Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-04-24

THE following strange and startling develop
ments appeared, within the past year, in lead
ing western journal, and were looked upon as
authentic, ,-ED
was born in the State of Alabama my pa
rents moved to Texas when was very young.
My father and ther always stood fair, and
were regarded as honest people. At very
early period of my life 1 dsobeyed the instruc-
tions of my parents and took my own course, or
rather the plan and course of my eldest brother,
William Short. Almost as far back as | can
recollect, my brother William would pick up lit
tie matters which kept concealed from my fa-
tler and mother. About the time nay brother
married, he broke into store, in company with
several others, and one of the articles which my
brother took was a pair of lady's stockings,
which he presented his wife. From time to time
William went on slep by step, stealing small
articles, until he got SO he could take horse, or
trade for horse that he knew was stolen.
was gradually initiated into the secret stealing,
and particularly of the necessary item of iding
well, During this time one of my sisters mar
ried Mr.. Sansum, who became member of the
party. Some time ago, Mr.. Sansum took off
the irons that were on Mr.. Jackson, convicted
for rape in Fayette county, At or near the
same time, VIM. Short, Mr.. Sansum, Jas. Crook,
James Mclaughlin and Alfred O'Bar, decoyed
and run two negroes, one the property of DIR.
Aukincou Of I Eouafta the
other negro the property of Mr.. Cleveland, Aus
tin county, and fine horse, of Mr. Norton's.-
After the sale of the negroes, and in the divide,
Mr.. Mclaughlin and VIM. Short fell out and
quarreed with Crook :; he Crook had league
of land they wanted, which Crook refused to let
have, and, 10 the quarrel, Crook threatened 10
disclose on them. This alarmed the party, and
especially Short and Mclaughlin. Alter con-
versation, it was arranged to kill Crook, who
made his home at VIM. Sholt's; John Marshall
and John Rich were to be the murderers.-
Short sent me after John Rich, to let them know
the time. The night appointed, Crook was not
at home but staid in the neghborhood.
In the morning, Short sent his wife to Mr..
Carother's that she might not witness the trans
action. Mclaughlin was fearful Crook would
not return, and rode some distance in the course
that Crook would come, and as soon as he ascer-
tanned from neighbor of Shorts that Crook
had gone home, Mclaughlin returned, in time
to orv Gn,obinry to,ch IN ErcnL I wac
then instructed how and what to prove, if any.
thing was done at law. l was witness before
the Justices Court; was excused in the Dis
trict Court. Suffice it to say, Mclaughlin and
Short were cleared, and Rich and Marshall nev-
er tried. Divers thefts and outrages were per-
petrated from that time, until the party arrested
hdue broken q link in the chain that ertendS from
Missouri 10 .MerioO.
Major Moore, of Crockett, deals in counter
felt coin. Rev. Nathan Shook makes land GER
tifcates he has the seal and everything neces-
sary for the same. saw parson Shook making
out some land papers at Shorts; he then went
out on the Gaudalope, where Mr.. McPeters stole
u fine mare belonging to Mr.. Estl, and swap.
ped her to parson Shook for likely gray mare
also stolen property. Short went to Gaudalope
with Shook, and they returned together; Shook
slept till midnight and left my brothers., since
when have not seen him. At or near Crockett
are three Longs. At or near the same place
are two Pearsons; these men receive and trade
on stolen horses and assist in harboring ant
running off negroes.
Nathaniel Greer often applied to VIM, Shor
to be full partner, and with Short and Nc
Laughlin made arrangements to steal, run of
and sell lot of mules belonging to gentleman
of Brennan. never heard of James Coz
stealing any property, nor do believe he woul'
steal more than gun-barrel, but Cox has beef
consulted in all deep planning. | learned from
Short that Cox could sell land patents to grea
advantage abroad, and could pass half eagle
without suspicion. 1t is said he passes as spar
son Cox" Short informed me that Cox an'