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The Ohio Daily Express
Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio
What is this article about?
A 15-year-old boy, Henry Williams, escaped from a forced labor farm in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, where he was branded and threatened. He arrived in St. Louis, found a home with the Brown family, and shared his story, prompting Alderman Sam Buck to involve the NAACP.
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Boy
Escape
from
Slavery
ST. LOUIS, July 14. (ANP) - A 15-year-old boy who told a story of escape from slavery arrived here last week and found a home for the first time in his life. He also ate fried chicken for the first time.
Henry Williams told Mrs. Mary Franklin of St. Louis, of his life as a branded slave and of others forced to work on a farm in Louisiana year after year. Here in this city he found a home with the family of William Brown.
Alderman Sam Buck, of Venice, after hearing the boy's story, said that he would present the case to the NAACP.
According to Williams, he lived on a farm in Tangipahoa parish, 60 miles north of New Orleans. He showed 1 1/2 inch scars on the back of his left hand and on the left side of his abdomen. These scars represented brands, he said.
The owner of the farm, he said, told him he would shoot him if he tried to escape. Other farm workers were also virtual slaves, according to the boy's story. Most of them were white criminals convicted to prison whose freedom had been bought by the owner.
The farm operator carried a rifle and a pistol and had 15 bloodhounds on the farm. Williams said he had seen the owner shoot a number of these ex-convicts when they tried to escape.
Williams considered himself lucky in making his own escape. He slipped out through the only window in the hayloft where he slept. The doors were kept locked at night when he went to bed.
After slipping away from the farm he got a ride in a truck after helping the driver change a tire. Williams never remembered living anywhere else but on this farm. The estate of 560 acres, he said, was owned by a parish official.
The boy appears to be older than 15. Although husky and well built, he is not in good health, according to a physician here, because of poor diet. Williams said he was served beans at every meal on the farm. His parents were killed in an automobile accident, he said.
On St. Louis' east side, Williams has been living with Otis Butler and Edward Miles. He moved in with the Browns last week. When he ate a fried chicken sandwich with the Browns he said, "That's a rare treat."
What sub-type of article is it?
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What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Event Date
July 14
Key Persons
Outcome
boy escaped successfully and found a home in st. louis; owner reportedly shot other escapees; boy in poor health from diet.
Event Details
15-year-old Henry Williams escaped from a 560-acre farm in Tangipahoa parish, Louisiana, owned by a parish official, where he and other workers, including bought ex-convicts, were held as virtual slaves, branded, threatened with shooting, and pursued by bloodhounds. He slipped out a hayloft window, got a truck ride, arrived in St. Louis last week, shared his story, and was taken in by families; Alderman Buck plans to present case to NAACP.