The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-26

rhe Case u MAS usna wsnsssY- sAoosns u
CssSg, ths Psossestor.
Tho trial Of Mis- Della webster, q Mason. vas
brought 70 . Close on Friday les. The Madison
Courier thus states The facts "a T SEA
II 10 generally known, that some tan years on
more ago, several indictments we Q found By the
Grand Jury, At Lexington (ky) against Mis- Web
ster, for running sway slaves, or aiding them 70
escape. she was VEG On one convicted sentenced
tucly State Prison. In "a short time she was par
doDed by the than Governor Critssnden, mainly
through the influence Of the keeper, Craig. Shortly
thereafter she went East. After remaniog with her
fisnds short tims, she vent to New York city.
and established herself as . daguoneotypist and
manuis oturer Of window shades. Che was then
induced TO abandon that business, and 70 remove
TO tina ,nsy by Craig, who promised TO- assist her.
here. me busisess not proving profitable, Craig
rented house iar her, and plsced his children
with her 70 board and be instructed BY her. After
his children had been with her abou: year, Craig
and Miss W. had q difficulty and all friendly rcIa-
ticns terminated. From this city Miss Webster
removed to the farm she had purchased in Ken
lucky, IN the spring Of 1859, where she resided up
short time since, it was noticed in the Courier
that Miss Webster had been arrested on suspicion,
and incarcerated IN the county jail Of Trimble, KY,
and was discharged by the Judge Of one Of the
courts. Fooled In this sttemDt the perse outors had
the old indictments revived. Warrants were issued,
but Miss Webster escaped ia Indiana Foiled again,
the prosecutors found ready and willing tools and
assistants in the Governors OF the great States Of
Kentucky and Indiana. The first made requisi-
ton upon the second and for fear u would not hold
water, made another, both OF which were duly hon
ored by his Excellency No. 2, Jos. A. Wright, who
issued the warrants for the apprehension Of the
woman. Miss Webster was arrested on these war
rants, and petitioned for writ Of habeas corpus.
which was granted by Judge Walker. The trial
was on the return Of the writ.
The Madison Courier gives the following state
ment Of Judge Walkers decision -
Judge Waller, in the afternoon, gave his opinion.
Il was not written, which we regret, as its publica
tion would have done him great credit aud com.
pl.tey vindio ated its own propristy.
Both warrants, he decided, were invalid. The
first, because 1t did not recite that the Indictment
produced to Gov. Wright was certified and anthem
ticated "by the Governor Of Kentucky, as the act
Of Congress required, but merely stated It was GER
titled "by the proper authority"
The second was also bad, because the rectal in IL
Of the charge against Mis- Webster was not, under
the statute Of Kentucky defining her ale ged Of
f,nce proper and legal charge, Sufficient and good
enough tn hold her for trial and authorized convc-
lion ON it in Kentucky.
The Madison Courier gives the following account
Of the shooting Of Craig;--
The violation of the laws of the State Of Indiana
by Craig and his comrades in wearing concealed
Weapons, In fcurisllipg them before the eyes of
quiet orderlovng citizcns with slight or no provo.
ton, their boastings of ther Kentucky power their
expressed contempt for Hoosers, and their coarse
charges Of abo)ltionsm and negro stealing ppon the
people of the city ard State caused some excite
ment upon the landing yesterday evening, which
resulted in the whipping OF The negro drivers who
accompanied Craig as witnesses Or friends, and the
shooting OF Craig by Kentuckian, who we be.
lieve, lives or did live on the place Miss Webster
~ syaa 6rivo OfYh y
Craig. This man has been arrested, and is now In
the han ds Of the law.
We have not word to say of his guilt or nno-
cence but the sh ,otng of Craig from behind was a
das's rly act, and as there are no Hardin county
uries in Indiana the perpetrator is not likely TO
cape. Craig was shot about an hour after he az
tempted 20 draw weapon on Q citizen, and after
were severely punished for their gross, unmsnnerly
conduct during the day.
The ball entered the back OF Craig bet seen the
shoulders, inictinR dangerous but not necessarily
a mortal wound. After the shooting he was convey
cd to the residence of Gen. srapp. where the wound
was probed and dressed by DR.. Davidson.
OF Craig, Miss Webster sometime since. wrote as
f0llows:-
The motives Of his malice, as near as can &C.
count for Il in few words, are first. that he expe-
rienced decided Iepulse, and totally failed to have
his upgentemany and uncivzed desires accom-
modated; and next, that / was unwilling to have
him visit my house. even under the pretence OF gee
ing bis children, whom he had by previous con-
tract engaged to keep under my tuition for GER
tain time. Then, after finding that his entrea.ies
and letters he had written to avaied nothing he,
IN his rough Kentucky manner, s~ore With an oath
that if would not agree to AIRY him in case his
wife should die-which he expected would take
place before long as she was Then sck--he would
get somebody to swear to enough that old indic-
msnt to send me to the penitentiary, where his will
should be my law, and where resistance would be in
vain.
Craig, it should be understood, was warden of the
Penitcntiary at frankfort, Kentucky, when Miss
Webster was confined there.
The following account Is given in the Madison
Courier of Randall, who IL nos in prison, charged
with shooting Craig:
He was laborer on Miss Wehsters place across
the river, for about year. He has heretofore COM
planned OF much abuse received from Graf, and his
symrathisers, having been by them driven away
from bis employers premises, as he alleges. III he
committed the act with which he is changed the
Provocation may be found in these former trsnsac.
tons.