substantially done in the famous compromise of 1850, an incident occurred in Johnstown which discloses strong conviction and decision of character, with a beautiful sentiment expressed by Mrs. James Heslop, who as well as her husband was an Abolitionist. An escaping slave had reached this town and had been secreted in Cushon's coal bank, under Green Hill, by John Cushon and other agents of the Underground Railroad. Soon thereafter, while Mr. and Mrs. Heslop were sitting in their room on the second floor, a knock was heard at the front door. It was about dusk, and Mr. Heslop, going to the door, became engaged in conversation with the visitor, which continued for some time. Mrs. Heslop, being acquainted with the escape, divined the matter to which the conversation related. Going to the top of the stairs she heard the visitor pleading with her husband to tell him where the fugitive was, and offering him twenty-five dollars for the information. Still Mr. Heslop denied any knowledge of the affair. Hearing the offer increased to seventy dollars, she descended the stairway, quietly walked to the door and closed it. In referring to it to a friend she mildly said: "I was afraid James might be tempted."
As late as the winter of 1859-60, A. A. Barker, of Ebensburg, assisted a slave to escape who had been brought to him from Bedford via Hollidaysburg. He was kept in the house over night, and before daylight had his "pung" or sled with one seat ready to take him to George Atkinson's, in Clearfield county. The slave was concealed under a buffalo robe. A few miles beyond Ebensburg, Mr. Barker met one of his own teamsters, who inquired what he had under the robe, and being a friend, he told him a "colored man." The driver replied "I will take a look at him," and pulled the robe, which so alarmed the slave that he jumped into the underbrush and disappeared. The snow was very deep, and they soon tracked him and convinced him he was among friends, when he returned. He was again bundled in the robes and was safely delivered to Mr. Atkinson, who helped him to Canada.
On another occasion, much earlier, Mr. Barker assisted a family of colored persons to escape, and some time after he received a very grateful letter from one of the girls, who sent him her picture, which he always cherished, and before his death he gave it to his son, Judge Barker.
About 1852 a number of boys were fishing in the Conemaugh river near the mouth of Laurel run. This party was
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