Washington sentinel., 1854-02-26
Desperate Encounter. Zinc Pe,ersburg

counter Win uotoIous horse-thlei IN that Vlcin-
Try He was pursued by gentleman Of Peters
burg, accompanied by friend They overlook
him on his way 10 Prince -George courthouse.
The clatter of the horses hoofs attracted Dona-
wants attention, and, turning his head, he saw he
was pursued, and instantly jumping from his
horse he ran into the woods. Mr.. Ragland was
now within ten PAGES Of him, and raising his pls.
tol he called on him TO stop or he would hre. The
thief paid no attention TO his CALL and Mr.. X.
pulled the trigger, but without effect. He fired
at him twice afterwards, but the nature OF the
ground was snch that il retarded the progress oil
his horse and disturbed his .aim so that each shot
was fired from a greater distance and with less
chance for steady aim.
AT the third fire Donavent fell, and Mr.. X.
thought he had struck him, but he sprang 10 his
feet again and started. Almost Immediately after
wards Mr. h s horse stumbled, fell, and threw
him, and then ran of towards the courthouse
Mr. Ledbelier who also close in pursuit
passed Mr.. R., (who had to seek his horse) and
followed the fugitive. After considerable chase
Donavent fell on his face and Mr.. Ledbetter i'm
medialey eaped from his horse and got on his
back Mr.. L. drew his knife which was the only
weapon he bad but fearing that the thief might be
armed he put his knife between his teeth deter
mining TO search DIS pockets while he was ex-
hausted from the race. Suddenly turning himself,
the thief icrencted the knife from Mr.. LIS month
and drew il across his hand almost severing one
of his fingers.
Mr. L. was of course compelled 10 retreat, the
thief beins powerful man, and armed with
knife and D. started again. Mr.. l.. mounted his
horse and pursued him for taco hours, till al last
the thief turned, and told him that if he followed
him another step he would stab him 10 the heart
Mr.. L. continued after him till he came In sight OF
the house of Mr.. wilkins, with whom he was
acquainted, and he went 10 il intending 10 get Mr.
w. with his dog 10 assist him in the pursuit. Un-
fortunately Mr.. w. was not at home, and when
Mr.. L. returned Donavant was no where TO be
seen.
'.Donavant, it seems, sold Mr.. RS horse TO
gentleman in Nottaway, who, being somewhat sus-
picous. did not pay him the money at once. d..
then went up 10 Amelia and stole horse there.
The gentleman whom he robbed in Amelia, in
company with friend, came TO this city Tuesday,
looking for him but he had disposed Of this horse
and stolen another, on which he rode TO town yes
terday morning"
The Escape of Kidnapper from Indiana
The escape of the Rev Norris Day. the alleged
negro kidnapper, through the management or mis-
management of Governor Wright, has produced
much excitement in this community. II appears
that Day was arrested on warrant issued by The
governor OF Indiana, on requisition from the
governor of Kentucky, charged with stealing, kid
mapping, or enticing away slave from his owner
in Trmble county, Kentucky, opposite to Mad-
son. He was brought before Judge Walker, in
this city, on writ OF habeas corpus, and after ex
animation was discharged on the ground that the
warrant issued by Governor Wright did not show
that certified copy of an indictment in the case
had been furnished him, the law required
This was undoubtedly fatal defect and the
judge could not overlook disregard it. The
counsel in the case on the part OF Kentucky, SEN
sible he was that the omission alluded 10 would
prove fatal, proceeded, the day previous TO the
prisoners discharge, 10 Indianapolis, by the ex-
press train. for the purpose of procuring another
warrant from Governor Wright. He had an i'm
mediate interview on his arrival there with the
governor reminded him of his omission, obtained
new warrant setting forth that certified copy of
the Indictment that had been presented to him, and
returned 10 this city fast as steam could convey
him. But he was TOO late, the prisoner had fed
The abotonists or "higher-law men," apprehend-
ing that he would be discharged under the first
warrant, had horse in readiness for him at the
courthouse door, and the moment the decision of
the Judge was made known Day fastened out of
court mounted the horse, and, accompanied bya
friend upon another charger, made rapid flight
through by-way from the city through an alley
leading from the Meodeon building, in an easterly
Observation-Disclosures cIndiana) Madisonian, Feb Is.
Switzerland.-A correspondent of the London
Times writing from Berne on the I'd inst, says
All the deputies from Ticino 10 the National
Council and Council of States at present assem-
bled at Berne, have recently had conference
with Nj. Frei Herosee, the president of the con-
federation, 10 consider how the question with
Austria may be arranged The result has not
transpired. The general opinion at present at
Berne is that the question is in the way Of ar
rangement.
Ii has been decided that two military camps
of review should be formed in August next; one
in French Switzerland under the command of
Colonel Bonsens, deputy for Vaud, and the other
in German Switzerland, under Colonel Zegler.
deputy for Zurich. The commencement of the
works on Swiss territory for the Geneva and
Lyons railway was lately celebrated by tste, at
which Cen Di,Hnnr S,,iss pIar ia,
chief and one OF fhe directors Of the company,
presided; and the members Of the Geneva govern
ment all attended. A conference had been held
at Berne, of deputies from the different cantons,
with view to the establishment of code of
commerce for the whole of Switzerland
Terrible Conflict with Burglars. - The
Philadelphia Ledger gives long account of an
attempted burglary on Saturday morning. A Mr..
Wright, living in South Ninth street, had his sus-
picions aroused by beggar, who represented that
he had travelled from Chester. He followed him
on leaving the house, and saw him Joined by
others. Mr.. Wright set his alarmbell, which in
due time gave notice of the entrance of the bur-
glars. He prepared himself by arming with a
spontoon and revolver, and attacked them three
in number. Strange 10 say, that although thus
armed, and after severe encounter, Mr. Wright
allowed the robbers TO escape, though some of
them were supposed 10 be wounded # fom traces
of blood discovered in the morning.
Great curiosity is excited from the circumstance
that few years since Mr.. Wright had a similar
encounter with some coored burglars, at which
time he was more successful, having captured one
of them himself; and afterwards three others con-
nected with the affair were sentenced TO ten wears
confinement in the penitentiary.
China.-The Register (Hongkong) Of Decem-
ber l3, says the John n. Gossler, an American
ship five hundred and fifty tons from San Fran
cisco, while outside of the harbor, was hailed by
junk. which proved 10 be Chinese piraical yes
sci. But for the energy of the passengers (many
OF whom were Chnese) in defending the ship, the
Gosser would have been taken by the pirates.
Considerable excitement has been created at
Shanghai by collision between party Of the
imperialsts and portion of the foreign residents
Ii seems several hundred Of the imperiasts pene-
trated into the foreign settlement on the night of
the nth November. in order to capture three
large guns, which were on the way from foreign
hong-a British mercantile frm-to the city, for
the use OF the insurgents. The volunteers, under
Vice-consul Wade and British marines from the
Spartan, mustered and rescued the guns, after
killing several Of the imperialists.