Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-09-23
NISCi:LLAS EOUS.


attendant circumstances have thought il best to perform
painful task OF giving some facts in reference there
TO- which may be relied upon
Nearly three years ago. four negroes between the ages OF
nineteen and twenty-five fled from my fathers IN Batl-
county, nineteen miles from the city, into PennsyVa-
MIA. These negroes were to Dc Tree al tue age twenty
eight and this fact they knew 1t had come TO the know
ledge Of my father that they had sold wheat stolen from him.
To free negro warrant got out for the arrest OF tue
free negro which, coming ears Of his accompi-
ccs they resolved he evening" 10 make good their
escape This November During the winter il was
reported that suffering for food. coorcd
man find them, and assure them that II they
would horne and behave themselves, nothing would be
said them about their theft They were found, but did
not return.
After having carefully provided the necessary vouchers
ard papers, attended by deputy marshal and two consu-
bes from Philadelphia, father his son. Dicknson his
nephew, DR. hos t. g. Pearce) Joshua Gorsuch Nathan
Nelson and Nicholas Hntcin set Out The first OF last week
for the Of intended arrest The plan 10 arrest the
isitives Wednesday morning but this was frustrated by
the OF the deputy marshall who had the
thority and the papers. BON the Philadelphia consabes
returned the city, with the understanding that they were
10 come back night, with warrantsone OF them
having depued marshal The delinquent
.al made his appearance Wednesday morning about nine
o'clock urging for his failure that he had been
followed BY negro whom he knew 10 be spy In endea-
vorng eude his pursuit and prevent The discovery Of his
posse BY rapid driving, he broke his wagon Ii then
agreed that they would attempt the Thursday
nng strengthened by the constaole whom they expected
return Wednesday nght-but these did not come.
Deputy Marshal Henry II. Kline, and the five gentlemen
in company with my father reached The house where Two Of
the runawuys supposed I" live, Just about morning
duwn TIL. house s,aGts the head OF the Great Val
lev in Iancos county about two miles from the village
of Christians The valley here is about lhrecquarles OF
mile broad que rou@hlke in shape and ourdered with
wood Across Is valley narrow, rough lane. About
$50 yards from he Southern border of the valley and one
hundred yards the lane that it, stands the house
OF the fugitive connected with the larger lane by short
lane twelve fe, wide. As this party at this early hour
proceeding along The lane tina, the valley and
the house, OF the negroes who recognized
Nelson the mouth OF the short lane and upon
ing these towards the house all the party in full
stationed each oil the house guard the windows
The house stories in height, and the negroes all
up stairs.
The Marshal and my father entered the house. Mr.
Kline asked for the owner OF The house told them he
United States Marshal and that he for the purpose
OF aresting Mr. Gorsucis slaves, Nelson and JOSH He
then read 10 them the warrants and while doing This he
heard them loading their guns up Stairs. The Marshal and
my father started both together 10 go up stairs, the lat
having first called to Nelson that he him. ana told
him that if he woid down peaceally and so home
with him. he would him kindly before he ran
away Resistance he said, would 90 good for he caue
with the proper officer ana authority aud he would leave
the premises without his property. While they on The
steps and intending proceed OF the struck
them with stall shou with sharp iron. Ny father then
and the door Ju>t as he got gun
Tired at his head from o the windows, bat tho
high The Marsha! cofnr:, just behind him. fired
his pistol in the window Again they went in and starting
10 60 the steps, thrown down them which
however, passed harmeSsy by them. In this way little
skrmishng was Kept up between the negroes the
dows and the young outside and between those at The
head Of the steps and two in the house.
During lS perioi the warrants were read three times the
law explained they advised and cn,reaed give
up the two slaves and assured that the would he
made blood must be shed missile had been thrown
out Of the window and had wounded Pearce in The head he
had attempted 10 shoot bal the cap only exploded At last
they gave the definite time decide the watch
was held but before the time expired white rode
The bars in the lane His presence inspired the backs they
raised shout and became confirmed in their
opposition When the shall the man ut the bars he
went to him and called upon him IN the name of the United
States, TO assist in arresng the fugitive showing his
rant reading his authority, and telling him the inevitable
consequence Of refusal Another white man was also pre-
during this conversation The reply that he would
assist and that they had better 90 home, they could
make no arrests there, or blood would be- split
Before, during, and after The conversation with this
al the bars arriving from every quarter
on horseback and others foot armed with guns, pistols
clubs, orn-cuers, &c They seemed be scattered ali
around upon the first OF their arrival but OF them
gathered in knots the place where the white
horseback and the marshal were talking, engaged in
loading their guns AT the close of the conference, the
sa called TO his party retire. that he would press
The arrest farther and that h. would hold this RESPONSE
BILE for the property Then the marshal and of the
young :lcn left Ny llher then the house. his son.
