Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.I, p.189

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History of Cambria County, V.1

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 189

prominent was that of the shooting of "Abraham" and "Patrick" near Geistown, on the 10th of February, 1837. These slaves were young men with no other names than are here given, and were the personal property of Colonel and Dr. John Sheard, of Morgan county, Virginia. The colored boys had reached a point not far from Geistown when the hunters, coming in sight of the runaways, shot Abraham in the knee and Patrick in the right shoulder. Of course they were captured, and taken to the farm house of William Slick, Sr., who was an agent of the Underground Railroad, where medical aid and such kindness were extended as could only come from a family which was in sympathy with the slave. William Slick, Jr., born August 28, 1823, a son of the former, and now an esteemed resident of Johnstown, recalls the affair and his youthful efforts to give assistance to the wounded slaves.
     Abraham and Patrick were brought to Johnstown under arrest in charge of Samuel J. Smith, constable. The warrant was issued by Christian Horner, a justice of the peace residing near Geistown, in Conemaugh township, and charged the defendants with being fugitive slaves. The warrant was issued February 10, 1837, as follows:
     "Whereas, it appears by the oaths of John Compston and Edward Maxwell that "Abraham" & "Patrick," two colored boys, was held to labor service to Col. John Sheard of Morgan county, in the State of Virginia, and that the said Abraham & Patrick, two colored boys, hath escaped from the labor & service of the said Colonel John Sheard. YOU are therefore commanded to assist and seize the bodies of the said Abraham & Patrick, it they be found in your county and bring them forthwith before a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of your proper county, so that the truth of the matter may be inquired into and the said Abraham & Patrick may be dealt with as the Constitution of the United States and the laws of this Commonwealth directs."
     Not long after their arrival in Johnstown the local agents of the Underground Railroad became interested, as the boys' gunshot wounds were serious, and procured for them the best medical attention and lodging which they could. The officers desired to take them away at once, but the agents insisted that such haste would be inhuman, as careful nursing was necessary for their recovery. Under this plea the fugitives were kept for several days in a building on Clinton street, and, in the mean-time arrangements were being made to take them farther north.

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	189
prominent was that of the shooting of "Abraham" and "Patrick" near Geistown, on the 10th of February, 1837. These slaves were young men with no other names than are here given, and were the personal property of Colonel and Dr. John Sheard, of Morgan county, Virginia. The colored boys had reached a point not far from Geistown when the hunters, coming in sight of the runaways, shot Abraham in the knee and Patrick in the right shoulder. Of course they were captured, and taken to the farm house of William Slick, Sr., who was an agent of the Underground Railroad, where medical aid and such kindness were extended as could only come from a family which was in sympathy with the slave. William Slick, Jr., born August 28, 1823, a son of the former, and now an esteemed resident of Johnstown, recalls the affair and his youthful efforts to give assistance to the wounded slaves. Abraham and Patrick were brought to Johnstown under arrest in charge of Samuel J. Smith, constable. The warrant was issued by Christian Horner, a justice of the peace residing near Geistown, in Conemaugh township, and charged the defendants with being fugitive slaves. The warrant was issued February 10, 1837, as follows: "Whereas, it appears by the oaths of John Compston and Edward Maxwell that "Abraham" & "Patrick," two colored boys, was held to labor service to Col. John Sheard of Morgan county, in the State of Virginia, and that the said Abraham & Patrick, two colored boys, hath escaped from the labor & service of the said Colonel John Sheard. YOU are therefore commanded to assist and seize the bodies of the said Abraham & Patrick, it they be found in your county and bring them forthwith before a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of your proper county, so that the truth of the matter may be inquired into and the said Abraham & Patrick may be dealt with as the Constitution of the United States and the laws of this Commonwealth directs." Not long after their arrival in Johnstown the local agents of the Underground Railroad became interested, as the boys' gunshot wounds were serious, and procured for them the best medical attention and lodging which they could. The officers desired to take them away at once, but the agents insisted that such haste would be inhuman, as careful nursing was necessary for their recovery. Under this plea the fugitives were kept for several days in a building on Clinton street, and, in the mean-time arrangements were being made to take them farther north.