The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-09-21
VARIOUS 1EATTERSo
From the Marion (Ohio.) Visitor
DISGRACEFUL OCCURREN CE

Tuesday morning presented scene OF
confusion and excitement, never before
Witnessed in our peaceful village 1t APP
pears that a negro by the name Of Bill, was
sometime since, taken up as runaway
slave from Virginia, and lodged in the Jail
of this county for trial On Monday, the
day set for trial, we discovered an unsuaI
number of persons assembled to hear the re-
ult--the house was crowded TO overflow
ing. The witnesses were examined, and
counsel heard, the Judge. however reserved
descision tl the following morning. Ii
being the first day of the sitting OF the court
of Common Pleas. great mass OF the Peo-
pie were assembled. At ten O'Clock A. M.
the court was called (.he house was literal
ly crowded,) to hear the decision of the
Judge, which occupied at least 40 minutes
in delivering, during which the greatest or
der prevailed; but as soon as the Hon. D.
Bowen had finished by declaring the pri-
soner free, all was confusion, riot and dis
order.
As soon as the decision was ended, the
pretended owners seized the prisoner-the
| bystanders resisted and endeavoured to re-
scue him, declaring him to be free, and de-
string them to let him run at large, but the
! Virginians still maintained their possession
by force, and presented pistols, bowie
knives ,drks, etc, threatening the lives of all
them who would lay hands on them or the
negro and all this in open court. Our ciIi-
zens and friends from the country stood
out in defence of their trampled and insult
ted laws which were thus set at defiance.
In the scene Of confusion the negro was
taken down stairs, and dragged by his cap
tors through the streets. Those who for
ced him onward, were armed with pistols,
bowie-knves and daggers. At this unusual
and horrible sight the populace became en-
ragged, and attacked them with stones, and
whatever missiles they could get hold Of
they at length succeeded in getting him into
one of our Justices offices and there guard
ed him, as is stated for new trial.
Before the door Of the Office the excited
multitude assembled, demanding justice and
the negro, but all of no avail, and the Ell
ty,r.rrI r:-r~l~-~s-A 1e--"i"-
knives. At this time the Sheriff arrived and
begged to be heard, and begged the mob Ia
dispeIse but this was also of no effect. A
length the cry for the public arms was
made, the arsenal broken open, and the arms
Obtained which presented horrible spec
tacle. The excited populace under arms
still demanded entrance which was refused
All the efforts of the sheriff an1 court to re
t store order was OF no effect. Pistols ant
bowie-knives were all the law. At lengtl
, one OF the Associate Judges, Judge Ander
: SOM who left the bench, and in defiance o
{ cooked pistols and flashing steel, GorceC
, his way into the Office, after which other
s followed and bursted epen the back door
: by which means the negro made his es
: cape,
n He had run butsa short distance, when h
J was over taken by his pursurer, who threat
d ened with presented pistol, to shoot him
d he did not stop AT this limo number {
l. the enraged multitude fell upon the pursue
is and knocked him down, another who cam
y to his assistance shared the same fate. Th
confusion continued until orders were give
's to arrest the rioters the negro made his ei
s. cape, and has not since been heard of.
ct order to give our readers an idea OF tn
as spirit that prevailed, we quote one of III
I'd threats as thrown out by the rioters "B
a the living God in Heaven, will shoot th
IN rellowr'
st We should farther remark that the rioter
ill 1--WE believe eight in number) were the san
VS. day arrested and recognized to appear flo
IL day to day, under the bonds of 600 dolla
each.
IN Were we to go into detail of all the pa
ne ticulars at this time, it would occupy
nd least two or three columns of this day
Y, paper. We have therefore, concluded
y, await the farther result of the Court, al
bis present the whole in its proper light.
nd In conclusion we are happy to state tn
IS no lives were lost though several persor
en- were wounded. We hope that the gent
:" men from the South will return to their
en- tive State, fully satisfied that we have
m Court Of Justice in the town of Marion,
L." and people who are able and willing
rs: sustain it [! and that band Of armed assa
of ants are not able to trample upon our la
ac- with impuniiy.
me We cannot pass over without remind
be our readers and the public that the abo
put transaction was not an abolition or anti-at
ar lition fracas; large portion Of our citize
'ad who were engaged IN it, are not only /
md abolIiionists, but strongly opposed 10 abe
A ton principles. 1t was not the freedom