bacon and proceed in the same manner
to market, and each would sell their load and keep the
proceeds. It often took ten days to make the trip to
Louisville, as the roads would often be in such bad con
dition. If prices were good they would return, each load
up and make another trip. Old misses would send away
several loads of cotton and gin, worked up on the planta
tion. Two looms were constantly in operation, year after
year. They kept three hundred geese, and sometimes went
to market with a large load of feathers. Old massa would
send away at the same time bales of tobacco, usually
drawn by three yoke of cattle. Uncle Paul, as usual,

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 45
superintending all of this business, and making a report
to massa. The nights were taken up until ten by picking
and grinding apples and pressing out the cider. The old
mill could be heard two miles. When old misses sent
word to stop that business, some repaired to their cabins,
while others patted and danced during the night as they
felt inclined. Uncle Paul would attend to boiling the
cider down, barrel up the rest and make a report as
usual.

CHAPTER IV.

SKETCH OF THE OLD COLORED FOLKS ON THE PLANTATION
— TERRIFIC BATTLE WITH SNAKES— RETURN OF A
RUNAWAY.
Uncles Juber and Josh, Bonny and Lewis were never
off the plantation. All they did was to see to the
children, shuck corn and stem tobacco. Massa Salone
was endowed with a remarkable memory, he could remain
in his yard giving orders and never make a mistake
how and where to do the work. He remembered plainly
all the reports handed him by his colored overseer, Uncle
Paul, and had not been out of his yard for forty years
previous to his death.
TERRIFIC ENCOUNTER WITH BLACK SNAKES IN A FIELD
CALLED POND FIELD ON MASSA SALONE'S PLANTATION.
A number of slaves were engaged in plowing, and the
women cutting briars around the edges of sink holes
when suddenly they came upon a snake den filled with a
46

FIFTY. YEARS IN SLAVERY. 47
large number of venomous reptiles. The men quit their
plowing and came to the assistance of the women, and for
several hours the battle between the colored people and
the snakes, the old Massa in the meantime giving instruc
tions from the distance, not to get bitten, waxed warm
but finally they succeeded in killing all that made their
appearance. DESCRIPTION OE THE RETURN OF A RUNAWAY.
Little Suky was hired out to a man by the name of
Cunning in Jefferson county, Kentucky, who gave her a
severe whipping, for a trifling affair. Suky after this,
concluded not to remain with Cunning any longer and
started back to her old Master Salone. On her way
back, a white man by the name of Porter demanded of
her where she was going and who she was. She informed
him she was on her way back to her old Master. He
compelled her to mount a horse behind him and took ber
home and charged her master ten dollars for returning
Suky and it was promptly paid. Then Salone asked
Porter if Suky was coming towards home. His answer
was yes; but he thought she might not reach home.
Massa Salone sent the sheriff back over the route enquir
ing all along if Suky was coming towards home. All
informed him she was. Massa Salone then sued Porter
for taking her up on her way home and demanded of him
$500 to settle the affair.
Porter, seeing he was caught, offered to pay the
amount, but afterwards refused to do so. The law allowed
a man who returned a runaway slave, outside the county
from $50 to $100. The case waB carried to the Supreme
court. Salone winning the case, Porter then offered

48 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
Salone $1,500 to settle. Salone had his English fully
aroused. Porter was a man of very small means and
became alarmed fearing this suit would ruin him. His
friends often begging of Massa Salone to settle; he
yielded, receiving the $1,500. Porter never molested any
more negroes. Salone never lost a case in law, in his
life. He hired by the year two of the most noted lawyers
in Kentucky. Their names were Bob Weekly and Ben
Harder ; they lived at this time in Bardstown. The
following case will show the ability of BeQ Harder as a
lawyer. A man in Kentucky was sentenced to be hung,
Harder was his attorney. The case was tried in Louis
ville. The day was set and the hour appointed; at eleven
o'clock a. m. to a minute for the hanging, the friends of
the condemned man offered Harder $10,000 if he could in
any manner succeed in saving this man from being hung.
Harder put his wits at work and settled upon the follow
ing plan :
He disguised himself completly, fooling his most per
sonal friends. The day and hour arriving, an old man
was seen slowly wending his way through the crowd
with a valise, umbrella and a book in his hands. He
claimed to be a preacher and noticing the condemned
man with the rope around his neck, requested the privi
lege of holding a season of prayer before the trap fell.
The privilege of reading and praying was granted. He
continued in his exercises fully five minutes after the
time had expired in which he was to swing.
Closing his prayer he suddenly and unexpectedly
sprang to his feet, throwing off his disguise, when to their
astonishment Ben Harder was before them, and speaking
in tones of thunder said : " I am Ben Harder. The time

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 49
that this man was to hung has passed, fully seven min
utes. Now gentlemen, you have no lawful right to hang
this man, and if you do I will prosecute every one of you
to the full extent of the law." The scene that followed was
a pantomine. He succeeded in saving the condemned
man and received the one thousand dollars.
Before we proceed farther in this work we desire to
relate an incident in reference to this same Harder to
show the blood that coursed in his veins.
ONE OF THE MOST RECKLESS AND EXCITING TIMES KNOWN.
Lawyers Harder and Weekly had sons who were
lawyers. They were employed in a law suit of a very
exciting nature, and being opponents, got into a dispute
and called each other liars. All who are a cquainted
with southern life are aware that this is a chance for a duel
at once. These two young lawyers drew their bowie knives,
and walking out doors one of them sprang into an
empty hogshead and dared the other to climb in. Their
fathers standing there never said a word, while the two
rivals in the law practice continued to stab each other,
and from the loss of blood both sank down in the hogs
head and expired in a few moments.
ANOTHER SHOCKING AFFAIR BETWEEN BRYANT AND ABLE
IN BAEDSTOWN, KENTUCKY.
This happened at election time, as the men belonged
to opposite parties. Able was billed to make a speech in
a country town near by. Going to Bryant's livery barn
he hired a rig to go to his destination. Bryant return-

50 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
ing enquired where was such a rig, and was informed
Jack Able had taken it out in the country. Bryant
became mad and said he would be d  d if Jack Able
should be riding around with his rigs to make speeches)
and immediately ordered a horse saddled, declaring as he
left, he would have his horse that day or die. Bryant
overtook his horse, finding it hitched to a post outside and
Able inside making a speech. He did not say a word to
Able, but quietly untied his horse and returned, leaving
Able to walk back. After finishing his speech and dis
covering his rig was taken, he walked back to towm
through the hot dust and sun. Reaching home he took
his double barreled shot gun ; his wife asking him what
he intended to do. He replied he was going to remove
the load of fine shot and reload with buck shot and kill
Bryant. After reloading his gun with buck shot his
wife asked him why he desired to kill Bryant. He in
formed her, for taking the horse and leaving him to walk
back through the dust after his speech was through; and
he would kill him at first sight. On learning the particu
lars his wife declared that he was right and to go ahead.
Bryant was on the watch expecting trouble, and being in
the barn discovered Able coming up the street with his
gun in his hand, Bryant passed out through the back
door into the yard, his house being directly opposite of
his stable. Able pursued him as he was making for his
house in order to get his gun. Able coming around the
corner of the stable, out into the street, discovered Bryant
on his door step and he heard him tell his wife to hand
him his rifle quick. Able raised his gun and fired killing
Bryant instantly he falling in his own doorway. This
circumstance was never brought into the courts.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 51
Reaching up to this date brings Smith to a young man
of eighteen years and still with Salone.
AN INSTANCE WHILE ENGAGED IN STEALING APPLES FROM
MASSA GEORGE SALONE.
Massa George and Massa Jack Salone lived on Powel's
Run, which empties into the Salt river. Gooden's Spring
is the head of Powel's Run. Massa George had about
four hundred bushels of apples buried there. Some
twenty youngsters met there one night to enjoy their fun,
thinking the white folks were all asleep. A number were
sent to the apple hole to get some apples. While they
were all engaged roasting apples and talking to their
girls Massa George was watching them undiscovered.
Massa George, who kept a large stallion, was obliged to
keep a large black whip to subdue him in his ugly freaks.
Opening the cabin door with this black whip he enquired
where they got their apples. Then all who had apples
secretly commenced to pluck them out of their pockets,
and throw them into the fire, each trying to hide his
guilt. Massa George compelled them to pick the apples
out of the fire, and if possible to find out how
many they had taken. Then each one was ordered to
step out on the floor and he would strike them fifty blows
with this large whip.
Massa George kept fourteen dogs, three of which were
Blood hounds. Among the number was one female
called Trance. She was the most vicious and blood
thirsty of all. The hounds usually clept in the house.
Old Miss Sally Salone was standing in the door listen
ing to the whipping going on. Soon Harry was called out

52 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
to receive his whipping, and as usual did not propose to
be whipped, making for the door massa in hot pursuit.
After getting outside, the hounds hearing the disturbance
came out. Old miss set the hounds after him and just as
he sprang on the style block old Trance grabbed him by the
seat of the pants. Harry tore loose from her and out
distanced all the hounds, and after he reached home he
could distinctly hear Massa George whipping and hear
the poor darkies begging for their lives — to not whip
them so hard. " Oh ! for de Lord's sake, Massa George,
save me ! save me ! " This closes the apple business, and
Harry, alone, escaped being whipped, but carries the
marks of the blood hound to this day.
The next day Massa George was informed of Harry's
punishment and knowing Harry's boss would not whip
him he took his dirk knife and went over to try and
scare Harry. Calling him up in the presence of his
massa and mistress, he seized him by the collar and
enquired of him all about the apple business. After un
buttoning his shirt he asked him what he intended doing
and reaching down his massa pulled out his dirk which
frightened him terribly, and exclaimed, "by the Lord God
I'm going to cut out your bowels." Looking around
to his massa and mistress, Harry spoke out saying Massa
George was going to kill him. He ordered Harry to
stand perfectly still as he was going to cut his bowels
out. Harry became so scared that he sprang up and
after a few minutes succeeded in getting away and mak
ing for the woods, where he remained until he was certain
the danger was all over. Thus by his fleetness of foot
he escaped what might have terminated in his death. It
seems as if providence had an interest in sparing this
man to explain to the world the horrors of slavery.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 53
RESULT OF A FOX HUNT WITH MASSA JACK SALONE AND
HOW IT ENDED.
It was customary for the sons of slave owners to be
called massa. Jack Salone was Harry's boss at this time
and had the early training of him and indulged him in
many things. Smith was never whipped as he did not
believe in whipping his slaves. Smith often speaks of
this being the best white folks he ever lived with. Massa
Jack concluded to go fox hunting and took Harry along
to blow the horn for him as massa was sickly. They
had not gone far when Harry was sent hack after some
thing which did not please him, and in going back he
passed through Massa George's melon patch, and at once
destroyed a number of them, and not returning in time
his massa went on hunting alone. Ou returning he dis
covered some one had destroyed his melons and questioned
Harry if he knew who destroyed them ; his answer was,
no, but believing him guilty he ordered him to go and
bring him a rope from the barn, and placing it around
a timber above the stoop pulled him up and let him
down several times nearly frightening him to death. He
asked him again if he did not destroy his melons and de
manded him to tell the truth or he would hang him.
Harry looked around to old misses for assistance, as she
often took hi»part, but she did not make any reply. His
master again asked him, but received the same answer.
He was agan drawn up and this time fully realizing his
situation, as this kind of business was anything but
amusement for him on reaching his feet, and being
again questioned he at once owned up to it, and on being
relieved never again deceived his Massa.

CHAPTER V.

A SKETCH IN THE LIFE OF UNCLE PAUL — MASTER BRYANT,
SALONE'S OVERSEER.
The first thing that we shall call the reader's attention
to in the life of this remarkable man was his ability to
charm hogs. During his life with Massa Salone he had
charmed and stolen hundreds of hogs. He would decoy
them away from home and put his master's mark on them.
After this was done no man dare undertake to get them.
Men have been there from different parts of the country
and proved their property, but never, in one instance, did
they take a hog from the field or pen. Massa Salone
would inform them that his overseer never stole a hog in
his life, and at the same time he was stealing all the hogs
possible, and would tell them that if they aisturbed one
of his hogs he would law them for twenty years.
Uncle Paul was half Guina negro, a good worker and
an obedient servant.
Master Salone was a powerful man, seven feet in height,
and he could be heard for miles cursing and swearing, and,
54

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 55
as the reader is already aware had great ability in the
law, having never been known to loose a case in his life.
This stealing by Paul, not only hogs but cattle as well,
added much to Salone's wealth. It was conducted all
through his life. There were over one hundred different
hog pens on the plantation in different localities, located
so as to secret the stolen hogs. Paul's word was law, and
outside of it no man must interfere. Bryan Salone was
one of the most profane men known, and very shrewd.
The best lawyers took counsel with him. After Paul
became very old he had to have assistance to mount his
horse to ride out and oversee the negroes.
After riding around in this manner a few years he
became so old he could not ride nor attend to the business.
One morning he informed Massa Salone that he was una
ble to oversee the business, as he was feeling very bad.
Misses Salone informed her husband the same thing, and
also a number of the slaves. No more faithful man than
Paul was found. Having, by his cunning, stolen hundreds
of dollars worth of hogs and cattle, Massa Salone ordered
him to go and attend to the business. Paul still informed
him of his inability. Massa Salone, arising to his feet
exclaiming in tones of thunder, mingled with the most
fiendish oaths possible for the human mind to conceive,
" You can ride a thousand years yet," and swinging around
his cane, which he always carried to knock niggers down
with — this cane was seven feet long and loaded at one end —
aimed a blow at Paul, but missed his aim, and swinging
himself so forcibly he was thrown to the floor. After
arising to his feet he swore that Paul had knocked him
down. (The oaths will not be proper to write here that
Massa Salone used). Old Misses informed him plainly

56 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
Paul did not do it, and he became so enraged he endeav
ored to knock old Misses down, but failed. Massa Salonej
at this time, was very old and nearly blind. After cursing
and swearing nearly an hour, with his fiendish oaths, or
dered Paul off the plantation, informing him never to re
turn again; if he did, he would kill him, or give him a
thousand lashes. He wanted Old Misses to tie him then
so he could give him two hundred lashes. Old Misses
would not tie him, because he was innocent. Uncle Paul
at this time was one hundred years of age. Old Misses
directed Paul to retire to his cabin, and by no means allow
his master to see him. In order to save Paul's life it was
necessary to have it understood by old Massa Salone that
Paul was at his son's, Massa Ge«rge. Massa George would
inform his father three or four times a week Uncle Paul
was at his plaee, in order to keep his father from whipping
and perhaps killing him. After the expiration of two
years Uncle Paul died at his cabin on the plantation.
Massa George had orders to throw him in a deep hole of
water, right back of his barn. Old Massa Salone exclaim
ing "the vile sun-of-a-gun ! he ought to have died a thous
and years ago for knocking me down." News reached
him through the negroes on the plantation that Paul was
dead in his cabin. Old master at once started for the
cabin taking with him his bull whip and also the rope he
kept in the house to tie negroes to whip them. As he
always done his own whipping, no man dare lay hands on
one of his negroes, unless they calculated to law it for the
next twenty years. He then repaired to the cabin to
wreak out his vengence on Paul although still in death.
Old Misses learning what was transpiring started for
the cabin, at the same time calling several colored men to

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 57
her assistance and kept old master at bay until Mass
George could come. Old master began cursing and
swearing about Uncle Paul and repeating over all the
mean things he could possibly imagine, declaring Paul
was not dead but only playing possum. The negroes be
coming frightened for fear old master would deface the
silent dead, commenced praying and calling to the Lord
to prevent master from tearing Paul's corpse to pieces.
Massa George arrived on the scene only to enrage the
master all the more, he cursing George for telling him a
lie and he could not quiet his father. After an hour of
cursing old master ordered them to take Paul and throw
him into the hog pen and not to bury him but they finally
got consent to bury Paul not over two feet so the hogs could
dig him up and devour him. Mr. Gilbert made a rough box
and Paul was buried with no prayer or services of any
religious character whatever, in the family burying
ground. This closes the life of Uncle Paul who was one
of Massa Salone's first slaves, having been with him in the
early day when he lived with his slaves in the hollow Syca
more tree. Uncle Paul was one hundred and two years
old at his death.
There was a large meadow on Massa' s farm which
covered about forty acres, and for thirty years in suc
cession it never was plowed, yielding a large crop of hay
each'year. Large stacks of hay were put up there each
year. The darkies used to carry manure from the
decayed stacks for their melons. Rats were so numerous
that they would frequently undermine the stacks and com
pletely destroy them.
Massa Salone had one of the finest farms in Kentucky.

58 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
HOW THEY USED TO FARM THEN.
Slaves would work about twenty acres, under the in
struction of Massa George who would often tell the people
that his father would not live long if he did not stop
drinking; and then he would make things hustle, but George
died several years before his father.
MASSA GEORGE RETUNING FROM A HUNT.
Massa George was consumptive, and did not eat any
flesh, except wild meat. As a result Harry would go with
him to carry the game, which was the beginning of his
first experience in handling the rifle, which made, in after
years, his name famous all over the country. Returning
from a hunt one day, Harry carrying the squirrels, they
came by the old still house. As the still house had not
been used for a number of years, the weeds had grown up
around it, making it a regular forest. Massa George was
on ahead, some twenty rods from the still house. Harry
had not reached it yet ; when he did reach it he heai d
something hissing, which sounded like a goose. After
passing he thought to return and see what it was making
such a noise. Harry saw a goose, setting, and approach
ing a little nearer, he discovered a large black snake
disturbing her. There being a number of snakes they
took after Harry, who in his flight dropped some of the
game, and yelled to Massa George, " snakes, snakes." He
told him to Btop, but Harry kept on running. The snake
came on to where Massa George stood, when he seized it,
succceeded in getting hold of its tail, and raising him high
in the air, used him like a whip, circling him around his
head, and finally giving him a quick jerk which snapped

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 59
his head off. At the same time another snake put in his
appearance and was served in like manner. They were
called the Black Racer, and measured eight feet in length-
Harry was trembling with fear and at the same time trying
to get Massa George to come, as the snakes would kill
him. Before reaching home, in crossing a small creek,
they discovered a squirrel making a terrible noise. Harry
as usual discovered a large milk snake, charming the
squirrel. Calling Massa George's attention to it, he im
mediately raised his rifle and brought the snake to the
ground, and it measured nine feet. This closed the hunt
ing for that day. ANOTHER SNAKE EXPERIENCE.
Discovering one of the cows giving bloody milk, they
sent Harry with some others to find out if possible the
cause. Going some distance they heard a cow bellowing,
and to their suprise discovered a huge snake, ten feet in
length, sucking the cow. The snake was killed and
for several days the cow would go there and bellow for the
snake. This same woods was supposed to be haunted.
Harry loaded his pistol one day as he was going to see
his girl that night and had to pass through this piece of
woods. There was a lane leading from the house to the
woods and a number of horses had became frightened
there and thrown their riders which gave rise to the be
lief that the woods was haunted. On reaching the woods
he had his pistol ready expecting to see a ghost. Sure
enough he saw something coming ; the moon was shining
bright and he got in readiness to shoot. When the ghost
came up Hany pulled his pistol, which went off with a

60 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
great noise. The ghost proved to be a large white ram
which sprang in the air bleating and jumping scaring
Harry almost to death, which caused him to take to his
heels down the lane ; then commenced a race for life,
Harry screaming with all his might thinking all the time
it was a ghost. As the ram was close at his heals bleat
ing and bunting him in the rear every jump, he yelling,
"Oh Lord ! oh Lord !" and putting forth every effort
outdistanced the ram he reached the house minus his hat,
shirt all tore to pieces, feet and hands bleeding and eyes
bulging out.
It will be remembered that Harry had to take care of
those orphan children, and he could not be sold to go
down the river until the youngest child was twenty-one,
and as a result he was hired out from year to year. The
first man who hired him was Jim Bridle, three months
before Christmas. He was about seventeen at this time,
and remained with Massa Bridle until the following
Christmas, receiving but one small whipping. Then he
was put on the auction block and bid off to a man by the
name of Arion Ferman, living between Salt river and Plumb
creek. Harry was full of life and quite fond of the girls,
ane had not been there long before he commenced spark
ing Ferman's brother's girls. They became greatly
attached to each other.
The girl's brothers mistrusting what was transpiring,
desired Harry to ask old massa and misses for her hand
in marriage. He kept putting them off from time to time,
but still kept going to see the girl. One night they tried
to force Harry to ask permission to marry her, but he
refused. In the cabin were stones used to keep up the
back logs, and some were broken into pieces. While

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 61
Harry and the boys were talking —in the corner was a pair
of quilting frames— one of the boys declared that if he
did not ask him for the girl he would whip him, and at
the same time he seized one of the quilting frames. Harry
dodged the blow, and taking one of the pieces of stones he
threw it, striking him in the face and nearly blinded him.
He then started for Massa Fern's. Ben Fern came up to
his brother's the next day and informed his brother if
Harry was ever found on his place again he would give
him a thousand lashes for striking his son, nearly killing
him. Harry did not seem to regard this threat.
Harry went to see his girl one night, and while there
they discovered him. After knocking down several of
them they overpowered him, took him out in the woods
and gave him one of the most cruel whippings he ever re
ceived. In about a month he went back to see his girl,
and continued until the end of the year; but the remem
brance of that whipping will never be forgotten. They
would rub salt and water on his back until there seemed
to be no feeling left in it.
Ben Fernan, one year from this date, lost his still-
house, a large barn and mill. A number of persons mis
trusted that some of the slaves did it, because he was so
cruel to them. Smith was taken to the house, after this
whipping, and confined to his bed six weeks. When able
to move around, he ran away to the woods, remaining there
until Christmas, when the hiring season commenced.
At one time Fernan's old cook woman was suspended by
her feet in mid air, and after receiving a severe whipping,
and to still further wreak out his vengence, he called in two
of his colored women and ordered them to insert red pep-

