A WHITE SLAVE IN VICTORIA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1691, 28 January 1888, Page 3

A WHITE SLAVE IN VICTORIA.

An extraordinary case has transpired at Castlemaine. Certain rumours have recently been afloat as to a Dane being kept in slavery for 20 years, and several compatriots determined to investigate the matter. With a great deal of trouble they succeeded in throwing some light on the affair, but for a long time their efforts were checkmated, It was discovered that the unfortunate in question 20 years ago had been wrongfully accused of stealing cattle and had been acquitted, the informer receiving two years' imprisonment for the crime. Through this means a person by some means acquired an extraordinary influetce over the man, who is of weak intellect, and actually made a slave of him. Even the personal appearance of the unfortunate victim was unknown to, the nearest neighbours, though it transpired that he was driven to work with a pointed stick, with which he was prodded until the blood gushed forth. With a great deal of difficulty it was brought to light that the man had been with his detainer for twenty years and during that time had received no wages. When the poor fellow was asked if he would like to go away in charge of one of his countrymen, he said that he daren't go, because "The boss would beat and kill him, and put him in the black hole in the ground." When the boss came up and asked him if he wanted to go away the poor wretch Bhivered, as if expecting ablow, and withdrew his words. A foreigner disguised himselfasaswagsman, and, without attracting the boss's attention, had an interview with the slave, and carried him off in a spring cart, which had been concealed near the field. He is at the present in Castlemaine, and it is hoped that the care and attention he will receive will bring back some of the intelligence he has lost. Those who knew him twenty years ago can scarcely recognise the wreck he has become, and wonder how Buchathing could take place in this age of religion and civilisation. For twenty long years he has been living within a few miles of them, and he was never seen but at a distance.