Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-05-30
For lie TimnY

Mr.. EDITOR: We ask the privilege OF
publishing through the columns OF your pa
per the lacls in regard TO case which oc>
Cured few days since 10 Johnson and
Cass counties.
A highly respectable family from Mem
phls, Tennessee, consisting OF Mrs. Morgan,
an elderly widow, with two negroes, were
travelling on their way to California. While
encamped in the upper end OF Johnson coun.
ty, a Mr.. Paul who resides there came up
and Informed Mr.. John Morgan that horse
passing along the road belonged 10 a drover
ahead and that it would be doing The owner
lavor by taking him on, remarking further
mat he Would take him up and keep him
untli The owner came for him. but he had
nothing TO feed him on. Mr.. Morgan being
an accommodating man, caught the horse
ana look him on, frequently stopping at hou.
SEES 10 enquire for corn, &c and making no
attemPt at concealment whatever. On ri.
ding up 10 the house OF Mr.. Cunningham to
buy some corn, Mr. Alexander came out
and asked him how he came by his horse
Mr. Morgan replied that he had taken him
up some eight miles back, believing that he
would meet the owner that day, and stated
what Paul had informed him. Alexander
disputed The statement, and Morgan told
him to go back to his wagons and he would
prove it, and il that did not satisfy him he
would ride back with him 10 Paul's and
have bis statement corroborated. Alexander
went with Morgan 10 his wagon but did
not seem satisfied, and took his horse and
went home, promising TO return 10 the camp
next morning and go with Morgan 10 hear
what Paul would say. The next day instead
OF going 10 Morgan's camp, Alexander went
10 Mr.. Campbell OF Cass comfy, who had
been Justice OF the Peace in neighboring
county, but who had changed his residence
and forfeited his commission, and obtained
writ from him, returnable only before
Justice Underwood OF Cass. There in com.
pany with ExcJustce Rice Mr.. Powell and
his son, a very promising young man, and
who was the deputej Constable in this case)
a Mr.. Saunders and several others not even
worthy ofhis notice, pursued and arrested
John Morgan for stealing horse. At this
stage Of the proceedings we became acquain.
led with the facts, and two OF the gentlemen
whose names are signed to this paper, the
Rev. VIM Horne, OF Johnson county, and
Joseph Grove, Esq, Of Saline, determined
10 ride back ten miles, attend the trial, and
ii possible, render some assistance 10 an in
nocent man, in strange land, rriendless
and alone. The trial proceeded, Ex,Justice
Rice being prosecutor for the Commons
wealth, and The evidence sustained by state.
merits here made. Paul testified that he
had told Morgan that the horse belonged to
drover ahead, and at the same time swore
that the horse found in Morgan's possession
belonged to Alexander, and that he was The
same horse that he told Morgan belonged TO
the drover. Col. Horne defended the priso>
ner in an able speech that would have done
credit 10 any member OF the bar, when Jus
tice Rice took the stand g. made an argumen,
the like OF which, presume never fell from
the lips Of man. He admitted that the
charge in the indictment was not sustained,
but commended that the prisoner had violated
the es!ray law and must be punished for that;
and with an overlooking sympathy for dis
lressed mother and sister, he rejoiced that his
innocence OF the theft would be consoling 10
the prisoner and his friends, while in the Pen
itcntiary, and enable him, with conscience
void oil offence, TO pass off the time allotted
10 him with submissive cheer(uness. Jus.
lice Underwood's decision was, that the
charge Of theft, the only charge preferred,
was not proven; but as the laws governing
esrays had been violated, and the community
had been frequently imposed upon by the
emigrans, it was necessary 10 make an ex.
ample OF Ike prisoner, and held him to bail
in the sum OF five hundred dollars 10 appear
at the Circuit Court, in September next.
A Mr.. Aldridge, uncle to Alexander, then
offered TO go Morgans bail on these condi
tons: Morgan 10 make over the negro girl
in such way that il he forfeited his recogni,
zance, she was 10 become the property OF
Aldridge. Morgan agreed 10 do SO, and at
tended by an armed guard, started in pursuit
OF the wagons 10 effect the arrangements
Not coming up with them at the point ex,
pected, message was sent on TO young Mr..
Morgan to bring back the negro girl, and in
the mean time the prisoner was started back
TO Justice Underwood's. After submitting
10 all this, and finding that justice was not 10
be had, he determined as he was riding his
own horse, 10 make his escape if possible
They rode on some miles, when he suddenly
wheeled his horse, told them he would 90 no
further, and piled the spur. They gave chase
but couldn't ride with him, and he reached
our camp, outside OF the line this morning.
Mrs. Morgan and the balance have just ar
rived and bring the intelligence that wrts
have now been issued for both The Morgan's
and for Mr.. Harkreader also.
Such, Mr.. Editor, is plain statement OF
this whole matter, for the truth OF which we
would refer any of your readers 10 the writ.
len evidence in the case, in the hands OF
Justice Underwood:
We have felt it due 10 Mr.. Morgan and
the family Of which he is a member, as well
as 10 ourselves 10 make this publication, and
we hope you will consider il OF sufficient m>
portance TO give it place in your columns.