The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-26
Tho Recent Slave Case at Columbia, Pa.

James M. Buchanan and Ohio Scott, esqrs
the two commissioners appointed by Gov Lowe
to proceed to Pennsylvania and investigate all
the facts in relation to the shooting of William
Stansbury, the fugitive slave at Columbia, by
officer A. Rdgey of this city, having completed
the duties assigned them, returned to this city,
on Saturday evening. We presume they will
report all the facts obtained to Gov Lowe, in n
few days. The Columbia Spy states that u
number OF witnesses were examined by them
assisted by A. Herr Smith, esq, of Lancaster
at the Office of j. W. Fisher, esq, in the presence
of John l.. Thompson, esq, the district attorney
of the county. Several persons, whose testi-
mony was taken soon after the affair occurred,
were cross examined, but nothing new, it is
alleged, was ELECTED. The following testimony
of deputy marshal Lyme, and the cross exami-
nation ofdeputy Snyder, contain some important
| facts
| Henry Lyme, sworn.--I am deputy marshal,
and went with Messrs. SNYDER and Ridgey to
make the arrest of the fugitive, Geo. Stansbury
| remained behind about one hundred yards
when they went to make the arrest did not
see the attempt to make the arrest did not
hear the pistol fr'd. Rdgely and Snyder re-
turned to me. When they were about twenty
yards from me Ridgely threw up his hands and
said, My God, have shot him" This was
immediately after il occurred. lie said while
in the struggle he went to draw out his Billy"
| (melning his mace,) and in mistake got the
pistol. He said he went to strike him with it,
and it went off He then showed me his finger
it was chewed up outrageousy asked him
how that happened. He said, the ID niggcr
had it in his mouth" We went together up
into the road, and Ridgely said, 81 will go and
give myself up"
Solomon Snyder.-At the time Ridgely and
approached Stansbury, Ridgely had nothing in
his hand. was about or 10 feet from Rdgely
when arrested Stansbury. The first expires.
sion made use of was George Stansbury
have United States warrant for you" H.
replied "let me go, let me CO." and made jump
and got or 5 feet from me. AT the momer.t
that Ridgely seized him, Stansbury got the
thick part of his hand in his mouth and bit him.
Alter Ridgely had seized him he broke loose
from us five times. AS soon as he got Ridgely
by the hand Ridgely let go-he broke loose from
US in spite Of all we could do. do not think
he got more than or feet from us at any
time. did not produce, any papers--he gave
| MS no chance to do so. / did not see a colorcd
man standing on the track of the railroad /
saw man whom thought was n white m IN,
but have since heard is colored There was Il
| yellow man present, freckled in the face. | saw
six or seven negroes, if | recollect right, stand.
ing around on the railroad track, who think
were attracted there during the struggle. [ did
not see that any of the negroes interf red |
had my back to them all the time do not
recollect that l told Ridgely to I" fall him"
made an effort to throw him; and may have told
Ridgely to throw him; but do not recollect
saying so. do not recollect saying to Ridgey
"dont shoot him" Mr. Rdgely put his mace
in his pocket previously to the arrest so that he
might use it if it should become necessary.
After Stansbury had been shot we returned to
the centre of the town. After we had got
about 100 yards we met Mr. Lyne-we were
not moested on our return.
Re-examjned by Mr.. Scott-The negro was
a very strong, active man. have but one hand
| The arrest was made at one end of an alley,
formed by piles of boards on each side The
alley is about Ia feet wide, and the negro strng
! gled the whole length of tine alley, towards
| hole in the fence at the other end Rideely's
finger was badly bitten by the negro. From a
view of all the circumstances, and the express
sions of Ridgely, firmly believe that he shot
him accidentally and Internationally. During
| the last struggle and at the time Rdgely pulled
out the pistol, Stansbury had Ridsely's finger
in his mouth.
| In the course of the examination, United
States Commissioner McAlster, of Harrisburg,
offered various documents in evidence, such as
the power of attorney given by the owner Of
Stansbury to Ridgey; the evidence of title to
and escape Of Stansbury, the warrant to arrest
him, with the return marked thereon, &C. &c.