The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-14
THE CASE OF JOHN FREEMAN.

We mentioned last week that John Free
man. a respectable colored man of this city,
had been apprehended as fugitive slave, and
that his case was pending when we went to
press, "Wednesday morning, before Hon. Ste
phen Major, Judge Of the Marion Circuit
Court, on a writ Of habeas corpus
The case has caused great excitement and
it would be strange if it had not. Freeman
has resided here as freeman for nine wears
having come here from Georgia in 1874. Du.
ring this period, by his industry apd upright
ness, he has secured the esteem Of all acquaint-
ed with him.
When Freeman came here he brought with
him considerable amount Of property He
deposited, we understand, $500 in bank he
soon purchased property and married re-
spectacle girl then living in the family Of Rev.
Henry w. Beecher. He has family of three
children, not five as we enormously stated last
week. By his industry and frugality be has
acquired property to the amount Of four or FIVE
thousand dollars.
The manner of Freeman's arrest and the in
science Of the claimant had no tendency to
prevent excitement The cowsrdly officers who
arrested him, did 80 by resorting, as usual In
such cases, TO falsehood and deception. They
represented to him that he was required to 70
to the Office Of Justice of the Peace, TO give
testimony in a case wherein another colored
man was party. The unsuspecting man &C.
companied them 10 the Office Of Esquire Sulli-
van, the United States Commissioner Stop
ping for moment at the Office Of Mr.. Ketch.
am, which is adjoining the Commissioners
Office, hs was there spprehended and hurried
before Commissioner Sullivan. There was
great reluctance to give Freeman opportunity
TO consult counsel. Mr.. Ketcham, appearing
as one Of his counsel, demanded opportunity to
consult his client in private and he was re-
luctsntly permitted TO take Freeman into his
Office for this purpose. The consultation had
continued but few minutes before the claim
ant, with his posse called at tho door which
was locked, and became quite clamorous for
his intended victim. Shortly after the door
was opened by Mr.. K, officer Stapp and his
assistants seized Freeman with ferocty that
would have done honor to tigers and hurried
him down stairs and TO the courthouse, TO
which place the Commissioner had adjourned
the hearing Thither one of Freeman's coun-
eel soon followed. When he arrived in court,
the claimant, Ellington, was insoIently exam
lining the mouth Of Freeman, probably 10 dis
cover certain marks therein. Counsel remind
ed the court and the claimant that his client
was man, and not horse, and that he ex-
pected him TO be treated a. q man. In the
mean time the people began 10 assemble, and
II was evident that public sentiment would re-
qure more deliberate trial than the claimant
at first intended should be had
Since the return of the case from Judge Ma
jor, we think Mr.. Sullivan has shown dspo-
siton TO do justice 10 both parties 80 far as the
law under which he acts will permit Counsel
for the claimant desired somc time for them
selves 10 prepare for trial, but denied that the
defendant was entitled 10 moments time for
his d,fence, but out Of respect to public opin-
ion, they were willing 10 give thirty days,
which they thought o reasonable time, to Free
man 10 procure evidence Of his freedom, II any
existed. The Commissioner, looking at the
distance 10 DO travelled, deemed thirty days
not . reasonable time, and gave, We think very
properly, nine weeks from last Monday, which
day is set for the further hearing OF the cage.
indiana Free Democrat