62 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
per in her eyes, and left ber in this condition for one-half
hour. The third year Harry was hired out to George Hycus
in Jefferson county, Kentucky.
SCENE AT A CORN-HUSKING BEE.
At the time of gathering the corn they would break
off several hundred bushels and take it under the shed or
in the barn, and invite a number to help husk it out. Af-
ier the corn was husked out they would choose leaders
and form in two parties, and then dancing, wrestling and
various amusements would be in order. Those who lived
on Plum Creek were called Plum Creek Tigers and those
on Salt river were called Salt River Tigers. Then dapc-
ing, boxing and wrestling. Then supper was called, the
older eating first. Harry was a Salt river tiger, and was
looking at one of the opposite boys, thinking how he
could whip him ; so in order to get up a fuss he stepped
up to him and called him a name and wanted to know why
he spit in his face. Both sides urged the boys on to see
the fun, as they called it. The other men, hearing the
fuss, still urged them on, and some of the older ones got
to fighting in dead earnest ; then the boys quit. Men
fought all around on both sides, bunting and biting and
running into the kitchen knocked the stove over, setting
fire to an old colored cook's dress who ran screaming with
all her might out of doors, up-setting the table, break
ing dishes in all shapes.
The darkies tore the fences all down around the cabin
hammered each other with the pickets until the white
men came out with guns and threatened to shoot them if

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 63
they did not stop. After the fight was over the owner
came out and ordered them to leave his plantation. After
they all left, Harry, who had caused all the fuss, thought
he would go back and see the girls, and being seen by the
overseer, he seized a club and struck Harry, almost
breaking his neck. He went home a little the worse,
with a sore head, for having got up such a serious dis
turbance. BATTLE SCENE ON THE POINT OF SALT RIVER.
Fishing was the order of the day, after which marble-
playing commenced, when a dispute arose. There were
about twenty-five boys in the party. About one-half of
them white. The battle commenced by throwiug stones.
One of the white boys got one of his eye knocked out and
this broke up the fight, and all being scared started for
home. The boy's father came the next day and tried to
find out who struck his son, so to have him punished, but
not finding out, he did not get a chance to whip any of
them. We come back now to the time when he was hired out
to young George Hycus, near Louisville. Smith lived
there three years driving team. His master had one of
the meanest white women for a wife in that county,
known as Mrs. Ann Hycuss. Harry was a young man
and being an expert with cards, and drinking some, created
quite an episode at times. Smith's business after the
summer was over was hauling stone for the turnpike.
Misses Hycus had a colored woman who was hired out
all the time, because she would not submit to being
whipped. Harry was a good teamster and did not allow
any one to feed or interfere with his team. After return-

64 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
ing from a riding one Sunday — he did not get home
until nearly moring — his misses wanted to know why he
did not come soon enough to build her a fire. He replied
that he did not come to build fires but to feed his team.
Harry was putting off his nice coat, not thinking any
harm, and old misses seized an iron shovel and dealt him
a blow nearly breaking his back. Harry seized her and
threw her out doors with all his might, intending to nearly
kill her. She set up a tremendous noise to arouse her
old Massa Hycus, who weighed nearly three hundred
pounds. Harry went to the barn to attend to his
business. Massa Hycus spoke to Hany and said : " Young man,
I will be there soon and bring you Hell fire." He, how
ever, did not put his threat into execution. Time passed
on smoothly for about a year. During the three years'
stay there Harry was away most every night, enjoying
himself as best he could. One day while his team was
resting Harry crawled upon the hay mow and fell asleep.
Old misses noticing the team, went to the barn, crawled
up very carefully, saw Harry asleep and struck him a
terriffic blow, nearly breaking his head. Springing to his
feet he seized her and threw her off the mow, landing her
among the boxes and machinery, injuring her so that a
doctor had to be called, and after a few weeks she was
again on her feet. Old massa did not punish him for this,
knowing she took such an under-handed way to wake him.
It cost over three hundred dollars for doctor bills to settle
this f racus. In the fall of the year, in lifting on an old
thrashing machine, he hurt his spinal column, and when
he came to, after three days, he found himself suspended
by the heels and Dr. Betin fanning him.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 65
On the plantation was a large goose pond which they
used for skating in the winter. Harry wishing to become
expert in skating took a pair and sauntered to the pond
all" alone; putting on the skates he took a running jump
and when he struck the ice his feet flew like lightning
out from under him aud he struck the back of his head
full on the ice in such a manner that it nearly killed
him, and he never repeated the experiment. Smith re
mained there three years without any further adventures
of any note, and speaks in high praise of Massa Hycus as
he was very good to his slaves. But Misses Hycus
seemed in her glory when she could succeed in causing
a negro to be punished, as she seemed possessed of the
evil one. She never fully recovered from her flight down
the hay mow, and after that took more proper means to
wake up sleeping darkies.
Before leaving Hycus we will give a little episode
while panther hunting. The hunt started in what was
known as the wet woods. There was a good many hun
dred acres in it and a great resort for hunters. There
was an animal who baffled the skill of all the hunters,
often seen but never caught, twenty-five dollars being
offered for its capture. It had at different times killed a
number of dogs. Some said it was a panther. Harry,
one snowy day, late in the fall, got permission of Massa
Hycus to take the rifle and try if possible to capture the
singuler animal. He traveled all day and just at night
struck a panther's track, as he called it. Following the
track about four miles through swamps and brush, keep
ing the rifle cocked in case of danger, walked on very
confident of success. He tracked him to a large
beach tree, and there it seemed to stop. Proceeding

66 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
very cautiously with eyes wide open, rifle cocked and
expecting the panther might make a spring on him at any
moment. Looking the tree over he discovered a hollow
up a few feet, and looking in he saw the panther glaring
him full in the face. The panther set up a fearful scream.
Harry sprang into the air, screaming still louder, nearly
frightened to death. The panther, springing to the
ground, lit out full speed. Harry standing there shaking
and trembling and yelling at the top of his voice. The
panther turned out to be a red fox; and after putting
about forty rods between him and Harry, he thought of
his gun, but trembling so, could not hold it still enough to
fire. While at Hycus' a slave owner lived close by, joining
farms, whose name was Jack Bray, who was one of the most
severe slave owners at that time, working them all day
and until ten in the evening. Smith had often heard
him whipping and heard the groans of the unfortunate
darkies. Scarcely a day but he was whipping some one.
He owned hundreds of colored folks and was very wealthy.
The next neighbor was old Cradock, who owned seven
hundred slaves. There were seventy single young women
and forty of them were so nearly white you could not tell
them from the whites. Cradock was away from home
most of the time. Not having any overseer, his slaves
enjoyed many Driviledges, he was never known to whip
any of his slaves. Much credit is due to Mr. Cradock for
his humanity. Smith speni most of his evenings there
while at Massa Huycus.
The next slave owner living there Smith remembers
was Austin Pease. His bull whip was heard most every
day, and the sound of his blood hounds made the air

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 67
hideous with their howling in chasing the slaves. He
was so cruel the slaves could not bear it and they would
run away to the woods. Many of them often remained
there so long exposed to cold and nearly starved that
when they did return they often died from hunger and
exposure. At one time three men and two women reached
Canada, one of them left two children and the other leav
ing her husband; they never returned and were never
found. This was considered a loss of several thousand
dollars. A number of the slaves after working all day
were compelled to grind out cider every night until ten
before their days work was considered done. His horn
blew every morning at four and then business commenced.
He ranked among the most cruel masters.
We will give a brief sketch of old Maltimore, an ex
tensive slave owner, who ranked among the meanest of
men because he almost starved his slaves. He owned
about one thousand acres of land, and many times could
be heard cursing and swearing two miles away, never
allowing any of his slaves to step off the plantation
without permission under severe penalty.
He had one man called Uncle John who had been
hired out to him twenty-six years in succession driving
team, and had to make a trip to Louisville every day, year
after year-. He allowed one hundred and seventy-five
dollars for his services. The twenty-seventh year he ran
away to Canada and wrote back to Massa to take care of
the old gray mare, that he worked all the time he was
there. The mare was six years old when Uncle John was
hired to him. Following Uncle John's advice the old
mare was never worked and kept in the best of manner
The day Uncle John ran away he was sixty-two years of

68 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
age. His misses hearing of his escape sued Massa
Maltimore for allowing him to get away, arid received
twenty-five hundred dollars and twenty-six years pay was
granted her by the court. He often made this expression
that he would like to see any negro he and his three sons
could not take and whip, they were all large powerful
men weighing over two hundred pounds and six feet and
some inches high. To hear him curse and swear at his
negroes on the farm and see him use his bull whip sent
terror through the community for miles around.
Old bachelor Cracroff had one hundred and seventy-five
slaves and among the number he raised two colored boys
named Miles and Martin. Cracroff could not whip them
so he hired them one year to old Maltimore. Old Cracroff
informed them that he would hire them to Maltimore, bo
the next new year he did so. Old Maltimore said it did
not matter how good a negro was he ought to have five
hundred lashes a year. The boys done well; Maltimore
could not find any fault with them. Old Maltimore had a
hundred acres of potatoes to dig in the fall. The way they
dug potatoes was to take a team and shovel plow turn
them out and the hands picked them up. Each person
had a bushel basket and filling the basket they were
emptied in a large pile. The orders were not to straighten
up his back until the basket was full. Old massa was
standing under a large Mulberry tree in the field and his
three sons were sitting on the fence a short distance away
watching them work. His own slaves did not dare to
straighten up under fear or being severely whipped. One
of the boys not used to this kind of treatment, after filling
his basket straightened up. Old massa discovered it and
commenced to curse and swear using the most horrible

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 69
oaths imaginable, because he dared disobey this inhuman
order, which it was. Old massa informed him if he
straightened up again he would whip him severely
Martin told him his back ached picking up potatoes.
After a few minutes passed Martin straightened up
again. Then old massa lit out with his big gold headed
cane with a spear in it fifteen inches in length. He
struck at Martin with the butt end of it with all his might.
Martin threw up his hand grabbed the cane out of his
hand and knocked old massa down and he lay there until
his three sons came across the field and helped him up;
when the sons came up they had each hickory canes and
revolvers. They did not dare to shoot because the slave
belonged to another man. Two of the sons struck at
Martin at the same time. Miles a brother of Martin came
to his assistance drawing his knife struck one of the sons
in the shoulder cutting him clear down to the hip, and
struck the other son cutting him in a horrible manner.
Some of the darkies picked up old massa and the two sons
and took them to the house and sent for the doctor who
came and dressed their wounds. That night over fifty
whites came there loaded with revolvers determined to
take the two boys and whip them. Their owner Massa
Cracroff sent word to whip them but if they killed them
he would law them a hundred years but what he would
beat them. The men surrounded the boys with their guns
ordering them to surrender; the boys held on to the cane
and each was armed with a hemp hook told them to shoot
if they wanted but the man came within their reach
would get his head cut clean from his body. They were kept
in this way four days and nights without food or drink to
make them surrender. White men were laying around

70 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
in different places for two weeks to catch the boys and
whip them. But the boys were too cute for them.
That the reader may understand more minutely only
in a good many instances darkies were killed outright for
daring to defend themselves we will explain before we
proceed further. Any slave owner having negroes belong
ing to another man might whip them but if he killed
them the owner of the negro would sue him for as many
years as the court would grant which would be the natural
life of the slave which might extend for a period of
eighty years, from one hundred dollars to two hundred
dollars per year as the darky might be worth, in case the
darkey belonged to a very wealthy man. Knowing if the
darkey was killed it would cost a good many thousand
dollars to settle it. Sometimes planters would unite
together and hire this slave owner to sell this darkey down
the river in the cotton picking as he was a dangerous
man among their slaves teaching them to stand up for
their rights, and in case the darkey belonged to a man in
ordinary circumstances, if he did not submit to all their
brutal treatment they might conclude to kill him and pay
for him from one thousand dollars to two thousand
dollar as in their judgment they though he was worth.
At the expiration of the two weeks the boys resumed
their work. No better men could be found to work than
they were, but Maltimore and his sons never attempted to
punish them thereafter, and they returned to their former
owner at the end of the year. Massa Cracroff then hired
them out to work on a boat. The crew abused them,< and the
boys, being so quick aud powerful, whipped the whole
crew, and the captain put them off the boat a long dis
tance from home in a dense wilderness. In due length of

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 71
time the boys returned home. Massa Cracoff sued the
captain for putting them off the boat in the wilderness,
where they were exposed to all dangers, as he did not
return them according to agreement. At the end of an ex
tensive lawsuit, the captain of the boat, whose name was
Shillcross, had to pay Massa Cracroff $4,000.00 to settle
this matter.
There were three brothers named Phillips, close to
Louisville. They owned thousands of acres of land, and
often had one hundred and fifty acres of tobacco. Old
Sam Phillips employed two overseers. They were all
very severe with their slaves. From three to four were in
the woods most of the time as the result of being so
severely whipped. In one of their severe punishments
they whipped a colored woman so brutal that her back
was all raw, and two hours after she gave birth to a
child in this larcerated condition. This transpired when
Smith lived, or was hired to Joe Chamberlin. He lived
and joined farms with Phillips. Several of Phillips'
hands were drawing rails one day. Smith with some
darkies were cutting brush on Chamberlin's farm. It was
in "the fall and cold and raining some. A number of the
slaves, men and women belonged to Phillips, and others
to Chamberlin, were standing around a pile of rails that
were burning, and warming themselves. Phillips' over
seer saw them standing around the fire. Among the
number was a one-armed woman, who through some brutal
treatment from Phillips, had to have one arm taken off.
They called her Aunt Lucy. Phillips' foreman put spurs
to his horse and used all the oaths imaginable, for the
simple reason that they were warming themselves. He
approached the one-armed woman in a gruff manner and

72 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
said : " Why are you standing here ? " She replied that
she was warming herself. Alighting from his horse he
gave her a few strokes with his bull whip. She seized a
fire brand and knocked him about twice his length. After
he came to himself he sprang on his horse and flew for
home, declaring at night that he would fix her, but she
was not punished for this, as the foreman was so ashamed
to be so beaten by a woman that he did not make a report
of it. These different men mentioned all owned farms ad
joining Chamberlin. The first year Smith was hired to
him he was engaged most of the time in working in a
large brick yard. A man whose name was Johnson was
Chamberlin's overseer. Smith and his brother George
were hired to him. His home was in Jefferson county.
Johnson gave orders not to leave at night to go to a
neighbor's or elsewhere without permission from him.
Harry, not being used to this, replied that when his work
was done he should do as he pleased.
Massa Chamberlin was in Louisville attending a big
store that he owned there, and would come out to the
farm once or twice a week and see how things were pro
gressing. Massa Chamberlin had given strict orders to
watch and not allow any of the negroes to be out nights,
and if they did to tie them and whip them, and if he could
not, let him know and he would attend to it. So one night
Smith's brother, George, taking his fiddle went out to
spend the evening. The next morning Johnson
ordered George to cross his hands so he could tie him,
and then whip him. Smith informed his brother if he
submitted to that treatment he would kill him. Johnson
let it pass on and in order to still get a chance to whip
George sent Harry Smith in the field, some distance away,

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 73
to hauling rails ; and then Johnson sent for a notorious
slave owner, who had a wide reputation in subduing
darkies, named Brisco. George was tied in the barn, and
the whipping commenced in earnest. Smith hearing some
one crying, " Oh, Lord ! Oh, Lord ! " mistrusting what
w as up set out for the house. Discovering him coming
and knowing his temper, and also the fact that he did not
fear any man, being either white or black, knew if he
should catch them murdering his brother in this way,
perhaps one or both might get killed, and they quit whip
ping. George came on toward Smith who enquired what
George was crying so for, as he could scarcely talk.
Brisco informed him that they had given him a whipping
for disobeying orders. Smith, wild with anger, spoke in
tones of thunder, using an oath every word. "Why did
you not whip a man instead of a mere boy ? " asked Smith.
Brisco informed him that he could whip him and would.
Smith sezing a rail and breaking it in two as though it
was a mere pipe stem, stepped up to Brisco and informed
him to try it then and there. He said he would drive him
into the ground and drive the ground in after him. Brisco
was never baffled in this manner before, as no colored man
in all his life dare say one word back to him. Brisco see
ing death in Smith's eye, in case he even made an attempt
to strike, passed on, leaving Smith master of the ground,
and well for him he did, as Smith was known all through
the'country as one of the best of slaves when well used,
and being a powerful man did not fear to face any man on
earth. Brisco passed on and Johnson, the overseer, went
to the city and informed Massa Chamberlin about the fuss.
Massa told him to return, as he would be there the next
morning and give Smith a thousand lashes. The next

74 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
day Chamberlin came with a new cow hide whip. Smith
was in the woods cutting a wild Cherry log out of the
road when Chamberlin came up. He spoke to him in this
manner : " Well, Harry I hear that you have been making
threats to kill Brisco and my foreman, Johnson." Smith
informed him to the contrary, but said that he told Brisco
and Johnson that they could not whip him as they did his
brother. " Do you know that I am your master for the present
year?" Smith informed him that he knew it.
" Were you not aware that you must obey your
master's orders ?"
The answer was yes.
" Then why did you not obey Johnson's orders ? "
Smith informed him that he had.
" Then why do you leave the plantation nights without
orders from Johnson ? "
Smith replied that he was not in the habit while living
with Massa Jack Salone of getting a pass to go out nights.
His master told him that he did not care for Mr. Sa
lone as he was a negro spoiler anyway ; then added, " I
have with me a new whip, and if you do not obey orders I
will whip you." Smith stepped up to him, with ax in
hand, and asked him to whip him then and there. Massa
Chamberlin lit out on the keen run. The year passed
on with no further trouble. Smith was hired back to him
the following year. Johnson was still retained as fore
man on the plantation. The business the next year
passed on quite smoothly until cutting and harvesting
hay commenced.
One day Master Chamberlin came out to assist in

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 75
drawing in hay. He was on the load when through some
carelessness he slipped off the load and in falling his leg
ran through between the spokes of the wagon wheel and
broke his leg, and as a result he was laid up all the rest of
the summer moving around on crutches. Previous to
breaking his leg as he was on his way from the city to the
farm he lost his pocketbook containing five hundred and
fifty dollars. The overseer was dispatched back to hunt
for it and found it but returned and told Chamberlin he
could not find it. Chamberlin believing this lie thinking
some one had picked it up gave it no more thought.
After Chamberlin's leg had got so he could use his
crutches he came out in the field one day, and while there
discovered Harry lying on the ground and enquiring found
him very sick, he told him he had better go to the house,
so they both started. Smith being so sick they took a
short cut to reach the house, and in parting the wei ds with
his crutches discovered the lost pocketbook, reaching the
house not finding the money, sent for Johnson, who the
reader wilj remember, was sent in the first place to find it.
Master Chamberlin knowing that was not the route he
took when he lost the pocketbook questioned Johnson in
different ways, who denied everything. To investigate
this still further, Chamberlin looked over Johnson's house
and found they had bought a number of fine things recently
and knowing he was a very poor man and receiving small
wages, suspicion at once rested on him as the guilty
party and he was discharged from Chamberlin's employ
and he managed the farm the balance of the year himself.
Harry was very sick with fever and did not do any more
work the balance of that year, only some light chores,
usually going to market. Quite a number of the slaves

76 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
were cutting briars one day, when they came in contact
with a huge black snake. It got up a big excitement and
came running after them, and they turned and took after
the snake who retreated, and after about an hours running
over brush and scratching their feet and hands succeeded
in killing the snake, much to their relief.
The following year Smith was hired to Paul Chamber
lin, a brother of the Chamberlin already mentioned.
Master Chamberlin run and carried on an extensive
business in making lime. Smith being expert in blasting
rock was there every day during the year. The work was
quite rough and hard. In connection with this he carried
on a big farm, working seventy-five men, white and black,
and also carried on quite a dairy, milking seventy-five
cows, he ran two milk wagons twice a day to Louisville.
A man by the name of Alf Miller, was his overseer, living
on the plantation with his family. The first year passed
off fine, there were several among the slaves who could
play the violin and banjo, making the evenings merry,
with singing and dancing for the young folks. Among the
number was a man by the name of Peter Moulton, a
preacher, he was a very good man, but not being of very
good morals, the slaves were aware of it, which made his
preaching less effective among his followers. He. was a
colored man.
It was no uncommon thing for the darkies to steal a
fine hog or a few chickens, repair to some cabin, cook,
eat and with dancing and music enjoy a big time gener
ally. On one occassion a number stole and dressed a hog,
repaired to Aunt Liza's cabin; she had complete charge of
her master's meat and milk house. She got up a fine
supper. A large number had drank too much whisky

