Study Areas

Enslavement

20th Century History

Indiana and Fayette Counties, Pennsylvania

Adventures of a Slave Catcher

The following story is taken from James Hadden's 1913 history of Uniontown, Fayette County. It recounts the adventures of a Uniontown man who joined a Virginia slave catcher named Stump in pursuit of freedom seekers hiding in Pennsylvania. The activity promised a share of reward money offered by the enslaver for capture of the escaped slave. The slave catcher named Stump was acting on behalf of the southern enslavers and would have been the person who paid local men to help him in his work. The name of the man who provided the story is not given by Hadden, but other sources reveal it to be local tailor Peter Heck. It is not known how much of Heck's story has been embellished by Hadden for his book, but this first incident related did occur, although in April 1858, not 1856, and is known and continuues to be celebrated as the Blairsville Fugitive Slave Rescue.

From the Book:

The amusing experience of a Uniontown man who devoted some of his time to the very unsavory business of capturing slaves in their flight for freedom, may be best told in the gentleman's own language, as he used to relate it to his friends, who would enjoy a hearty laugh at his expense.

"Back in the 50s," he said, "a fellow could pick up a few dollars catching runaway slaves easier than by hard work, notwithstanding the disrepute into which he was sure to fall. A man by the name of Stump, who hailed from Old Virginia and who claimed to be the owner of all the fugitive slaves caught on free soil, but in reality was a mere hireling in the business, often visited Uniontown where he had a few acquaintances who were willing to share with him in the profits of the business. I joined Stump on several of his slave catching expeditions, the most memorable of which I will relate.

"In 1856 Stump came here in pursuit of a fugitive slave. The mysterious 'underground railroad' was then in operation for the speedy conveyance of fugitives over the line into Canada, where they were secure from the slave catcher. I joined Stump on this occasion and we soon struck the trail which led into the town of Blairsville, Indiana county, and while walking down the street in that town Stump caught sight of his man, who had been in hiding in the house of one Lewis Johnson who was then known as a keeper of a station on the 'underground railroad.' The man was standing in a store door at the time and Stump stopped and pointed him out to me that I, being unknown to the fugitive, might approach without arousing his suspicion. I grabbed the man, at the same time telling him he was my prisoner. He being a powerful fellow, gave me a sling that landed me in the middle of the street. It was like prodding a pole into a hive of bees; a swarm of whites and negroes poured from every direction. It fairly rained negroes for awhile. Stump and I were quick to take in the situation and determined that the only safety was by immediate and rapid flight. There was little time to consider. Stump having the start, headed for the old canal and I in hot pursuit. We struck the tow path with an angry mob close upon our heels. I exerted my strength to its utmost, but in spite of all I could do one fleet-footed negro insisted that my coat tail should assume a perpendicular instead of its already horizontal position, and about every ten leaps I made, that negro's number thirteen boots came into such violent contact with the nether part of my anatomy that I was lifted bodily from the ground. He seemed to say 'get off the earth, you cuss, get off the earth.' I feared to look back or to tarry lest like Lot's wife a worse evil come upon me. Had it not been for the timely intervention of Mr. George Wilkinson, then high constable and Chester Davis, Esq., then mayor of the town, the good Lord only knows what would have become of me or what would have been left of me after satiating their thirst for my blood.

"I arrived home stiff and sore and with uplifted hand made a solemn vow that in case I ever became able again to resume my position on my tailoring board I would never more pursue a fugitive slave north of the 40th degree, so help me Andrew Jackson."

Some time after the above incident took place, this same Mr. Stump arrived in Uniontown in pursuit of three fugitive slaves. He had ascertained that he was ahead of the runaways and that they were following the old National road. He procured a livery team and three slave catchers to assist him, among whom was the gentleman who figured so "actively" in the above mentioned adventure. They proceeded to the "Turkey's Nest" at the western foot of Laurel Hill and placed themselves in such position as to enclose the fugitives between the walls of the bridge, and thus awaited their arrival. Not long after nightfall the patter of feet was heard on the mountain side and soon three dusky forms hove into sight; the slave catchers closed in and called a halt. One of the fugitives attempted to jump the wall of the bridge but was quickly told that it would be sure death to do so. The frightened fugitives surrendered and together with the slave catchers crowded into the carriage and all started for Oakland, Maryland. Just as they arrived at the station in the town a B. & O. train pulled in and the fugitives were hurriedly placed on board and as it pulled out from the station three disappointed slave catchers were left standing on the platform to pay their own hotel expenses and for the livery team and received not one cent for their services. This was the last instance of fugitive slaves being caught and returned to their owners that ever transpired in the neighborhood of Uniontown.

Notes

The Blairsville incident happened on April 1, 1858. Robert Stump, Peter Heck and a deputy marshall went to Blairsville in search of alleged fugitive slave Richard Newman, who had been living in Blairsville for six years. Local Black and white residents forcefully drove the three slavecatchers away, with one African American resident chasing and kicking Heck down the canal towpath.

Sources

• James Hadden A History of Uniontown, the County Seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Uniontown, PA, 1913, pp 610-613.
• Dave Sutor, "Underground Railroad: 'Inner light' guided abolitionists; many stops in region," The Meadville Tribune, 28 February 2020.

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