New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-01
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN WORCESTER.
A Kidnapper Almost kidnapped
THE UNION ENDANGERED.
A Member of the Sims Brigade in Peril.
Alleged Rioters Turned Peace Makers
From The Ho,estSr Spy Of Oetotr 81.


On Saturday evening, the notorious kidnapper, Asa
q. Butman Of Boston, who has covered his name
with nfamy by taking the lead in the kidnapping OF
Sbsdrach. Simms, and Burns, upon the free soil OF
Massachusetts, TO this city and AMI TOOK lodS,
ipgs at the American House After supper, ne visited
the armory of the City Guards, and other places evil
IDENTIFY in search Of fornaon relative to some matter
connected with bis line of business Early on Sunday
morpjpp the members Of the Vigilance Committee
were apprised Of the presence of the kldnapper by
member of the Bostan Vigilance Committee, Who hap
peped to be stopping at the house. and who had taken
an active part in the suppression OF kidnapping from
the case OF Shadrach down to the recent case at Bath
Me- Handbils at once issued TO warn the coored
regulation Of their danger, and the plans and pur-
noses of the scoundre the chief topic OF CONVEX
ton through the city. II ascertaned that he had
been in consultation with one ofhe city police and that
communications were being keptup by telegraph with
other places III bad also taken counsel with two or
three LAWYERS Of the stripe himself who had in
suited the community by paradng the streets with him
arm in Brm At noon. a committee oil cltZens waited
upon the landlords of the American House, for the
purpose of informing them of The character of their
quest and reauesting in the name Of many citizens,
that they would advise him TO seek safety bv remov
ing his quarters TO some ether location. We under
stand that Mr. Tucker the senior proprietor Of the
house was absent; but Mr.. BOnney, the junior part
per d, clined 10 take any action in the matter.
In the evening an Ant-Slavery meeting, which
had been previously called in session at the City
Hall and the presence Of Mr. Butman in the city was
10 get I'D a committee to watch the American House
near the close Of the meeting; but it being generally
UNDERWOOD that the whole matter was in the hands Of
the regular Vigilance Committee, II was not carried
through. At the adjournment of the meeting, large
crowd assembled in the vicinity Of the American
House but no demonstrations OF violence were made
At later hour in the evening, delegation from the
Vigilance Committee took their positions about the
louse in order TO watch the premises, and keep an
eye OIL Butman's movements One or two members
OF the Vigilance Committee also succeeded Ia erecting
An entrance TO the house for the purpose OF familiar
ling themselves with the features of the noted blood
hound, and in order the Detter 10 WATCH MS mo'e-
meDts -,
The Committee kept their posts through most Of the
night but no disturbance made, with perhaps the
exception of an occasional ringing Of the house BELL
which brought the landlord TO the door long enough
10 hold parley with the outsiders or TO interchange
civiltits. Toward morning, during one Of these in
teryews between the landlord and the popalace But
man who had not dared to retire to rest began to get
a little excited, and drew pistol from his pocket,
thrt aienng death and destruction to his opponents.
1his fact communicated TO those outside and at
about o'clock a complaint was made against But
man before Justice Howe for carrying concealed
wespons and warrant was issued for his arrest on
the charge. Off ,er Warren served the process with
slsrciiy, and at about o'clock the Committee of
VigaI CO. feeling the fullest assurance that the kid
nspper would be well taken care Of retired to their
respective homes.
In the mching the intelligence of the arrest spread
through Il uCity and hundreds left their usual
cations TO catch glimpse of a msn so noted in the
annals Of nhumanity and crime. AT the usual hour
OF the opening of the Court, Buman was brought in.
w. w. Rice, Esq, and Adm Thayer Esq, appeared
for the Commonwealth, and H. ID. Stone, Esq, for
the prisoner. After a brief hearing before Justice
Green by request of prisoners Counsel the case was
continued for two weeks and Mr.. Butman was held
TO answer in the sum of 500 for his appearance The
crowd had all this time been increasing. The Court
room was thronged with people, and there was quite
a collection outside IuHammatory language was
freely used and shouts of dersion and loud outcres,
such as "bring out the kidnapper,' kill the
"scoundrel," &c, were not unfrequent.
Mr.. Buimen implored assistance from City Marshal
Baker and that gentleman out of pity for his ororn
condition, rendered him his private room as place
of refuge in the northeast corner of the building
Considerable indignation expressed by the crowd
against Marsbal Baker and that officer came out
upon the steps TO expostulate against the disturbance
but apparently without effect. Shortly after Mr..
Baker stepped out OF doors on some business leaving
several policemen on duty in the entry; but he had
no sooner done than his Office door wasopened by
the foremost Of a gang Of SIX or seven c0ored men,
all of whom rushed D, and one OF them dealt Butman
a blow upon his knowledge box that fslled him TO the
ground. Marshal Baker az this moment reentered
his room, seized the assSiant of Mr. Butman and
made him a prisoner.
Butman and the colored man were then locked up
in the Marsbas Office together and one or two cit-
were placed on guard, inside, while the Marshal
again out 10 aay the excitement and look alter
the crowd. While busily engaged in the performance
of his duty, spreserver of the public peace shout
heard upon the outside and was discovered
that the cclored assaant Of Butman had escaped by
the window, having jumped distance OF some ten
twelve feetto the sidewalk. AL these occurrences
ed to add TO the excitement, and the multitude
continued 10 increase and the tumult also. In about
hour after the escape Of the cOlored man, Geo r.
Hosr Esq, came out of the Marshals Ottice, and,
standing upon the steps Of the building addressed the
crowd. lie sad near as we recOileet:
Fellow Citizens IL Is some ten years ago tina, my
IA 81 MI dir n
South Carolina, by an nfura,ed mob Of slave hold
ers because in obedieuce 10 a commission, issued 5y
the authority Of the State Of Massachusetts, be had
gone thLer 10 test in the courts OF the United States
The validity of those laws under viii IA they mpris0n
our citizens for DO crime but the color Of their skins
and none Of you think will accuse Of having any
great SHnpdk for slave holders. IL is gratifying 70
see such feeling Of ndgnstion manifested az inst
an individual whose acts have rendered him OdOus
in your eyes; hut yet trust none OF you have come
here TO Do him any personal violence. Even in
Charleston-low and degraded the majority OF its
citizens ar-sOme persOns found to sustain the
majesty Of the law; and 20 their interference nv
father and sister owed the preservation Of their lives
Let II Lot be said OF US, citizens Of Worcester that
have less respect for law and order than mani
tested by them. Let us remainder that the cause we
have 80 much At heart cannot but suffer IL we engage
in acts Of violence against this obnoxious aud Odious
individual who, vhatever may have been his past
course assures me that he came here with no nten.
ton Of mOesing a slave. Believing tina; your senti-
ments upOn this subject are in unison with mine
have ventured 10 assure Mr. Butman in your behalf
that be may depart from the city anmolssied and in
peace; and have offered 10 accompany him to the
DEPOT, that be may leave by the earliest train"
Mr.. Hears remarks were warmly appsauied by
some but others shook their beads, and there was
.efk ofs and TnI