Klinck Arrests Abolitionist

On 20 April 1861, ancestor Hayne Klinck and his partner, Dyer arrested a suspected abolitionist named Thomas Pearce. From a modern perspective, it might seem shocking that one could be arrested for a political stance - but in pre-Civil War Memphis, the police saw an abolitionist as one who intended to steal valuable property. With the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (passed by the United States Congress on 18Sep1850), runaway slaves were to be returned to their masters upon capture. Because runaway slaves were considered criminals, those who promoted or aided in their release were also implicit in the crime. Distributing anti-slavery propaganda like the sign below was a serious crime that could carry a serious punishment. For further illustration, search the 1858-1860 index of the Memphis Police Blotter using the keyword slave. Memphis law enforcement spent a goodly amount of time rounding up slaves and checking their credentials.

Memphis Daily Appeal, 20 April 1861

Abolitionist propeganda courtesy of AmericanPeopleII.