Philadelphia, Monday, July 27, 1857.
Yesterday afternoon
a rumor was afloat that a negro man named Jim, who had accompanied his master
(Mr. Charles Parlange), from New Orleans to this city, had left his master for
the purpose of tasting the sweets of freedom. It was alleged by Mr. Parlange
that the said “Jim” had taken with him two tin boxes, one of which contained
money. Mr. Parlange went, on his way to New York, via the Camden and Amboy
Railroad, and upon his arrival at the Walnut street wharf, with two ladies,
“Jim ” was missing. Mr. Parlange immediately made application to a Mr. Wallace,
who is a Police officer stationed at the Walnut street depot. Mr. Wallace got
into a carriage with Mr. Parlange and the two ladies, and, as Mr. Wallace
stated, drove back to the Girard House, where “ Jim ” had not been heard of
since he had left for the Walnut street wharf.
A story was then set
afloat to the effect, that a negro of certain, but very particular description
(such as a Louisiana nigger-driver only can give), had stolen two boxes as
stated above. A notice signed “Clarke,” was received at the Police Telegraph
Office by the operator (David Wunderly) containing a full description of Jim,
also offering a reward of $100 for his capture. This notice was telegraphed to
all the wards in every section. This morning Mr. Wunderly found fault with the
reporters using the information, and, in presence of some four or five persons,
said the notice signed “Clarke,” was a private paper, and no reporter had a
right to look at it; at the same time asserting, that if he knew where the
nigger was he would give him up, as $100 did not come along every day. The
policeman, Wallace, expressed the utmost fear lest the name of Mr. Parlange
should transpire, and stated, that he was an intimate friend of his. It does
not seem that the matter was communicated to the wards by any official authority
whatever, and who the “Clarke” is, whose name was signed to the notice, has not
yet transpired. Some of the papers noticed it briefly this morning, which has
set several of the officers on their tips. There is little doubt, that “ Jim ”
has merely exercised his own judgment about remaining with his master any
longer, and took this opportunity to betake himself to freedom. It is assumed,
that he was to precede his master to Walnut street wharf with the baggage; but,
singular enough to say, no complaint has been made about the baggage being
missed, simply the two tin boxes, and particularly the one containing money.
This is, doubtless, a ruse to engage the services of the Philadelphia police in
the interesting game of nigger hunting. Mr. Parlange, if he is sojourning in
your city, will doubtless be glad to learn that the matter of his man “ Jim”
and the two tin boxes has received ample publicity.
W. H.
SOURCE: William
Still, The Underground Railroad: A Record of Facts, Authentic
Narratives, Letters &c., p. 405-6
No comments:
Post a Comment