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 77
Some were dancing, others playing cards. Unexpectedly,
it being a bright moonlight night, Master Chamberlin,
while strolling around the yard thinking the darkies were
unusually noisy, came to the cabin and knocking at the
door as usual was directed to walk in. On entering to his
surprise, found them gambling and the table provided
with luxuries; besides a good many darkies there,
strangers to him, he terrified them with his oaths. The
darkies were very much frightened, the room being so full
and all starting at once to get out of the way, a regular
stampede ensued. A darky named Pease Thornton ran
between Chamberlin's legs raising him from the floor, ran
out doors Master clinging to him, at the same time pound
ing him the best he could which nearly frightened the
darkey to death. The darkies at the cabin cheering and
having a great time over the race. Master thinking he
had gone far enough sprang from the darkey who still
kept running and shouting, "oh master ! oh master ! for
de Lords sake don't kill me." Master retnrning found a
strange darkey there asleep in a chair enquired who he
was and what he was there for eating up his meat and
drinking his whiskey. Receiving no answer took up a
chair and dealt him a terrible blow on the head which
crazed him and jumping around the room tipped, over the
table, breaking dishes and scattering provisions all over
the cabin. In the excitement in trying to get out of the
way, massy was knocked down, the darkies running over
him bruising him, spoiling his plug hat, while he was
exclaiming at the same time, "get off from me you d  m
negroes." After he was able to extricate himself from
this condition, in his madness he hit Aunt Liza, who was
his foremost woman, having charge of the milk and pork

78 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
houses. She being a powerful woman beat him in a
severe manner. At the same time he trying to have her
hold on. She completely destroyed his broadcloth suit>
and gathering up what was left of his clothes departed,
only glad to reach his house with no broken bones.
This Thornton, who Master Chamberlin took his ride
on, in order to show how low and debased he was, we will
relate the following transaction :
A free negro named Squire Taylor, owned forty acres
of fine land joining a rich planter, who had often tried to
buy it but met with no success. Taylor was much respected
by all, as an honest, upright man. Thornton belonged to
a man named Pease who gave him three dollars to go
there with a load of corn and try and get Taylor to buy it.
The old man informed him he did not wish to buy any
corn as he had plenty. Thornton could not in any
manner get the Squire to take the corn or under any circum
stances to offer him anything for it. Finally Thornton,
seeing he could not accomplish his nefarious scheme to
ruin the Squire informed the Squire he would bring the
corn next Saturday night any way and he could give him
what it was worth. He told him not to bring the corn.
On Saturday night Thornton came with the corn and
unbeknown to the Squire unloaded the corn and knocked
at the door, the Squire came to the door and enquired
what he wanted, he informed the Squire the corn was
delivered, he told him to take the corn back. It was
offered him for one dollar, but he refused to take it.
Thornton still insisted and after wearing the old man's
patience out he begged him to offer him something. The old
man gave him fifty cents. At the same time, secreted
near, was Thornton's Master Pease, who was the main

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 79
one, as he wanted to break Squire up, and three more who
overheard this conversation. They came back, called the
Squire up again and enquired what he was doing at that
time of the night with the corn. The poor honest old
darkey was completely surprised and endeavored to
explain how the corn came there. But they beat him
down and seized and arrested him and locked him up in
Louisville. And after an extensive lawsuit, swearing to
the most infamous lies the poor old darkey was beaten and
sentenced to three years in the state prison. Not satisfied
with all of this nefarious business, caused letters pretended
to be written by the prison warden stating the Squire was
dead. The white men who lay in wait the night the
Squire was arrested and more particular this Pease,
would go to Mrs. Taylor and tell her she better sell and go
to Indiana or some other place. Not believing these
reports, she went to the prison only to find them perfectly
false. They failed in all these schemes and at the expira
tion of three years the Squire came out.
During the time this Taylor was in prison, this Austin
Pease, who was the principal character in trying to ruin
the old darkey had his large hemp and tobacco houses
consumed by fire, entailing a loss of thousands of dollars.
The reader .can judge who might, possibly, have caused
the loss. Taylor, at the expiration of his time, came out
of prison, and continued on his farm, and at his death his
children carried it on, the rich planters failing to get it
after all their trouble.
Returning to Chamberlin we will give an account of
the return of his son, who had been absent forty-five
years. His name was Charles and he left home when he
was fourteen years old on account of receiving a severe

80 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
whipping from his father. After many fruitless attempts
to find his son he gave him up as lost or dead. Charles
took passage on board a steamer and set sail for New
Orleans. After reaching his destination he set out sailing
on the sea. His adventures on the waters were very for
tunate, as he became one of the most trustworthy men,
commanded large steam boats and became very wealthy.
One bright morning in the month of May a gentleman
alighted from a carriage in front of Chamberlin's door,
enquired if the gentleman was at home. The servant
calling her master invited the gentleman in, who enquired
if he wanted to sell his farm was informed he did. The
price of the farm and negroes was $175,000. After break
fast was over the two started out to look over the
plantation. It was soon made known among the negroes
a very wealthy man was arranging to buy the plantation
and all the negroes. There was great excitement among
them all. There were two slaves on the place who were
living there when Charley left home, who mistrusted that
this gentleman was some relative of Chamberlin, and had
spoken about it several times while they were viewing the
plantation. After viewing the farm and looking over
the negroes, discoursing on the merits of each one was in
many cases interesting. Many were trembling for fear of
being sold. Some would roll their eyes around, wondering
what old massa was going to do with them.
All manner of things were imagined by the slaves.
Some were called up and asked what they were worth,
Smith among the number was viewed, and being asked
what he was worth was informed that he had not the
power to sell him as he could not be sold until two
orphan children he had charge of both became of age, but

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 81
informed him he was one of the best slaves to work on the
plantation. Smith overheard this conversation and was
nearly frightened out of his wits and began to plan some
means to run away, as he was always on the lookout. The
plantation and negroes being all looked over arrangements
were made to draw up the papers the next day. The
gentleman asked Chamberlin if he had any children, and
he said he had, and he was asked their names. Among
the number was his son, Charles, who he said had been
gone forty-five years, and he was believed to be dead,
when the gentleman informed him he must be mistaken,
as he was acquainted with him and saw him very recently.
He then made himself known saying, "I am your son
Charlie." Then followed a scene almost indescribable.
The old man embraced his son and the tears ran down his
cheek crying for joy over his long lost son. They im me
diately repaired to the house, word was sent to all the
slaves to quit work and come and see Massa Charley-
Instantly fear and trembling were turned into gladness.
Slaves, old and young, came running in every direction to
see this noted gentleman and long lost son. Preparations
were immediately set about to celebrate the great event of
his return. The best rig was put in readiness. Old massa
started for Louisville to engage the finest speakers, and
the best music and table waiters were hired from the best
hotels. Four large fine young hogs, ten cattle and twenty
sheep were slaughtered. The best cooks were employed
to prepare the meal. The meat was cooked in pits made
in the ground. The day finally came, tables were set
reaching twenty rods in length, loaded with the best the
land could afford. Both white and colored were invited
for miles around. After speaking and several pieces by

82 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
the band, the dinner being over, the orchestra began
music and dancing was kept up by the whites until they
were tired ; then ths slaves were called up, hundreds from
Louisville and other places being present, and continued
dancing until the following morning. This was one of
the largest entertainments given by one man, up to date,
of any in the state of Kentucky. It was conducted with
no small expense, costing old massa $10,000"00. His son
was very wealthy, not knowing his own possessions. He
made all his acquaintances good presents, left a good
many thousand dollars with his father and returned to the
briny ocean to look after his business, as he owned several
fine boats himself, and the business continued on the
plantation as before.

CHAPTER VI.

A NEGRO WHIPPING SCENE WHILE SMITH WAS WITH
CHAMBERLIN.
He was engaged as usual blasting a rock and discov
ered a darkey coming toward him running, with a blood
hound right on to him. He seized the darkey and held
him until the man came up. The slave was owned by a
man named Jim Breckenridge. The foreman was the one
who was after the darkey. Calling off the blood hound he
tied the negro to the fence, and whipping was kept up on
his bare back a long time. When he quit he ordered him
to get up and follow him, but he was so nearly dead that
he could not. He then left him, and going back, brought
a conveyance, took him back to the plantation where he
was laid up a long time as a result of the whipping.
Smith's last experience while working at Chamberlin's
was in the spring. There had been quite an amount of
lard stolen from the meat house, and orders were at once
given not to allow any darkies te leave the plantation

84 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
until this lard could be traced out. Smith had always
after his work was over went out evenings, and dressing
himself started for Louisville. Massa Chamberlin en
quired where he was going. Being informed he told him
if he went he would give him five hundred lashes. Smith
went on to Louisville, and on his return, Monday morn
ing, was at once arrayed before Massa Chamberlin, who
had secured the services of two men whose names were
Hamilton, and the notorious slave whipper, Brisco, and
ordered Harry to prepare for a whipping. Harry not
relishing this treatment seized a large knife and rushed
for the door, and was met by Massa Chamberlin who
pressed a pistol to his ear and called to Hamilton to knock
him down. Harry dropped his knife and seized Massa
Chamberlin and threw him with all his might clear out
in the yard, and walked on. When old massa came to
himself he ordered Pearl, his son; to take the rifle and
overhaul him and shoot him down.
Pearl came out in the lane a short distance ahead of
Harry and ordered him to return or he would shoot him
on the spot. Harry came on, knocked him down, threw
the gun out into the field and declared in tones of thunder
if he pursued him farther he would smash every bone in
his body. Harry, after some deliberation, concluded to
return to Spencer county, where his old home was. He
met with many dangers on his way home. Directly prep
arations were made to pursue him and if possible bring
him back. Harry was smart and cunning. At one time
Brisco, Hamilton and Pearl Chamberlin were within a few
feet of him, but fortunately did not discover him. They
repaired to a long bridge where they expected he would
pass, but Harry was acquainted with the country and took

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 85
another course and baffled them. When within a few
miles of his old home he saw a negro coming toward him
pursued by a blood hound. Instantly drawing his knife
when the blood hound came up he struck him a fearful
blow in the throat which so wounded him that he did not
pursue the negro any farther. Reaching his old platation,
being so worn out in this engagement at Chamberlin's,
he had to rest up before he was able to work. In due
course of time Massa Chamberlin arrived at Salone's
with hand-cuffs prepared to take Harry back with him,
and being informed that he was there, requested Salone to
hand-cuff him, telling him at the same time that he had
nearly killed one of the white men in throwing him out
doors. Salone answered him in this manner : " I hired
Harry to you for a year and if you want him hand-cuffed
you must do it yourself," and he said he could not. Salone
being so vexed to see Harry so impaired from his
encounter demanded of Chamberlin an immediate settle
ment, and pay for his year's work. At this time Mrs.
Salone came in and being so angry in seeing Harry so
ill-treated ordered Chamberlin to pay for the year's work
which he did. At the same time ordered him to leave the
plantation or she would turn the hounds loose on him and
tear to pieces. He at once left without farther trouble.
Smith never was hired outside the county in which he
lived. In fact it was a law that it could not be done, as so
many slaves were ill-treated when on their way to their
old homes. They were often subject to so many dangers,
from exposure, causing heavy losses to their owners.
We desire to relate' a very singular phenomenon that
transpired while Smith was hired at Chamberlin's. Stand
ing in a field near by was a very large black Walnut tree

86 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
that was struck by lightning, breaking the top off and
leaving the balance about seventy-five feet high. It
caught fire and continued to burn for two years, leaving
only a short stump. In all the two years fire and smoke
could be seen from this stub with no intermission.
A brief history of David L. Ward, the hell hawk, the
minute man, as he allowed no one to call him by any
other name. He was unquestionably the most cruel slave
owner in Kentucky. He was one of the early planters
and owned three hundred slaves and was noted for his
cruelty to them. He was the most inhuman man known
in his day. He owned an extensive salt block, using three
hundred salt kettles on the furnace. Salt at that early
day was worth from four to five dollars per bushel, people
often coming one hundred and fifty miles for salt. He
was the first man to manufacture it in Kentucky.
We note the following circumstance as witnessed by
Smith's father, as Ward's operations in slavery existed
before Smith's remembrance. His father used to work
for him, and witnessed the following : Two men, one of
them his slave, the other a white man he had hired, were
cutting wood, and felled a large red oak, and it being hol
low, broke in two near the center, and they discovered
something unusual, and upon close inspection found it to
be gold.
Massa Ward, who was riding around on the plantation,
noticed the men engaged looking at something, rode up
and at once discovered the meaning. He ordered them to
pick it up and place it in a sack he had with him. After
it was all gathered there was a bushel of Spanish gold
dollars. Placing it on his horse he rode away.
How it came there was a great mystery. It was sur-

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 87
miBed that some wealthy planter might have placed it
there for safe keeping, in the earilest days of Kentucky
and on the other hand the Indians might have killed some
white man and secreted it there. In a few days after this
affair Massa Ward was passing where this same white
man was working who first found the gold. He mentioned
the affair to Ward, asking him if he did not think he was
entitled to some of it, as he first discovered it. He made
no reply, but picking up a hand-spike he beat his brains
out immediately.
One of his slaves, who usually worked at the plaster
mill, went home to see his wife on Saturday night as was
his custom. On learning of this Ward started after him
and finding him, ordered him to get back without delay.
Ward followed close to him on his big black horse with
his bull whip, striking him with all the force possible.
This was continued until the poor slave fell exhausted to
the ground. Ward continued riding over him until he
killed him. Reaching home he sent some of the darkies
back who buried him where Ward murdered him. All his
slaves in speaking to him dare not approach him with any
other language than " David L. Ward, the Hell hawk, the
minute man." The last part of this name was added by
himself. While viewing his salt works one day he discovered a
little salt that had burned on one of the kettles. Upon
enquiring found out who it was that allowed the salt to
burn. The man making some reply back which offended
him, he picked up an iron shovel and struck the man a
terrible blow on the head and knocked him senseless. Not
satisfied with this brutal treatment he picked him up and
threw him in the furnace and burned him up. His old

88 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
slaves say, to their knowledge, Ward has at different times
burned up in his furnace fifteen colored people.
The brine for making salt was all pumped by hand.
High derricks were built for the negroes to stand on to
keep the wolves from devouring them. They were very
troublesome in the early days of Kentucky.
Twenty-four of his slaves ran away at one time.
Twelve were caught and brought back, the balance were
never found and it was supposed they reached Canada.
The twelve negroes brought back were all hung by Ward
four miles northwest from Louisville on his plantation.
The names of the twelve were engraved on a large beach
tree and have often been seen by Smith when passing
there. While one of the poor white men was working and
fixing a wagon, Ward came up and provoked him who on
making some reply Ward struck him with the linch pin,
breaking in his skull, killing him instantly. Space will
not permit of relating more of this notorious slave
owner. There was no one his equal in cruelty known in
those days. Having murdered more slaves than there
has been any record made of.
The reader's attention is next called to Edward Brisco.
In cruelty he had no equal, although he did not kill any
of his slaves, done worse than that and was know all
throught the country as the negro ruler, and he used this
argument, it didn't matter how good they were they must
be whipped once a year to let them know they were
negroes. Two old men who had been with him for years,
whose names were John and Jim, after they were seventy
years of age were taken just before Christmas stripped
and bent over a barrel and given fifty lashes each. Brisco
married Daniel Doubt's daughter the richest man in Jeffer-

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 89
son county, who backed him in all his meanness. Brisco's
son-in-law, whose name was Wright, owned a small colored
man who they called Luke who was a good worker, and not
being willing to submit to his inhuman treatment, turned
him over to Brisco to whip and break him, as he called it.
Things went along for some time he trying all the
time to find some fault to get a chance to whip him. He
had about one hundred acres of potatoes to pick up, and
was watching to see that they were all picked up clean.
Coming along where this Luke was working discovering a
few small potatoes in his row commenced abusing him in
a brutal manner, kicking and knocking him on the head
with his cane, until Luke seized him knocked him down
and beat him severely. Brisco called several Low Dutch
who he hired, to come to his assistance and Luke knocked
them down as fast as they reached him. This so enraged
Brisco he sent after more help armed them with shot guns
and started them into the cane brakes. The blood hounds
were sent after him and in short time by hounding and
shooting they brought him to the ground. A conveyance
was sent for and Luke was taken to the house tied to a
tree in the yard called the Heavenward tree where he
whipped his negroes. The ground for some distance
around was soaked with human blood. Brisco tore his
back all to pieces with his bull whip, rubbing his raw
back with salt. Then loading his shot gun clear to the
muzzle, stepped in front of him, and uttering the most
fiendish oaths possible, was in the act of pulling the
trigger when his wife, with the asssistance of others,
took the gun away from him, after which he seized a
huge knife and rushed at him threatening to cut his
heart out and striking his knife into his face cut his

90 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
cheek open clean to his mouth on both sides. His wife
again interfered and with help bound Brisco and took
him up stairs, and then untied Luke took him to Louis
ville where he was treated and kept secreted until he
was well, then he was employed as waiter in a fine
hotel, and remained there for many years and finally
died while there, Brisco never getting another chance to
wreak out his vengeuce on him. He had hired a colored
man whose name was George Newton belonging to a
widow woman living in Bardstown, Kentucky. He was
employed in hauling oats to Louisville and in some way
or manner lost ten dollars on his way home. Brisco
after cursing and swearing for a long time finally gave
him his sentence which was that he was to receive one
hundred lashes just before each meal every day for
seven days. The whipping commenced on Monday and
this inhuman treatment was kept up until Friday morn
ing. The groans and beggings of this poor man was
beyond all description, his back was a mass of raw flesh,
in several places the bones were laid bare. He was kept
tied with a large anvil fastened around his neck.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

91

GEORGE NEWTON.

Opposite was a large Catholic college and the groans
of this poor victim was heard there three times a day
and lasting over an hour each time which attracted the
attention and sympathy of the school in such a manner

92 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
it was impossible to conduct it. On Friday morning the
bishop of the college came over and after praying for the
poor man informed Brisco if he ever struck that man
another blow he would prosecute him to the full extent
of the law. Such inhuman treatment as had transpired
never was known in history. Brisco released him and
never dared to strike him again. At another time one of
his slaves overslept after being out one night a little late.
On finding him in the morning, Brisco took him and
screwed his hands into a vice and struck him five hundred
lashes, the poor man begging until completely exhausted.
Then he rubbed his back with salt, and informed him
in this manner, "I will teach you a lesson." This man
was laid up for a number of weeks, and with all this
treatment was compelled to creep on his hands and knees
and pull weeds in the garden until he was able to work.
At another time a man came along and being weary
crawled in under a stack of straw and remained there
until morning. Brisco discovering him, compelled him to
get in his buggy and go to Louisville, where he entered
a false complaint against the man, claiming he was there
to burn his barn. Brisco was beaten and after paying the
costs told the man he could ride with him a few miles on
his way back. The man not thinking any harm, accepted
the offer. After getting out some distance from town he
put the handcuffs on him, tied him to a tree and struck
him five hundred lashes on the bare back, cutting it all
to pieces. The man begging for his life, he then untied
him ordered him to pass on, telling him if he ever saw
him in that part of the country again he wouldwhip him
to death. Such scenes and incidents often transpired
but space will not allow further mention. Smith was

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 93
hired to him two years and he never attempted to whip
him, for he was the only man he was afraid of, and well
for him he did not, as he certainly would have gone to
his reward. The cruelty enacted by Brisco has no
parallel in the annals of history. He died as he lived
cursing and swearing. The day he was buried this
Heavenward tree mentioned in his yard, where hundreds
of poor slaves have been nearly whipped to death, that
very hour parted in the center and died, and up to the
last war no glass or green shiub, with all the care
possible, ever was known to grow there, where bo much
blood had been shed.
There was great rejoicing all over the country, among
the whites as well as black, on learning of the death of
this notorious inhuman fiend, for such he truly was, and
the best writer would come far short of describing the
true history of this specimen of a man.
A little sketch of Jim Brown, a famous hemp raiser,
who lived on the Lexington turnpike will be of interest.
He was a wealthy man, owning three thousand acres of
land, and kept one hundred and eighty men busy from
February until May breaking hemp. He was very severe
with his negroes, and his foreman, a big Scotchman, em
ployed on a big salary, was terrible severe and seemed to
enjoy whipping slaves in the most cruel manner. His
slaves have often earned considerable money working over
time, and a number would take the money and go to Can
ada. So many doing this he adopted a plan of giving
them small amounts at a time, never paying up his hired
ones until the close of the year.
Two men, whose names were Richard and John were
the greatest hemp breakers known in the world. Brown

94 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
offered one day to the one who could break the most hemp
a new hat worth nine dollars. One broke four hundred
and twenty pounds and the other four hundred pounds,
the smallest one coming ahead. One hundred pounds was
considered a day's work. Brown then offered $10,000 to
any two men in the world to equal this record. They
never were matched.
Foreman Heekly was a terribly man. On one of
Brown's farms, three miles away, the old men as well as
the old women lived. At the ages of seventy-five, eighty
and ninety they were compelled to walk three miles and
break twenty-five pounds for their day's work, and upon
being inspected by Heekly if any of them lacked even
one-half pound had to walk back the three miles and make
out the number of pounds required. It took the strongest
men and women to break hemp, as very few white men
could stand the work.
His foreman, old Heekly, who was Brown's head man
for ten years, came up missing one night. All his things
were in the office undistubed. Great search was kept up
for days, and every nook and corner being searched, but
no trace of him was ever found. He was a desperate
mean overseer. The colored people were all glad to get
rid of him. Brown's son went down south in the cotton
picking and bought a plantation. His father gave him
twenty slaves to start with, and a goood many thous
and dollars besides. He became very wealthy.
Brown was a very good slave owner, and on his immense
plantation he had some of the finest stock in the country.
It was quite a common affair for the slaves to kill unbe
known to Brown a fat beef, and have a good time at night
eating it, as every Monday the week's rations were dealt

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 95
out to each one, and barely enough, in many cases, to sat
isfy hunger, and the killing of a beef resulted in getting a
good square meal occasionally. They repaired to their
quarters and old massa seldom calling there did not know
all that transpired.
The next planter we call the attention of the reader to
was Bill Bullett, whose plantation joined Brown's. He
was a very good man, but his overseer was hard on the
colored men. He would whip and slash in a terriffic man
ner. Sometimes there would be several who would run
away in the woods and remain several weeks at one time.
Thirteen ran away from Tennessee and came north as far
as Kentucky. They remained there in the woods six
weeks. Bullei; had some in the woods at the same time.
The Tennessee darkies and Bullet's came together and
planned how they could get across the Ohio river success
fully. They finally wove a lot of hemp together in strips
of different lengths. The night was set, which was Sat
urday. They all met about nine miles above Louisville.
The rails along there were walnut and poplar, being light
were tied together and made into rafts to enable them to
cross. They made oars of fence boards. Smith, with a num
ber of others, assisted in getting them across. They were
fed while in the woods by Bullet's slaves, Smith, with the
rest, doing all they could to assist them. Not learning
any more of the fugitives it was supposed that they
reached Canada all safe. Bullet owned one slave who had
the greates voice, and could sing songs, often being heard
five miles away. He had no equal in all the South in
this respect. He was a great fun making darkey.
One of Smith's adventures with a bull and a field of

96 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
cattle while working at Bullet's we will now relate, which
came near costing him his life, and had he not been as fleet
of foot as an antelope, they would have torn him in pieces.
Crossing the field early in the morning, and coming up to
where a good many cattle and a ferocious bull were feed
ing thinking to have some fun, he took off his hat and
commenced to swing it back and forth in front of them,
bellowing to imitate them. Instead of scaring them the
bull, which was the first animal to start, rushed after
Smith, bellowing with all his might, followed by the rest
in mad array ; then a race for life commenced. It was
sixty rods to the fence. Smith, springing to his feet and
with all the power that he could command, rushed on. On,
on, came the cattle bellowing and foaming, Smith only a
few feet in advance, and frightened nearly to death, ex
pecting every second to be torn to pieces. On, on, the
race continued. The bull was so close at one time he
could feel his hot breath, and striking Smith with his
horn tore his pants nearly off — reaching the fence nearly
exhausted, with one desperate effort he sprang upon it in
a second. They rushed against it so strong it knocked off
a number of rails. A small Ironwood tree stood in the
fence corner, and Smith sprang into it, landing into a
crotch completely exhausted, and remained for hours be
fore he had a chance to leave. This attempt to frighten
cattle was never tried by Smith again.
The following scene was known to have transpired
with the Canaday's and happened nine miles from where
be was working at Floyd Parks'.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

97

MISSES AND HER SERVANT.

