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A Woman Fleeing from Slavery with her Children Arrested.
Correspondence of the Chicago Daily Tribune.
CAMP POINT, Ill., Wednesday, July 15.
Last evening our little village was excited by an arrest of a negro woman and three small children, who had escaped from their master, living at La Grange, Mo. It appears the poor creatures had been lurking in the timber, within half a mile of our place, for two or three days, and had been seen frequently by those who did not view them with any particular interest, and have been so bold as to call on families living near their retreat for victuals, water, &c. But yesterday a report was raised that a reward of $1,000 was offered for their delivery in La Grange, when “all eyes were open for the apprehension of the fugitives,” and in a few minutes a party was formed and the search commenced. All day they were engaged in the stealthy tread, but no slaves were to be found and the party being weary, returned in the evening to refresh themselves preparatory for another trial at night. The fun was spoiled, however, by a messenger arriving a few minutes after they returned, informing them that the negroes had been decoyed in the house of Mr. JAMES WELSH, who lives at the edge of the timber in which the unfortunates were concealed. This treachery was performed by the daughter of Mr. WELSH, a young woman, who found the negroes a short distance from the house by telling them that she was a friend to them, and that if they would go with her to the house she would give them something to eat. The crazy mother could but accept this offer for her starving children and without suspicion went into the house. But before they had time to allay their hunger, the sable mother and poor helpless children were surrounded by a dozen stout men all “armed to the teeth.” In a few minutes a hack was produced and the poor creatures were fast returning to their bondage.