Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-07-11

black man and child there near the stone
house. There was crowd present and
understood the negroes were to be tried
before Justice. Saw Elihu Frazier
there. Saw him assist neither party
Saw John Pickering there a: the west
end of the meeting house after the trial
talking to the negro. Don't know what
was said. Saw the negro walk short
distance and mount horse. Gilcherson
handed him the child, and the negro
started off with him alone. Took no no.
tice of Pickering at the time. Heard the
negro say nothing. Immediately after,
saw Paul Way riding in advance of the
negro. Can't say Way was guiding him
and don't know where they went. New
er heard the defendants say where they
went, nor whose team brought them from
the Des Moines. Know nothing of the
wagon while in Salem. There was a
good deal of talking in the house. Don't
know whether Justice took charge Of the
case. EIihu and Clarkson Frazier were
there, talking with the company. There
were two parties there, one wanting to
take the negroes-the others talked of
having trial. Supposed the latter made
up the crowd. Heard that trial had
been agreed upon before the crowd went
to the house. Understood there was op-
position to taking the negroes without a
trial. Didn't see them leave the house.
Don't know why Mcclure left town.
Saw Pickering at the end Of the house
with the negro. Some Of the crowd were
in the house, some out. Didn't notice the
Fraziers in the house. Way was on his
horse when first saw him, came from
the other side of the house, and had start
ed. Negroes horse was south west of
the meeting house. Ways at the north. -
Way was ahead, and the negro followed
at a short distance. Were on canter,
and went towards the north. Hadn't
noticed Way before that day. Didn't see
him until after the negro had moun:ed.-
Can't say that the negro was ordered TO
leave the meeting house by any of the
crowd. Didn't see the yellow man. Re-
sided in the neighborhood seven years, at
that time two miles from Salem. Don't
know of any Society to seduce negroes
from Missouri, or Of any meeting to make
arrangements Tor that purpose. Have
heard there was. The meeting house is
called the Abolition or Anti-Slavery meet
ing house. It is used for public worship.
Have seen some Of defendant. there
Was in The meeting house part ofthe time,
don't know that have heard defendants
talk about The affair in Salem.
Cross examined. Understood there
We're slaves about that some one wanted
to take 10 Missouri, which the citizens
riosiiy. oss :"1' The Black man and child
eating piece of bread. Can't name any
person that spoke 80 them there. Heard
no opposition to going to trial. Heard no
one wish to take them of without trial.
The Missourians were required to prove
property as was informed. II was the
first information | had. Saw John Pick :
ering at the meeting house with the ne
ero,--didn't watch him. Several persons
spoke to the negro. Suppose it was
twenty-five yards from the crowd to Paul
Wav. He lived north east of Salem, the
road he took was the usual direction to
his house. The negro was close TO him,
when | last noticed them but two or three
steps between them. Don't know where
they went, and have heard none of the de-
PENDANTS say. Heard TO threats made,
understood threats were made by some of
defendants Saw no violence, 10, pistols
drawn. Saw the handle of pistol in
Browns pocket.
Plaintiffs counsel here asked time Of the
Court to procure another witness. De-
PENDANTS counsel objected, and it was re-
fused, whereupon plaintiff announced that
he had no further evidence to offer.
Mr. Hall prayed nonsnit as TO num-
Der of the defendants. Rorer opposed the
motion on the ground that the jury alone
had right to decide upon the evidence
1t was finally agreed by counsel that if a
nonsuit were entered as to any of defend
ants during the trial plaintiff might use
them as witnesses.
Mr. Henderson was then sworn on the
part Of the defendants and examined by
Mr. Hall. Was present in Salem at the
time of the occurrences, and saw a crowd
at Gibbs office. II went up to the meet
ing house and witness followed. Button
was Atty. for negroes. Slaughter said he
was agent, and offered to prove that. the
negroes were slaves by Mcclure. Gibbs
said he had no jurisdiction. The negro
went out himself. Saw no Violence
Went with Slaughter from the meeting
house to his stopping place. He said he
believed that if he had commenced proper
" he would have been sustained by the
majority of the law abiding men in Salem,
but he was fairly beat and would go home.
Cross examined. / did say there was
Direct. resumed. Slaughter said in the
meeting house that he could not show any
written authority.
J,H. Rose. sworn. Resides in Salem
and was there at the time. Saw crowd
coming from the stone house, as was 60
ing to dinner. Asked what it meant, and
was told there was to be trial about some
Slaves. Went to Gibbs Office, and after
wards to the meeting house. Saw the ne
gro man and child. Button inquired if a.
nv one was the agent of Daggs. There
was some talk about the agency. Gibbs
was asked to discharge the negroes and
declare them free. lie said he had no ji-
risdic,ion, and they were free as himself,
1, n i ;.,, Crowd hn~an fo run