These have been collected over the years from area newspapers. It was quite common for the local law enforcement to advertise captures of runaway slaves in local newspapers, and hope word got back to their enslavers. If they were not claimed, the captive would be resold. I have always wondered how many of these men and women made it to freedom.
NOTE: Back in the early days of newspapers, the letter s was written as an f.
The Mississippi Messenger (Natchez, MS) September 22, 1807, Page 4
NOTICE.
BROUGHT to the plantation of the fubfcriber in Auguft laft, a NEGRO MAN, of a copper colour, about 20 years of age, five feet nine or ten inches high, by fome Indians, who faid they brought him from Ouachitta, in Orleans territory. The negro fays he left his owner of the name of Grayham, while going up Red River ; and was bought by Grayham from a man of the name of Hardin, and calls himself SAM. The owner is requefted to come forward, pay charges, and take him away.
JAMES DAVENPORT.
Claiborne County, Sept. 9
Natchez Gazette (Natchez, MS) October 13, 1813, Page 3
COMMITTED to the Jail of Claiborne County on the 3d inftant, as a runaway,
A Negro Man named Jerry ;
About 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, yellowifh complexion, about 30 years of age ; has two large marks on his breafts – fays he belongs to Doctor William Witherby, of Ouachita. The owner is requefted to come forward, comply with the law & take him away
Abm. Defrance, Jailor C.C.
Sept. 14, 1813.
Natchez Gazette (Natchez, MS) August 17, 1822, Page 1
40 DOLLARS REWARD.
RANAWAY from the subscriber on the 14th of May last, two NEGRO MEN.
ANTHONY, about 5 feet 10 inches high, very black, about 22 years of age, a stout well built fellow, stutters very much.
BEN, about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, 25 years of age, jet black, sullen looks, talks but little, is remarkably sober, took with him a rifle gun.
The above reward, or $20 for each, will be given to any person who will secure said negroes so that I get them again.
ABRAHAM SCRIBER.
Washita, La. July 17, 1822.
N.B. Should they be taken up in the state of Mississippi, it is requested that information may be given to Mr. Philip Briell, Natchez.
Courrier de la Louisiane (New Orleans, LA) September 9, 1822, Page 4
Runaway Slave detained in the Police
Jail of New Orleans.
There was apprehended and lodged in this jail a negro named JAMES RATCLEF, aged about 38 or 40 years, of a middling constitution, pock-marked, and a painter by trade. He has no mark about his body. Said negro is 5 feet 6 inches and a half high (English measure.) He at first pretended to be free, but afterwards confessed to belong to Mr. Sterling, a storekeeper of the town of Ouachita. He says he ran away from his master in the month of May last. The owner is requested to claim said slave and pay charges.
The Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR) November 23, 1824, Page 4
Runaway Negro Man taken up.
WAS committed to the Jail of Arkansas County, for safe keeping, on Sunday, the 12th day of September inst. A Negro Man who calls himself BOB, and says he belongs to a Mr. Foy15, at the Post of Ouachita. The said negro is about 30 years of age, five feet seven inches high, and had on, when committed, a large band of iron round his left leg. The owner or owners of said Negro Bob, are hereby notified, that, unless they appear within 90 days, prove property, pay charges, and take said Negro away, he will be sold agreeable to law, to satisfy the Jail fees, costs, &c.
T. FARRELLY, Sheriff,
And Keeper of the Jail of Arkansas County,
Arkansas Territory.
Washita Gazette (Monroe, LA) June 11, 1825, Page 3
$10 REWARD,
RAN AWAY from the Subscriber, A NEGRO MAN named
WINDSOR.
HE is about 25 years of age; about 5 feet 8 inches high; dark complexion; no scars recollected; has a blemish in his right eye; and is a blacksmith by trade.
The above reward will be given to any person, who will deliver said Negro man to me, or lodge him in any jail, so that I get him again. He is a tricky fellow.
J. DAVENPORT
Merrouge, 28th May, 1825.
Mississippi Free Trader (Natchez, MS) December 30, 1836, Page 4
25 DOLLARS REWARD.
RUNAWAY from the subscriber on the 7th instant, a negro man named Harrison, about 23 years of age, stout made; his height about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches, a full blooded negro, but of a yellow complexion. He is rather of a smart turn, and may endeavor to get on board a steamboat for the upper country.
The above reward will be paid for said negro if he is taken and put in custody, that his owner may get him, or forty dollars if delivered to him at his plantation on Bayou Seard, Monroe, La.
CHARLES A. BETTIN,
Bayou Seard, Louisiana.
Dec 20, 1836
Vicksburg Whig (Vicksburg, MS) January 25, 1837, Page 4
Negroes in Jail.
COMMITTED to the jail of Warren county by William Everett, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, on the 24th of Dec. 1836, as a runaway, a negro man who says his name is Henry, and that he belongs to – Betan23, a French planter near Monroe on the Washita in Louisiana. Said negro is 5 feet 9 inches high, very stout and a light black, has quite a pleasant countenance, supposed to be 25 years old; had on when committed, pale blue cassinet pants, green blanket over coat and a snuff coloured box coat. He was taken up in Bachelors’ Bend on the Mississippi. The owner is requested to come and prove his property, pay charges and take him out of jail or he will be dealt with as the law directs. WM. EVERETT, Jailer.
