The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-07-25
The Hurst Robbery.


near Utica, mentioned in our last, created
so much excitement among our people that
we really hoped something like effective
measures would be taken to arrest the per-
petrators. Yet we cannot ascertain that
anything has been done. 1t is true, the
deputy sheriff and constable went to Utica
last Friday, satisfied themselves as to who
the robbers were, and tracked three Of them,
the ringleaders to the railroad. They also
ascertained that they had got off the cars
at Ottawa, and were doubtless concealed
somewhere about town. 4 miserable devil
was also arrested at the Spring Valley House
on suspicion Of having been concerned in
the robbery, and after an examination be-
fore Esquire Simmons, at Utica, was COM
mitted to Jail, where he is still confined
But what was done to arrest this man Ben
son, alias Clark, with his three accomplices,
who are supposed to have followed Hurst
from Michigan? They were whole day in
Ottawa, and at IL o'clock on Friday night
went to the depot, bought tickets for Chica-
go, and left on the cars. Where was the
sheriff or his deputy-was nobody at the
depot to arrest them? Even the ticket
agent recognized the men, and with hint
from the sheriff could have stopped them.
Six or seven more OF the robbers are said
to be hanging around the Spring Valley
House and UtIca. IL might cost few dol
1ar- 70, r;.I e.,
Mr.. Hurst is robbed of his all, and has no
money to fee sheriff., constab!es, &c, and
so the robbers are allowed 10 go at large.
But We may be doing the sheriff injustice.
day, and displayed great heroism besides.
At least we are so informed in the following
communication, which has been handed US
BY a friend who youches for the truth Of
what it AYERS:
Mr.. Eaitor:-It is just and proper that
the deeds of heroism and bravery Of men in
all ages should be recorded in the pages of
history, so as to give them that Immortality
of fame to which they are JUST entitled -
1t is not alone the high and noble of the
earth that are entitled to such distinction.
Sometimes in the humble walks of life and
in the discharge of our various duties, we
meet with heroic bravery that should be
placed in some niche in the Temple of Fame.
The one | am about to record, and is the OBJ
ject of this communication is one of this
character.
A few DAYS ago robbery was committed
on an emigrant in the vicinity Of Ottawa,
that Justly excited the sympathies and il
oT -hol>
LIANT sheriff among the rest, who, for his gal
liant bravery on that occasion, deserves this
notice. On Sabbath morning last he called
around him few brave and gallant men of
his own selection, and having heard, as he
sunnoscd of ii. cir whereabouts, he mounted
his men on po,,d seeds, with reyolvers, &C.,
for defence. The 81, ack.es with which he in
tended to secure the cu..;crits tied on the
pummel of his saddle, and al. being ready
and we'll armed they started IN pursuit
They had not gone far into the cCnntry be-
fore they discovered four men apparently
concealed in fence corner, in field. De-
ing fully satisfied that those men were the
ones they were in pursuit of, our gallant
sheriff, with revolver in hand, mounted
stump, and FIRST read the Declaration Of
American Independence, then cited them to
the sanguinary fields of Waterloo and Sebas-
topol, and urging the necessity of courage
and bravery on this occasion, he ordered an
advance, with shackles in one hand and
revolver in another, which he held behind
him, and after a caution to his men to be
careful, they advanced; our gallant, the
last to cross tie fence, and behold! they
captured four French citizens, quietly sitting
writing a letter to their friends in France
After satisfying themselves Of the innocence
of the captiyes, they were released, and our
gallant company resadd.d their horses and
came back to Ottawa, well satisfied with the
events Of the day, and bravely laid down to
rest. AMERICAN.