When Canaday was living he had a man for overseer
whose name was McLean, a Scotch Irishman, who was a
desperate mean man. Canaday was taken sick and died
and McLean was still retained as overseer. In a few
years the widow Canaday married McLean, as he was a

98 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
great negro driver. Soon after being married he began
to be very important and ugly, treating the negroes in
the worst manner. There was an old negro who had
been on the plantation ever since Canaday had owned
negroes and was one of his first darkies, having taken
care of all his children in their infancy, and was employed
as carriage driver. The widow and all her four sons were
good to the slavos and this old negro whose name was
Uncle Nelson was a favorite with all and universally
admired by them. This McLean was very insulting to
Uncle Nelson. And one afternoon Mrs. McLean wanted
Uncle Nelson to hitch up her carriage horse. McLean
not liking this, being very jealous, ordered Uncle Nelson
away, and going into the house came out with a large
knife and stepping in front of Uncle Nelson informed him,
using an oath, "I am going to kill you." Uncle Nelson
did not believe it and did not make any resistance, when
unexpectedly he plunged the knife into him ripping his
inwards out and he fell dead. Word was. at once sent to
Mrs. McLean's four sons who came, and being so angry
to find Uncle Nelson cold in death, caused by this fiend,
their stepfather, they attempted to hang him on the spot.
The neighbors interfered and prevented them. The next
day the boys, who were all grown up and owned fine
farms, came over, seized McLean and beat him into
pieces to satify their vengence for killing Uncle Nelson;
he only lived a few hours. Uncle Nelson was buried on
the plantation in a christian manner. Very little respect
was shown at the burial services of this fiend, McLean.
Mrs. Canaday was highly respected. Her marriage to
McLean was a great surprise to everyone.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 99
SMITH'S RACE AT A COCK FIGHT WHILE LIVING AT HYCUS'.
A cock fight took place on Jefferson street at Hamilton
pork house at the foot of a street, on a spot of ground
where after years was a brick yard. Both whites and
blacks repaired to gamble and cock fight. At the time of this
transaction there were assembled one, Sunday afternoon,
hundred of rich white men mingled with scores of negroes
engaged in fighting cocks, and many more gambling.
Over one hundred and fifty cocks were fighting on the
ground. They had been warned at different times to not
fight or gamble on this ground, often some were shot or
stabbed quarreling over a t^ame of cards or cockfight, as the
ease might be when all were in their height of enjoyment
there was discovered coming nearly a thousand citizens
and officers to arrest the offenders. Coming on to them
suddenly they did not have time to gather up anything.
Those who were not willing to be arrested, were knocked
down and handcuffed and the greatest confusion prevailed,
fine broadcloth coats, money, revolvers were all left on the
ground. There were so many officers and men they suc
ceeded in gathering the most of them, up and commenced
to march them to jail and other places of safe keeping
until tried.
Smith discovering the danger, at once started for the
toll gate was knocked down by some one coming up
behind. Quckly springing to his feet on he flew, when
within a short distance of the gate he was ordered by
JBrooks, who kept the gate, to halt. On, on he flew,
Brooks shot at him, but being so excited, missed him,
and Smith passed on through the gate out on the pike in
eafety, up the pike road and reaching the top of the hill

100 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
saw hundreds marching up the street. Smith was the
only one who escaped. For two weeks after, whipping
was kept up among the slaves, and all the whites who
were unable to pay their fine were kept in the jail. Many
were so disabled in this fracas they were under the doctor's
care for weeks although no one was killed.
SMITH'S HAIR BREADTH ADVENTURE AND ESCAPE FROM A
NOTORIOUS HOUSE IN LOUISVILLE.
A friend of Smith's who knew he did not know any
thing about these places got him to accompany him there.
On entering the place, a young woman known as Cincinnati
Jane made herself very familiar with him, and reached
into his pocket and took out some money. Remaining
theie a few minutes Smith requested her to give back the
money as he wanted to go. She refused and called him
all manner of vile names, and he not being used to such
treatment instantly knocked her down. Jmmediately
several big colored women appeared on the scene and
with knives sprang after him. Instantly drawing his knife
he ordered them to halt but they rushed after him and
backing up to the door he went out only to be followed by
them. Instead of finding the street as he expected he
found himself in a yard surrounded by a tight board.
fence and in the distance was a large massive English bull
dog chained to a block, who on seeing Smith came after
him. The women urging the dog on he ran to the fence
and got over it and to his dismay landed in the mud knee
deep and he had to wade in it for several rods before he
came out. It being Sunday morning many were returning
from church and seeing him in this condition enquired how

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 101
he came there. Not knowing nor realizing he had been
in this notorious place informed them. Reaching home
very much embarrassed but some wiser for this terrible
experience, he concluded not to repeat it again.
smith's experience in a poker room.
He was, and continued for years, a noted gambler, hav
ing won thousands of dollars.
While engaged in poker playing with a companion one
day in Louisville they got into a dispute, when two burley
darkies attempted to make themselves too familiar. One
of them knocked Smith down, striking him a terriffic blow
on the head On rising to his feet he struck the foremost
one with a bottle felling him to the floor, while the other
one stabbed him in the leg.
Raising a heavy chair, and with the assistance of his
companion, they knocked their way out. On reaching the
street the police took after them, but failed to catch either
of them. Arriving at Massa Hycus' he was very much
exhausted over his experience in the poker room. His leg
was very painful and it was several days before he could
resume work again.
SKETCH OF LOUISVILLE WHEN IT WAS NEARLY A WILDER
NESS.
Smith has cut corn and broke cane on the ground
where the cemetery is now located ; and also worked on
the ground when Judge Shaw owned it. He well remem
bers the first grave dug in it. John J. Jacobs and a man
named Means owned a large tract of timbered land. The

102 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
line run directly lengthwise where Broadway street now is.
These men were famous shots. They arranged a
shooting match between themselves. The best shots
should be entitled to all the land. They were to shoot at
a forked target, placed two hundred yards distance. In
the center of the target was a small hole drilled. Break
ing the center was disturbing the circle. Driving the
center was hitting the wooden pin in the center and driv
ing it through.
They were to shoot five times each, the best out of the
five to be declared the winner.
The day arrived. Thousands were on the ground to
witness the shooting between these famous marksmen, as
they were the best in Kentucky.
Means drew the choice for the first shots. Placing his
rifle to his shoulder he fired away, his fifth shot breaking
the center. Wild excitement prevailed and heavy betting
began in earnest on both sides. Thousands of dollars
were bet on Means.
Jacobs realizing that in order to beat Means he must
make a desperate effort, requested to have four days
in which to practice. It was granted him as he claimed
his gun was out of order. He continued to practice each
day. At the appointed time a large number was present
and heavy betting on both sides was in order.
Jacobs, placing his rifle to his shoulder, drove his five
shots, his fourth driving the center pin. He was declared
the winner ; then followed the greatest excitement, making
the woods ring with loud and long hurrahs. Jacobs being
the richest man in the country immediately set about to
arrange for a big feast to be accompanied with music and
dancing.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 103
He being a great sportsman, especially in cock fighting,
and to add still, more to celebrating this memorable shoot
ing day, gave out that he would give five hundred dollars
to the owner of the best fighting cocks, the fight to be in
this tract of timber he had won of Means, to take place
the day of this great feast.
All were invited, rich and poor, black and white.
Prominent speakers were engaged, the finest music, cooks
and waiters employed.
Five fat cattle, twenty sheep and a quantity of small
game was slain and cooked in barbacue style. Tables
were set in the woods and all preparations possible were
made to make this a great day never to be forgotten.
People were invited from all parts of Kentucky. The
woods were completely packed with people, white and
black. After all had partaken of the bountiful feast, then
came speaking.
Then all who desired retired to the pits to witness the
cock fight, heavy betting on all sides being in order. Over
three hundred fighting cocks were on the ground. Great
excitement prevailed. Some were taking care of dead
cocks, others putting on steel spurs preparing them for
the pit.
One-eyed Kit, from New Orleans, was present with
twenty cocks. She was called so from having lost one of
her eyes in handling her cocks. She came all the long
distance to take part in these exercises, and she carried a
brace of revolvers and a bowie knife. She was an all-
around gambler, making her money in that manner. She
was known all over as a great cock-fighting, sporting
woman. After the excitement had progressed some time, nearly

104 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
all having a chance in the pits, Kit was declared the win
ner and received the money.
She then challenged any one to match her in a cock
fight for two hundred dollars a side. She was quickly
taken up and there was heavy betting on both sides.
In due course of time Kit was declared the winner
amid the cheers of the great crowd. After this dancing
began and continued all night. Thus closed one of the
greatest days ever witnessed in Louisville.
SMITH'S EXPERIENCE WHILE HE WAS HIRED TO FLOYD PARKS
IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
He always spoke in high terms of Parks as one of
the best men he ever lived with. He never whipped his
negroes and did not believe in it. He was generous to a
fault. He never asked his slaves to do any work on Sun
day unless he paid them for it.
Every Saturday afternoon his slaves were drawn up in
line and each one received a dollar from their master.
This was something no other planter was known to do
in the south. Every meal time all who desired it were
treated to whisky.
He never urged his negroes to work beyond their
strength. He preferred colored men to work, as they done more
work. Most of his colored men were free. He was always
satisfied with the amount of work done.
Smith took a job cutting forty acres of wheat for which
he was to receive twenty dollars. He made a bee on
Sunday to cut the wheat, when night came it was all
shocked. Then Massa gave them a fine snpper after

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 105
which all repaired to a building in the field and had a big
dance. One of his men stole a dressed hog, Massa tracked
him up and instead of whipping him as others did paid
no attention to it.
Smith well remembers hearing General Taylor speak
in Louisville at the Gault House after his famous fight at
Monteray, Mexico, and also seeing a scar in his face
which he received when engaged in this battle, when
General Taylor exclaimed, although badly wounded,
" Give it to them boys, but dodge the balls if possible."
Smith was at the dock in Louisville when General Taylor
landed, and in the excitement when engaged in cannonading
and celebrating this event three men were killed. Taylor
was driven to the Gault House in a hack drawn by six
white horses. And after his famous speech, instead of
taking dinner, for fear of being poisoned, repaired to his
brother-in-laws, who lived two miles in the country.
After General Taylor's death at the White House, his
remains were taken to his large farm near Louisville at a
place called Gillman's Point for burial.
All of Parks' men were at the funeral, Smith with the
number and speaks of it as the grandest funeral he ever
saw as there were thousands present. He was buried with
great military honors. It was a sad and memorable day
all through the United States. His large fine horse, the
one he used in? Mexico, whose name was Whity, was
Iressed in mourning. So many people, to keep in memory
this sad event, pulled many hairs out of his tail to make
watch chains and different ornaments with, it became quite
necessary, in order to keep any hair on him, to lock him
up and many offered large sums of money for him. Every
day after the funeral he was taken out saddled and

106 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
exercised accompanied by a large Newfoundland dog
owned by the General, but no one was allowed to ride
him, being led by his groom. The writer does not
remember what became of Whity in after years, undoubt
edly he was well cared for and at his death was buried
with respectable honor, out of respect for the great man
that used to ride him.
Smith remembers the first silverware used, such as
knifes, spoons, casters, etc. His Master Parks' daughter
Cyntha, was married to a negro trader whose name was
Otterman, and he made a great wedding and everything
used on the table was the finest of silver. After the
whites, who had been invited to attend the wedding were
through eating, then all the negroes were invited to eat
which was greatly enjoyed by all.
SMITH'S EXPERIENCE WHILE WORKING AT JIM BURKS.
Burks was a wealthy planter and owned a great number
of slaves, he was very severe, showing no mercy when he
had occasion to punish a negro. He would tie them to a
maple tree in his yard and would whip each negro half a
day. He would give them fifty lashes, rest awhile, and
then repeat the dose.
A number of different time slaves would kill sheep
and cattle unbeknown to Massa Burks .and when it was
found out the whipping would commence in earnest.
Telling them at the same time, he was not whipping them
for stealing, but because they did not conceal it better.
No person under any circumstances, was allowed to
punish his negroes. He was a noted gambler, and
traveled most of the time on that business. His son John,,

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 107
was also a noted gambler, and always took with him one
of his slaves to wait on him. On one of his gambling
excursions, he had with him a smart colored man whose
name was Hank and he put explicit confidence in him.
Having on one of his gambling tours won five thousand
dollars, he sent Hank home to put it in the bank. Hank
instead of obeying orders, struck out for Canada with the
money, and not returning as soon as expected, Master
Burks became uneasy and search was made supposing
Hank had been robbed. After due course of time he wrote
back from Canada, thanking Master Burks for the money,
and stating he was doing well, and he never returned to
Kentucky again.
Master Burks was a great sport with horses, at one
time betting sixty thousand dollars on a great race,
betting against the celebrated trotting horse "John
Henry," the fastest horse at that time in the country.
Burks lost the race by a very few inches. This was the
last race trotted by " John Henry," he being a stallion,
was kept for other purposes. Master Burks also enjoyed
cock fighting, and it was no uncommon thing for him to
win or lose five hundred dollars iu one fight. His slaves
were usually smart and were allowed many priviledges
and often attended him in his great cock fights, sometimes
when disputes would arise and he would be in danger, the
slaves would fight for him and would save him many
times from bodily harm.
Before leaving Master Burks, we will relate an instance
that transpired which could never be accounted for, and
was very cruel in its nature. Massa Burks and a friend
of his whose name was Olden Bass, took into their con
fidence a man from an eastern state named Foster, am I

108 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
became to all appearances intimate friends.. They were
together at the gambling tables, cock fights, and were all-
around sports. One Sunday morning, Boss and Burks
invited Foster lo take a stroll in the woods and see how
the slaves were getting along cutting wood. They took
with them three burly negroes. Arriving at the woods
Burks and Boss ordered one of the colored men to take a
stick of wood and knock Foster down, the negro replied
he did not want to do so, and Foster not thinking any
harm, passed it off as a joke. Again they ordered the
negro to strike him and this time he complied with their
request and knocking him down he was immediately
bound, stripped and tied to a tree, and all cut to pieces,
they striking him five hundred lashes each one in his
turn. After nearly whipping him to death he was ordered
to leave the country and never be seen in these parts
again under penalty of death. This inhuman treatment
by white men whipping one of their race has no parallel
in history as no cause was ever known to exist for this
transaction. We will now relate some of Smith's courting experi
ence while living at Massa Burks. A widow woman
whose name was Liza Huntly, who owned a good planta
tion, took a great fancy to him. Smith used to call there
quite often, and they became very intimate friends. A
number of the young colored folks used to joke him
about going to see his mother, as she was so much older
than he was. Smith was a great favorite with the widow.
She offered to buy him and give him the charge • of the
plantation if he would marry her, but they bothered
him so much about visiting the widow he discontinued
going there.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 109
Another in Louisville was a wealthy white woman who
had separated from her husband, becoming acquainted
with her on account of marketing there so much. She
took a great fancy to him and finally requested and
invited him to come and see her. The first chance he
got he did so. She then told him how much she loved
him and arranged a plan to run away to Canada and
marry him. They became fast friends and lovers. She
sold her property and preparations were made and the
time appointed to start. Smith mistrusting something
might possibly be managed to make him trouble did not
go as agreed upon. He often speaks about this and
believes the woman was sincere. She was smart and well
educated. He never saw her after their agreement and
does not know her history afterwards.
A certain tree in Massa Burke's garden where he used
to whip negroes." Fifteen slaves have been whipped to
death while tied to this tree, either by Massa Bates or his
overseer. The tales of cruelty and inhuman treatment by
this man could scarcely be written. He was a man weigh
ing nearly four hundred pounds, and when on his death
bed paid two doctors each five hundred dollars a day to
keep him alive to see and witness his slaves whipped, re
marking that he could not die and leave the negroes and
all his money.
He lived a number of days after entering into this con
tract with the doctors to keep him alive, but the fatal hour
came, and thus passed away one of the most inhuman
fiends known in history. When he died he burst open
and the stench was so strong that it cost a large sum of
money to lay him out and bury him. While few mourned

110 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
his loss, hundreds rejoiced, and the slaves held a great
barbecue celebrating this event.
INCIDENTS THAT TRANSPIRED AT CAPTAIN HYCUS'.
Being a large planter, a great sport and owning a num
ber of fast horses he had a good track on his plantation.
He was also a good poker player and had won and lost
thousands of dollars. In his desperate gambling freaks
he would often put up a negro against his opponent, and
the winner would take them both. It was no uncommon
affair for him to win or loose five thousand dollars a night
playing poker.
He was a man who treated his slaves well, and did not
practice the inhuman treatment used by many of his kins
man. Being very wealthy he was extremely fond of all
manner of sports, and great for getting up horse races.
He owned large powerful negroes, both men and women,
and would notjallow a small, inferior negro on his premises,
claiming that they might do some damage to his stock as
he termed it. He had a negro, whose name was Wash
ington, a powerful man and the greatest cattle manager
and breaker known in the whole country. He would sub
due the most vicious bull or cow in a few minutes. Drop
ping on his knees he would, when they were coming at
him full force, bellowing and roaring, roll up his sleeves,
seize them by one horn and the nose and throw them per
fectly easy. He never encountered an animal he could
not manage in this way.
One peculiarity about this celebrated negro was that
he did not, nor would not do anything but attend to cattle.
Breaking steers and cows was his delight, and many came

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. Ill
from a great distance to see him subdue animals and have
cattle broke. A celebrated planter living in the southern
part of Kentucky had a powerful negro who was also noted
as a great cattle subduer. His master hearing of Washing
ton immdiately arranged for a match. Massa Hycus sent
a challenge to him and offered to bet two thousand dollars
that his slave could beat his negro in throwing and holding
cattle, with one hand, any minute that he could be brought.
The offer was quickly accepted and the arrangements were
made, the money put up and the day appointed, and every
body invited. The winner was to give a big supper and a
plantation dance. The great day arrived and hundreds
were an the ground, all anxious and excited. The animal
selected was a ferocious bull, and he was to be let out in au
open field on Massa Hycus' plantation. Men were armed
with rifles, in case the bull got the advantage of the men,
to shoot him on the spot. A Mexican dollar was thrown
in the air for first trial, and it fell on the negro who came
from the distance. The bull was let loose and came at his
antagonist with great fury. The negro grabbed for the
bull, but missing his hold he was thrown high in the air by
that animal, coming down with great force, and springing
on his feet ran for his life pursued by the infuriated bull,
which was kept from any further injury by the crowd.
Heavy betting had been going on, on both sides, as to who
should win. Time was called for Massa Hycus' man, and
he was given a drink of brandy. The bull was turned
loose and came on with great force. Washington rolling
up his sleeves, dropped on his knees as the animal was
about to make its final leap. He caught him by one horn,
securely fastening one hand in the animal's nose, threw
him with force, causing the bull to bellow furiously.