Vicksburg Whig (Vicksburg, MS) December 13, 1837, Page 3
Stop the Runaways.
Absconded from the subscriber’s Plantation in Praire [sic] Jefferson, on the night of Monday, 16th Oct. three negro men, viz: Peter, an elderly man, grey head, black, and upwards of 50 years old. Jim, commonly called Jim Valentine, dark complected, [sic] upwards of 40 years old; has but one eye. Pleasant, a black boy, about 19 years old, has had formerly a sore shin, but has healed, it has left a very plain mark behind.
I will give ten dollars reward for each, and all reasonable expenses paid, if delivered to my overseer on the plantation, or I will pay the above reward if secured in any jail so as I get them. I expect they are making for Virginia, where they originally came from.
HENRY O. M’ENERY
Monroe, La., Parish Ouachita, Oct. 17, 1837.
Vicksburg Daily Whig (Vicksburg, MS) June 25, 1842, Page 3
COMMITTED to the jail of Warren county, as a runaway slave, on the 8th day of June, 1842, by M.C. Folkes, Mayor of the city of Vicksburg, a negro man named STEPHEN, who says he belongs to the estate of William Deason29, and was in the custody of the sheriff of the parish of Washita, La., and taken away by a man by the name of Clark. Said negro is about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, black; had on when committed cotton shirt, blue linsey pantaloons, and is about 22 or 3 years old.
The owner is requested to come forward, prove property pay charges and take him away, or he will be dealt with as the law directs. E. B. SCARBROUGH, Sheriff,
June 21
Vicksburg Daily Whig (Vicksburg, MS) October 19, 1842, page 3
COMMITTED to the jail of Warren county on the 16th day of October, 1842, by Miles C. Folkes, Esq., as a runaway slave, a negro man who says his name is NATHAN, and that he belongs to Mr. John Killum30, of Washita Parish Louisiana, near Monroe; he is a very likely black boy, about 29 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches high, and badly clothed, no scars or marks of note.
The owner will come forward prove property pay charges and take him away, or he will be dealt with as the law directs.
Oct 18 42 E.B. SCARBROUGH, Sh’ff
The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) September 11, 1846, Page 2
A Runaway Caught. – Officer Lartique, First Municipality police, succeeded yesterday in arresting a runaway negro girl named Fanny, said to be the property of James Peck, of Monroe, Ouachita, in this State, and charged with having been absent from her master seven years. Her identity was proved by a free colored woman, named Isabella LeBlanc, who made an affidavit regarding the case before Recorder Genois. The slave was committed to jail to await further examination.
The Concordia Intelligencer (Vidalia, LA) Jan. 1, 1848, Page 3
RUNAWAY REGISTER.
(CORRECTED UP TO JANUARY 1ST, 1848.)
LOUISIANA.
POINT COUPEE PARISH-POINT COUPEE.
Robert, yellow, 29 or 30 years, 5 feet 7 inches, to Mrs. Mary Hughes near Monroe, parish of Ouachita.
The Mississippi Free Trader (Natchez, MS) February 27, 1850, Page 3
RUNAWAY SLAVES.
$100 REWARD will be paid for the apprehension of two negro fellows, who left the residence of the undersigned, in Ouachita parish, about the 1st of November last ; ANTHONY is about 24 years of age, stout built, black complexion ; has a scar on his upper lip, has been shot in his right shoulder and arm and cannot fully straighten his right hand fingers, hangs his head when spoken to. SAM, about 15 years, dark complexion, spare made, and inclined to be knock-kneed. They were brought from Decatur county, Georgia, in February, 1849, and will probably endeavor to return there. Fifty dollars will be paid for either of them if taken out of this state, or twenty-five dollars if taken in this state. Address
JAMES J. VICKERS,
Ringgold Post Office,
Bienville parish, La.
Mississippi Free Trader (Natchez, MS) March 22, 1848, Page 2
NOTICE.
RANAWAY from the plantation of Miss Lucinda McCaleb, in the Bayou de Seard island, in the parish of Ouachita, about the 12th inst., the negro man Henry Jones, of dark complexion, aged about thirty or thirty five years – about six feet tall, very white teeth, open countenance – large clear eyes – generally smiling – his feet very much turned out – wearing a small ring in each ear – speaks quick – is an excellent blacksmith.
A liberal reward will be given for the apprehension of said negro.
Address S. W. Downs, Monroe, La.
March 21, 1848.
The Concordia Intelligencer (Vidalia, LA) April 13, 1850, Page 3
Runaway Register.
This Register contains all the latest Committals in the Jails mentioned up to the 13th APRIL, 1850.
MISSISSIPPI.
Warren County.
Jim, 45 or 50 years, 5 feet, 3 or 4 inches, black; to John Stegall of Ouachita parish, La.
The Concordia Intelligencer (Vidalia, LA) July 13, 1850, Page 3
Runaway Register.
This Register contains all the latest Committals in the Jails mentioned, up to the 13th JULY, 1850.
