Thomas Wright's Diary

The Chase

                 15, November 1858

I started from the Slave livin area. Moved towards the river, runner got they scent moved west not across. Moved west fer about mile maybe touch more crossed Lees Creek. They turned south? That surprised me a might, goin around Dover. Didn't think they would cross at Dover, figured they go straight across the river. Hell Rivers Edge just what it means at the bank. No help came from Ripley. South about an hour, turned west again. Stayin well south of the river they turned north about another hour. May not been that long runner lost they trail few times on the westward run.

Picked they scent up again almost ta Augusta, could see White Oak Creek on the other side. Lost it at the river. Went up down river twice had ta have crossed here. They needed help, Augusta or Higginsport, Ohio side. Has ta get across here, not the dang Ferry at Augusta. Have ta back track ta much ta find the trail. Took me near 4 hours ta get here. Don't need another 2 back trackin.

About ready ta go ta Augusta, I sees somethin not right. Yet not so wrong it stands out. Drug back in this small nook of trees and tall grass, theys a row boat, about 8 foot I reckon. Why I didn't see it before, don't know guess gettin mad done it. Well not stealin just borrowin. Make sure it gets back across. Thinkin it's put where it was ta help, runways cross. Moved back after use. Even so make sure it gets back.

Gets across, fella just at the creek was in a small boat. I yelled hey Mister want ta make a couple cents maybe five. He pulled alongside me. I asks ifin he could take this here boat back hide it that small nook a trees. He told me he would grabbing the rope off the bow. He smiled at me, old Bob uses it. Thought it was him when I saw the boat comin just gettin ready ta go see him. Told thanks went ta pay him, he told me not a problem. Least ya put it back. After he left figured sign of those two be tracked up washed away. Runner picked them up, headed north and west.

Lan sakes runner lost thum a few times. Just about Felicity south of it they turned southwest. Been goin near five hours about dark, set camp. Strange weather about get snowed under, now feels like early fall or spring. Well least I ain't freezin.

                            16, November 1858

After breakin camp runner sniffed and walked some, then got on trail. Took a break about Neville,
Nice lady gave me some coffee in town, told me I best move on. Most don't take ta Slave hunters. I thanked her asked ifin she pour a little more in my cup. She did, told me couple nigras got in wagon headin ta New Richmond. Freight wagon has ta stop make deliveries. She smiled ya, ya might catch them.

Moscow Ohio, found thum, freight wagon was unloadin a plow and few other thins at the Post Office. Driver was inside, theys didn't hear me comin. Tully, Grace, whys ya have ta run? He told me Masser Bowman he was goin ta sell Grace heard him say so. Couldn't have that Mister Thom.
Looked at thum, told thum couldn't stop him. I was sure he wouldn't sell Grace. They needed ta climb off the wagon we get on back ta the Plantation see what is true.

Teamster came out, bout that time. Say Mister figured they was runners, don't want no problems.
They won't let ya cross here, know for fact they might shoot ya here. Point Pleasant doubtful at best. Wouldn't even try gettin back ta cross at Augusta. Gots ta pickup across from New Richmond, can cross with me ya like. I say thank ya sir. Put runner in the back with Tully and Grace. Told thum don't jump off, hate ta have ta shoot ones of ya. New Richmond, I was a little worried ta
say the least.

New Richmond, just knew it go wrong. Five with shotguns stopped us. Took Tully and Grace. Didn't have a chance. Knew I didn't to many of thum. Had ta cross with no bounty. Waited till dark had a guy row me over. I wasn't givin up, tell ya was mad.
No better place ta start I went north towards Keg Town.

                        17, November 1858
About midnight found thum. Tully he was dead hung in tree near a cemetery. Grace was cryin ones those fits ya tremblin an such. Log cabin thinkin it's a church. I wants ta cry myself, Tully be down at the river fishin most nights before bed an most Sundays. We fish tagether an have good time just fishin. Guess all the noise Grace was makin woke up few people.

The Reverend least way that is how introduced himself Wilson, was shocked ta see a nigra hung in his cemetery. Grace shouted where was when they was killin him! That Reverend say I am not a violent man, I could have done nothin. My thinkin is just steppin out would of stopped this. He took Grace inside, I asks her what happened.

She say two men about ya age, Mister Thom wanted ta do thins with me, ya know sexual. Tully he tried ta protect me an all, we in Ohio free state.
They acted like a Masser. I try ta tell Tully ta just not watch, I do what they want. He had no part of that. While he fightin the one, the other ran off got help. Must a been they Pa, he grabbed Tully beat him good with a club, Mister Thom.

They each had me, then hung Tully lor I think they castrated him! I motioned fer the Reverend ta step out, asks him who a do this. He say he didn't know.
I grabbed his arm say who a done this. Sal Peters was his answer. Told him best get him, I wants ta talk ta him now I say.

About half hour later they show two boys an that Peters fella. I look this Peters over, say ya best cut the nigra down. Bury him in the cemetery, then ya goin ta pay my bounty on him! I will nothin of the sort was his answer. I put that Griswold In is gut, soon shoot as look at ya. Now do as told I say.

They bury Tully, fool has no money. I gets his full name an the Reverends full name. Say Mister Bowman Esquire, will be in touch fer payment.

                      18, November 1858

Stayed the night in that Church. Asked the Reverend ta go with me ta get across the river. He say he would gave me some coffee, told Grace he was sorry. Thursday figured this been over an home by now. New Richmond was crowd waitin guess that Peters sent word I was comin. That Reverend kept his word. He told those town folk,
how the man was hung an castrated. Told them what they thought was Gods work got one killed.
Let thum pass.

No ruckus, none we crossed made it home about 6 little after. Took Grace back got my 200, Mister Bowman get the rest from that Peters. Poor Grace fool town folk break them loose then not help.

The idea for stopping Thomas in New Richmond comes from true town History. Although they weren't stopped and hung, possibly only one Slave as I remember the story. They the town stopped a Slave chaser or hunter. Took the slave away sent him back empty handed. I suppose the slave made freedom most were lucky to even get that far north. Next few chapters we jump ahead to late into 1859. Hope all are enjoying this story. Remember to vote comment if you please.