Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-08-22
CAPTAIN THUNDERROLT

II thou best he bur o hon 1i,IIen"
y week or two ago Vc ntinurd he sudden denar-
iure from this town Of ielluw l,y the name of JOHN
johnson, who set up here some five or six uionrls
since, as barber. He hired 4 horse and chaise
from Mr.. NJ Kenncy's stable for few days
aud after his departure suspicious arose that il was
ms intention not "a return. He was immed iateIv
pursued through New Hampshire and Vermont and
finally arrested near the Canada line and coufned in
jail nj ST Albrus II will he recoecied pcrhaps
that man by The name of Martin, who was execuled
lew years ago al Boston, gives account IN his
dy'ng confession OF one OF his accOmpces ~ crime
WHO was designated 10y the name of " Captain Ihun-
derbol ;; name given him probably on account of
ms giant strength and daring spirit, which qualified
HIM Tor q desperate leader Of band of out aws-
Alter JnhnSons departure from tOwn a rumuI soon
spread, that he was no less parsonage than this
same Captain ThundeThot; and his Herculcan
frame, and dark visage, and especially the
lightning which seen in his piercinr black eyes
rose up as ready Witnesses give Credbilly to the
story, which verify believed by many aud is 10
lhis day II was even SAID that whose faces
mad passed beneath his razor shuddcred at the
'hnu9ht, and women were more careful than ever on
eiirIng al night 10 that doors and windows were
oil made secure. When news arrived here tiai
Johnson was confined in 81. Adams jail, Mr.. Me
kerney started wUh proper authorities to bring him
10 THIS Town Tor trial. On arriving n ST. a lbaus
however, he was not little surprised learn that
johnson had been absent iIom there almost g week
johnson had Told the people a very fair story that he
had hin ed the horse and clase at so much per t,v
Tor as long time as he peased-lllnl hc was "a pro.
lessor aud lover of religion belonged ~ hautisf
'Hhifh anu Nd@ Cruelty prosecuted. luese
meHs q seems we're sufficient tor the good people Of
81 Adams. They wanted no further law nor cvi.
dence, but took him out of Jail forthwith for rial
and as no one appeared against hn, he discharg-
rd without day. On Mr. McKenney's arrival M ST.
Adams however, the high sheriff az that place aud
an attorney ai law, readily offered their services 90
pursue Johnson and bring him back. They accord
Wgiy departed and found him at Montreal. ~ Canad,
Tie was discovered u public house where hc spent
considerable part OF tic afternoon rol.n, niue-uins
rs no one dared venture TO take hiri, it was deter
mined 10 watch him iili be should retire ~ bed n
night accordingly, after I've had gone TO his chamber
I've men wcu up, with the expectation Of hnd,nu this
sampson aseep lhai they might lay hands on him
'nd i've. Eni 81 seem, Ice had too H,nny cares re-
volyug in his breast to he under the influence of
tired natures sweet restorpr,' aud as they entered
his chamber he sprang from the bed upon which he
MA thrown himseii without undressing rushed upon
H. Hssaanis, aud knocked then down one after an
Other until he was met by an lrishmian. q man of
great strength, who had armed himself aiti cudqpI
aud was very expert ~ the Of welding if. lie
soon fetched Johnson 10 The door vuh heavy how
over the head aud succeeded IN iindmg his AIMS,
aHd rendering him manageable Having some d.s.
tiuce 90 go 10y water, johnson WIS taken On board "a
boat aud towcd OH, accompanied by seYrH meI-
When they reached the place where they were to
ke land carriage, and were getting of the boat
Johns0p iy protig0us Effort 0f strength broke the
cord which bound his arms, ard suatrhing r. sword
C1ue FROM HE bands Of one OF the officers uut ttp,-
one who should approach iim. But fhe lrshmau on
whom the hopes of the company rested hy his supe
'"r Kill atcuiscl play defended hmseif from ihc
thrus's n Johnson, gave him several severe bruises
broke bis sword and finally disarmrd him where.
upou he was rebound, placed n the carriage guard
ca again by seven mcu5 and driven on 40 iull speed
for S. Adams There BE placed IN a strong set
OF ir0n', and given up TO M. ckenuey. who con- /
Quoted him I'D Portland. The persons who took /
johnson 9 Montreal were all strangers iO him. and
70 Is worthy OF remark, tat soon ~ lct rad So.
cured him, he eagerly inquired, irheiher Net htd |
f1teH him fDr robbiHg NE nail On ISIS way FROM |
81 Aln'n, here, johnson was sullen and took bu 4
very little food, aud knockcd Tie person ou Of
'he wagon who was diving him. u arrived 90 ihis /
iown Ou Tuesday last, and " orcasioncd no small \
STIR amongst The people d. was examined in the
Courthouse, before Justice SOter aniid.t % great
crowd OF spectators, aud laid under bonds OF 1900
l0ilifs 70 appear aGd receive hs lfal ai the sitting
Of f'e snrrcme Court 'u this town in November