Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-09-03
4 SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER.

SHAhhS
We attended on Monday last, the ex
animation of man who calls hi mself ~
neon Cochran. II seems that being obser
we'd to pass his time chiefly with the black
and being seen at their houses and in con
versation with them in retired situation
an effort was made 10 ascertain from hin
who be was; and wha. was his business
His apparent unwilliDgness TO give any
satisfactory account OF himself led TO sus
picions, upon which bis arrest was or
dered.
The Magistrate who issued the warrant
invited the two judges residing in Town
to be present. and his person, baggage
and papers were minutely examined. lie
had in his pockets near $4,000 in Bank pa
per, most Of it in notes Of 500 each OF the
United States Bank. His trunks exhibit
ed most singular spectacle, being the
receptacle Of almost every thing that their
size could contain-Medicines Of almost
every description; axe. hammers, chissels,
Gimblets, Dice, Sweatcloth. Handcufis
Candle stick, pieces Of Sperm Candle,
Birdie reins; Cups and Saucers. Spoons
Sc. SIC. Amongst his papers. besides old
newspapers, and pamphlets, bills, receipts
&c. there we're found a commission al
justice Of the Peace. and Post Master in
North Carolina some twelve or fifteen
years ago. A letter from a gentleman oil
the Bar dated Louisville, KY. April 18th
1885. of which the superscription and AL
dress were torn of, in which the writer
complains that he failed 10 appear at the
circuit Court, in consequence Of which
his recognizance in which the writer and
another were securities for $1,000 would
be forfeited, and urges him to come and
take his trial or send him the amount Of his
securityship. Another letter written by him
self, dated Baltimore, July &c. 1885. is
addressed to his Son IN Philadelphia,
which states that he had just arrived IN
Baltimore found no negroes, and that
he thought of going to Liverpool. Anoth
er letter apparently written at the same
time, is dated Liyerpool-July 1885, ad
dressed to his daughter in Tennessee
which states that he had just arrive after
a passage of fifty days aud thought of go.
ing TO Scotland. Another paper purport
ed to be an agreement, in which the per
son who signed it contracted not to pros
ecute or expose 5. Cochran for carrying
off his negro woman from Adams county,
Mississippi, compensation therefor having
been made.
la answer 10 interogatories propounded
to him, and which he was Informed he
might answer or not, as he pleased, he
stated that he was a native Of " Carolina,
where be had been Merchant; that he
had removed to the vicinity Of Nashville
some eight or ten years ago; that he had
been purchasing Negroes in Kentucky,
Mississippi. and Louisiana for the last
year or two, had left New Orleans in the
Brig Pilgrim about the seventh Of June
last. and arrived in Philadelphia about the
middle Of July, from thence had proceed
cd TO Baltimore, and came to this place
on the So,h of July, solely to purchase ne
groes. In answer to the proof as to the
mystery with which he had conducted
himself here, his absen:ing himself from
his lodgings, particularly at night. aud
his being found associating with blacks
visiting their houses privately and much
to their alarm, he gave no satisfactory &C
count. except that he told several persons
he wished to buy negroes. and in one in
stance was actually treating for the pur-
chase Of woman. When at the close oil
the examination he was asked for expla
nation as TO the papers mentioned above
he seemed quite COMPOUNDED and scarcely
attempted explanation Although DO proc
was given ofany specific act committed by
him here, we believe the impression wa,
universal that he was an old offender, mos
probably regular Kid napper. and nov
fugitive from justice. The Msgistrat,
consented that he should forthwith take
himself of 10 the Steamboat for Balimor,
with the assurance that if again found il
our vicinity he would be spprehended an,
committed. We have deemed it our dut,
TO put the community on their guard a
gainsl him. and for that purpose will ad,
that Cochran is apparently between fifty
five and sixty years OF age. about five fee
ten inches high, stoops in his walk, has 1
down look. hair very grey, and has los
the two first joints ofthe little finger of tn
left hand. The papers above alluded t.
have been detained. and are deposite,
with the Clerk Of Kent County Court
Cochran left this on Monday in the Steam
boat Virginia for Baltimore. Buglt