112 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
Washington hit him a clip, and amid the cheers of the
multitude, came leading the bull up to the stand perfectly
subdued. Cheer after cheer rent the air, and the large
crowd immediately joined in a grand jubilee. Washing
ton's master being certain of winning had prepared an
elegant banquet at which liquors flowed freely. He had
also engaged several prominent speakers from Louisville,
and after the banquet was over and the toasts had all been
responded to, Massa Hycus stepped to the front and pre
sented Washington with an elegant gold watch. After
hand-shaking and congratulations all-around, the crowd
dispersed. Washington was one of the proudest negroes in the
land with his gold watch to remember his great achieve
ment on that day.
MasBa Andy, or Captain Hycus, was truly an excep
tional man among slave owners, as he used them well, fed
them good, and granted them many privileges that others
would not. All of his slaves liked him.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 113

CHAPTER VII.

JIM BRECKENRIDGE'S PLANTATION — A SLAVE HUNTING HIS
MASTER — RIDING ON A CANNON — THE SLAVES BEFORE
THE WAR — EXCITING SCENE AND A RACE FOR LIFE.
We next call the reader's attention to Jim Brecken
ridge, who was a great land owner and owned so many
slaves he did not at times know some of them when he
met them on the street. He raised great quantities of
hemp, and was a kind man to his slaves. His overseer,
who in after years he discharged for his cruelty, went by
the name of Jim Danford. He was a very inhuman man,
and many times, unbeknown to Massa, would whip some
poor slave for a mere trifle in a brutal manner. He was
like a good many white men, who, receiving a little pro
motion, were often worse than the slave owners themselves.
Massa Breckenridge never sold any of his slaves to go
away south in the cotton picking, with the exception of
one, whose name was Dick. In order to save him from
prison he sold him to go south. Massa's great negro catch -
113

114 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
ing dog was killed by some person, supposed to be a slave,
perhaps for being bitten. He was an old English bull
dog and was valued at two thousand dollars, and was
found one morning in the yard stabbed to death. A great
deal of money was offered to find the guilty one, but he
was never caught.
This dog was terrible savage with the poor slaves. And
has caught a number who were trying to get away. He
used to hold the negros for the overseer to whip. The
colored people scarcely ever told on each other in any work
they undertook to do.
The next person we call the readers attention to, was a
slave owner, named Jim Lewie, who lived ten miles from
Louisville, on the Bardstown and Nashville turnpike. He
was noted for raising and selling thoroughbred blood
hounds, and he had some fine dogs for catching runaway
slaves, and would often get $50 for catching one. He
owned a large plantation, and also kept a fine hotel where
the stage changed horses. One particular instance that
transpired which came under Smith's notice, was this
H^ owned a very smart colored man called Square, that
he had raised. And when Square became a man, old
Massa for some triffling affair whipped him one day, quite
severe, and when he had finished whipping him he asked
him if he was through. Massa asked him, " why do you
ask, if you are not satisfied I will give you another turn."
Square spoke in this manner: "I have enough but it is my
turn now." And snatching the whip from Masa's hand
commenced to use it freely; Massa started for the hotel, fol.
lowed by Square, in hot pursuit, and he gave his master a
severe punishing. All who witnessed it expected to see
Square nearly whipped to death, but to the utter astonish-

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 115
ment of all, Massa did not punish him, but appointed him
overseer on the plantation, and he proved to be of great
value to Massa Lewis. It was truly a remarkable instance,
but Massa seemed to take it as a joke, and Square being
such a fine, noble negro, about 21 years of age, he appoint
ed him to this position. The great mystery among all
was the reason Massa Lewis did not kill Square for this-
Some of the slave owners came to see Massa Lewis, and
urged him to punish Square, as such treatment would en
courage other negroes, and make them unmanageable-
Massa paid no attention to them, but kept on running his
own business.
Across the ravine from Massa Lewis' was a large hill,
known as Perserve Hill, deriving its name from the fol
lowing incident. A slave owner whose name was Gus
Kelly, owned a few slaves and who was very overbearing
and moan to them, and also his wife. A great driver and
hustler, he worked his slaves very hard. Coming in one
day and his wife not having dinner ready right on time,
seized a large kettle of perserves his wife was cooking, and
to wreak out his vengeance, threw it out, it rolled down
the hill, and ever afterwards it was called Preserve Hill.
Kelly was an all round mean man, disliked by most all who
knew him. His slaves never had any privileges, but hard
work from day to day.
Old Pete Johnson, a thorough planter, who lived near
this hill, will relate an incident that took place during the
war. Johnson was a mean man, and very severe on the
yankees. He was taken together with his slaves, compell
ed to ride on a cannon from Louisville into Tennessee,
and did not reach his plantation again for the space of
three months, and then to find everything destroyed and

116 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
his slaves gone. He was thankful his own life was
spared. We will now relate a few scenes while Smith was
living at Massa Charles Hays, who bought him, paying
$1,100 for him. Massa Hays lived sixteen miles north of
Louisville, and was a large planter and slave owner. This
was just before the war. The slaves were all talking and
wondering what the war would bring about.
Their masters would get telegrams and papers, and
meet in council, and the slaves would listen at the door.
Prominent men would be seen approaching, and the slaves
would be wondering what they were talking about with
Massa. Some of the lower classes of whites who could,
would steal away to the cabins among the slaves, and with
a person watching to see if Massa was coming, would read
about the coming war. If any were caught reading to the
slaves, or giving them any information, they were
tied and received fifty lashes.
Any white man passing with a pack on his back or a
satchel in his hand, was styled " a yankee," and the
negroes were given strict orders, under penalty, not to
pass a word with them, and if seen talking, Massa would
ask all manner of questions, such as " what did that man
say to you, did he want you to leave here and go to the
war, did he ask any questions about the war," and many
more similar » questions. The slaves did not tell many
things that were said by these men, as Massa would pur
sue, overtake and kill them. And many a northern
man was never heard from after reaching the south, but
was killed in this way. All the fire arms either bought
or stolen, were taken farther south, which created no small
confusion among the slaves. Slaves were told all manner

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 117
of lies to influence them against the North. Some speaking
in this manner, " the Yankees will steal and sell you, take
you all away from us and kill you and do all manner of
mischief. Do not pass a word with those Yankees."
General Rosseau was at Louisville drilling Yankees,
greatly to the annoyance of the rebels, who forced him
across the line to Indiana to do his drilling there. Space
will not permit of giving all the incidents relative to the
superstition, anxieties and fears among the-slaves and the
ignorant whites, and even among many rich planters,
previous to the breaking out of the war.
EXCITING SCENES — NARROW ESCAPE AND A RACE FOR LIFE,
When General Bragg fired his first gun in Kentucky,
which was on Massa Hays plantation he was on his way to
save Louisville. General Nelson was stationed at Louis
ville, forcing all the men to assist in building breast works.
The darkies were nearly frightened to death, while many
were anxious to see the coming battle. The two great
armies were on Hays' plantation. Smith and a number of
slaves were stationed on the fence supposed to be out of
danger. The rebels informed them that the damned
Yankees could not hurt them as long as they remained
with them.
Soldiers on both sides as far as the eye could see in
solid column. As soon as the firing commenced, the bul
lets began to fall thick and fast around Smith, as wanting
a good view, was between the two armies, and becoming
badly frightened, started for the lower plantation, running
with all his might, imagining all the time they were
nil shooting at him, as the balls were flying thick around

118 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
him. Reaching the lower plantation he found them fight
ing just as hard, and amid the roar of musketry mingled
with the groans of the dying, made a scene which nearly
paralized him. Dodging between the rebels horses and
men, he ran to a cliff, and climbing down in a ravine ran
into a cave. The beating of his own heart scared the wits
out of him. Looking oui he could plainly see shells flying
through the air, he retreated back into the cave and re
mained there until the following morning. When he came
out he found the rebels had retreated and the army away in
the advance.
He ventured back to the old plantation only to find
everything devastated, fences and cattle all gone. Reach
ing the house it was full of bullet holes and everything
still as death, he thought old massa and all the rest were
killed. Going out on a rise of ground arid looking around
he saw in the distance under a large rock a number of
negroes who were still afraid to venture forth. He then
went back and ventured into the house and while standing
gazing on the destruction and desolation, everything torn
up, furniture and piano all broken to pieces, and
pondering over all this scene, his old massa come in, all
broke up, having been absent four days to keep clear of
the Yankees. In the clothes press when massa left, stood
a barrel of beans where he had secreted two thousand
dollars in gold, but beans and gold were gone. His large
pork house was empty, where he had left tons of the finest
of meat. In the cellar twenty-five barrels of the best of
whisky was all wasted which caused old massa to bound
in the air with madness, the house was completely stripped
as well as all the out-buildings, and all through the day
negroes could be seen cautiously creeping back from their

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 119
hiding places, none of them being killed. This great
plantation, full of the best the land could afford, was
literally stripped, and amid all this, old massa exclaimed,
" Take everything, but leave me the negroes."
The rebels retreated to Perrysville, followed by the
Yankees, and had some hard fighting. It was reported
the Yankees lost five men to one of the rebels. But in
the spring, in moving an old straw stack a number of dead
rebels were found covered with straw, where they had
been secreted. Buel was a brother-in-law of Bragg and
was given all the chances possible to defeat the union men,
but after this defeat his commission as a general was
taken from him.
EXCITING TIMES WITH THE GUERRILLAS.
Smith lived close to a toll gate near Salt river bridge
in Bullet county, twenty-three miles from Louisville, and
him and his wife buried a great number of our brave
men who had been parolled, and assisted and secreted
scores of union men to save them from these fiends who
were scouring the country night and day seaching for the
northern men, and when found were shot or hung as the
case might be in the presence of Smith but under fear of
death he dare not attempt any assistance. So many had
to pass this toll gate on the pike, that Smith had great
opport unites to find out and witness many scenes. He
could often have given information to the union men and
assisted in the capture of squads of guerrillas, but through
fear he kept their whereabouts to himself; while at the
same time he was secreting them and the Yankees were
at the door looking for them.

120 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
What first induced him to keep a close mouth and
attend to his own business during tho exciting times
through the war, saved him then, and perhaps is the
reason he lived to have this work completed. Many with
even a word or a look of the least information, both
white and black, have gone to their long home.
The circumstance which first set Smith to thinking
was this, he with a number of men were breaking rock on
the pike one day when a number of union soldiers came
riding up and asked a white man, who was a thorough
rebel named Tom Wilcox, if he knew where they could
get some w^ter melons was informed that a man who kept
a grocery store a short distance from there, and a union
man, had water melons. The soldiers rode up to the
store and upon enquiry were informed he had no melons,
not satisfied with this they searched his premises and
found nothing. This enraged the merchant and he asked
the commanding officer, who informed him he had melons.
They told him a white man working on the pike a short
distance below. He requested the officer to bring the
man before him. Going back Wilcox was brought up,
the balance who were working on the pike wondered
what the soldiers intended to do with him. The merchant
and also the officer presented their revolvers to him, and
the merchant asked him if he told the soldiers he had
melons, and seeing the revolvers pointed at him, com
menced stammering and crying. The officer then ordered
him to step out a short distance and informed him he was
going to kill him, and pinning a small piece of paper over
the heart of the man selected twelve men to aim at the
paper and fire when he ordered. The balance of th e

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 121
negroes and white men were nearly scared to death.
Wilcox was trembling and begging them not to shoot.
After the soldiers had stood with their guns presented
at him fully five minutes, they were ordered to take them
down. The officers informed him they would spare his
life, and then spoke to him in this manner, " you infernal
rebel now from this time on, attend strictly to your own
affairs, and never say you know a thing you do not, and
bear in mind what I tell you." Smith, after witnessing
this, never gave any information either to Rebel or Union
men, but when he thought prudent would aid the Union
men all he possibly could. It required great cunning and
ingenuity to manage and arrange assistance to Union men,
for the rebels would have shot him on the spot had they
known it. He was well known, but being shrewd and
cunning they did not find that he aided and assisted any
one. A SCENE OF CRUELTY.
Twelve negro men and women were caught in giving
information where a lot of guerrellas were secreted. The
nen were taken down to salt river, a hole cut in the ice
and they were singled out, shot and pushed under the
ice. Nearly one mile from this toll-gate fifty slaves were
overtaken, who were on their way to join the Union army,
and shot by their friends. Smith assisted in burying all
of them. Smith was a witness to the following inhuman treat
ment: several negroes were overtaken, on the pike to join
the Yankees, by the Southern men, and their ears cut off,
they then rode up to a saloon where a Yankee was selling

122 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
liquor, and after drinking, threw the ears in the saloon
keeper's face, saying to him, " there you Yankee, is some
scrip for you, take that." And then they passed on to
hunt for some one else to practice their beastly treatment
on. Before proceeding further in this work, least it might
be neglected, we will relate a horrible and beastly crime
which took place under Smith's observation. An old man
who had been free for some time, had no use of his feet
being born a cripple, and being a great religious man, he
was often found praying. He was taken by the Rebels,
holes cut through his thighs large enough to receive his
crippled feet, and crossing them, they forced them through
the holes and left him to die, which he very soon did.
The poor negro praying all the time. They left him in
this dying condition with curses on their lips, exclaiming
at the same time, " now die you d — d negro, and pray for
yourself instead of us."
It would be impossible to give the reader even a faint
idea of all the scenes and circumstances enacted by our
Union men, with these notorious guerrillas.
There was great excitement and amusing scenes oc-
cured when the slaves on Hay's plantation heard the news
of Lincoln's emancipation proclamation.
Some days had elapsed after the freedom of the slaves
when a number of Union men were passing, enquired of
the slaves if their master had set them free. Massa Havs
began to be alarmed for fear of being arrested, in case he
did not inform them of their freedom. One morning as
the slaves were eating, Massa Hays came in an walked
around the table very uneasy, and bracing himself up in

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 123
v.he best manner possible, spoke to them in this manner,
" Men and women hear me, I am about to tell you some
thing I never expected to be obliged to tell you in my life,
it is this: it becomes my duty to inform you, one and all,
woman, men and children, belonging to me, you are
free to go where you please." At the same time cursing
Lincoln and exclaiming, if he was here, I would kill him
for taking all you negroes away from me.
After old Massa had cooled off from this painful duty,
he told them to go to the grocery where he had
whiskey barreled up and help themselves and get what
they wanted. Then commenced a great jubilee among, not
only the slaves, but old Massa, and all on the plantation
seemed to join in the festivities. Old Massa got drunk
and repaired to his room. His daughter, a fine young lady
never known to drink, was much the worse for drinking.
All were cheering Abraham Lincoln, while old Massa was
too drunk to notice much. Old Aunt Bess an old colored
woman, and very religious, who looked after the children,
as well as the rest, used too much wine and to show her
mode of rejoicing, sang old time songs, which added very
much to the celebration. Preparations were made and at
night dancing was began in earnest, and kept up until
morning. Old Massa giving all liberty to help themselves
to everything. Some of the slaves did not fully compre
hend what it all meant, while others, more intelligent, en
joyed it to the full extent. Never was such a scene wit
nessed on the plantation before.
The writer cannot picture it to the reader, the rejoicing
on this plantation and other places in the vicinity, on the
announcement of the freedom of the slaves. Old Aunt

124 FIFTY Y-EARS IN SLAVERY.
Bess exclaimed, "bress de Lord, Im glad de Lord has
spared me to see dis great day, my children are all free,'
she singing and shouting all the time.
Knowing what a great day this was to the enslaved
negro, it is truly no wonder to the intelligent reader that
they rejoiced and still keep in memory the emancipation
day and will for all future time to come. History will re
peat itself, and in ages to come, President Lincoln and
many of the brave men will be immortalized.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 125

CHAPTER VIII.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FREEDOM — HOW COLORED PEOPLE RE
CEIVED IT — GREAT CELEBRATIONS.
One month after the announcement of the freedom of
the slaves, there was a day appointed in Louisville to cele
brate this great event. Senator Palmer and several other
noted speakers, both white and black, made appropriate
speeches and shout aftei shout rent the air. Old men and
women praised God that they were free. Old plantation
songs rent the air. Louisville was alive with people,
negroes coming from all over the country. The speeches
made by tho colored people at this great day would make
the sadest heart laugh, while many wept for joy. Music
and dancing was indulged in. Every preparation was
made to make this day memorable in the annals of history.
A number went back and lived with their masters for years,
choosing to live in the Sunny South where their joys and
sorrows had mingled together so many years.
Massa Hays would explain, after the Yankees were away
out of danger, how he would like to serve them, but when

126 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
he discovered any Yanks he would be sure to keep out of
their way. Sometimes he would be asked by the Yankees,
" Who lives in that house ? " His reply would be Mr.
Hays. Telling him that they would like to find the old
rebel, Hays would be much pleased when they left him.
Then he would blow about the Yankees again, and inform
his slaves if he could see a Yankee he would kill him on
the spot, always being careful that none of the Yanks were
near when he had one of his courageous freaks.
A SHORT HISTORY OF YOUNG BRYANT SALONE.
After the children Smith had taken care of had all be
come of age and old Bryant Salone had died, Smith then
fell to his son, young Bryant. The reader has already had
a short history of his old Massa.
The children having reached the age when they were
their own bosses if Smith's master chose to he could sell
him. The negroes were divided up on their becoming of
age and Smith fell to young Bryant Salone. There was a
number of slave owners who intended to sell slaves to go
to New Orleans, as they could get good prices for them.
Massa Salone, among the rest, intended to sell some, and
Smith being extra shrewd he thought he could get a good
price for him, as Smith would make a good overseer for
he was such a great worker himself, and Massa Salone
mentioned this to him. Smith informed him that he did
not want to go south and leave his wife and family. Massa
Salone still insisted upon his going, and used very smooth
language, telling him he wanted to make an overseer of
him. He said that he did not want to, neither should he
go. Smith, determined not to go down in the cotton pick
ing, began to arrange to go to Canada. A white woman

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 127
by the name of Jennie Hartman, who used to be his
misses, offered to take her uncle's horse and buggy and go
to Louisville, cross the Ohio river and drive through to Can
ada, and pay all expenses. Massa Salone hearing of this
scheme, and knowing Smith's perseverance and cunning,
told him he had changed his mind. If he would find
some one to buy him and pay eleven hundred dollars for
him he might stay.
Smith, not wishing to go Canada and leave his family,
started out and at once made his way to Massa Hays, a
planter, whom he was acquainted with, and who had the
reputation of being good to his slaves. On reaching
Massa Hays' he informed him of his mission. Massa
Hays seemed to be pleased to learn that he could get
Smith, and at once told him to go back and tell his master
he would pay the amount asked in gold. Massa Salone
being informed of this went over and received the money.
Taking Harry by the hand, and speaking to him, said,
" Now, Harry, you have been a good negro, continue, and
obey your master." This was all the satisfaction he re
ceived after being under the Salones' management for
forty years, never receiving a penny for his services
while there.
A large number of slaves were sent away south, and
among the number not one ever returned among Smith's
acquaintances. At the expiration of two years Massa Sa
lone, who went with them, was taken with the Yellow
fever which resulted in his death and he was brought
back and buried on his father's plantation.
Lewis Salone, a brother of the one just mentioned, was
one of the proudest of southern men, considering it an

128 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
insult for a white man to speak to him unless he was
counted a man ranking high among the aristocracy, and
wearing very costly diamonds. Misfortune seemed to
follow him, and the last account Smith had any tidings of
of him he was in Louisville performing some menial ser
vice for a living.
A sketch of Lewis Salone, last mentioned, might be of
interest to the reader, showing the immense fortune that
fell to him from his father,old Massa Bryant Salone, of
which the reader has had some knowledge. Lewis' father
gave him three hundred acres of land and a number of
slaves, and after his father's death the old plantation con
sisting of twenty-four thousand acres, together with all
the darkies fell to him. Lewis, thinking slavery might
extend into Illinois and wishing to increase his immense
wealth, sold all his slaves and his plantation and started
for Illinois. Had the money he then had been in gold
and silver a good span of horses could not have drawn
it. He moved to Decatur and built up the town.
Misfortune seemed against him and fire and wind de
stroyed it. He built it up again only to be followed by
destruction a second time. Returning to Louisville, re
duced to abject poverty, he was, up to a year ago living
with a relative, and has to live out the balance of his days
depending upon charity for his support.
We will now give an interesting account of the life of
Massa Maxwell, who was murdered by his own slaves for
unlawful cohabitation with the wife of one of them and
the hanging of the negroes who did the act.
Massa Maxwell lived in Bardstown, Kentucky. He
was a wealthy planter and an inhuman wretch, hated by

