I am looking for more information on the following subject (see Westliche Post article below) regarding the retrieval of runaway slaves from St. Louis County (the City of St. Louis was the County seat at this time period--1861). I suspect these slaves may have been from the Florissant area as there were many Pattersons living in the vicinity of Patterson Road / Vail Road that intersect New Halls Ferry and Old Halls Ferry. The area was settled by Southerners and locally known as the Patterson settlement. (But my suspicions may be wrong and these slaves may have lived in the city instead) 1) What was the first name of Mr. Patterson and Mr. Vail ? I have found a few Pattersons in the St. Ferdinand township owning slaves in the 1860 census but unfortunately the slaves names are not given in the slave lists. I have tried to find a Vail living nearby in 1860 (but there are some down in the City of St. Louis. 2) What was the result of the legal proceedings ? I have searched the St. Louis freedom suits website and have found nothing. Any help appreciated --Scott Williams ---------------------------------------------- Westliche Post 10 Apr 1861 Arrest of Slaves Chicago, 3 April. A colored man named Harris, with his wife and two children, were arrested this morning on a warrant issued by United States Commissioner Corkean. He was brought by special train to Springfield, where he will be heard tomorrow. The man was claimed as personal property by Mr. Patterson of St. Louis County, the wife and children by Mr. Vail of the same county; they had fled about three weeks ago. Since it was almost unknown that a warrant had been issued, the arrest took place with little difficulty. Once the matter became known, there was great excitement among the blacks. When the regular train was scheduled to depart, a great crowd gathered at the depot, since it was believed that the fugitive was on the train. Two or three shots were fired at the train; otherwise there was no disturbance of the peace. Translation from German by Steven Rowan, "Germans For A Free Missouri: Translations From the St. Louis Radical Press, 1857-1862. University of Missouri Press, Columbia, Mo. 1982 ISBN 0-8262-0410-4