Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-21
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.


away slaves, and an examination into it took
place at the guard house before Justice Nor
seil. The evidence was as follovs:
Samuel Morelsnd, being sworn. testified
that his fathers slave Runaway; that man
came to his fathers house and asked him if
ms boy had not runaway? be told him he
mad; the man then said the boy was In Penn
sylvanis, but could be got in two hours; wit
ness remarked that it vas long drive; the
mans name was Ovens; he said he would get
the boy Tor $50; my father told him he would
give Ann $3.50 if he caught the boy out of the
state; witness said he would not have any
one 90 where the boy was for a thousand dol
lars; witness came to town with Owens and
saw Brooks; Brooks said the boy was in the
country, but he would have him in the morE-
ing; Brooks and Owens consulted together;
they seemed to act in concert, Owens appa-
rently acting as runner for Brooks; witness
did hot 60 into Brooks's house, but got the
boy at the cars; Brooks brought him there;
Brooks told him (Moreland) that he knew
where the negro was but that it would mt do
70 get him IL that time; witness is son of Not
ley Morelsnd; negro's name is VIM Bell.
Thompson Nsilor sworn, said be went with
MOreland last Sunday evening to hunt for
Owens; found him at the Steamboat Hotel;
asked him about the negro Brooks came in
and said he had been acting abolitioner,"
and had an old negro working for him to catch
these runaway slaves; Brooks said he knew
where Moreland's negro was. but there was no
possibility Of getting him till morning when
We were at the cars in walked the negro and
We seized nm and I handcuffed him; il was
agreed that Brooks should walk in fret but
be did not
Owens was here brought in By Officer Viii.
hamson, AMI he was charged with harDoring
slaves
7. z. Ovens dsposed that he was directed
by Brooks to 60 to Mr.. MOreland and make
the suggestions or propositions he had mado.
The examination was postponed until noon,
and the accused were released on bail.
Whan the parties met at the office of Jus.
tice Morseii, At II IN Mr.. Martin appeared
as counsel for Mr.. Brooks and Mr.. Wharton
for the prosecution
Samuel MOreland being called,
Mr.. Martin objected to the evidence as far
as Ovens statements to the witness related 10
Brooks.
Mr. Wharton would not press MOrelaud's
examination at this time, but would call Mr..
Owens.
Mr.. Martin objected to requiring this wit
ness Owens to say anything ter ding to Grim
mate himself.
Upon this objection, long discussion en-
sued between Messrs. Wharton and Martin.
DIR. I. Nailor was then called by the prose
cutlon, and asked If he heard the confession
Of Owens at the guard-house.
Mr.. Martin objected to the confessions OF
Ovens as evidence against Brooks
Mr. wharton regarded this as the continu.
ance or an examination at which Owens had
admitted under oath, Voluntarily, that he
acted as the agent Of Brooks in this affair
The evidence Of Owens was already before
the Justice, and it did not now matter whether
ne made the statement or not, he should bring
sufficient evidence ID justify the trial Of this
cause before a higher court
Mr.. Martin said he had heard no confes
LESSONS of Owens, and did not know what he
had declared, but duty to o client required
nm to use all advantages that he discovered
justice Morseli said that the statement of
Mr.. Ovens, made under oath, was before him.
and he cOnsIdered himself In duty bound to
consider il as evidence
j. COrteney sworn Il think have seen
that man (the runawayl before think saw
him al Brooks; could not swear he was the
same maa; think Friday night was the last
time / saw him there; / saw him several
times l board there.
Thompson Major recalled. Brooks told me
be could get the boy ne had him at an old
negro mans place the negro man worked for
him (Brcoks) in that business he asked me if
they caught him at his house would they say
anything with references to catching him there;
told him no f; when we got the negro he 1.-THE
negrO) came into the depot by himself; Brooks
was TO have come in first bat he did not.
J. y. Yates swOrn.-On Saturday Mr.. Books
came to my house, Steamboat HoteI and
asked for Owens; l told him he was at tho
stable; meanwhile Owens came in Brooks
said TO him he knew where the negro was and
told him if he would see about the reward he
would get him he (Yate.) didn't understand
the arrangements.
Samuel Morelsnd re-called-I did not re-
fuse to Fay the reward; don't know that the
negro was delivered up at all; no came by
himself.
Motley MoreIand sworn AT my house
Owens asked if had not lost a servant, told
MN had he asked me what | would give
Tor him; / told him il was advertised; he
said : We have seen that, but We would not
look at il he then said - he's in Fennsyl-
vania, but We could have him here to- night"
but wouldn't take the trouble for the reward
offered; l then said, that's q long distance,
but my son can GO With you and get him With
out trouble, he said he would not have il
known where he was for ten thousand dollars;
promised to give him the two amounts men,
toned in the advertisement, making one hun
dred and fifty dollars, if he caught him and
put him in Jail.
Joseph Williamson Officer, sworn-When
the boy was taken out Of Jail, where he had
been placed on being caught at the cars, /
went With him to Brooks house; he described
the premises to me, and taking his explana-
lions went TO work and succeeded in csptur-
ing another man there, a runaway, who is now
in Jail; he has been identified by the agent OF
his owner, and retained by his authority; 1
also got sundry goods, consisting Of thread,
galter tops, and pistols; | got the goods from
shed in the backyard
Martha Riggs sworn for defence have
stopped at Brooks five weeks on Monday last
never saw this man there except last night
William, the one now In Jail, was often the 70
have known him ell my life William makes
use OF the shed where the goods were found
The evidence here closed, and Mr. Martin
demanded the dismissal of the eases on the
ground Of its inSuffciency.
Mr. Wharton reviewed the evidence and ar.
gued that 1t was apparent from it that the ne
ward
Justice horssll said that the case wa. one
OF some Importance srt required fair and
Impartial hearing He hoped he had been
able 10 give II such hearing in this its prs.
hminary stage The evidence before him be
thought sufficient to justify him in holding
both Brooks and Owens to bail for their an.
thu criminal