Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-09-20
From the Marion fohiol visi,er.

Nsgrdccfut OccHrrence.-- Tuesday morning
last presented scene OF confusion and ex.
lcitement never before witnessed in our peace
lul village. II appears that negro, well
known 10 our citizens by the name Of Bill,
was. sometime time since, taken Oh rs a run
away slave from Virginia. and lodged in the
/ jailolthis county for trial On Monday,
the day set for his trial, we discovered an
unusual number Of PERSONS nsssmbled 10
hear the rrsult-the house was crowded to
Overlooking. The witnesses were examined
and counsel heard. the Judge. however, re-
served bis decision I'LL The following morn
ing. 3FIa3fH ran W al
II being the FIRST day OF the sitting Of the
Court Of Common Pleas, q great mass Of
people was assembled. At ten O'Clock, A.
NJ, the court was called (the house was lit
orally crowded TO hcor the decision OF tho
Judge. which occupied at least 40 minutes
10 delivering, during which, The greatest Of
der prevailed but as soon as ms the Hon. o.
Bowen had finished, BY declaring the pris.
oner free, nll was confusion. riot and disor-
der. As soon as the decision was ended, The
pretended owners seized the prisoner tho
byestanders resisted and endeavorcd to res
cue him, declaring him TO be free. and desi.
ring them 10 lei him run at large, bat the
Virginians still maintained their position bv
force, and presented pistols. bowie knives. &c
lhrealning the lives OF all them who would
lay hands on them or the negro, and all this
in open court. Our citizens and friends from
....e country stood out in defence of their
trampled and insuted laws which were thus
set at defiance.
In the scene Of confusion the negro was
taken down stairs and dragged by his capt
ors through the streets. Those who forced
him onward were armed with pistols, bowie
knives and daggers. AT this unusual spd
horrible sight, The populance became ezra
ged and attacked them with stones, and what
ever missiles they could get hold of--~theyat
length succeeded 10 getting him info one OF
our JUSTICES office and there guarded him
(as is stately for a new trial. Before the
door OF the Office the excited multitude assem-.
BLEED. demanding justice and the negro, bur
all of no avail, The entrance was guarded
with pistols anil bowie knives. Az this
time The sheriff arrived and begged 10 be
beard. and requested the mob TO dispense, but
this was also ofno eifecL-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
populace under arms still demanded en-.
,fanre which was refused All the orders
Of the Sheriff and court 10 restore order
seemed to be Of no effect. Pistols and bow.
lie knives were all the law.
Az length one of the Associate Judges.
Judge Anderson) who left the bench, and
IN defiance Of cooked pistols and flashing
steel, forced his way into the Office. after
which others followed. and burst open ,he
back door, by which means the negro made
his escape. He had run but short distance,
when he was overtakcn by his pursuer, who
threatened him with presented pistol to shoot
him. il he did not stop. Al this time a num-
Der Of The enrnged multitude fell upon the
pursuer and knocked him down. another
who came to his assistance. shared the same
fate. The confusion continued unill orders
were given to arrest the rioters During the
arrest of the rioters, the negro made his es-
cape. and has not since been heard Of.
We would further remark that the rioters
1--WE believe eight in number) were the same
day arrested. and recognised 10 appear from
day 10 day. under the bonds OF 5000 each.