"Notice," Telegraph and Texas Register, March 13, 1839

Summary: The Sheriff of Victoria county announced that he caught three runaways. Gave each slave's description, age, height, and stressed that none of them spoke English and could be from Africa. Requested the owners to come forward to claim the slaves and pay charges.

NOTICE is hereby given that I have in my possession, as Sheriff of Victoria county, three African negro men, supposed to be runaways. They are of the following description.

The first calling himself Barker, is about 38 or 40 years old, five feet 3 inches high.

The second calling himself Doo, is about 23 years old, 5 feet 6 inches high, round full face, and sprightly countenance, he would be taken for American raised if he could speak the language.

The last calling himself Luther, is about 28 years old, 5 feet 8 inches high, thick projecting lips, his teeth in front do not close but have a gap above and below.

The last named have not the usual Affrican[sic] marks on their faces. These negroes understand so little of the language that they are unable to communicate relative to their owners.

The owners are requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take them away.

Victoria, 9 Feb 3-197[sic] MALCOMB A. JOHNSON.

Source Copy Consulted: "Notice," Telegraph and Texas Register, March 13, 1839, p. 3