iercely at times. But Hunn was too plucky to be
frightened by their threats and menaces, and as one, commissioned by a
higher power to remember those in bonds as bound with them he remained
faithful to the slave. Men, women or children seeking to be unloosed
from the fetters of Slavery, could not make their grievances known to
John Hunn without calling forth his warmest sympathies. His house and
heart were always open to all such. The slave-holders evidently
concluded that Hunn could not longer be tolerated, consequently devised
a plan to capture him, on the charge of aiding off a woman with her
children.

[John Hunn and Thomas Garrett were conjointly prosecuted in this case,
and in the sketch of the latter, the trial, conviction, etc., are so
fully referred to, that it is unnecessary to do more than allude to it
here].

These noted Underground Rail Road offenders being duly brought before
the United States District Court, in May, 1848, Judge Taney, presiding,
backed by a thoroughly pro-slavery sentiment, obviously found it a very
easy matter to convict them, and a still easier matter to fine them to
the extent of every dollar they possessed in the world. Thousands of
dollars were swept from Hunn in an instant, and his family left utterly
destitute; but he was by no means conquered, as he deliberately gave the
court to understand in a manly speech, delivered while standing to
receive his sentence. There and then he avowed his entire sympathy with
the slave, and declared that in the future, as in the past, by the help
of God, he would never withhold a helping hand from the down-trodden in
the hour of distress. That this pledge was faithfully kept by Hunn,
there can be no question, as he continued steadfast at his post until
the last fetter was broken by the great proclamation of Abraham Lincoln.

He was not without friends, however, for even near by, dwelt a few
well-tried Abolitionists. Ezekiel Jenkins, Mifflin Warner, and one or
two others, whole-souled workers in the same cause with Hunn; he was
therefore not forgotten in the hour of his extremity.

Wishing to produce a sketch worthy of this veteran, we addressed him on
the subject, but failed to obtain all the desired material. His reasons,
however, for withholding the information which we desired were
furnished, and, in connection therewith, a few anecdotes touching
Underground Rail Road matters coming under his immediate notice, which
we here take great pleasur