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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 381
Hamilton, who came by railroad to Xenia, and thence to Sandusky
traveling only at night. Soon after this came father Lason and his wife,
bringing Avith them a little girl. The latter, Mrs. Nancy Boyd, resided in
Sandusky. Also about the same time came Daniel Brown and wife. Mr.
Brainard of Berlin used to conduct slaves, generally aided with money
and teams by Mr. 0. S. Tillinghast, also of Berlin, most reliable and
earnest men. Seth and Elder Ben Parker of Peru, Huron County, Ohio,
received, cared for and placed in charge of good conductors any slaves
that might be brought to that station. Abner Strong of Strong's Ridge
Lyme, Huron County, Ohio, was always ready to receive, care for and
send to Sandusky, in good conveyance, the fugitiveSiwho reached that
'' Strong'' and safe station.
After the year 1836 there was hardly a time that H. F. Merry of
Sandusky had not one or more fugitives in his employ. He was a good
and early friend of theirs, and always ready to assist them in any way.
S. Bell, a fugitive, lived with Mr. Merry in 1839. In the winter of
1839-40 a party of four runaAvays arrived in Sandusky, but Avere so
closely pursued by their owners that it was thought best they should not
be kept in town, even if secreted, and as the ice on the lake was not
strong enough to bear a horse and sleigh, they Avere conducted over the
bay to the Peninsula Point, Avhenee next morning on a bright clear day,
they started on their perilous journey to Canada. They had to proceed
with the greatest caution bugging close to the.shore of Kelly's Island,
and thence on to Point an Peele, where in the evening they arrived in
safety. In 1834 a fugitiA'e named Joe Daniel came over the line to
Sandusky. Mr. Parish took him to Rev. Thomas Boston, then living in
Perkins Township. He remained some time but fearing he might be
captured Mr. Boston advised him to go to Canada, and he embarked
with the intention of going there. While in Detroit en route he obtained
a situation on the steamboat Sultana, and had made trips on her but
was discovered, while thus employed, by his master, who Avas traveling
on the boat and who at once reclaimed him and carried him back to
Virginia. In less than three Aveeks Daniel Avas a passenger OA'er the line
a second time. He reached Sandusky in safety, and after a short stop
made his way to Canada. In 1829 a fugitive about twenty-two years of
age, named Price, arrived in Sandusky over the underground road, and
after a time Avent to work in Perkins Township, burning lime for Samuel
Walker. He was a faithful excellent boy, and strbng as a giant. He
had left behind him in Kentucky a sweetheart for whom he pined, and
to whom he seemed greatly attached 1 . His master learned where he Avas
at work, and arranged Avith a couple of men to capture and deliver the
boy into his hands, which accomplished, he Avould take him before an
officer and prove his property. Knowing his fondness for this girl, the
men hired to effect his capture were instructed to tell him that she had
also run away and on a certain night Avould he at the Sulphur Springs,
a place in a Avoods just south of Oakland Cemetery, near Sandusky.
Late on the night agreed the fugitive repaired to the spring to meet
his sweetheart, but to his surprise and disappointment did not find her,