Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-09-08
Startling Scene in the Slave Case
Pennsylvania Aroused.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, Aug. 80,

PHILADELPHIA IHuIsudy, aug. oU, 1000.
Quite a thrilling scene took place in Judge
KeIly's Court to-day during the trial of the
Wheeler case. Yesterday the counsel for the
Commonwealth had it all their own way, and
their testimony went far to show that the wo-
man Jane was forced away against her will
that of Col. Wheeler was especially full and
circumstantial, to this effect In the absence
of the woman, the only person competent to
testify fully to the question of voluntarinesS,
the Colonel could afford to be particularly
strong but, presto in the midst of proceed
ings this forenoon Jane Johnson appeared in
court. She came escorted by an officer and
accompanied by Mrs. Mott, McKim, Miss
Pugh and Mrs. Plumby. She was put on the
stand, and her testimony utterly and entirely
destroyed that of Col. Wheeler and his wit
neSses. Her evidence was clear and just to
the point, reiteratlng in the most satisfactory
manner all she had said in her affidavit at New
York.
But it was a bold and perilous move on the
part of her friends, and the deepest apprehen-
Sions were felt for awhile for the result. The
United States Marshal was there with his
warrant and an extra force to execute it. The
officers Of the Court and other State officers
were there to protect the witness and vindicate
the laws of the State. Eandyke, the United
States District Attorney, swore he would take
her. The State officers swore he should not,
and for awhile it seemed that nothing could
avert a bloody scene. 1t was expected that
the conflict would take place at the door when
she should leave the room, so that when she
and her friends went out, and for some time
after, the most intense suspense pervaded the
courtroom. She was however allowed to en-
ter the carriage that waited for her without
disturbance. She was accompanied by Mr..
McKim, Secretary of the Anti-Slavery Socie-
ty Lucretia Mott and George Corson, one of
our most manly and intrepid police officers
The carriage was followed by another filled
with officers as a guard, and thus escorted she
was taken back in safety to the house from
which she had heen brought. Her title to
freedom under the laws of the State will hard
" again be brought into question.
Great credit is due to VIM. b. Mann, act
ing Encouragement, for the manner in which
he has behaved in this case. lie has done
much to vindicate the honor of the State and
the s~anctity of the court of which he is an
officer. Judge Kelly, too, has behaved with
great dignity and impartiality.
After the conclusion of the summing up
and speeches Judge Kelley charged the Jury
as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY: You are about
to conclude the trial of these men for riot and
assault and battery. Did these parties COM
nit a riot or an assault This case is very
important in it's relations, however trivial i'll
itself it has caused much excitement. You
and | ought to be free from this trust we
are. You must be satisfied of guilt beyond a
manly, reasonable doubt before conviction OF
these defendants. The legal statutes OF the
parties is a matter of inquiry in this case
The Judge read from the books the law upon
the case of riot, You must determine wheth-