Pearce Joshua Gnrsuch far him. still guarding
the house 10 keep the slaves from escaping Just the
sha and the TWO young left the Quaker the horse
said something 10 The negroes that had assembled near him.
when they set up most nldcous yell and rushed towards
the house, the negroes in the house the time rushing
around my father. There four men, all armed with
pistols il is true opposed 10 about hundred infatuated
bloodhirsy, bowling demons. As these gangs
met in the narrow anc the attack made upon the di
Innished band BY from behind striking my father on
the head which caused him 10 fail forward his knees
when he was shot several times and the head with
When the young him saw him fall, Dickinson
and Joshua him and discharged their pistols into the
crowd that mudefinI him, Pearce having been of
from them by the negroes who advanced from the bars As
Dickinson shooting Immediately his father his
vover was Knocked out Of his hand by club striking him
upon the the Then shot him in The
right side and arm lodging an seventy large in
him. The negroes were whipping and yelling with savage
gee their victim and son. nephew and cousin start
is
lane the scene OF the awful conflict into the longer lane
that extends across the valley and the woods either side
Dickinson staggering under the stunning effects of his
wounds, blood gushing from his mouth and streaming from
his and side took the southern end of lane and in
distance OF hundred yards reached the edge OF the wood
falling down by large stump exhausted. Some of the
hends followed and would have cruelty murdered him.
but an old negro who lad been in the aiay threw himself
his body and called upon them Gods sake 10 assist
him, for he would soon die any howl
Dr. Pearce and Joshua Gosnch took the other end Of the
lane leading To The woods the other side Of valley
which than half mile distant Peace kept the
lane and after him rushed the whole band of shout
ing and shooting every jump, distance of three hundred
yards In his Hight lie overlook The Quaker the horse
and strove TO keep him between himself and his pursuers
which course he ascrlbcs the salvation of his life At the
distance OF half mile from the negroes house, reached
dwens and boiling in, asked Two ladies, who then
the only he in the house. protect him. They
expressed fear lest the might find him there
and kill them for cuncealng him lie told them he would
them 10 danger then, and turned go out when
they consented 10 conceal him. Soon his niua;ed pnrsucrs
Game TO the house and asked il he there They were
wds, which they searched and guarded until la,e al night
10 lind and 10 butcher their desired victim.
Joshua Gorsuch, who had received violent blow on the
lead when by my father rather later starting and
i oblqasly from the house TO the llnc reaching il in ad
vance Of Pcarce Him they overlook and beat over the
Lead with clubs unt! II supposed they had killed hm
lat he got and went ~ The lane he could
Une negro who had chase pearcc farther than the rest us
hc was returning struck him crsuch the head with
club At last he reached the woods completely crazed BY
the blows he had received There he found BY the Mar
sia and taken TO place Of safety.
Dickinson dd not lie ions before gentlemen came
a"d carefully removed MIN Mr. Levi Powna's lie
now lies, and where write Every attention that
kiaaness can suggest and ya!!y bestowed
u Don hli AT hfsi II thought lie live Gnt
light; but through the py Sica a! tn, biz So
gs OF God he mas been gradually mGnding since and
hJw we nave sronG hopes % lis recovery. Dr. Pearce was
e1nduced to the house where H. about four or five
cocA e same afternoon. Joshua escaped that evening
|, York where his friends took good care of hin, He Is
row out Of danger, and doin. we'll
II may be gratifying 10 10 know that the PROCEEDINGS
now in progress will bring light the Score, of this bloody
hiiair negro Of Phladelp!at!c SAME that followed the
Marshal on the first nighiound by some means fair
foul, The taken d,,I,r