The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-06-06
For the Journal,
TO THE PUBLIC.

beg leave to submit the following state
mcnt Of facts in relation 10 the escape ti
James Brown from my custody on the 29th
ut. | left Columbia with the prisoner, his
hands well secured in irons, which remained on
him, until we arrived al the Junction. at which
place, took them off for short time, but
under such circumstances, as entirely 10 pre-.
cudc the possibility Of his escaping. re.
placed the irons, and we went on very Well
until we had passed the River about mile
here he effected his escape from The car by
jumping distance of Is or l9 feet. was
sitting opposite him, and not at The door OF the
car, as has been incorrectly stated. His habit
had been to stand up frequently, Or at times to
rest himself and on this occasion, he embraced
the opportunity whilst on his feet TO make his
fatal leap. had The cars stopped as soon as
could. and Immediately jumped alter him, i"l-
lowed by Mr.. VIM. E. johnson Jr. whose
kindness with other gentlemen wh" assisted
throughout the entire search, shall ever hold
in grateful remembrance. We were unal.ls to
stop the cars short of some half mile, as they
were running over the trestle work faster than
usual, to gain time lost by detention, and by
the time we got to where Brown fell, we could
SEQ nothing OF him. We searched short
time, but the swamp being very thick and close
at hand, afforded him secure hiding place
We then went on to Middleton, some two miles
distant, and procured the assistance OF three
gentlemen, and returning made as d!:Srnt
search rs the laicness of the hour and the cir.
cums,anccs would permit. Returning TO Mid.
dIeton we awaited the arrival of an extra train
from Camden, with assistance which came
promptly and generoIlsly 10 my aid about ten
o'clock tho same night. The passes of the
swamp were guarded, and the search as efiec.
tuaI as could be done under the circumstances
at night. Next morning every possible effort
was made to find him, but without success.
The swamp was travcrsed to considerable
extent, and we were compelled to abandon the
search. offered reward for Browns appre.
hcnson, and am glad 10 stale by this means
have succeeded in getting him; he is now IN
my custody. from which i; is hardly possible he
will ever again attempt to escape. physician
has been in attendance upon him, and he will
have every thing done for his comfort that is
necessary. This is simple statement oi
facts, relating to this unfortunate affair. In
conclusion | beg leave to add, that whilst ]
regret, as much as any one could, this unhappy
circumstance, I have no cause wherewilh to
rcproach myself and though incurred great
responsibility, it was on the side OF humanity.
To me it will ever he a source of the greatest
qualification, that whilst The prospect all around
seemed dark and drear, many friends by Prac.
tcaI illustration evidenced that charity which
suffereih long and Is kind, in contradistnction
most obviously to that narror, mean souied sei'
fshness, which is ever suspicious, and under
adverse circumstances treacherously seeks 10
crush and to destroy, which seeks
"To convey libel in frown,
And wink reputation down.
Verify does ''suspicion ever haunt the guilty
mind"
To all who hoped for the best, my sincere
thanks are due. B
THOS. ]. WARREN, y Z
Sheriff Kershaw Dissrict.
Camden, June I'd, ls4s. 'r