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 129
all of his slaves and most of the whites. He had made it
a practice for years for using this colored woman, who
was the wife of one of the slaves, compelling her at any
time he saw fit to submit to his passions, and compelled
her husband not to mention it under fear of death, and
had whipped him very severely several times for mention
ing it. Her husband had often thought to himself he
would kill his master for this and was waiting for a proper
chance. One day massa approached this woman and on
her refusal to comply with his demands in the presence of
her husband was stripped and received a brutal treatment
nearly using her up. This so enraged her husband, he
counseled with two colored men, his relatives, and deter
mined to lay a plan and kill him. Massa Maxwell had
business to town that day, and knowing he would have to
pass through a certain gate on the plantation, and not
likely to return until evening determined to conceal them
selves at the gate and kill him.
The three men repaired to the gate and waited for
massa, who soon after dark rode up to the spot, they
sprang out and beat him with clubs and he wounded one
of his negroes with his knife. After they thought he was
dead, they left him and came back to the house. Not
coming home at night, old misses became alarmed about
him. In the morning she sent the husband of this woman
back to look for old massa and going to the barn he took
a pitch fork with him, and on going back not finding
massa as he expected dead at the gate, followed his trail a
few rods and discovered massa in the brush a short dis
tance away. Seeing the negro coming he motioned for
him to go back, as he was too near used up to speak. The

130 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
poor injured negro now thought his time had come to
wreak out his promise to massa for destroying all his
comfort and nearly killing his wife, sprang on to him and
pounded his head to pieces and sticking the fork through
his body, came back to the house and reported him dead,
and on investigation found it true. Amid the excitement
as to who were the guilty parties, three brave men deter
mined to own up the crime and take up with what might
follow, if to die they would have the satisfaction of know
ing it was in a good cause. They confessed the crime and
were arrested and placed in the jail at Bardstown. They
were tried, convicted and sentenced to be hung, all three
at the same time. After the announcement, orders were
sent out all over the country to slave owners, to be there
at Bardstown the day and hour with all their slaves, men,
women and children and witness the hanging of these men
who dare kill their master that it might teach them a
lesson. All the slaves, whether willing or not, had to go
and witness this event. The day arriving thousands of
people were there, the slaves were placed in front in order
to better enable them to witness this. On the scaffold
on being permitted to speak, they explained in brief the
cause which led them to the act. The injured husband
made a pathetic speech, explaining the cause of killing
his master, claiming he did not do anything he felt sorry
for, was only glad he lived to see the end of this wretch.
This was the ending of Massa Maxwell, one of the most
inhuman wretches that ever lived.
The following is an account of Mr. Allen, a planter,
who lived in Spencer county, and whose only son was
killed by a falling limb and the crime laid to a colored man.
Massa Allen owned a number of slaves and in his

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 131
absence he would appoint his son to look after them and
see they were all working. Leaving home one day, his
son as usual looked after business, one of the slaves was
cutting wood in a strip of woods near by and he took a
walk down to see how he was getting along. As he was
standing under a tree suddenly a large limb gave way and
struck young massa on the head killing him instantly.
This nearly scared the negro to death, who at once started
for the house to report the sad news. On arriving at the
scene, they were excited and suspected it was the negro
who had killed his young master. The news spread all
through the community, Massa Allen's son had been
killed in the woods by a negro. Men came from all
directions with ropes, determined to hang him if they
caught him. They captured and bound him firmly with
ropes so he could not get away. He told them plainly he
did not kill young massa and pointed out to the angry
crowd the limb and the tree it fell from. Still they insisted
he killed young massa, they were so eager to hang him
that they lost all sense of reason. Finally the more wise
ones proposed to make a ladder, climb up the tree and
take the limb and see. On trying the broken limb it
fitted to perfection as the negro had been trying to explain
to the mob who intended to hang him.
The examination of the limb convinced all present of
the negroes innocence,and he was loosened from his bonds,
much to his joy. As he was perfectly innocent of the
crime, Massa Allen ever after this treated this negro with
respect and granted him many privileges, for the truth, as
he believed, regarding his sons death, and treated all the
slaves better than he had heretofore.

132 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
A peculiar circumstance that transpired while Smith
and a number of others, were engaged in cutting wheat for
Abe Vandyke. A rich planter who lived near Taylors
ville, had fields which contained a hundred acres each, and
usually had one each year of all the different kinds of
<£rain. He owned a great number of slaves, and was severe
and overbearing to them. There was forty men and women
engaged in cutting wheat one day, in a field where stood a
large oak tree that had been dead a number of years.
While they were standing under this tree it began to rain,
and they all dropped their tools and started for the woods
for shelter. Massa Vandyke was on his horse holding an
umbrella over him. A gust of wind started the tree to
falling. Old Massa was directly under it, and noticing the
danger, the darkies spoke and beckoned to him to flee, as
the tree was falling; putting spurs to his horse, he just
had time to make clear of the tree when it struck the
ground, some of the limbs brushing him. This so frighted-
ed him, he ordered all of the slaves to go immediately to the
house, and on reaching home, Massa ordered a great feast
prepared, and whiskey was free. To show forth his re
joicing for being saved from death. They all had a great
time, Massa and all got drunk. All day and night was
med up in this manner.
HOW MASSA CUNIGAN DISPOSED OF HIS SLAVES.
Massa Cunigan owned scores of colored men, but had no
children or near relatives. He was one of the best men to
his slaves, and was called, by other slave owners, the negro
spoiler, because he was so lenient with them. On Massa be_
coming old and very wealthy, he bought a tract of land in.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 133
the free States, and set his colored people all free and
bought them horses. While he remained on the plantation
all who chose to remain with him, he gave them land suffi
cient to maintain them. A colored man who belonged to
Massa Vandyke already mentioned, had married a slave
who belonged to Cunigan when his slaves were set free
and had gone to the territory bought for them, this
man belonging to Vandyke concluded to go where his
wife was, and his friends set about to plan his escape.
One Saturday night they made a large box.and placing this
man in it, shipped it as freight to Canada. Massa Van
dyke missing this man on Monday morning, began search
ing for him. Men were sent out in all directions, but re
turned with no tidings. Finally he sent a man to where
Massa Cunigan had sent most of his slaves, to see if he
was there, and continued to watch for two years. In the
meantime this colored man sent away in the box, was in
Canada, living with his wife and family, happy as may be,
while Massa Vandyke had to grin and bear it.
Massa Vandyke lost several of his slaves by being
shipped in the manner described. For instance a slave
belonging to another man, married one of his slaves, on
condition that he would not sell him or her, as the case
might be. They were taken by some friend and shipped
to some place as freight. The darkies in many similar
instances showed their cunning and shrewdness.
A SKETCH IN THE LIFE OF BEN FERMAN.
He was a desperate slave owner, and nearly lost his
life together with three of his sons, in trying to whip one
of his slaves named Albert. And also the loss of a number

134 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
of buildings burned, owned by a family named Colli ngs.
as the result of this attempt to punish a slave.
For some triffling affair one day, Massa Ferman under
took to punish this negro Albert, who was a powerful
negro, when he seized his master, and threw him with
great force on the ground. Massa failed to accomplish his
design this time, so he contrived to get Albert in a large
corn-crib to shucking corn, and then went there with
sufficient force to bind and whip him. Massa Ferman
with his three sons prepared themselves with clubs, and
repaired to the corn crib, and spoke to Albert, telling him
to throw up his hands, as they were going to bind and give
him a thousand lashes. Albert took in the situation at
once, and seizing a large wooden maul in the crib, knock
ed them all down, and they all begged for him
not to kill them. Old Misses hearing the disturbance
came oui and implored him not to murder them all. And
he finally, after a few minutes consideration let up on
them. In about one year after this, Massa Ferman contrived
with some rich planters, to arrange and whip Albert.
Massa and about twenty of them, rushed onto Albert, and
after several had been knocked senseless, they overpower
ed him, bound and whipped him so, he was laid up for
several weeks. In about six months after this whipping,
the Collings who had assisted in whipping Albert, saw
their buildings, including barns, gin houses and grain-
eries light up the heavens about midnight, for miles
around with flames. They owned several acres of fine
buildings, and when the fire reached the whiskey there
was a great illumination, almost beyond description. All

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 135
was consumed, together with fine stock, fine horses, tobacco,
&c, making a loss of over $150,000. Then excitement ran
high, as to who was the guilty parties.
Then, as usual on such occasions, enquiry was made
among all who owned slaves, where were your negroes on
such a night. The whipping soon began in earnest, to
make someone own up to who done the deed, as there must
have been several engaged in it, to destroy so much pro
perty in one night. The whipping was kept up for two
weeks with no knowledge of who were the guilty ones.
When this ceased, and no positive proof had been found,
those who were suspected, were sold and sent down the
river as a punishment, Albert among the number. Only
a faint idea can be drawn by the reader, of the suffering
entailed among the slaves as the result of the burning of
these buildings. The Cunigans made their darkies work
all the harder, if possible, to make up their great loss.
Many others lost property for their cruelty to the poor
slave . JIM HAYDEN.
A sketch of Jim Hayden, a Guiana negro, who was tho
most powerful man, either white or black, that ever was
known in the State of Kentucky. He belonged to a plant
er named Ned Hayden, who lived near Louisville.
Massa Ned Hayden was a bachelor, and was a man who
treated his negroes well. He finally married a desperate
character whose name was old Kit Queen. She owned a
number of negroes. Her brother owned a negro pen at
Bardstown, Kentucky. She was noted for her cruelty to the
negroes, and many times she would go into the pen where

136 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
the negroes were placed preparatory to going south, and
while some were crying for having to leave perhaps a wife
or a mother behind, never to see again, she would whip
and slash them with the greatest enjoyment. No woman
in the south was known to be as cruel as old Kit.
Before she married old Jim Hayden she was her own
overseer, riding around among her negroes with revolvers
at her side and bull whip, with all the audacity of the
most cruel man. And for the least offense she would or
der a colored man or woman tied and shirt taken off, and
stand and whip them with great delight to herself. The
cruelty this woman has alone inflicted on slaves, would, if
all known and written up, make a large book. After she
married old Ned Hayden, she commenced her abuse on
the darkies, and tried her cruelty on them, and in order to
follow out her hellish design, would report to Old Ned
something false. This Jim Hayden, the subject of this
sketch, had been one of his masters first slaves, and was a
very useful one, he being so strong. In clearing land, no
two men could be found that could do the work he could.
Old Kit took a dislike to him because she could not
tie and whip him, and he never was, as they could not get
men enough to do it unless they shot him. Kit managad
to provoke Jim one day, and sprang at him, revolvers in
hand; failing to scare him she made a complaint to her
husband, who informed her he never had any trouble with
Jim, and he was very useful on the plantation. When a
number of negroes would get to fighting, Jim was called,
and quickly dispersed the mob. Old Kit determined on
munaging some way to sell Jim to go away south, and
after various schemes, finding Jim asleep one day, sent for

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 137
her brothers who ran the negro pen, and they bound him
and put him in the pen where he remained nearly a year.
We will remark here, when Jim got asleep it was most
impossible to wake him. And this was the way she ac
complished her hellish design.
After Jim had been in the pen nearly a year, the jailor
getting careless, and coming a little too near for safety,
it being nearly time for the negro buyers to come up from
-the south, Jim determined to make his escape, so knock
ing the jailor senseless, Jim, with shackles on his feet,
walked out and started on his way home. Some two hours
elapsed before the jailor regained consciousness, and when
he came to himself, he rallied a force of men, and took
after him. They followed him into a ravine, where he
commenced throwing rocks with such force, that for fear
of being killed or perhaps having a horses leg broken,
they departed, leaving him master of the situation. With
shackles on his feet, Jim passed on to where Uncle Thom
as an old preacher lived, and finding a sharp ax cut the
irons off his feet and came home, and was there nearly
three years before old Kit found him asleep again, deter
mined still to ruin him. Finally finding him asleep again
as usual sent for her brothers who were notorious men
and after deceiving and lying to her husband, succeeded
in binding him. Not thinking it best to put him in the
pen again, sent him as fast as possible away south. On
arriving there Jim was taken out in the field where there
were over one hundred negroes at work, and was ordered
by the overseer, to lay down and receive forty lashes as
an introduction to his slaves. Jim informed him he did
not deserve any such treatment. The overseer then

138 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
ordered the negroes to seize him, determined to whip him
any way. He knocked down over fifty men, and the rest
refused to advance, he walked a little distance, and while
getting over the fence the overseer shot at him the ball
passing through his left side. Jim sprang off the fence
and pulling up a cane brake, something no man was ever
known to do before, sprang toward the overseer, the
negroes trying to protect their master as he dare not
shoot for fear of killing some of his negroes. Jim pressed on
before reaching the overseer he had killed seven men, and
coming up to the overseer he beat his brains out and beat
the ground where they lay. The negroes seeing the over
seer and seven of their number dead, all ran for their life
and told the news. As soon as possible a large force of
white men, fiends in the proper sense, came back and he
stood there and did noi offer to get away. They sur
rounded him and riddled him with bullets, and then cut
his heart out and placed it on a high pole in the field and
his body was given to the hogs to devour. Thus was
murdered a negro who had done more hard work in Ken
tucky than any man known.
He was a man weighing one hundred pounds, and the
strongest man known in the state of Kentucky. As he
would handle men in a friendly scuffle, weighing two
hundred and twenty-five pounds, as easy as tossing a rub
ber ball. Massa Hayden on hearing the news of this
murdering of his old Jim, it nearly used him up. We have
mentioned this circumstance, as Smith was well acquaint
ed with Jim, and knew all about this sad affair. We have
brought this out, not to show the enormous strength of
this noted colored man, but to inform the reader of the

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 139
inhumanity of the southern blood, when once aroused.
Smith has seen this powerful negro, the subject of our
sketch, take a forty-five gallon cask of whisky and raise it
to his mouth and drink:
Old Kit still continued on the plantation and was at
the time the great rebellion began. Plenty of proof could
be furnished to substantiate these facts regarding this
affair.

140 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

CHAPTER IX.

A CIRCUMSTANCE OF AN OVERSEER KILLING A NEGRO —
SWEARING TO A LIE IN COURT TO GET RID OF PAYING
FOR HIM — KILLING SNAKES.
Bill Jones was the overseer for a widow named Still-
well. This overseer was very cruel, and a noted liar, and
all round mean to the slaves, and he killed a colored boy
about twenty years old for a mere trifle. The overseer
approached him with a drawn club, and ordered him to
throw up his hands, as he was going to bind and whip him.
On his not complying, he struck the slave three times
with a club, and then the slave clinched him and threw
him down. He drew his revolver and shot, killing the
poor slave, and in the court room swore the negro com
menced on him, and he only acted in self-defence. The
mother of the murdered boy ordered the overseer to leave
or she would kill him for swearing to a lie and murdering
her son. Fearing he would be killed he left the country,
returning in two years, after untold suffering, died with

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 141
consumption. This closes the career of this vile mur
derer. While writing this history of Southern slavery we will
deviate a little and mention killing snakes, and the most
ever known to be killed at one time. A man named Lark-
in Fields, who was respected for truth and responsibility,
had moved from Bullet county, Kentucky, to Davis county,
Kentucky, to locate a site and build a mill. And in blast
ing rock late in the fall for his mill, the black snakes be
gan to come out of the crevices in the rocks, and they
commenced killing them and kept it up for two days.
One morning Fields heard a roar, sounding like dis
tant thunder, and on moving a large rock, the snakes com
menced to make their exit, so many coming, help was
called ; men and women, the whole neighborhood
became interested in killing snakes. Help was solicited,
and the people armed with strong weapons and clubs kill
ed all possible, many getting away. This was continued
for six days with no let up. Thousands were slain. And
after killing them they were gathered together in a large
heap, and while being burned the odor was unbearable.
While this may look unreasonable it is a fact. For far
ther witness we refer to his son Jim, living at Seymour,
Indiana, who was there also at the killing bee.
An interesting account in relation to a very wealthy
planter named Graham, who lived a few miles north of
Louisville. His buildings were all very fine, mostof them
were brick. He hired a number of men outside of his
negroes. He had in his employ two Dutchmen foi a
number of years, they were good workers. And often, he
would give them milk and other things. After a few years

142 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
they demanded a settlement. He owed the two men
$1,000 a piece, and in the settlement, all that he had given
them, with all the milk their families had used, which
was to be furnished free, according to the contract, he
charged them for, offsetting their account. And as Gra
ham had figured it, he only owed them $250 apiece, and
plainly refused to allow them any more. Time passed on,
nothing further was done, as he utterly refused to pay
them what he honestly owed them. After two years had
passed away, some of Graham's principal buildings were
burned to the ground.
The buildings were brick and filled with grain and
stock, many fine horses and a number of cows and his loss
was considered at seventy-five thousand dollars. The
whole country was wild with excitement as to who were
the guilty parties. Negroes were arrested for miles
around ; whipping commenced in earnest ; many were in
jail in Louisville. All who were out the night the build
ings were burned, were questioned very particular where
they were, what they were doing and when they returned,
and no information could, be obtained. Whipping was
kept up for two weeks with no information as to who
was the guilty ones. So many innocent negroes were
being whipped every day in the most cruel manner,
the authorities took the matter in hand and put a stop
to this inhuman taeatment of the innocent slaves.
The burning of the buildings took place just before
the war. After the war had commenced and as General
Buel and army were marching through Kentucky, an
officer with a few soldiers in passing Graham's residence
reined ud in front of his mansion. One of the soldiers

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 143
stepped up to Graham with revolver in hand and said to
him : "I am the man, the poor Dutchman, you cheated
out of his pay, I am the one who burned your buildings.'
Graham seeing the Dutchman had the drop on him,
offered to pay him the full amount he claimed. But no
settlement would satisfy the Dutchman. Graham, for the
offense of cheating the Dutchman and whipping the poor
slaves, was ordered to straddle one of the cannons, and in
this manner was compelled to ride clear into Tennessee,
and as he was never heard of afterward the supposition is
he was killed either by an enemy or friend.

144 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

CHAPTER X.

SMITH'S SPORTING SCENES, SHOWING HOW EXPERT HE WAS
AS A MARKSMAN — SCENES IN THE COCK PITS, RAT
DENS AND GAMBLING DENS, WHERE THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS WERE MADE AND LOST— GREAT SHOOTING
MATCHES AND GENERAL SPORTING.
Smith, as an expert with the rifle, had no superior in
Kentucky, having a large target gun weighing eighteen
pounds. When at the shooting matches their custom was
to measure off two hundred and twenty-five paces, fasten
the turkey to a string allowing it a few feet play, and
then shoot off hand at ten cents per shot. Often while at
the card table with his gun on his lap he would
rise, shoot and kill the game and resume playing again.
At one of these shooting matches, a man whose name was
Ike Murphy, cut the circle with a ball, Smith arising from
the card table placed his rifle to his shoulder fired away
driving the center, winning the fifteen dollars. Shouts
and hat throwing was the motto for Smith then.
He was a noted gambler and encountered many dangers

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 145
in this business. Most of this sporting took place on
Cox's creek. There were large cock pits there and all
manner of sporting was conducted. He became such
an expert marksman, the whites became jealous of him
and finally made a law not to allow any slave to use fire
arms. His wifes young master often went with him, and
under pretence of the rifle being his gun Smith would be
allowed to shoot, and eleven times out of twelve would
either win the game or money, as the case might be. In
the cock pits, where hundreds of sporting men were
assembled, there was a saloon attached. Money, betting
and whisky was used freely, long fine places fixed for
cock fighting was made and often hundreds of dollars
were lost or won. Many times shooting and stabbing
would occur, making this business very dangerous.
A LITTLE ACCOUNT OF HOW RAT KILLING AND FIGHTING IS
CARRIED ON.
A very large building, often several rods in length,
was built, the floor cemented and places made for the rats
to live in. When the killing commenced they were all
driven out in the center, then a number of dogs were
turned loose, often one thousand rats would be running at
one time. Heavy betting would be in order to see how
many rats a dog could kill in a given time. Thousands
of dollars are gambled away here in these rat pits. Pre
vious to the great time to kill rats they are bought up,
hundreds of them, and placed here in this building and
fed by mon on purpose. A great number of men and boys
earn their living catching rats for this occasion. The rats

146 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
are bought up at five cents apiece. Men who are wealthy
go there with their dogs to loose or make large sums of
money. LOUISVILLE COCK PITS EXPLAINED.
The cock pits are places where hundred of sporting
men assemble bringing with them hundreds of the
feathered tribe, and thousands upon thousands of dollars
are won and lost. Great men from all parts of the world
are there to witness the sport and gamble and win or loose
as it happens. Attached to this is one of the most brilliant
saloons in the world, made in the most attractive style
to charm all who come. That the reader may have some
idea the expense of these great cock pits, it might be of
interest to say, the manager pays for his whisky and rent
together for the privilege of cock fighting over one hun
dred thousand dollars per year. As none but wealthy
sporting men can hold out here long, thousands of people
throughout the world are ignorant of the tons of money
won in this great cock pit in Louisville. Drinking,
gambling and fighting the feathered tribe is all the business
conducted* here.
On Massa Hays plantation on the Barbacue grounds
was a great place for cock fighting. Sunday was the day
usually selected for the occasion. Sporting men from all
parts of the country usually congregated here, betting
large sums of money, sometimes horses and buggies.
Men would often get so excited in the games, that they
would often bet their last dollar. To show the reader to
what extent the excitement of cock fighting will lead, we
will mention Dick Gentry, whose farm adjoined Massa

