Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1857-08-28

Rich DoISGs At ELKTos-THH SHERIFF or
Cecil COUNTY IN DEMONSTRATING AND SELLING
A FnEE NEGRo.-A most high handed outrage,
recently perpetrated in Cecil county, has come
to light within the last few days. We have been
put in possession Of the full particulars of the
case, which are as follows Some time since a
negro prisoner escaped from the jail at Elkton,
aud John Poole, the sheriff Of the county, who
also fills the office Of jailer proposed to a colOred
boy named Talbot who turned out to have been
free, but who was then in his custody (haviug
been confined for disturbing religious meeting
in the vicinity OF Principio,) to assist him in
capturing the fugitive. Poole took the boy Tall
bott to Richmond, Va, and there offered him for
sale as slave; the boy stoutly protested that he
was free, told where he was from, with whom
he had formerly lived, &C., but the sheriff as per-
sistently succeeded in convincing the men with
whom he was dealing in Richmond that the boy
was a slave.
Some difficulty, however, arose as to Poole's
| ability to furnish the necessary documents and
papers to make the sale legal; he left Talbot
in custody at Richmond and returned to Elkton,
where il is charged he forged bill Of sale in
his favor, made out all the necessary papers, and
fraudulently procured the seal Of the county to
them. Thus armed he returned to Richmond
and sold the boy for the sum Of S1050; he re-
eeiyed $3.50 in cash and a check on a bank for
the balance. 1t being after bank hours, the
check could not be cashed that day, and Poole
und an accomplice named Beatty becoming
alarmed, left Richmond suddenly and came on
to the city, where the check was offered at the
banking house Of Messrs Johnston Bros. The
check was presented at the counter by Beatty
but as he was a stranger to the firm il was sug-
gested to him that it would be necessary 10
prove his identity; he started out to procure the
necessary evidence, leaving the check in the
hands Of the bankers for collection, they giving
him receipt for S90l,09 The suspicious Of
certain parties having been aroused, Beatty was
arrested on the charge Of being accessory to the
kidnapping, and the receipt noted above found
on his person this receipt is now in possession
Of Deputy Marshal Manly. Beatty was ut once
arrested, and is now in jail.
On Saturday night, Sheriff Poole was arrested
in Rlkton by officer Benny Of that place. on a
warrant charging him with kidnapping, issued
by Justice Gains. In virtue Of his office as
sherif Of the county, he has entire control Of
the jk;l at Elkton, and therefore to confne him
10 that building would have been to put him
under his own charge consequently, he is kept
conhned in private room in the town. II is
supposed that the Staie authorities will take
some measures for his safe keeping to day. as
whether guilty or innocent Of the charge thus
brought against him, he will be incapacitated to
act as sheriff until an investigation has been
had. We learn that Deputy Marshal Manly,
armed with the proper authority, left this morn
lug In the Southern train for the purpose of
bringing the boy Talbot back, IL it is possible
TO md him. shosld the charges brought against
Poole and Beatty be proven on them, thew will
suffer severely, as the laws Of Maryland come
down very heavily on the crime of kidnanpip0
-Bal Patriot,