Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-04-25
From the Erie Observer, April ~.
HIGH HANDED OUTRAGE.

1lGH HANDED OU lhAOE.
Our town has been under high state Of
excitement since Thursday evening, in con-
of the preparation of one Of the
most daring and vile cases Of abduction TO
be found in the annals of this country
The extent of the excitement and the brief
time which has elapsed since the occur
renee, rendering it impossible to arrive at
all the facts of the case it might perhaps
seem proper to postpone any notice of them
until they are brought forth on legal invcs.
tigation but as many and contradictory
statements are adoat, and much public at
tenton drawn to the matter, we have deem.
ed it our duty to relate the circumstances
so far as we have been able to collect them
automatically, and as we consider beyond
controversy.
These are, briefly, that as Mist,
very estimabe young lady, and daughter
liable citizens, was returning home from
public assembly at the American Hotel, at
between eleven and twelve O'Clock on that
evening, accompanied by Mr., and
when about half way to her fathers house.,
she was accosted by Capt. r. G. Bristol, of
the steamboat James Madison, with a re.
quest that she would go with him. On her
replying that she would not, and her CON-
panion finding force was to be used, decla-
ring she /" should not while he lived" Cap.
tain b. gave signal, by whistling, when a
number of other men in disguise immedi-
ately presented themselves, and portion
OF them siezed the companion Of Miss*--,
holding him fast, while Capt. B. and others
forced her into a carriage then in waiting,
and drove off to the steamboat; on which
the steam had already been raised prepare
tory for going out, although the vessel was
not in q condition for sea, and was not ex.
pected to be fitted under ten days at least
and had no papers not even her enrolment
on board.
The companion of the young lady imme.
diately gave the alarm, and as soon as the
course of the carriage could be ascertained
pursuit was made towards the dock but
by the time the pursuers arrived there, the
boat was some yards out. Providentia,ly,
the Thomas Jefferson was lying at the same
pier, though without fire, and measures
were Immediately taken to get her under
way in chase. A number of citizens vol.
unteered their services on board the latter
which was got out in about three hours after
the departure of Madison. The night and
morning beng extremely foggy, no trace o.
the Madison could be obtained until they
approached Ashtabula creek where she was
discovered moored at the dock but left be-
fore the arrival Of the j. and headed fol
Cleveland. The latter, however did no
continue the pursuit directly Gas was evi
IDENTITY expected) but went into the harbor
where the individuals who had volunteered
their services Immediately went ashore, anC
after considerable search and enquiry dis
covered the young lady through the win
dow at public house, from which she made
a signal to them, when they immediately
rushed for the room, the door of which
they were obliged to break open in order
10 gain abundance. They there found the
object their search in company with Capt
b. who by promise, persuas;ons, and high
handed threats was endeavoring to prevail
upon her to marry him. He had, indeed
so far succeeded as to obtain her consen
on condition that he would Immediately re
turn with her to Erie,--she, in the excite
ment and agitation Of mind naturally at
tending such an occurrence, and operatin,
upon a nervous system, supposing this tn,
most effectual, and, in fact, the only mean
by which she could return to, and Obtain
the protection Of her DEMONSTRATING ais,
been assured by him that resistance wa
useless, and that he was prepared to carr,
out by force his fl II determination of ma
king her his wife.
AS soon, however, as she could be brough
TO realize that she was with friends VIII
would and could protect her, she avowe,
her desire to return, and threw herself up
on their protection. Here a severe strug
gle ensued, Capt. B. Selling her by the arm
which he held with a death.like grasp
which required the united strength Of
number to release. She was, however, re
leased, and taken to the boat, which imme
diately returned with her to Erie, where
she arrived, after an absence of about 1:
hours, and traversing 80 miles of lake nav
igation, to the no small Joy Of her parent
and high qualification Of all our citizens.
To heighten the iagrancy of the outrage
its author had siezed upon time when tn,
father of the victim was confined on q BET
of sickness, and wholly unable to rendo
her any protection.
We understand diligent measures are il
progress to arrest and bring to Justice tn,
principal in this outrage. A few individu
ais have been arrested and held to bail OF
charge of being accomplices in the trans
actions, and warrants, VIC believe are on
for others.