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 147
Hays', and he was a great sporting man. He gambled
away 1,200 acres of land, and a number of his negroes, in
betting on cock fighting. He was considered a man of
wealth and influence. He continued in this kind of busi
ness until he was reduced to poverty, and in the final sum
ming up of this mans career, he died a pauper, depending
on the charity of his friends to take care of him.
An interesting account of Smith's experience the first
two years of his life, after being free. In March he took
a place to work on shares, but circumstances seemed to be
against him. As he was turned off without anything to
help himself with, not even one cent, after faithfully ser
ving different slave holders, fifty years of his life. The
place he took was close to a river, and one night in March
he heard someone making a great noise. On dressing he
found a man and his wife, who had undertook to ford the
river, and finding the water deeper than expected, were in
the act of drowning. Smith plunged in to help them
at the risk of his own life, and succeeded after many dan
gerous attempts in getting them out. After this exposure
he was taken sick and for many weeks was confined to his
bed under the doctor's care, expecting any time, to leave
this world, but finally was permited>to live.
This severe sickness the first year, was very embairesing
indeed, as he barely lived through it. Meat was 20c per
pound, and nearly all the meat they had was coon or pos
sum he and his son succeded in catching with their traps,
failing in this went without. The next year a man whose
name was John McCrockin owned a fine farm, and insist
ed on Smith renting it. Smith informed him he had
nothing to work with, but prominent men who knew him

148 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
offered to assist him, and he started in on this enterprise.
The farm rented for $375 per year, cash. By close econ
omy, by raising corn and hemp seed, being blessed with
good health, his crops bringing good prices, after buying
a team and wagon, and some other farm tools, and paying;
up the rent, he saved this year over $400 cash. The man
urged him to still continue on the farm. But after duo
consideration, he and his wife concluded to remove from
their native state. The news of some negro who had been
murdered by some lurking Southerner, would reach their
knowledge, and they were liable at any time to be killed.
Although great inducements were offered them to remain,
they thought more of their lives than of money, and made
arrangements at once to remove to Indiana. Previous to
their departure, prominent men, both in Spencer, Bullet
and Nelson counties gave him and his family a first-class
recemmend, to show to the best people they might chance
to come in contact with, anywhere in the world. As
Smith was well thought of among the whites during his
stay in Kentucky, no man ever left there with better
papers, signed by more prominent men of all professions,
than he did.
EXPLAINING SOME EXCITING SCENES IN CORRILING AND
RUNNING FOXES.
Ths was considered a great sport in Kentucky. A space
of some five miles would be surrounded by men, women,
children, and hounds, and a general stampede would
ensue, after running them until the day was nearly gone,
they would close in on them, seldom ever killing them, but

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 149
keep them and let them out for another chase some future
time. Smith had an exciting experience in pursuing and
running a fox up a leaning tree. The fox came into Massa
Salone's enclosure and caught a chicken. The hounds
were turned loose on him, and after a time they treed him
up a leaning tree. Smith crawled up after him and the
fox opened up the fight. Not having anything to defend
himself with, and the fox getting the advantage, Smith
missed his hold and fell to the ground a distance of twelve
feet. Returning to the house Massa Salone came back and
succeeded in knocking the fox from the tree, then the
chase was renewed with great excitement, at three in the
afternoon. The dogs holed him, and Massa set a snare
and caught him, and kept him for some future race.
Smith was much bruised in his flight from the leaning
tree, and often thinks of his adventures that day.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
Singular incidents in the life of Dr. Barns, the cele
brated snake charmer, and although he was a black man
and belonged to the Barns, who were very cruel to his
slaves. This man never was whipped, done as he chose,
and never would work, and was often arrested for being
drunk, but never was known to have a key turned on
him. He was the greatest snake charmer known in history.
He was called doctor, because he was sure cure in all
cases of poison, if not too far gone. A mysterious phe
nomenon seemed to prevail in this man. He would handle

150 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
the most dangerous snakes, with no sign of danger. At
one time a large menagerie and circus came into Louis
ville. They had among their snakes a large poisonous
one that never had been handled. Dr. Barns requested
of the manager to allow him to handle it. The man in
formed him he had never been handled and he would
certainly injure him. But he finally got permis
sion to handle him, which he did with success before the
astonished multitude. He was offered a large salary to
follow the show, but refused, choosing to remain at home.
He never was known to be without a snake around his
body inside of his clothes. A number of saloons in Louis
ville, where, if a blackman entered, it was almost sure
death, Dr. Barnes would enter them, call for what he want
ed and pass out without anyone offering to molest him
anywhere. He was well respected by both whites and
blacks. He seemed to separate or bring together families,
never failing. In a number of severe cases of poisoning
the doctors had given up, Dr. Barnes on being called
weuld tell you in one minute the result of the case, and
would tell the hour whether it was life or death. He
always kept a large snake in the house, and on going
away sometimes would place the reptile in the doorway
and tell the snake not to allow his wife to pass out, and
she was never known to try while the reptile was there.
Belonging as he did to a' severe master he was never
whipped, and he done as he pleased. He was hired for a
number of years to attend the office of Dr. Wibble, a
prominent physician of Louisville, where all these proofs
could be verified.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 151
Regarding handling snakes and predicting things to
transpire this man had no peer. His father was noted for
this same business. While the reader may doubt the
truth of these statements, the half has not been told about
this wonderful magician and colored snake charmer.
Plenty of witnesses, still living in Louisville, could
testify to these things on application. People coming
from great distances to see this man handle with perfect
ease the most vicious reptile, and predict things past
and to come.
SINGULAR SCENES WITNESSED IN THE HEAVENS A FEW
DAYS BEFORE THE SURRENDER OF GENERAL LEE.
Seen by the author, twenty-three miles from Louisville,
at the toll gate, and also by a great many more. The
night was clear and starlight, when first noticed, there
was discovered in the south a black cloud increasing
until it covered the whole space in the south, while in
the north it was all starlight and clear. " Those who first
saw it thought there was a terrific cyclone coming, but it
still remained dark for hours. Many predicted the south
was conquered, and the war was over, and in a few days
the news came of Lee's surrended. This was truly a
singular circumstances.
A SHORT HISTORY OF JIM BBOOKS AND WORDEN HORN.
Brooks lived a few miles out of Louisville and owned a
number of slaves. Worden Horn lived in Louisville, was
a half-breed and carried on brick making, was a very
wealthy man. Worden Horn was a powerful man and
every man in his employ failing in the least to obey his

152 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
orders he would whip him, and often made this remark
any man either white or black he could not handle he
never would call on assistance. Any ordinary man he
could kick all over the yard perfectly easy.
He hired one of Brooks' negroes named Dan one season
to work in the brick yard. He was a wonderful man
physically, the only colored man Brooks did not whip
because he could not get white men enough around him
to undertake it. For some affair Dan displeased him and
he threatened to whip him. He informed Worden it was
no easy matter to do as it took a full man to do that job.
Worden opened up the battle and as the two men were
very well matched they fought for a long time in the
brick yard, no one daring to interfere. Dan seemed to
be getting the advantage of Worden when he seized a
stick of wood and broke Dan's arm. This only enraged
him the more and with his arm all smashed flew into his
antagonist with renewed vigor and compelled him to give
up, and openly acknowledged to Dan he was the only
man that ever he undertook to whip and failed.
Brooks sued Worden Horn for damage to his Dan,
who had to have his arm taken off, and Worden had
two thousand dollars to pay aside from all the expense
of taking care of him until he was well. After this, Dan
was employed as coachman and received many presents
for being the only man that ever whipped Worden Horn.
Master Jim Brooks was the only slave owner who was
ever known to use the following inhuman treatment :
After .whipping his slaves until their backs were red with
blood he would take a cat and holding it by the tail draw
it down the victim's back, this was called cat hauling. It

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 153
seemed to be his delight to cause the poor helpless victim
tied to the post all the suffering possible. He never
could whip Dan because he was afraid of him, he being so
strong.

154 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

CHAPTER XI.

COMIC SCENE, DESCRIBING A BAPTISMAL AND CARRYING A
PIG THROUGH THE STREETS AT TAYLORSVILLE, SPEN
CER COUNTY, KENTUCKY.
A slave owner whose name was McCamel had a
colored man by the name of Henry. He had one fault
and that was it was impossible to break him of stealing
everything he could lay his hands on. In the spring of
the year Henry stole a pig from a man named McKey,
who lived in Taylorsville, and kept it a long time in a
pen. In due time McKey missed his pig and after a
while it was proved that Henry stole it. His master
compelled him to return to Taylorsville with the pig,
and on reaching the village he had to carry the animal
through the streets on his back with all the men, women
and children gazing and making sport of him, with his
master close to his heels, whip in hand. This was
embarassing to Henry but it did not stop him. Occas-

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 155
ionally a chicken or turkey would come up missing, and
of course it was charged to Henry.
During a revival of religion at Taylorsville, this
Henry was so impressed with the services conducted by
a colored preacher, named Charles Wells, and one Sun
day a number were to be baptized, among them was
Henry. Large crowds had assembled on the banks to
witness the ceremonies. When nearly all had been
baptized, Henry, to the suprise of all, stepped into the
water with great solemnity. The preacher, who was
small and not very strong, in taking hold of a scarf
around Henry's body it became unfastened and Henry
was completely submerged and on coming to the surface
clinched the preacher and both went under. The excited
crowd on the bank becoming uneasy, prepared to save
the unfortunate men. Some spoke out, "Let the negro
go, save the preacher," others exclaimed, " Let Henry go
then our chickens will be safe." Henry's master, who
was among the excited crowd, became greatly alarmed and
cried out, " Save my Henry ! save my Henry ! don't let
him drown."
Others were crying, save the old preacher, some were
praying, others were crying and a great stampede pre
vailed generally. After trying and putting forth every
effort they rescued them, nearly exhausted from their
narrow escape from drowning. The evening services were
conducted with much rejoicing, over the saving of the
preacher and Henry. This narrow escape quieted Henry
for some time. Attending to his religious duties very
close, but chickens were missed as usual. He would often
steal a few chickens and invite some of the negroes to a

156 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
big feast. On one occasion Henry and his wife were ab
sent from home a few days, and during his absence his
master's old sow and pigs had taken up their quarters in
his cabin occupying the bed. Coming home in the
evening, on entering the cabin, the hogB were frightened
and rushing from the bed, nearly scaring Henry and his
family to death, he ran out exclaiming "de Lord habe
mercy, save us, save ub." Superstition prevaded Henry's
mind more than ever, thinking the evil one was in the
swine, and for a long time the chickens and turkeys were
not molested, as Henry was very serious concerning his
religion, after this, and it seemed to prove a blessing to
him. SKETCH IN THE LIFE OF PHIL CROON — SAD SCENES WIT
NESSED ON THE DARKIES LEAVING THEIR FAMILY AND
FRIENDS TO GO TO ARKANSAS.
Bill Ferman a southern planter, sold out his property
and departed for Texas. He was grandfather of Phil
Croon, the subject of the sketch. After Phil became of
age he came back to Kentucky, to settle up and get the
property belonging to him from his father, as he was the
only son. John Murry, Smith's brother-in-law had been
guardian of the estate, together with a great number of
negroes, and on young Phil coming of age the property
all fell into his hands, leaving immense wealth to this
young man.
Being young and not experienced, never doing any
thing but attend school, he naturally felt very proud and
haughty. He was a thorough southerner and rebel. On the

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 157
death of his father, Phil would not take any money but
southern, or Jeff Davis money as he termed it. Murry had
the gold and silver money, but he openly refused it, and
Murry Bpent over two weeks in gathering up Jeff Davis
money enough to settle with Phil. When young Phil de
parted for Arkansas, he had a trunk packed with this
money. It was a sad scene. A number of negroes had
married and were obliged to leave wife and children.
The only negro on the plantation who did not go, was Big
Alick, who was born and raised on the plantation, and in
formed young Phil he might kill him, but he never should
leave his native state and family. The morning of their
departure was sad indeed. The order to start left many
weeping, never to see their children or husband again.
Nearly all of these slaves were playmates of Smiths,
had grown up and hired out at the same time. And many
pleasant associations were rent asunder on this occasion.
Smith never had any knowledge of young Phil or the
negroes after their removal from Kentucky.
MYSTERIOUS ANIMAL AS SEEN BY SMITH ON THE SALT
RIVER.
Smith and Tom Hardman were fishing on a creek
known as Dutchman Creek, twenty three miles east of
Louisville, which empties into Salt River. This fishing
tour was in the night. After fishing for some time, a
terrible noise was heard like distant thunder, seemed to
attract their attention, rocks and pebbles seemed to be
heard tumbling down the bank, the earth trembled, and
looking down the creek from the bridge, they discerned a
huge animal resembling a dog.

158 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
It was spotted and about eight feet in length, and four
feet high; coming up to them on the bridge. The animal
had no head or tail, and nothing seemed to stop it in its
course. On went this mysterious animal up the creek,
rocks were heard tumbling a mile away. This mysterious
phenomenon was, and is to this day, a wonderful mystery
to Smith. As he never could account for its appearance.
He being a man of great nerve it did not frighten him as
it would many others.
ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS POSSUM CHASE.
While Smith was living with Massa Charles Hayes,
sixteen miles east of Louisville, on returning home from
a party one night, reaching the Barbacue ground, he
discovered a possum coming directly across his path.
Picking up a club he pursued it, striking and kicking it
with all tho power he had. Either blow or kick under
similar circumstances, has killed many a possum.
On went the possum, never faltering in its course in
the least, Smith continually kicking and striking it.
After pursuing it some forty rods, on coming to a ledge of
rock overlooking a small creek, where he has often play
ed cards and gambled, the possum sprang off and continu
ed running up the stream, rocks could be heaid tumbling
down the banks a great distance away. Smith returned
to the house, completely bewildered with his singular ad
venture with the possum, and was sore and lame a num
ber of days. And it remains a great mystery in his mind
to this day, why he could not kill or injure this animal in
the least, or turn it from its course, as he had previously
killed scores of possums with very little effort.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 159
HOW THE GUERILLAS CAME TO SMITH'S PLACE IN HIS AB
SENCE AND COMPELLED MRS. SMITH TO GET UP IN
THE NIGHT AND COOK SOME CHICKENS.
Smith's place at this time was twenty-three miles east
of Louisville at the toll gate. A band of the marauders
came to his house near midnight. Mrs. Smith had just
retired, and knocking at the door, Mrs. Smith enquired
who was there. The foremost one speaking, she recogniz
ed the voice and they were permitted to enter, bringing
with them a sack full of chickens, and requested her to
prepare them some supper as soon as possible. In due
course of time, all was ready. One of the band was de
tailed to watch for the Yanks, while the rest partook of
the feast prepared. When all had eaten, paying Mrs.
Smith for her trouble, all sprang on their horses and de
parted, much to the relief of Mrs. Smith.
THE DEATHBED OF MASSA BRYANT SALONE.
His death occured on the old plantation in 1840, the
first day of October, at the advanced age of 107 years
He was an Englishman by birth, was born in Bucking
hamshire in the year of 1713. His death was terrible in
the extreme, and he was all day dying. His great tenacity
to live made it still more wonderful. His friends and
slaves had severe trouble to keep him on the bed, he im
agining snakes and devils after him, and he would spring
up throwing everything before him. His great strength
made it much worse, as he was determined not to give up.
All who witnessed his death struggle will never forget it.

160 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
He died as he lived, never acknowledging anything super
ior to him. A man with wonderful mind and brain, his
equals were not found in his days. The terrors of all his
past life seemed to come all at once. He was buried with
military honors. Many revolutionary soldiers and prom
inent men in public life, were present at his funeral.
They never knew his immense wealth.
DESCRIPTION OP BLOODY MONDAY IN LOUISVILLE.
In 1856 a secret society was organized through the
country and known as the Knownothings. Its object was to
keep all foreigners out of office, and at enmity against the
Catholics. In Louisville they were very strong. One
Monday in the month of October, 1856 they opened up on
the Catholics, many were put to death. Immense excite
ment prevailed. The mayor of the city mounted a cannon
and endeavoring to make a speech to quell the mob, he
was hit in the head with a flying missle and nearly killed.
An attempt was made to tear down the Catholic Church.
The city authorities making a desperate effort, by calling
out the militia, succeeded in preventing the destruction of
the church, and saved a good many lives. This day of
blood and carnage will always be called bloody Monday
in Louisville. Had it not been for the prompt action of
the militia, a great many more would have lost their lives
that day.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 161

CHAPTER XII.

SCENE AS WITNESSED BY SMITH ON THE COURT HOUSE STEPS
AT LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY IN 1844, AS OASCIUS M. CLAY
WAS DELIVERING A POLITICAL SPEECH, WHEN HIS
FATHER HENRY WAS NOMINATED FOR PRESIDENT.
Thousands of people had congregated together to listen
to the famous speech delivered by Cacius M. Clay. Ex
citement was running high all through the south this
year. As the speaker was , hotly engaged in his speech
standing on the court house steps, someone in the crowd
several times interrupted him by calling him, a damned
liar. The speaker who was well guarded, paid no atten
tion, but continued more eloquent. Presently a well dress
ed young lady was seen wending her way thro ugh the
crowd, and stopping in the centre of the assemblage, ex
claimed in a clear and modest voice, "I will give any man
$500 who will point out the individual who called my hus
band a liar." Silence reigned supreme, and a death like
stillness prevailed.

162 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
After waiting a few moments and receiving no reply,
she again repeated her offer. Tie lady remained stand
ing during the remainder of the speech, no one daring to
insult her husband again. Silence reigned through that
great crowd during the balance of the speech. After
speaking, cheer after cheer rent the air for this noble and
patriotic lady, for bo nobly defending her husband. This
year was attended with the greatest excitement all through
the South ever witnessed. The slaves among the rest
were given their time to go to all political gatherings,
carrying flags.banners, polk yokes— a year of great jubilee
among the colored race. Heavy bets were made, as to
who should be president, many losing their farms. Fine
horses, valuable property, was won and lost on both
sides. SCENES AT A POLL RAISING IN LOUISVILLE THIS SAME YEAR.
The Henry Clay party assembled at Louisville to raise
a massive poll. They had some trouble in adjusting the
flag. We will remark right here, this flag was the longest
and largest ever floated in the breezes or ever unfolded in
the world. The weight of it nearly bent the poll to the
ground. It reached over one third the distance across the
Ohio river and great trouble was experienced in getting
it properly placed. After many fruitless effor-ts among
the great crowd, someone offered $1,500 to any person who
would climb the poll and adjust the flag properly. After
a pause for a few minutes, a man offered his services, who
was an expert seaman, and climbing the poll, after putting
forth all his efforts, succeeded in arranging it, and as it

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 163
proudly floated out over the Ohio river, cheer after cheer
echoed up and down the water, making the earth tremble,
he received $1,500 besides other presents for his brave
services. Another exciting scene witnessed by Smith in Louis
ville, was the result of the shooting and killing of Prof.
Uutler, principal of the high school, and what followed.
This transaction happened long before the rebellion.
Prof. Butler had punished a brother of a man named
Ward. Ward was one of the wealthiest men in Louisville,
and was so enraged as the result of the slight punishment
of his brother, that he presented himself, armed with a
revolver, and called Prof. Butler's attention to the whipp
ing of his brother. The Professor endeavored to explain
the affair, but instead of listening to any reason, im
mediately pulled the weapon and shot him, he dying soon
after. Prof. Butler was highly respected, while on the
other hand Ward was very wealthy. The case was carried
through the courts, and in every case the jury rendered a
verdict of guilty of murder in the second degree. Ward
was determined to beat at any hazard cost what it might.
Ward's sister, Sally, was a millionaire, and furnished
thousands of dollars to assist her brother. They selected
a jury from Indiana of the basest kind, who were bribed
and received large sums of money from Ward to render a
verdict in his favor. The final trial came off, after many
days of close engineering. The judge asked the jury
what they came there for, and some remarked they came
to clear him, and this unprincipled jury rendered a ver
dict of not guilty, greatly to the disgust of all present.
Following this Butler's friends summoned all their

164 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
forces, determined to take the law in their own hands.
Hundreds were dispatched in all directions to buy all the
eggs of every kind, good and bad at any cost. They
were brought in wagon loads, blockading the street, and
the crowd all met near the close of the day in front of
Ward's mansion, as he owned the finest dwelling in Louis
ville, hundreds of men, women and children were there,
and the word being given eggs were thrown on three sides
of the mansion. This was kept up all night, wagon loads
of eggs coming to the scene constantly. Every room in
this great mansion was completely submerged with eggs,-
all the window lights were broken, furniture and every
thing was covered with eggs. During this time Ward
was disguised by his friends, made his escape and was
never seen in Louisville after this. He went away south
and bought a large plantation. A great number of
negroes confined there until the breaking out and during
the war. WHAT FINALLY BECAME OF WARD.
He was in the habit of furnishing the rebels with pro
visions and all other information regarding the union
forces. During the war a union colonel was killed on his
plantation and he saved the coat taken off from his dead
body. One day Ward put on this coat and while walking
in his garden, a squad of rebels rode up to see him on
business and seeing this blue coat, supposed it to be a
Yankee officer. Raising their rifles riddled his body with
bullets. The reader can judge their surprise on viewing

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 165
the dead body of their friend. This was the close of the life
of thiti notorious character.
SMITH TAKES A TRIP ON A FLYING MACHINE.
While living on Master Jack Salone's plantation,
when quite a young man, he was paying his attentions to
a young colored lady, who lived a short distance away,
and in order to facilitate matters and be able to reach his
girl's residence sooner, undertook to make a flying
machine. So taking his master's large umbrella and
stealing one from his old misses fastened them together,
braced them as best he could, imagined to himself what a
wonderful means to travel he had invented, and thinking
by this means he might make his escape from slavery.
He had selected a large high corn crib to make his
flight from, as he must be well elevated in order to carry
out his design. Near sun-set he ascended the corn crib
with his machine, looking about to see if any one was
looking at him, as he was very high minded about this
time. Seeing no one looking at him and being very
anxious to see his girl and exhibit his new mode of travel,
be^an to make his flight, first looking over his route to see
his way was clear, as he expected to make rapid progress,
and after viewing it all over to his satisfaction, selecting
the highest spot on the crib, spread out his large umbrel
las and waiting patiently until a good breeze of air came
np, sprang up under full sail and began his journey
through the air, when suddenly like the sound of heavy
cannonading or the bursting of a bomb shell Harry landed
with his full length upon the earth. He remained in

166 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
this condition nearly two hours before he came to him
self again.
While lying on the ground, a heavy rain storm came
on, and washed all the barn yard filth over him, com
pletely spoiling his Sunday best. With his fine clothes
all demolished, face and hands all bruised, one eye injured
so he could not see out of it, presented a picture that
Frank Leslie would have been proud to have secured.
He was laid up for a number of days, and many weeks
passed before he started out to see his girl again, using
the conveyance he had at his command instead of flying
machines to carry him safe through. He never applied
for a patent on this wonderful flying instrument, leaving
it to others to take up and make rapid journeys, ha choos
ing to travel slower and with much more safety than flying.
While flying was not so dangerous, alighting was the all
important point with him.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 167

CHAPTER XIII.

