Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-10-31


the sidewalk. All these occurrences servedto
add to the excitement, and the multitude con-
tinued to increase, and the tumult also. In
about an hour after the escape of the colored
man, Geo. F. Hoar, Esq, came out of the
Marshals Office, and standing upon the steps
of the building, addressed the crowd He
said, as near as we can recollect:
"Fellow Citizens 1t is some ten years ago,
that my father and sister were driven out of
Charleston South Carolina. by all Infatuated
mob of shareholders, because, in obedience 10
a commission issued by the authority of the
State of Massachusetts,, he had gone thither
to test, in the courts of the United States, the
validity of those laws under which they inn
prison our citizens, for no crime but the color
of their skins; and none of you l think will
accuse me of having any great sympathy for
Shareholders. 1t is gratifying to see such feel
ing Of indignation manifested against an indi-
vidual whose acts have rendered him so odious
in your eyes but yet trust none of you have
come here to do him any personal violence
Even in Charleston, low and degraded as the
majority of its citizens are, some persons were
found to sustain the majesty of the law; and
to their interference, my father and sister
owed the preservation of their lives. Let it
not be said of US, citizens of Worcester, that
we have less respect tor law and order than
was manifested by them. Let us remember
that the cause we all have so much at heart,
cannot but suffer- if we engage in acts of vio-
lence against this obnoxiouo and odious indi-
vidual, who, whatever may have been his past
course, assures me that he came here with no
| intention of molesting slave. Believing that
| your sentiments upon this subject are in uni
| son with mine, have ventured to assure Mr..
Butman, in your behalf that he may depart
| from the city unmolested and in peace; and
have offered to accompany him to the depot,
SO that he may leave by the earliest train"
Mr.. Hoar's remarks were warmly applaud
ed by some, but others shook their heads, and
there was talk of tar and feathers, and the
colored men growled their dissatisfaction, in
smothered words of indignation and hate.
Shortly after the delivery of this brief ha-
rangue, Mr.. Hoar re- entered the building, and
immediately came out again with Mr.. Butman
upon his arr. The crowd upon the steps
gave way, but the two had no sooner descend
ed to the side walk, than a rush was made by
portion of the crowd, for the Kidnapped
Finding that there was need of a larger escort
in order 70 protect the prisoner, Rev. Mr.. Hig-
| ginson introduced himself to the chop-falen
fugitive, and with the remark that he would
stand BY him to protect him, he took his other
arm IN his own. Several blows were aimed
at the head of Mr.. Butman, which were
varded off by his escort, and just at
this iuncture, finding that there would
probably be some warm work, Messrs. Mar
tin Stowell, Stephen S. Foster and others, came
| to the rescue, and the retreat was continued,
about six hundred people following in pursuit.
! All along on the route, repeated efforts were
made by the colored men, and others, to take
| Butman out Of the hands of his escort, but,
they made desperate defence, and assisted
by a few of the Worcester Policemen and
other citizens, they were enabled by dint of
great exertions, to keep the crowd partially at
bay. Occasionally, however, an egg would
break about the face and head of the fugitive,
and just at the corner of Trumbull and Front
Sts., powerful negro succeeded in planting
tremendous blow behind Butman's left ear,
which made him stagger like drunken man.
There was momentary halt at this juncture,
and desperate struggle ensued, for the Gus
tody of the prisoner, which resulted in the
triumph of the kidnappers abolition friends,
and again the cortege passed on. The excite
men was all this time increasing, and by the
time the crowd had reached the depot of the
Western R. R., more than thousand persons
were assembled. 1t was then ascertained,
that the ears had gone, and here was an I'M
expected dilemma. Various propositions were
made for the disposal of the kidnapper. Some
said, skill him." and put him out of his mis-
| cry, while others counselled ride on rail,
or on special engine out of the city.
! Finally, as the case seemed desperate one
and as the struggle seemed to be rather I'M
| equal, it was decided to store Mr.. Butman in
the depot privy and by dint of great exer-
tions, he was got into that depository, and the
door was closed upon him and his escort, a
strong guard being placed without. Stephen
S. Foster presently came forth and stated to
the multitude, that Mr.. Butman had solemnly
promised that he would leave, and never come
1 to Worcester again, if he could be left alone
| now. He said that such promise was a vic
| tory won for freedom, and he hoped no one
| would mar the triumph by any farther acts OF
| violence. Mr.. Hoar and other citizens also
stated that Mr.. Butman had made the pledge
to them, as stated by Mr.. Foster, in their pres
ence; and these declarations seemed partially
to appease the excited multitude. Still, as
there was a strong disposition manifested to
| do him further violence, it was thought pru-
| dent to remove him from The privy, and the
City Marshall procured awagon to be brought
around to the back door for the purpose
| AS soon as the door was opened, another rush
was made by band of Infatuated negroes,
upon Mr.. Butman, and he received another
severe blow upon his head, and one or two
kicks behind; but he was finally got into the
wagon. The horse proved to be skittish
one, and would not start and as delays were
| getting to be dangerous, hack was procured
! by order of the Marshal, and into it, the poor,