The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-01-13
From The Boston Morning Post.
A SCENE OF THRILLING INTERES.


losophy and experience unite IN confirming; noI
are its unhappy effects merely confined to the guilty
agent, as n most distressing example, exhibited III
Court yesterday, will illustrate -
4 A short time since n lad named David B. Bragg
offered some secondhand books for sale at the
r" Antique Book Store" in Cornhlll, kept by MIR
Burnham, where they were recognized as being
books stolen from Mr. s. G. brakes store, next
door The boy of course arrested, and impli-
Gated two other lads, as his confederaets-Daniel
o. Brien and Michael O'Bricn, brothers-the former
twelve the latter nine years ofage.-The boy Bragg
was ordered to recognize for his appearance at the
Municipal Court in the of s 100, and warrants
issued against the OBriens, who were brought up
yesterday, and, having confessed their privy to the
theft, were also required give bonds, and ordered
TO be committed to Jail for the want thereof The
mother of the two brothers--a widow-was present,
but did not utter syllable till the examination was
concluded, and the result announced, when she
rose from her seat, and asked what they going
to do with her boys
"They must go to Jail, unless they can be hailed"
replied three or four voices. "My children shall
not go to jail-hey are innocent" she answered
F" That must be foi Jury to determine" all
the notice her remark eliced.-Sbe then moved in
the direction Of her boys, and said" If you take
them to Jail, you shall take with them" g Don't
go to making a fuss about it they will be taken
Of" said the officer, interposing prevent her
folding her cloak around her boys, stood literally
like the hen gathering her brood under her wings.
Apprehendng a conflict, yet unwilling to resort in
the first instance to physical force the officers
sayed the of persuasion, but were unable pre-
vail over her prejudices by the beatitudes of the
prison they pathetcally portrayed. The more
they argued the more she wouldn't be convinced
and the louder they called upon the boys to quit
her, the more firmly they clung to her waist, till
became apparent they could not be removed without
a scuflile
The officer laid hands on one of them, but was
actually driven from his ground hy the screcches of
the boys, and the shrieks of the mother. Two Off
GERS then advanced towards them with words of
honey their lips, but with bars and bolts in their
hearts, aud that they well knew and again compel-
ed retreat by the mere power of their yes. 1t
was now evident that the prisoners must be permit
ted to go at large the process of The law nuied by
violence and main strength be
called into action fierce struggle now took place.
With the tennciy of a tiger, the mother graspcd the
boys, and they fastened upon her like young wild
CATS and the whole three sent up n mngl led howl
of horrible distress, that was truly appalling. Sew
eral times the hands of the officers upon the
boys, but she often wrenched them back again,
Now facing To the right, and then to the left she
sept them at bay, till by the velocity of one of her
'volutions, she unfortunately flung the younger lad
hat cung TO her back, aside upon the floor. Being
,asy prey To his enemy and was instantly led off,
She had now but one to protect and with indomta-
,le strength, agility, and courage, she maintained
resistance, and disputed every inch, utterly re-
yurdless conscious that the tastenn9s of her
apparel had nearly all Given way in the encounter
The ribbon with which her cloak was tied beneath
her chin remained faithful the longest, but that al
last proved teacherous and with fell all her hopes
Of rescuing her only son. by the suddenuess of
one of her lateral lurches, the little fellows grippe
upon her waist was broken, and percciving himself
lisengaged, he seized her by the cloak. At this
moment the mother was inclined backward, and was |
only supported from falling by her cloak, held by !
her boy, who also stood in similar attitude oppo-
site. A constable now attached his weight to the |
boys's rear, and after pulling and hauling some Sec |
onds "split the difference between the mother and
son." drawing with him the cloak, and the mother
falling PROSTATE the oor by the force of eravita
ion. She fell her whole length, aud heavily, and
appeared to be somewhat stunned by the fall, and
before she could rise her last boy consigned to
MS cell.
Pcrccying that her desperate struggle had been
she endeavored to regain her composurc,
md adjust her dress but her agony was too thar
owing TO exist without some external note, and,
hough speechess, and unobservant of the place and
is functlonarles, she commenced clappng her hands,
n the very evaporation of despair. Twice did the
'rder to leave the Court fall unheedingy upon her
,ar, but the third summons she obcyed, and as all
present supposed, left the premises But FIVE min.
ites after she was found lying senseess, just beyond
he door, and upon being moved, she fell into con-
usions, with foam and blood gushing out of her
mouth As soon carriage could be obtained
hc was removed, and in some degree revived and
,acitied
BY this time, the excitement and curiosity occa-
ioned by the singular contest which had taken
,lace, had in some degree subsidized, and the specu-
ator had leisure TO reflect upon the unutterabe
yush he had witnessed, 1t an exhibition of
luman feclng-a mothers aifecton-blnd perhaps,
gnorant certainly-but yet human and natural,
IS it was deep aud dark. When exhausted with the
fray's toll, and intensity of woe, she reclincd
gainst the carriage, pale death, it was impossi-
'e to refrain from asking
d" Isit Heavens will /:
To try the dust il kindled for a day
VIII, infinite agonyf'
A second PutmoR.-A week or two since David
iadley, David Seavy, Asa Wasgait, Asa Wasgatt,