Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1849-09-22
M Mtare cot s..
4 Desperate Negro.

Some years since gentleman residing IN An
derson county in this State, sold negro man to
a citizen of Middle Tennessee. The negro was
removed to the home of his new master, but in
a short time away and returned to Anderson
county, and sscreted himself for year or more,
in the neighborhood Of his loife but finally dis
covered and apprehended, and again taken to
Middle Tennessee. He remained the second
time until favorable opportunity was present
ed and again absconded. This was six or sew
en- years since. large reward wa. offered for
his apprehension. Diligent search was for
long time made, but no traces of him being dis
covered, his running away had passed entirely
out of the minds of all but his owners A few
days since, however, two men, residing in An
derSon county, by the name of Diggs and Low,
were out with their rifles hunting game. Being
fatigued and thirsty, for the purpose of refresh
ing themselves, they concluded to go to fine
spring not far off. This they did, and up to the
cabin, where there were several white women
living. Diggs took his seat upon bed while
his companion, Low, remained in the yard
One of the women was in the cabin, and so soon
as Dggs entered, she commenced sprightly
conversation with him, during which she ap-
preached the bedside and let fall on the floor
large butcher knife at which, as soon as struck
the floor, the hand of negro caught from under
the bed. Diggs' suspicion being thus awakened
he with great presence of mind, kicked the
knife beyond the reach Of the hand, and instant
ly a huge negro sprang out, drew up axe
with both hands, and was swinging it over so as
to cleave the skull of Diggs, when fortunately
the force of the blow was so far checked by the
axe striking the loft,' that all the injury Diggs
sustained was a slight cash in his forehead, of
four or FIVE inches in length. Diggs cooked
his gun, presented it at the negros breast and
fired but the negro observed the precise posi-
ton of the muzzle, and placed the broad side of
the axe before it, so that the bullet must neces-
sarily strike it, as it did. Diggs sprang upon
the negro and grappled, but did not succeed in
throwing him until the negro had struck him
another severe blow above the eye with the axe
The report of his gun brought Low into the
cabin just as Diggs threw the negro upon the
bed. Low ran up Immediately and with his
butcher knife stabbed the negro three times in
the side, sticking the knife each time az deep as
he could. Finding that this did not vanquish
the negro who still struggled with Diggs he
placed his gun at the negro's side and discharged
the entire load into his body. This overcame
the negro, and he yielded, bleeding from every
wound very profusely Diggs and Low suppos-
ing that he must necessarily die, went out in
search of neighbors, who, when they came in,
discovered the negro still alive, and knew him
to be the same negro so long in the woods
The negro was removed to the Clinton Jail,
where he is now confined to await trial for the
assault upon Diggs life, the punishment for
which, if he be convicted, is death though we
learn there is no probability that he will recoY-
er.-KnOrriAe (7enn.) Register.