The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-09-28
From the Marion lOhiol Xisiter.

A DlsGRAcEFUL OCCURRENCE.-Tues morn
ing last presented scene of confusion and excite
ment never before witnessed in our peaceful village.
1t appears that negro, we'll known by our citizens
by the name of Bill, was some time since taken
up as runaway slave from Virginia, and lodged
in the Jail of this county for trial. On Monday
the day for his trial, we discovered an unusual
number of persons assembled to hear the result
THE house was crowded to overlooking. The
witnesses were examined, and counsel heard /; the
Judge, however, reserved his decision till the fol.
lowing morning.
1t being the first day of the sitting of the Court
of Common Pleas, great mass of people was as
sembled At ten o'clock, A. NJ, the court was
called (the house was literally crowded) to heal
the decision ofthe Judge, which occupied at eas
40 minutes in delivering, during which, the great
est order prevailed but as soon as the Hon. O.
Bowen had finished by declaring the prisoner free
all was confusion, riot and disorder. AS soon as
| ed the prisoner the bystanders resisted and en-
deavored to rescue him, declaring him to be free,
and desiring them to let him run at large, but the
Virgnans still maintained their position by force,
and presented pistols, bowie knives, dirks, &C..
threatening the lives of all them who would lay
hands on them or the negro, and all this in open
court. Our citizens and friends of the county
stood out in defence of our trampled and insulted
laws which were thus set at defiance.
E In this scene of confusion the negro was taken
down stairs and dragged by his captors through
the Streets Those who forced him onward were
armed with pistols, bowie knives and daggers.
At this unusual and horrible sight, the populace
became enraged and attacked them with stones,
and whatever missiles they could get hold of i;
they at length succeeded in getting him into one
of our Justices Offices, and there guarded him las
is stately for a new trial. Before the door of the
office the excited multitude assembled, demanding
Justice and the negro but all of no avail, the en-
trance was guarded with pistols aud bowie knives.
At this time the sheriff arrived and begged to be
heard, and requested the mob to be dispersed but
this was also of no effect At length the cry for
the public arms was made, the arsenal broken
open, and the arms obtained, which presented a
horrible spectacle. The excited popuIace under
arms still demanding entrance which was refused
All the o,ders of the sheriff and court to restore
order seemed to be of no effect. Pistols and bow
lie knives were all the law.
At length one of the associate Judges, Judge
Anderson) left the bench, aud in defiance of cock
ed pistols and flashing steel, forced his wav into
the Office, after which others followed, and burst
open the back door, by which means the negro
made his escape. He had run but short distance
when he was overtaken by his pursuer who threat
ened with presented pistol, to shoot him if he did
not STOP AT this time number of the enraged
multitude fell upon the persuer and knocked him
down; another who came to his assistance shared
the same fate. The confusion continued until or
ders were given to arrest the rioters. During the
arrest of the rioters, the negro made his escape
and has not since been heard of.
We would further remark that the rioters 1--WE
believe eight in unmber) were the same day ar
rested, and recognized to appear from day to day.,
under bonds of $500 each.