Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-27
Private Correspondence Of the New York Heraldl

Correspondence
PousHKEErsIE, May q, 1899.
Curious Search for Epidence-Hho Unprecedented
Rector?
You are undoubtedly aware that the Governor has
appointed Commissioner TO take the testimony OF
the various claimants and witnesses in relation to the
reward offered for the apprehension Of Thomas Rec
tor after his escape from your city in June last
order to enable him to decide upon the disposal Of
said reward. The Commissioner, in pursuance of his
appointment, arrived here on Wednesday last, and
upon the duties Of his appointment There
were present, in ALL about twenty persons, claimants
and witnesses, principally from Fishkill, who had
come to their claims and give In their testi-
mony concerning the affair. After consuming three
days in examining about quarter of the Witnesses
they adjourned to Fishki for the accommodation of
the witnesses living there; from thence they will
again adjourned TO this place. to wind up the affair.
There are four lawyers employed, besides the COM
missioner, by different claimants, so ! am not sure
but the clients share will be small after deducting
lawyers fees, &c.
given of the apprehension Of this man; and if you
think the following brief account worthy Of nser-
ton in your valuable paper, is at your disposal
After ms sy
there he stole a valuable horse, to help him on his
journey in passing through Fishki He excited
some suspicious from some person, knowing the
horse and his own condition, and pursued and
overtaken about mile above the village but on his
Showing fight" with bowie knife, as he after
wards said, they all scampered away like flock
of sheep" leaving him alone in his glory. He then
took swamp the road, where he lost his hat
coat, and boots, but escaped unscathed and unhurt
TO the main road, where he employed a colored man
to carry him his wagon to Poughkeepsie. The
colored man brought him to this place, where he
bought for him hat pair of shoes, and after
left him in vctualling cellar, and returned home
ward.
A short distance from the village he met two men
named Bovine and Light in pursuit of the man
. horse thief. The coored man then returned with
them where he had left him, but learned that he had
left but few moments previous but what direction
he took they eould not tell. Boune and Light then
procured the assistance of a carman Of village
named A. Van Black, who is a stout athletic man, TO
aid in the apprehension of the thief They all pro-
ceeded TO s. b. landing and the negro pointed out
their game sitting the steps Of the store house ap
parently Indifferent and unconcerned Bovine and
Light then requested Van Black to apprehend the
thief but he steadily refused unless they would pro-
mise him half of the reward offered for his APP
prehension Though he was then only known as
horse theft To this they finally consented, and
Van Black secured the prisoner while attempting to
escape, and alone and unassisted pinioned the man,
his struggles TO the contrary Notwithstanding, while
the that were fast enough to chase him and give
the alarm trembled like aspen leaves with fear
They then proceeded to the village, where the Pri-
soner was hundcutled and properly secured to pre-.
vent his escape; but even then Bovine and Light
were afraid proceed with the prisoner until load
ed pistol put in their hands, with the charge to
shoot him. should he attempt to escape or offer any
resistance. On their return they met number Of
others also in pursuit Of the thief They did not dis
cover the value Of their prisoner until they had pro-
ceedsd six eight miles on their journey, when
some person procured light, and, on examination,
charged the prisoner with being Thomas Rector; this
man is one of the claimants The negro is also a
claimant; and that delivered him up to the
officers in New York also has claim besides Bovine
and Light, Van Black and others; one man, believe
has claim, because he caught hold OF the skirts OF
the mans eeat, but unfortunately il slipped through
his fngers-'eause whyi he had not courage enough
TO hold on
No. NJ Editor knowing Won 10 he n man ef soupd
and discriminate Judgment, give us your opinion in
this case and tell us to whom should the money be
given.
ASswER-we rather think these claimants would
do as well to wait till Rector is tried, condemned,
and executed.