Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-08-13
CORES ponaence Of the Baltimore Sun ]
WASHINGTON. August Q.


fure Of their UhHs GHide-R'md-
mnys U'ounded-- CommiNed) or TriGl,
Sr.
For several weeks past the police OF
dis city have had reason 10 believe that .
person hy the name of VIM. l.. Chaplin.
! together with some others in this city.
who il is noi now deemed proper to men
ton has been the principle agent in iun-
ming of all, or nearly all, The runaway sla-
YES from this District. The plan seemed
to be for him to have two-horse carryall
or carriage and start early in the night.
He would take two or three and proceed
through Maryland by the way Of the San
Idy Spring to Pennsylvania, they paying
him $40 or So piece.
A few days since particularly con-
IsTucted two horse carriage arrived in this
city, and put up. about IL o'clock at night,
at Smi,hey & Sheckells' livery stable.
Suspicion Immediately attached itself to
The affair; and the officers were intent on
watching every movement. 1t was as
ceriained that Chaplin contemplated mo-
wing on Tuesday night, 9th instant; ac-
cordingly he paid his bill, and his carriage
was driven away by free yellow man,
by the name of Warner Harris, of the Isl
Ward. Harris played around the city,
going at number of places, until 10 o.
clock, when he took in, in the neighbor-
hood Of 4! and G streets, two runaway
slaves. belonging to the Hon. Mr.. Toombs
anu the Hon. Mr.. Stephens, both of GeOr-
gia. In the meantime party had left
the city and proceeded up the road lead
ing to Montgomery county, for the pur-
pose of interccpting Chaplin and his sto-
len property. After waiting until one O.
clock, they concluded that something had
happened, and they returned to the city.
1t appeared that the negro Harris after ia,
king in the two slaves referred to drove
off at such furious rate that he ran his
horse into dray, in the rear Of Brown S
Hotel, and instantly killed him-the sla-
YES Jumped out and cleared themselves,
which stopped the expedition for that
night.
On the Sth, Chaplin bought another
horse, and settled his bill about ten O'Clock
in the morning, and Harris drove off a,
gain. After going round the city good
deal, he brought up at his own house and
took out the horses, which are very fleet
pair, and put them in his stable, or one
close to the house. They remained there
until near night, when Harris hItched up
again and began to drive around the city.
At this time the party of police, and other
citizens, consisting of Capt. Goddard, Of
fcers Handy, Cox, WolIard, Davis, VIM.
Smithey, John Cook and Richard Butt, OF
the county, repaired to the District line
leading to Montgomery, and there await
ed the arrival of Chaplin, who arrived at
that place about ha!fpast eleven o'clock.
The police being posted in proper man
ner, at the appointed moment a fence rail
was run through the hind wheel OF the car
rage by Capt. Goddard, which brought
| it up, and at the same time two persons,
Smithev and Cox, caught the horses by
the head, the balance of the party being al
sides Of the carriage. Chaplin, who was
driving, whipped the horses and fred
pistol at Smilhcy, who had hold of tho
near horse, which bullet went through his
hat. At that time Davis and Hand V pull
led him off the seat on to the ground, and
fierce contest took place to secure him.
The slaves inside, (whO were furnished
with revolvers,) were during this time
playing a quick game in firing al Goddard
Butt, Wollard and Cook, who were or
each side and in front endeavoring to pre-
vent their escape. 1t was almost pitch
dark, and great cautions had to be obser'
we'd to keep from shooting each other.
Mr.. Toombs' servant made his escape,
supposed TO be badly wounded from the
fact of his leaving his coat some distance
off in the road, with much blood on IT.
Mr.. Stephens man was shot in the back,
and bullet went through his watch in his
fob and lodged under the face, which nc
doubt saved his life. lie fired five of his
barrels; and TOmbs' man fired the whole
SIX. Chaplin fired but once. The won
der is that they done no more damage
than they did to the officers, which con
sisted of Mr.. Butts receiving bullet il
the arm; Smithey one through his hat:
Capt. Goddard's eyebrow scorchcd will
the fire of Stephens man; Cox Sigh
wound in the right cheek.
The white man and Mr.. Stephens slave
were brought to the city and committee
by Capt. Goddard before daylight. The
free man, Harris, was arrested and com
mitted for further examination.