The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-08-29
600
CAPT. THGNDERBOLT

/ = ''.' q % q btsts " ApH Jditfa.
PosrLAsD, Aug. IA week ar ,w.
! ago We mentioned the Sudden departur,
J tsam this town of fellow by the name u
John johnson, who set up here some fs,
| or SIX months SINCE, ~ baibrr. lie hi
red u horse aud chdisr from Mr.. Mken
ney's stable for IA fGw days. aud after hi,
departure, suspicious arose that it was hi,
intention net IN return. lie was mime
dlateIy pursued through New Hampshire
aud Vermont, aud finally arrested near ia.
canada line and confined In Jail M ST. Al.
bans. II Will be rrcdtcled, perhaps, that
man by the name OF Martin, who was
executed few years ago ut Boston, gives
an account in his dying confessions OF one
OF his aecompliecs Ia crime, who was de-
s'Snated by the nauie vi" Captaa, Thun-
derhoh" Il name given him probably on ac-
count of lis giant strength and daring spir-
It, which qualified hun idr IL desperate
leader uf Il band OF outlaws. After John
sons departure FROM town "A rnmor soon
spread, that he was no less parsonage than
this SATIRE Captain ThuhdelhGlt, aud his
fGculean frame, aud dark ,iagt, ard
more especially The lightning which was
seen IN his piercing black eyes rose up us
ready witnesses to give credibnity to the
story, which was verify believed by many,
and Is IL this day Ii WAS even said that
men whose faces had passed beneath his
razor, now shuddered III the thought, and
women were more careful than ever on
retiring at night 10 see that doors aud win
dows were all made secure. When news
arrived here hat Johnson was confined in
St. Adams jail, Mr.. Mckinney started
with proper authorities to briug linn To
chl5 town for trial. On his arri, ri III St
Albaus, however, he WAS not ltte sur
prlsed that johnson had been absent from
there almost u week johnson had told
the people very far story, that he had
hired the horse and chaisc at so much per
day, for as long fine as he pleased that
he was professor aud IA lover Of religion :
belong d To Il baptist church, and WAS era
ely prosecuted. These arguments il
seems were sufficient for the good pooplr
of st. Adams. They wanted no further law
nor evidence, but took him out of Jail
forthwith for trial ; and as no dlrc appear
ed against him, he WAS discharged without,
delay.--On Mr.. M'kenncy,s arrival al ST.
Alhans, however, the high sheriff N thai
place, and All ATTORNEY al law, rediiHy Of
lered then 81 isiccs 10 pursue Johnson and
bring him back. They accordingly depar-
ted and found him at Montreal, il Canada.
He WAS discovered at IA PUBLIC house ;
where he spent considerable part OF the
Afternoon, rolling nine-pns. A no one
daIed venture To taxi him, il WAS deter
nlnee ~ watch him Ill he should retire 10
bed at night. Accordingly after he had
gone to his chamber, Eve men went up,
probably with the expectation Of finding
this Sampson a,Ierr, that they might lay
their hands on him and live. But il seems
he had too many cares revolving IN his
breast, 10 be under the influence of tired
natures sweet rastorer,' and as they en-
tered his chamber he sprals from the bed,
upon which he,had thrown himself with
ont undressing, rushed upon his ASSISTANTS,
and Knocked them down one after another
till he was met by an Irshman, Il man of
great strength, who had armed himself
with cndgeI, aud was very expert in the
art of welding it. He 5000 fetched J0hn-
son to the flo6r with IL heavy hlnw over
The head, and Succeeding IN binding his
arms, and rendering hin ,lanngrabic.-
Having some distance 10 so by water, |
Johnson was taken on tudrd = boat and
owed of, accompanied by sevca merf.--
When they reached the place were they
were to take land carriages, and were get
ing out Of the boat, johnson, b. IA prodi
,ious oitnrt of strength broke the cord
which bound his arms, aud sndtching Il
word cane from tks hands of one ~ the |
'Hccrs, pat himself IN ii posture of defence,
death IL any one who should !
approach him. But the irishmau, on
whom the hopes Of the company rested,
BY his superior skill at cudge play, drlen
led himself from the thrusts of Johnson,
gave him several severe bruises, brOk his
sword, and finally disanncd him, whcre
Ipon ne was Rebound, placed in The car
irvrn ol1 NJ full speed for St. Alhans.-
There he was placed in strong set of
rons and given up to Mr.. Mckinney, who
conducted him 10 Portland. Tile persons
who took Johnson al Montredi were all
strangers 10 him, and it is worthy Of re-
mark, that as soon az they had secured
him, he cSerly inquired trhether they had
laten him for 5pbbiaE he mall On his
way from st. Albans here, Johnson was
sulIen, and took bUt very little food, and
once knocked the person out of the wagon
who was driving him. lie arrived in this
town on Tuesday last, and " occaslopcd
no sItal stir amongst the people" He
was examined in the Court House before
Justice Storer amidst a great crowd of
spectators, and laid under bonds Of 81 200
TO appear and receive his trial at the sit
ting OF the Supreme Court in this town in
November next. The prisoner being una
bic to obtain bail, was committed.
The Diurio Romano, states that the
Queen ofThibet has requested of the Pope
eighty missionaries of the college d. Pro
Eide, 10 introduce Christianity,