Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-12-14
Here Is the Truth.

y
ry about their last difficulty.
1t is dated Lawrence, Nov. 27th, and says:
Murder Most Foul. --
Our town was thrown into high state of
excitement on Thursday last by the intelli-
gence from near Hickory Point, in this Ter
ritory, that Chas. w. Dow, young man
about twenty-five years of age, was most bar
barously murdered by a party Of demons
who rejoice in the appellation of ''border
rufians." Mr.. Dow had been to q black
smith shop where several Of these demons
incarnate were congregated. One of them
drew rife on him, with threat to shoot
him on the spot, but finally set down his
weapon without injuring any one. Mr.. Dow
started to leave, and got away few rods
when his attention was directed towards the
shop by the explosion of percussion cap.
Looking around he received a charge of buck
shot in his bosom from wretch. named Col
man, and fell dead upon the spot.
An attempt was made to arrest the muir
derer, but he was secrcted by his pro-slavery
abettors, and escaped to Missouri. The peo-
pie will assemble on Monday and execute
summary punishment upon the entire party
who were present and accessories to the
murder, if they can be found. We wait
with anxiety for further developments.
The War Eegun.
TUESDAY, o'clock A NJ
Nov. q, 1855.
The above item of news was published in
our issue of Saturday last.
The meeting of the citizens alluded to
convened on the ground where the murder
was committed, and inquired into the facts
al length. The proof corroborates our state
ment that one of the most cold-blooded
murders on record had been committed by
+. n. Coleman as principal abetted by Har-
gus, Burkcly, Joseph Moody and Waggoner
as accessories before the fact.
A series of resolves were passed, com
mittee of vigilance was appointed to inves-
tigate the facts still farther, to search out the
offenders, and devise means to bring them
to justice.
Coleman and his party had fled.
The meeting continued in session till a
late hour and adjourned.
Between the hours of nine and ten o'clock
on the evening of Monday, Mr.. Jones, the
Sheriff of Douglass county, who received his
appointment from the bogus Legislature, at
tended by posse of fourteen others, visited
the house of Jacob Branson and arrested him
for security of the peace, ON the oath of a
couple of the abettors in the above transac-
ton. Mr.. Jones did not read, or even make
Mr.. B. acquainted with the character of his
warrant, but told him he must 90 with him
Immediately, or he would "blow B. to hell
in a minute"
Mr.. Branson lives near the scene of the
late murder and Mr. Dow made it his home
at Mr.. BIS house. This is probably the
height of his offending.1
The posse, with Mr.. Branson, proceeded
towards Lecompton, via Blanton Arriving
at the latter place, they were stopped by a
party of Mr.. BIS neighbors who had learned
of the arrest and followed him, and by a
nearer route headed them near J. B. Abb
bolts house, in Blanton. There were but
fifteen of the rescuerS. They threw them
selves across the road, and requested Bran
son to leave the party. He did so, although
ordered to remain with the posse, or he
would be shot down.
Jones dispatched an express to the Shaw
nee Mission for aid. He said the Governor
had given him the assurance that ten thou
sand men should be at his services immedi-
ately, if needed, and declared they should
be on the ground forthwith.
1t seems that Coleman on making his
escape fled to Gov. Shannon. What cheer
he received from that quarter we are not ad-
vised; suffice it to say that he made his way
to Lecompton, accompanied by guard to
keep him from being injured while passing
through Lawrence. The warrant was there
made out against Mr.. Branson, no doubt
with a view of affecting his credibility before
a jury.
The country is all on fire! Means are be-
ing employed to call the people together
A company are patroling the streets while
we write, and the soul-stirring drum is beat
ing to arms.
There is no doubt, ere the day expires,
an organized body, under the charge of the
sheriff, will be again upon the country
What action our people will take in the
premises we are not advised 1t is proba-
bic meeting of the citizens will be con-
vened this morning.