The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-07-05
MOST DIABOLICAL OUTRAGE.

Messrs. c. ]. Shelley, ]. c. Keep, c. A.
Harris, and S. w. Peckham were stopt
ped on the highway near Chepachet, las
Wednesday evening, by some of DORIS ar
med rufiiaDs. The two latter were met by
a patrol on horseback. about quarter of a
mile from the village. One of the partrol
Immediately started for the village, and
sixteen men, with muskets, stopped the
chaise in which Messrs. Harris and Peck
ham were riding; one ofthem jumped upon
the steps and exclaimed, "they are damned
iandholders let's arrest them" At this,
the party pointed theil muskcts at them,
were carried TO Sprague's tavern. where,
with the two first named, (who were ares
ted at the tavern, their hands were bound
behind them with cords. and the four were
marched on foot to Woonsocket, twelve
miles distant. under a guard Of thirty men.
Half of this distance the were marched with
their hands tied behind them. At Woon-
socket, they were put in barn and suppl
ed with food. In the morning they were
liberated, it is supposed by the intercession
of Mr.. West, who, although one Of DORIS
men, appears not to have made up his mind
to highway robbery. Some of the men
were alarmed at the probable effect of this
outrage, and as report was in circulation
that a force would be instantly sent from
Providence. this undoubtedly had great
effect in procuring release. Their arms
were not restored, nor was the money of
which they were robbed. 1t is impossible
TO describe the sensation which the news of
this arrest caused in the city, and which
had increased to a terrible height, when 1t
was partially relieved by the intelligence of
their release.
MIR. Shelley, being exhausted with the
painful march,was urged on by the bayonet,
with which he was repeatedly picked, un-
til. being faint and absolutely unable TO go
on, he was thrown into wagon. The
othars were also abused and insulted during
the march. air. Shelley did not arrive in
the city till afternoon, having been detained
OF account of his injuries. He is seriously
i'll, and suffering severely from the inhuman
treatment which he received.
1t is TO be considered that the men upon
whom this outrage was committed, were
moi accused ol any OIehCe, efen aCCoiuihS
to Doris constitution, nor were they arres-
ted by any warrant or other authority. The
only charge against them was, that they
were damned landholders." The young
men who were so barbarously captured and
mal-treated, bore themselves throughout IN
the most spirited manner. Although it
was more than once proposed to murder
them in cold blood, not one of them qualifi-
,d,or made any supplication to the ruffians,
but with calm defiance babe them work
their will only assuring them of the Just
vengeance which would speedily follow.
Public opinion calls, trumpet-tongued, for
The prompt vindication of the law and for
the punishment of the ruffians who have
committed this outrage. The citizens stand
ready to support the government in any
manner which may be necessary, and to
maintain,with their property and their lives,
the supremacy of the laws We need not
add. that the men entrusted with the ad-
ministration of the government will do their
duty. Providence Jour.