Martin Delany's writing skills first appeared and developed in writing for his own newspaper in Pittsburgh, "The Mystery," These reports and editorials caught the eye of many journalists, since "The Mystery" was, for several years in the 1840s, the only newspaper published by African Americans. Often cited as a source of columns and opinion in newspapers including other mainstream newspapers and in William Lloyd Garrison's abolitionist newspaper, "The Liberator," it was only a matter of time that Frederick Douglass and Martin Delany would meet and germinate together the idea of a new "black voice" newspaper, "The North Star."
"The following anecdote was related to us on lst Monday by a gentleman recently from Georgia, now in this city: George, a slave, belonged to a family in the State of Georgia, near the Ochmulgee River whom he served faithfully. He was an excellent machanic and during the life of his owners or claimants (for he never had an owner) they would take no money for him, and in consequence of his faithfulness to them, at their death, George was willed a freeman!
"Poor George then looked upon himself as one of the lords, even of the accursed soil of Georgia. But George was doomed to disappointment. The unjust heirs broke the will, seized his person, and thrust him into the dark caverns of slavery again! Bound for a new residence, they started down the Ochmulgee. George was on board the steamboat bound for his destination, but the vicious robbers of his liberty knew not where. George looked sad, and talked but little.
"The steamer glided along, with a crowd of guests, unconscious of their weary fellow passenger. In the night a splash was heard which awakened the attention of boatmen, passengers; all looked with anxiety, but seeing all appeared to be safe, it was just a conclusion, that this must have been the noise occasioned by the falling in of the bank of the river. Morning came, the grindstone of the boat was missed, information was given, and seach being made, George was gone, they knew not where.
"The river was ordered to be scoured by the eager master, thirsting after the blood of the mechanic. It was scoured and George was found with the grindstone tied to his neck. Reposing in the depth of the Ochmulgee, preferring as a man, Death before slavery! George had tasted liberty!!!
William Lloyd Garrison's 'The Liberator,' October 20, 1843 reprinted articles by MRD from 'The Mystery.'
