Franklin County: "Underground Railroad," by unknown, January 13, 1922
Summary: Account of one fugitive slave's experiences in Greencastle's underground railroad as well as a description of retaliation undertaken by free black residents of Greencastle against a black man who collaborated with the authorities to capture runaway slaves.
Which Passed Through Greencastle on its Way North Over Which Many a Slave Passed to his Freedom
How Ben Lewis a Slave Catcher Met His Just Dues at the Hands of the Colored People of Greencastle
In last week's issue of the K. P. News we made mention of the Underground Railroad which had a station in Greencastle, where passengers arrived and departed after night. During the day the road was inactive for the want of passengers who would not take the dangerous chances of daylight travel. There were no signboards up along the road as now, which reads "stop, look and listen," but that caution was more strictly observed, than now. In fact, the travelers were all cautioned and cautious. The rule was to stop, look and listen on all occasions, danger ahead or not.
One night in December 1861 a traveler on the Underground Railroad arrived in Greencastle and not knowing where to go for the necessary information to continue his journey, found his way to the Antrim House, now Hotel McLaughlin, then conducted by Thomas Pauling, to whom he made his statement and was directed to John Kauffman, whose home was pointed out on North Washington street, as the one to take care of, provide for and help him on his way.
A few minutes later a light and cautious rap on the front door of the Kauffman residence brought the head of the family to a window on the second floor and he made inquiry who was there and what was wanted, to which came the reply; A runaway slave from "Virginia". I will be down in a few moment came the reponse, and he was, to find on opening the door a tall, stout colored man, not yet out of his twenties, who on invitation stepped upon the inside and told his story. He had listened to many of these stories and there was nothing new or exciting in it. It was the same old story voicing the sentiments of revolutionary times-"Give me liberty or give me death."
Mrs. Kauffman was giving attention to a sick child and had not retired. She was asked if she could prepare the colored man something to eat, which she did. After a good warming and rest, for the night was cold, he was dismissed with full instructions how to reach the next station.
There the story ends, but that is not all. It has a sequel, startling, though true. The law at that time was so framed as to make every subject of a free state a slave catcher and to aid and abet one in his escape was a crimialoffence punishable by fine, if not, imprisonment. Then again there were those who made capturing, reporting and returning slaves to their owners a business for the reward. They not only kept an eye on fugitive slaves but were on the lookout as well for their aiders and abeters.
Ben Lewis of Greencastle a colored man was one of them; he worked for Major Hollar, at the National Hotel as hostler. Here it was that he would meet the colored fugitives as they would come into town, form their acquaintance, get their confidence, and then report them to their owner and get the reward. It was a money making business and he had some very fine horses he drove and would often invite a fugitive to ride with him and in this way get the particulars. When sure of his man he would invite him to his home and by his graciousness hold him until he could get word to his owner who would order his arrest or come for him.
This was getting the nerve of the colored people of the town and they made up their minds they would not stand such conduct by one of their color longer. They put their heads together and Ben Lewis was the recipient of a very polite and pressing invitation to go with them on a fixed date to the creek to enjoy a day's fishing. Ben Lewis, never forgot that day as long as he lived. At a given signal those in hiding bounced on him and punished him severeally, after which they applieda coat of tar and feathers and then threw him in the creek and let him to sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, while Meshach Smith, Jessie Bond, James Lewis, and several others who made a beeline for Greencastle.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Kauffman's Progressive, January 13, 1922