SMITHS REMOVAL FROM KENTUCKY TO INDIANAPOLIS,
INDIANA.
He left Salt river toll gate the first day of April, 1868,
with his family, a good team, wagon and one year's pro
visions. Remaining in Louisville over night and leaving
in the morning for their destination. Arriving in Indian
apolis they rented a house and after three weeks residence
there removed to Squire Trout's farm, twelve miles north
of Indianapolis, cutting and hauling wood, getting out ties
and some farming, and in the spring took the farm to
work. In the following summer Smith and his wife were
married over again by Squire Penticost under the new
constitution in order that his children might hold prop
erty. A big dance was given and many white people were
present to witness the ceremony. A fine supper was
given and all enjoyed the affair splendidly. Smith and
his family remained on this farm nearly seven years,
made considerable money and was wonderfully blessed.

168 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
While living on this farm Mrs. Smith's young master
from Kentucky came out there and worked for Smith, his
name being Tom Hartman, and while there he married
and his wife dying he continued to work for Smith. He
proved to be a dishonest man as he collected considerable
money belonging to Smith in Indianapolis and returned
to Kentucky. He was a thorough rebel and instead of
being a friend to Smith, he was an enemy and a confirmed
thief. He had no means to bury his wife and Smith paid
all expenses. After leaving Squire Trout's place he
moved to Boom county near Whitestown on Bob Rosen-
steel's farm. Smith only remained on this place one
year, Whitestown was death on negroes and the people
made the remark that they would kill the first negro who
made his appearance in that place. Smith often went
there but never was molested, and gained many friends.
While living on this place, misfortune seemed to over
take him. His crops all failed him. He bought a piece
of land and failing to make the payments when due, lost
what had been paid. Having lost since living in Indiana,
seven horses, some were killed and others died from
diseases. EXCITING SCENES IN THE STREETS OF WHITESTOWN.
A white man who was void of all principle, basely in
sulted Smith for no cause whatever. Smith seized him by
the thoatj completely overpowering him, and on letting
go of him, he drew a revolver and attempted to shoot.
Smith seeing the danger he was in, picked up a barrel
stave, and the man ran through the streets with all possi
ble speed, Smith in hot pursuit. On they flew, but Smith

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 169
being advanced in years, was out-distanced, and turned
back. The man ran on home, and for one year was not
seen in Whitestown again, fearing his life would be taken.
The following spring as Smith was going out into the
country one day, he was saluted by a white lady, who en
quired if his name was Smith. On being informed that
it was, she asked him if he was the one who whipped and
ran her husband through the streets of Whitestown last
season. Smith informed her that he did, and related the
<3ause which led him to do so, as he was basely insulted
by him, not knowing who he was. She informed him it
was her husband and thanked him for it, saying at the
same time, it had been the means of making a man of
him. He had not drank any since, had been at home at*
work steady, and under no consideration could he be in
duced to go to Whitestown, replying, he did not want to*
come in contact with that black man again, because he was
certain he would kill him. All in Whitestown treated
Smith with respect after this.
SMITH COMPLAINED OF FOR SHOOTING ON SUNDAY, AND COM
PELLING THE BULLY OF BOON COUNTY, WHO WAS THE
COMPLAINING WITNESS, TO TAKE A BACK SEAT.
One Sunday Smith took his gun and went out to shoot
some game. Jeff McCoy saw him, and the following day
entered a complaint before Squire Lucas. Smith on be
ing arraigned before the court, plead guilty, and payed his
fine. And seeing, on the same Sunday he was hunting,
Jeff McCoy working in his garden, entered a complaint
before the same justice, he was found guilty and his fine
was double that of Smith's. After this was over and all

170 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
were out of the office, Smith stepped up to McCoy and
saluted him in this manner, "Yon are the man who com
plained of me. Now sir allow me to inform you that,
while you are a white man at heart, you are blacker than
I am, and although you are considered the bully of Boon
county, having the credit of whipping men by the dozen
you never had the honor of whipping a black man, and I
can whip you blind in one minute, you white fiend and
coward, and I dare you here in Whitestown to even at
tempt to lay a finger on me, and I will drive you in the
ground and drive the ground after you."
Many of the white men cheered Smith, and only wish
ed he would whip him, he being the only man in Boon
county who ever dared to use such language to McCoy.
He informed Smith he desired no trouble, and during
Smith's stay in Indiana he was a warm and earnest friend
to him. Having found a man he could not domineer
over. The following is an interesting account of Smith's
being arraigned before the grand jury in Whitestown for
gambling for money, and also showing his cunning, clear
and acute head work in the court room.
Smith had been playing cards with Oscar Doming, a
silversmith, who lived in Lebanon, Indiana, and had won
his watch, some money and a coat. Bill Curry who lived
in Whitestown, was a meddlesome man, and always
watching for a chance to make money other than working,
saw Smith and Deming playing cards, and entered a com
plaint. Smith was indicted and brought before the grand
jury. The judge asked him if he ever played cards, Smith
replied he did some times for amusement Do you not

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 171
play for money, asked the judge, he answered, no I am a
working man. Did you not on a certain day play cards
with Oscar Deming for five dollars.
He informed the jury he never had that amount of
money to throw away, and again presented his hard hands
exclaiming, I am a hard worker, look at my hands.
Did you not again play with Asburg Anderson, and
win considerable money and a paint brush from him.
His answer was, "I am no painter, what would I do
with those articles."
Smith are you not a thorough blackleg?
I know said Smith my legs are black, was born so, and
I cannot help it.
The judge replied, I do not mean that, but do you not
make your living by gambling.
No sir! was the reply.
The judge was so vexed and confused, he ordered Smith
out of the court room, and dismissed the case.
The news reached WiHiam Trout, where Smith remain
ed so long when first reaching Indiana, that the nigar was
a fool in the court room, and he could not be made to un
derstand anything.
Trout informed them that black Smith was smarter
than any of them or their lawyers. That Smith knew more
law than all the click, and congratulated him on his suc
cess. Trout informed them all in Whitestown not to dis
turb that black man, as he could outgeneral them all in
law or anything else, as he had been on his farm seven
years, and knew him to be honest. A lamb in peace, but
a lion in war.

172 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
SMITH'S NARROW ESCAPE FROM BEING SHOT IN INDIAN
APOLIS,
He was in Wright's saloon one day, and while engaged
in conversation with the bar-tender, two men whose names
were Mann and Straughter got into a dispute in a room
near the bar. Mann drew his revolver and commenced
shooting at Straughter, one of the balls, missing its mark,
struck Smith's pipe knocking it out of his mouth.
This aroused Smith's anger, and he started for Mann,
who seeing the danger he was in, ran out of the back
door. Smith ran in hot pursuit, determined to punish him
severely if he overtook him, supposing the shot was intend
ed for bim. On they ran,Mann seeing he would be overtaken
ran into a barber shop, out through the back door and
made his escape. This was an exciting race, and serious
damage might have followed had Smith overtaken him.

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 173

CHAPTER XIV.

SMITH 8 ARRIVAL IN MICHIGAN ON A HUNTING EXPEDITION —
SETTLING m OSCEOLA COUNTY— HIS DANCE HALL.
In the month of October, 1872, Smith started on a
hunting expedition for the wilderness of Northern Michi
gan. Arriving at Todd's Slashing, now called Reed City,
who owned the land where Reed city is now located.
Smith boarded at George Nelson's hotel. This building
was located south of Dick Adam's livery stable. Reed
City being nearly a wilderness then. Smith was the first
black that boarded there, and when he landed he was the
subject of many remarks, and the whites gazed at him
leading him to believe he might possibly be some wild
animal broken loose from some menagerie. After the
whites became more acquainted with him, many a long
evening was passed away by Smith, singing plantation
songs and telling' some plantation possum or coon hunts.
Many of the older settlers can remember the enjoyment
and amusement furnished by Smith. He bought a lot
there and returned to Indiana after his family.

174 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
Smith arrived back with his family from Indiana, the
third day of March, 1873. He rented a house on Chest
nut street, and with his family remained there two years,
cutting wood by the cord, his wife and daughter working
at the laundry business,, and by close economy, earned a
good living. Wages were very low, good men only re
ceived one dollar per day, and board themselves. Men
who owned teams received good pay. At the end of two
years he bought twenty acres of wild land, three and a
half miles north of Reed City, on the G. R. & I. railway,
of Richard Herrington, in the township of Lincoln, Osceo
la county. He paid fifty dollars down on his land, only
leaving him fifty cents, and leaving him in debt one
hundred and fifty dollars.
There were no buildings on the place, not even a log
cabin. Thomas Pecock of Reed City, who operated a
planing mill, came to his aid in this trying time, and kind
ly consented to furnish him building material enough to
put up a fine house. Leaving him in debt at this time,
seven hundred dollars, with only his hands and his cour
ageous wife and daughter to pay the debt. They still
continued in the kundry work, Smith carrying large
baskets to and from Reed City, on his head through storm
and sunshine. While his wife and daughter were busy in
the house, doing laundry work, Smith would be chopping,
roiling logs together and clearing his land with his hands
not having any team. His fires were kept burning late
and early while many were asleep.
A number of his neighbors tried to discourage him by
telling him he never would succeed in paying off his in
debtedness on his place, but with the assistance of his per
severing wife and daughter, met his payments, maintained

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 175
themselves with proper food and clothing, cleared up
their place and built them a good frame barn. A few
years later he erected a dance hall, one hundred feet long,
and by his courteous manner and respect for all, his dance
hall has often been filled with all who love to trip the
light f antistic toe.
None were more nimble on the floor than Smith. Near
ly all the white ladies felt slighted unless they were invited
to dance with Uncle Smith. And for miles around, old
and young enjoy meeting at his hall, and they are always
greeted with a smile and a hearty shake of the hand from
Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They all enjoy playing pedro, list
ening to amusing stories of his life and experiences in
slavery, hearing him play on the tamborine and sing coon
songs. All who form his acquaintance respect his jolly
good nature. SMITH INSULTED BY OLD MAN PEaSE.
He was a long, lean, lantern-jawed, lobered-mouth,
high cheeked Englishman, knock-kneed and club footed,
with no hair on his head, and lived about four miles west
of Reed City.
Smith while walking on the streets one day, was polite
ly invited by two respectable citizens named Ace Buck,
who operated a bucket shop, and Lawyer Holden to walk
into a fashionable saloon, and take a cigar. He complied
with their request, and stepping inside was waited on in a
becoming manner. While the trio were holding a plea-
sent conversation, some ill-bred person was heard to re
mark from one corner of the room, exclaiming in this man
ner, "say nigger, say nigger." Smith on turning around

176 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
discovered this lantern-jawed, knocked-kneed Pease seat
ed in one corner with a bologna sausage, a little less than
a yard in length, in his hand, besides what he had in his
mouth, with a glass of beer in his paw. Smith not pay
ing any attention to this remark, resumed conversation
with his friends, again Pease saluted him in these words
"say nigger, say nigger." Smith asked him who he was
calling nigger. Pease replied, "you, you nigger, come
nere, come here nigger, come here."
Smith's southern blood was up, and seizing a heavy
bar-room chair, came up to him, raising it over his head,
saluted him in this manner, "who raised you, you knock-
kneed, low down white trash." Pease undertook to say
something, but was not permitted to, as Smith informed
him if he opened his mouth, he would smash him into the
floor and never stop to sharpen him. Smith's friends urg
ed him to give Pease an eye-opener, that it might teaoh
him a lesson in the future, but he with-held his hand and
let him go by, bestowing on him his everlasting blessing.
And up to this date Pease never dare to cross Smith in
any form.
SMITH RUNNING A MAN THROUGH THE STREETS OF REED
CITY FOR INSULTING HIM.
Smith, while busy in conversation on the streets one
day, some uncouth, back woods moss-back, who from his
appearance, never saw a colored man before, and very few
white men, having spent his time in the wilderness, and
having for his company, owls and coons, came to Reed City
to paint the town red, pacing up and down the streets with
a large bologna sausage and a hunk of gingerbread, and

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 177
putting the children to fight from his savage appearance,
discovered Smith on the opposite side of the street he step
ped into a saloon, filled himself with fire water, came out
and began calling out in loud tones, "charcoal, charcoal."
Smith thinking it was a chimney sweep, paid no attention
to him. Some of his friends noticing he did not seem to
hear, called his attention to this would be town painter.
As he eontinued to sing "charcoal," Smith stepped up to
him and enquired what he meant by charcoal, his southern
grit being again up to concert pitch. After giving out his
text, and preaching a short discourse to him, this wild
specimen of humanity began to think that a little farther
away from the black man would suit him better. Smith
discovering that he was about to take leg bail for security,
assisted him to start by measuring his averdupois on the
toe of his big number eleven boots, which started him on
his home stretch lively. Then the race began in earnest.
Smith was gaining on him so fast he dropped his sausage,
ginger-bread, whisky bottle, in fact the side walk was
strewn with clothing and provisions from the charcoal
man. Smith's friends urging him to run that insulting
scoundrel out of town, and women and children running
in all directions to see the fun, dogs were barking, whistles
were ringing out from mills and factories, and the fugitive
thinking the whole city was after him, divested himself of
his hat, coat and boots and nearly doubled his speed, final
ly he outdistanced Smith, and when last seen he was mak
ing for Milton Junction, with all speed possible, and he
never returned to gather up his clothing. He never has
been seen in Reed City since.

178 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

CHAPTER XV.

CONCLUSION.
In conclusion we will say, some things have been left
out in accordance with strict propriety, it being advisable
not to publish, while many things that has transpired in
the life of Smith, of interest to the public generally, has
been forgotten. But we trust enough has been written,
that the reader can gather sufficient information from, to
enlighten the intelligent mind on slavery in America. It
has been impossible to arrange the work strictly according
to rule, as the subject had to depend on his memory.
Notwithstanding all that has been said and written on the
subject of slavery, there is still a large amount of ignor
ance throughout the world. The design of this book is to
dispell the prevailing ignorance on this subject. Most
heartily do we recommend it to all who wish for inform
ation of the African race. Viewing Africa from a philan-
tropic christian standpoint, what a field for benevolent
purposes — while the work is not written wihh high flavor
ed polish, the main object is to give the reader an idea in

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 179
a plain manner, what the colored race have suffered in
American slavery.
There was a time when the white man imagined to
himself, -be was the complete sovereign of the universe,
forgetting the fact that God made from one blood, all
nations to dwell upon the face of the earth. The colored
race are being clothed, their minds filled with thought,
and we infer that the negro race has a glorious part to fill
in the great drama of history. What a change haS been
wrought in the country. We are observing constantly il
lustrations of a remark once made by Edward Evart. "All
doubts of the capacity of the negro race for self govern
ment, under favorable circumstances, seems to be remov
ed by what we witness at ihe present day. Education has
removed superstition." It would not be surprising ere the
close of another half century rolls around, as far as color
and nationality is concerned, we shall all be able to under
stand the remark made by the noted Indian Chief Black
Hawk, when introduced to President Jackson, "I'm a man
and you are another." Conveying the idea a man is a man
regardless of race or color.
Much credit is due Smith, born and remaining in
slavery, fifty years of his life, raised among the roughest
element, never gaining the first letter of the English lan
guage, having practiced for years, gambling and drinking,
and lost large sums of money from some of the most not
ed sporting men of the day. As his native state Kentucky
ranks among the first in sporting, in the country. Since
living in Michigan, he has been a strick temperance man,
giving up gambling, and is an upright, honorable, law-
abiding citizen. Although advanced in years, very few

180 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
men twenty years younger can perform the work he can.
His place is a resort for all to congregate and enjoy a
hearty laugh, listening to Uncle Smith's southern adven
tures. He is endowed with one intelligence, good judg
ment, benevolent and kind hearted. No man in trouble
calling on Uncle Smith, but receives kind words and a
helping hand. He often speaks of the kindness of the
citizens of his neighborhood and Reed City people, who
have contributed much to his happiness, by their kind
words and helping hands. All who enjoy a good visit
and a hearty good time, should call on Mr. and Mrs.
Smith, at their home in Osceola county, Mich., three and
one half miles from Reed City.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LIFE OF MRS. HARRY SMITH.
Mrs. Harry Smith, whose maiden name was Hagar
Ellison, was born in Bullet County, Kentucky, in 1822.
She was born and raised in the family of Obid Swinegen,
a slave owner. When ten years old Swinegen died, and
she was sold to John Myers, for three hundred and fifty
dollars. Her mother and the rest of the family being sold
to different slave owners. When she arrived at the age of
thirteen, her master sold or traded her for a piece of land
to Thomos Hardman, who kept the toll gate, twenty-three
miles from Louisville, on the Salt river, where she remain
ed until proclaimed free by President Lincoln. In 1841
she married George Samuels, by him she had six children
In 1852 was again married to Henry Smith, as the result
of their union four children were born, being the
mother of ten children in all. Mrs. Smith is endowed
with great physical power, weighing two hundred and

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 181
eighty pounds, and was considered the strongest woman in
Bullet county, Kentucky.
She has a remarkable memory, fine intelligence, and
good judgment, never having experienced the cruel treat
ment of slaves generally. But has witnessed many thrill
ing incidents during her slave life and through the rebel
lion. She has passed through many hardships in slavery,
working in the fields doing all kinds of manual labor, doing
as much and sometines more than the best of
men. This manual labor developed her great natural
strength. She is without a question the strongest
woman of her age in Michigan, will pick up a bag of wheat
or sack of potatoes and handle them as easy as a child
would a lubber ball.
To give the reader an idea of her remarkable strength
we will relate a circumstance while she was living at Massa
Hardmans, at the toll gate mentioned.
A man named John Catlin whose home was in Wash
ington county, Kentucky, came along one day driving a
team. Mrs. Smith was left in charge of the toll gate as
her mistress was away on business at the time. Catlin re
fused to pay the amount of toll required, calling Mrs.
Smith a liar and striking her with a whip. She resented
it and informed him if he repeated it she would knock him
down. He struck her again, and she struck him a terrific
blow with a sad-iron she was using, which felled him to
the ground. On rising he struck her in the forehead and
endeavored to kick her. She seized him with her left
hand and held him with an iron grasp, and dealt him
several terrific blows with her right. One of the children
thinking the man was beating Mrs. Smith, started for a

182 FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.
blacksmith's shop a short distance away, to summon help.
Several appeared on the scene, only to see Mrs. Smith still
beating him severely. Several minutes elapsed before
they succeded in separating them, as Mrs. Smith had
knocked him into insensibility,and beat him up in a severe
manner, one of his eyes being swollen shut and his face
badly disfigured. He was very glad to get free from Mrs.
Smith as he never was whipped before in his life.
He was considered the champion fighter of Washing
ton county, Kentucky, and was the terror of all who knew
him. Mrs. Smith experienced no damage over the en
counter, and was cheered all over the country for whip
ping this notorious white man. He was a subject of ridi
cule all through the surrounding country for being whip
ped by a woman. Ever after this he was more cautious
who he insulted, as this encounter with Mrs. Smith had
taught him a serious lesson.
Mrs. Smith is a great worker, has passed through many
hardships with her husband in trying to get and maintain
a home. After her removal from Kentucky to Indiana
polis, Indiana,she assisted on the farm all possible. In her
final settlement in Michigan, together with her daughter
did laundry work for years, and added largely to their
paying for a home. She left many earnest friends in
Kentucky and Indiana and no happier couple can be found
in Osceola county, than Mr. and Mrs. Smith. She is kind
hearted and generous to a fault, no person being turned
from her hungry. And all who form her acquaintance,
enjoy her candid sociability and tables well laden with
rich produce of the soil. Aunt Smith is a familiar name
with old and young, among her large circle of friends.
No young lady can outdo her now in getting up a fine

FIFTY YEARS IN SLAVERY. 183
meal, handling the sad-iron or washboard. All who desire
to visit Aunt Smith will be benefitted. After spending
most of her time in slavery, in her old age with her hus
band and children, it is hoped in her declining years she
may enjoy peace and comfort under her own vine and fig
tree. She is a firm believer in religion as taught in the
Christian's Bible.

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