Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-01-22


which the prison cells open. In this con
fined pass there occurred a scene, unexam-
pied in real life aud which imagination
never descended to invent or portray.
The prisoners had broken the glass 10 a
small sash, designed TO admit light into their
CELL and to keep the cold out as well as
might be, Mr. Leach had closed up with some
pieces of board. This fixture caught the
eyes of the more forward of the mob, who
so savagely hungered and thirsted, as it
were, for the sight of poor Prescous last
mortal throe and death gle,-"Here,"
they franticly exclaimed; "here is the place
they are to hang him." and in an instant the
temporary defence against the cold was
ripped from the aperture, as if it were mere
ly piece of paper. The rush to get a view
of what was supposed to be going on, that
followed this announcement, was shocking
and dreadlul-not less than fifty were
wedged into a space where dozen could
not stand at ease. Women, shrieking for
their lives, were lifted up by the pressure,
till their heads struck the ceiling above, and
they, in turn, unavailingly beseeched 10 be
permitted TO retire.
While this revolving scene was enacting
within the house, another equally disgusting
and ferocious was exhibited outside. Ours
es, loud and deep, and savage threats, were
uttered against MIR Leach unless he would
bring Prescott out. that they might Lynch
him. A number OF the wrctches in front
clambered up on to the woodpile, which par
tally gave way beneath their weight and
the sons and daughters of Beial were seen
staggering, Keeling, and rolling down into
the middle OF the road 1t was OF course
impossible for Mrs Leach, by any human
effort or precaution, to pTeven, their outcries
and rufiianly yells from reaching the ears
of her sick daughter She frequently and
distinctly heard the horrible threats uttered
against both Prescott and her father and her
apprehensions for his safety terrified her to
such degree that her reason became I'M
settled, and every expedent resoted TO to
calm her perturbed spirits, was Intellectual.
Towards evening the rioters, sick OF hope
deferred, suddenly began to retire chagrlned
at their disappointment One nfuriated and
intoxicated brute made an expiring effort to
seize Prescott, and offered, if fifty men would
join him, TO 90 down to the village to pro-
cure axes. with which to storm and demol.
ish the Jail Six, however. only Joined his
standard, and he abandoned bis gallant pro.
Ject. and mngling with the receding crowd,
was not seen again in the quiet village of
Hopkin,on After the noises and consler-
nation ceased, Mrs Chase became somew ha,
composed and might have recovered from
the fright, if another hostile demonstration
had not been made about 10 o'clock at night
A bot, r,ra,alant ho, a.
ton was TO take place at that hour, in the
Jail, and about fifty marched up there in a
body and renewed the disturbance and part
y effected an entrance into the kitchen
After much entreaty and explanation, they
were induced TO retire, but not until the
fresh alarm had caused Mrs Chase to re-
lapse into another paroxysm, from which
she never recovered For eight and forty
hours she fingered in state Of heart.rend.
ing delirlum-at times exclaiming in the
bllterest agony that the mob were killing
her father, and at others repaying the assid
uous attentions and soothing endeavors of
her afflicted mother, with tie wild unmean-
ing laugh of insanity. After the second at
tack, she never indicated any consciousness
OF her situation, and at the close of the sec.
ond day, death drew his veil over the tragic
and melancholy scene. She has left two
very young chldren-the eldest daughter
only twenty'one months, and the youngest,
an infant son, only week old, on the dav
of her death. She was the only surviving
child Of her bereaved parents, and was
greatly beloved by large circle of friends |
for her amiable character, and greatly ad-
mlred for her accomplishments. She was
twenty-five years Of age, and had been mar
ried about three years. to Robert F. Chase,
Esq, the United States Consul at Martinique,
who is at this very moment fondly expect
ing her to join him, in the spring, at his
consulate.