The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-03-06
4l2
The Martha Washington Case--Burton,s
Master Stroke.

Holland Amasa Chaplin. Lorenzo Chapin.
and Earle. The whole affair was one of the
most skillfully managed and promptly exc
cuted police movements on record 1t must
be borne in mind that these suspected men
have all the money and influence necessary
10 keep in their service a crowd Of despera-
does ready to do their bidding; that spies
are constantly on the track of Sidney c.
Burton, burning to take his life at any cor
ner; and that the officers Of Justice have
been watched, and their movement dogged
hourly for months past.
Now that the arrests are made, it may not
he improper to slightly lift the veil which
TO the public has latterlv covered this matter
from common observation. Sidney C. Bur-
Eon, as well as all lockers on, was deeply
palned at the sudden termination of the
Martha Washington trial; he had necessarily
been closely identified with the case, discov-
"ring III the investigation of business mat
Ter, strong evidence of the commission of
murder and arson, and he and others knew
that the abrupt termination of the trial before
the United States Court had deprived the
prosecution of very important testimony.
There was one universal regret, that in ius-
tice to the public, and in justice to the ac-
cused, full and complete, and satisfactory
investigation had been thus prevented.
No sooner did the jury bring in their ver-
dlct than Burton was on the move he Wis
tied one of the State Prisons, having receiv-
ed curious and valuable letter from an in
mate, who knew more about the burning of
the boat than he had yet divulged. In the
investigation Of this matter the indefatiga-
bic Burton travelled The length and breadth
OF the Union, Canada, and some of the isles
of the sea, having travelled day and night
over twenty thousand miles, three hundred
OF these miles solitary and alone on a mule.
and gaining facts connected with the burn
ing OF the Martha Washington, as startling
an their nature as their disclosure was sin
guiar and unexpected. Evidence bearing
upon this matter has been most wonderfully
suppressed, trembling witnesses of the tragedy
of that helliSh plot have been found where
human ingenuity could scarcely imagine,
and train of circums tanceS have been laid
open, which, when detailed before court
will weave a tale of desperation too strange
iOr belief. Burton received the advice Of
our most prominent federal authorities
members of Congress encouraged his heart
and strengthened his hand the authorities
Of Arkansas declared that this deed of
blood committed in their territory should be
brought to light, and its perpetrators punish
I'd All Delng prepared, lying visit 10
arkansas, and Burton returned, awaiting the
papers from the Executive of that State
We confess to a trembling when the express
package containing the requisition was de-
.ivered to Burton, and he jumped on the cars
20 lay the document before our Executive.-I
The adventure was perilous, and the least
ieak might explode the entire plan and in
volve those actively engaged in peril.
Burtcn's arrest for perjury few days since
was but the commencement of IA series Of
annoyanceS which now are suddenly cut
short and the threats Of vengeance received
by every mail, and the stealthy steps which
ever followed after him. have but quickenet
and nerved Burton in his almost superhuman
efforts to bring the guilty, whoever they
may be, to justice; save his own life and
restore peace to his anxious famly.-[Cleve.
Herald.
Burton took Governor Medilrs warrant to
Cincinnati, and sheriff Higdon and officer
Bruen, by their admirable skill, planned
and executed the arrest of the accused as
detailed in the Commercial.
hissane, Holland, Cummings and Rufus
Chaplin were at the Walnut Street House.
Rufus Chaplin was so sick that he could not
be removed. Earle was at Wescott's shoe
tore on Fifth street AmaSa Chapin was al