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

On Saturday evening, the notorious kid
napper, Asa o. Butman, of Boston, who has
covered his name with infamy by taking the
lead IN the kidnapping of Shadrach, Simms,
and Burns, upon the free soil of Massachu-
sets, came to this city and took lodings at the
American House. After supper, he visited the
armory of the City Guards, and other places,
evidently in search of information relative to
some matter connected with his line OF bust
ness. Early on Sunday morning, the mem
bers of the Vigilance Committee were apprised
of the presence of the kidnapper, by member
of the Boston Vigilance Committee, who hap
pened to be stopping at the house, and who
has taken an active part in the suppression of
kidnapping, from the case of Shadrach down
to the recent case at Bath, Me. HaRdbills
were at once issued to warn the colored popu-
lation of their danger, and the plans and pur-
poses Of the scoundrel were the chief topic of
conversation through the city. 1t was ascer-
tanned that he had been in consultation with
one Of the city police, and that communion
tions were being kept up by telegraph with
other places. He had also taken council with
two or three lawyers of the same stripe with
himself, who had insulted the community by
parading the streets with him arm in ARM
At noon, a committee of citizens waited upon
the landlords of the American House, for the
purpose of informing them Of the character of
their guest, and requesting, in the name of
many citizens, that they would advise him to
seek safety by removing his quarters to some
other location, We understand that Mr..
Tucker, the senior proprietor of the house,
was absent; but Mr.. Bonney, the junior
partner, declined to take any action IN the
matter.
In the evening, an Anti Slavery meeting,
which had been previously called, was in ses-
sion at the City Hall, and the presence of Mr..
Butman in the city was alluded to by several
speakers. An attempt was made to get up a
committee to watch the American House near
the close of the meeting; butt being general
ly understood that the whole matter was in
the hands of the regular vigilance committee,
it was not carried through. At the adjourn
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 house, in order to watch the prem
Uses, and keep an eye on Butman's move
ments One or two members of the vigilance
committee also succeeded in effecting nm en-
trance to the house for the purpose of familiar
izing themselves with the features of the
noted bloodhound, and in order the better to
watch his movements.
The committee kept their posts through
most of the night, but no disturbance
was made, with perhaps, the exception of
an occasional ringing of the house bell, which
to hold parley with the outsiders, or to in
terchange civilities. Towards morning, dur
ing one of these interviews between the land
lord and the populace, Butman, who had not
dared to retire to rest, began to get little ex'
cited, and drew a pistol from his pocket,
threatening death and destruction to his op-
ponents. This fact was communicated to those
outside, and at about three o'clock complaint
was made against Butman, before Justice
Howe, for carrying concealed weapons, and a
warrant was issued for his arrest on the charge.
Officer Warren served the process with alac-
rity, and at about four o'clock, the committee
of vigilance, feeling the fullest assurance that
the kidnapper would be well taken care Of,
retired to their respective homes.
In the morning, the intelligence of the ar
rest spread through the city, and hundreds
left their usual avecations to catch glimpse
of man so noted in the annals of inhuman-
ity and crime. At the usual hour of the
opening of the court Butman was brought in.
w. w. Rice, Esq, and Adm Thayer, Esq,
appeared for the Commonwealth, and "a. D.
Stone. Esq, for the prisoner. After brief
prisoners counsel, the case was continued for
two weeks, and Mr.. Butman was held to an
swer in the sum Of one hundred dollars for
his appearance. The crowd had all this time
been increasing. The court room was throng-
ed with people, and there was quite collec-
ton outside. InAammatory language was
freely used, and shouts of derision and loud
outcries, such as q bring out the kidnapper,
kill the scoundrel," &C., were not unfre-
quent
Mr. Butman- inplored assistance from City
Marshal Baker, and that gentleman, out of
pity for his forlorn condition, rendered him his
private room as place of refuge, in the north
east corner of the building. Considerable in
oignataon was expressed by the crowd, against
Marshal Baker, and that officer came out up-
on the steps to expostulate against the disturb
ance, 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 so. than
hissoiiice door was opened by the foremost Of
q gang of six or seven colored men. all of
who's rushed in, and one of them dealt But.
man blow upon his knowledge box, that
felled him to the ground. Marshal Baker at
this moment re-entered his room, and seized
the assailant of Mr.. Butman, and made him
prisoner
Bntman and the colored man, were then
locked up in the Marshars Office, together,
and one or two citizens were placed on guard,