The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-09-26
From Pickett's History of Alabama.
ARREST OF AARON BURR.

The courthouse of Washington county,
In the present State of Alabama, then
known as a part of the Mississippi Terri
tory, was in small village called Wake
heid, few miles west of the Tombigby
river. Here, late at night, in the month
Of February, 1907, Col. Nicholas Per
kins, o lawyer, and Thos. Malone, clerk
OF the court. were at game of backgam-
mon beside their cabin fire. Presently
the distant sound of horses feet attracted
their attention. The game was suddenly
stopped, and the players wondered who
were the riders at such late hour of the
night. The little cabin stood Immediate
~ on the highway, and the two travellers
rode near the door, and inquired if the
village contained a tavern. Being an
swered lin the affirmative, one of them In
quired if Col. Hinson lived in the neigh
borhood. He was informed that it was
seven miles distance to his house, the road
obscure, and difficult creek lay in the
route. Nothing daunted, the rider ea-
gerly sought Information as to fords, and
how to cross the creek. BY this time the
fin, replenished with light wood, threw a
blaze in the face of the traveller, nearest
the door. His countenance was highly
interesting. His eyes sparkled like dia-
monds. He rode splendid horse, with
fine saddle and holsters; his dress was
that of q very plain countryman, bnt be-
meath his coarse pantaloons protruded a.
pair of fashionable boots. His striking
countenance, together with the strange
mixture Of his apparel and equipage, pro-
duced in the mind of Perkins vivid and
strange suspicious; and as they rode of,
he remarked to Malone, That is Aaron
Burr
How. do you know?' az F3l
have read q description of him in the
proclamations, and / am certain tits he.
He must be apprehended Let us follow
him to Hinson's, and take measures for
his arrest
Malone demonstrated upon the folly of
such an expedition at SO late an. hour of
the night, and refused to accompany him.
The impulsive Perkins now walked up
Theodore Brightwell, the sheriff, then
asleep in an adjoining house. Both mount
ing their horses, they took the road to
{ CoL Hinson's. The night was bitter
cold and pine forest moaned and moaned
agAin the most lonesome and melancholy
sighs. ~ ssss % as
Hheetwo strangers reached Col. Hin
sonss in safety about eleven O'Clock at
night and hailed at the gate. The moon
was noweup, and Mrs. Hinson, rising from
her bed, saw through the window their
saddlebags and tin cups, and saw they
were trayeiers. She made no answer, be-
cause her husband was not at home. The
strangers went into the kitchen. where
large fire was still blazing. Perkins and
Brightwell shortly appeared in sight of
the dwelling. The former, recollecting
that the travellers had seen him at the
cabin, declined going into the house, but
sent Brightwell, whom he requested to re-
turn ito him at certain place in the
woods, after he had ascertained whether
the person was Burr or not. Mrs. Hin
son, recognizing the voice of the sheriff.
who was her relation, rose and opened the
door, saying how glad she was to see him,
as two strangers had stopped at the house,
and her husband being absent she felt
alarmed. Brightwell repaired to the
kitchen, found the mysterious traveller sit
ting by the fire, with his bead down, and
handkerchief partly concealing his face.