LOUISIANA.
Parish of West Feliciana – St. Francesville
Gilbert, dark brown complexion, 25 or 26 years, 5 feet 8 inches, and has a large bald spot on the back part of his head; to George Hooker, near Monroe, Ouachita parish, La.
The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) April 15, 1852, Page 2
A negro in Ouachita parish named Jim Deek, who had runaway, was pursued by a party of citizens and shot by one of them. He was armed with a double barreled shot gun at the time.
The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) May 15, 1857, Page 1
Louisiana Intelligence.
The Monroe Register reports a very heavy rise in the Ouachita at that place and above. It was as high at Camden as it had been known to be for several years past, overflowing the banks. The weather has assumed a more genial temperature, to the great delight of the planters. The same paper records a desperate conflict, about fourteen miles below Monroe, between Mr. Jerome Bres and a runaway negro, belonging to Mr. James Turnell, Bayou Bartholomew, parish of Morehouse, whom he had arrested and was taking to the plantation:
The boy walked on quietly before Mr. B for some distance, when he suddenly turned upon him, seized him by the throat, and used every physical exertion to overpower him. But, fortunately, Mr. Bres proved more than a match for the impudent scamp, whom he finally succeeded in conquering and bringing safely home. We are sorry to learn that Mr. B. was severely hurt in the scuffle – so much so, indeed, as to have been unable to bring the assailant to town himself. Besides having received many bruises about the body, Mr. B. was severely bitten upon the face, and one of his fingers nearly severed off by the teeth of the infuriated negro.
The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) June 26, 1857, Page 2
The Monroe (Ouachita parish) Register, of the 18th inst., says:
The slave Miles, belonging to Mrs. Eliza Primell, of Morehouse parish, charged with having grievously and willfully wounded and mutilated Mr. Jerome Bres, of this parish, who had arrested said slave while a runaway, was tried on the 12th inst., found guilty, and sentenced to be hung on Friday, the 10th day of July next. This slave was purchased in New Orleans by Mrs. Primell, in March last, and ran away shortly after being taken home to her plantation in the parish of Morehouse.
The Register, December 15, 1859, Page 3
$25 Reward.
RANAWAY from my plantation in the Colony of Ouachita, on Friday, 77th inst., a negro man, PETER, aged about 17 or 20 years, black, and about 5 feet 8 inches high. I will pay $25 reward for his delivery to me.
M.T. EVARD.
Dec. 15, 1859.
The Register (Monroe, LA) January 19, 1860, Page 3
Ranaway,
From Hannibal Faulk, three negro men, as represented by him to me, and I have agreed to take said negroes back as they run, and therefore offer a liberal reward for the arrest and delivery of said negroes in any jail so that I can get them – said Negroes escaped on Sunday night, 8th inst.
Isaac, 233 years of age, heavy set, black, weighs about 185 poinds.
Henry, light complexion, 23 years of age, little finger on left hand drawn from a rising in his hand.
Alfred, 28 years of age, dark complexion, weighs about 165 pounds. –
Notice of the taking up of said negroes to be given to the Ouachita Register.
G.P. DORRIS.
Monroe Jan. 12, 1860.
The Register (Monroe, LA) June 7, 1860, Page 3
$100 Reward.
I will give the above reward for the delivery to me of my negro man ABRAM, who ran away from my plantation on Bayou DeSiard, 8 [?] miles east of Monroe, about the 1st of October 1859. Abram is of dark complexion, about 6 feet 4 or 6 inches high, and about 35 years of age. He has some scars on his breast, no other marks recollected. He is very quick spoken, and is inclined to be stoop-shouldered. He may say that he belongs to some person in Caldwell parish, where he formerly lived. He has a wife at Mr. Overton Ross’, near Columbia, La., in which vicinity he has been seen since he left. I will give $80 for his confinement in any jail in the State, or $100 if delivered to me. JAMES M. FRANTOM
Monroe, La., May 21st 1860.
Vicksburg Whig (Vicksburg, MS) August 15, 1860, Page 3
RUNAWAYS IN JAIL.
Louisiana.
CHARLEY – Says he belongs to a Mr. Garret, living near Monroe, on the Ouachita river. He is slender built, black, supposed to be about 22 years old.
Vicksburg Daily Whig (Vicksburg, MS) August 22, 1860, Page 2
RUNAWAYS IN JAIL.
LOUISIANA.
TENSAS PARISH.
ARMSTED CARTER – Says he belongs to Thomas O. Benton, living in Monroe, Ouachita
parish, La. He is of yellow complexion.
CATAHOULA PARISH.
MAJOR – Says he belongs to a Mr. Farrar, who lives near Monroe, La. He is black, heavy built,
23 or 24 years old.
The Monroe Register (Monroe, LA) August 23, 1860, Page 2
$30 Reward.
RAN away from the plantation of H. Faulk, on Saturday, 28th of July, a negro woman called Catharine, of medium size, griff color, about 30 years of age – very intelligent.
Having purchased her, I will give the above reward for her apprehension and delivery to me, or $20 if lodged in jail, so that I can get her.
D. FAULK.
August 18th, 1860.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 