The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-10-02


pnhllsh the iVilIwiAg statement in order 10
correct any false rumors or impressions which
may have been made upon the public mind !
Within the last year some eighteen or
twenty thefts. robberies and burglarles. have
been committed in the night time in the town
of Athens and vicinity. On the night Of the
18th inst. some person entered the dwelling
house of Col. A, II. Keith, by means Of a lad
der. and stole money from Col. Keith and
from gentleman by the name Of Ross, who
was there on visit. from Arkansas. They
also entered tie house Of Dr. John L Atlee
and stole thirt, or forty dollars fiom Capt,
zimmerman, WIN was boarier aud lodging
in the house. knew nothing more in rela
ti"n TO THU matter until my return hune from
Benton Court last Thursday evening. the
24ih. when via called upon byv n number
Of gentlemen VINO informed me that few
days before my arrival. Mr.. John Crawford
had sold neglo boy 10 this Mr.. Ross. who
had been robbed a few nights before ut Col.
A. ii. Kei,h's house, and tina, the boy run
Oft, Int Mr.. Crawford was TO send him To Mr..
Ross whenever he was caught-Mr. Rosr
having left for lis residence in Arknnsas.-
After this. or ah,ut this time. some suspicion
rested upon thisnegro boy as the person wh"
had committed, Or was concerned in commit.
ting, the hurghri-s in the houses of Co..
Keith AMI l'r. Alice. anl the hoy was caught
and. after heingwhiip-d. confessed that hr
was guilty. and 1t the same fine nhont forty
sine dollars was found concealed IN his pos
session-in his cent sleeves aud under the
lining of his ruat-n portion nf which money
could he aud was identified Ivy th"Se who lost
il. They also stated to ne that the boy was
then in Jail and would h" removed aud sent
away on the | O'Clock tram the following
day. unless he was arrested and prosecuted
These gentlemen, who were good worthy
citizens, desired the boy prosecuted and
wished To know d ne the law in relation to
slaves c"mmiiiin; burglary. in"rmed
them that the penalty against n slave for
such an oifense wis hanging, under the act
1919. and to constitute the oifrnse there
must be breaking and M entry in the night
lime into dwelling ar nalrion house, with
intent t" commit felony. This ! was in
formed Gould he established. aud some Of
these gentlemen aid they would prosecute
the case and desired me to attend To il, which
told them would do. On tn. morning Of
the 18th went II, ST. eet. and come twenty
or thirty persons. citizens ni my place and
county, called upn me not to let the negro
hoy he taken await without having his rase
investigated They sad WAS public Of,
teer and 1t was ny duty TO investigate his
case. The charg. against the hoy was
capital otfeTse, If rae. aud when no person
wonld procure a warrant 10 issue against
him, although every body who spoke to me
on the subje't desired it to be done. | had the
boy det.ined i'y tie sheriff just as they were
going 10 take him nut 10 sehl him off. done
this with II view Of having the boy brought
before II Justice ofthe Pence upon warrant,
and submitting u. proof, whatever il was.
against h,n,-if g,ilty, that he might he held
over to answer benre Court aud jury If the
country; and If nd. That he might lie dis
charg-l-which Ibelievei would satisfy the
demands Of the Law aud the feelings of the
community. | believed this TO be public
duty on my part. and did not have the re.
nlotest idea that any human being would oh
jeet to fair. constitutional, legal investiga-
tion of The high crime Of burglary charged
against the slave.
was passing the street, in company with
Mr.. John +. Slower, v hen Mr. Craw ford called
us to come to his store. We went TO Mr..
Crawford. and he Immediately commenced
abusing both OF us aud myself in particular,
for having the ba detained. lie was in II
rage an.l sail mny harl things. for which
did not hold himlersonaIly accountable on
account Of his aye and the kind feelings
had ,lways entertained Tor him; but asked
hun if lie took up Dr the negro aud he re.
piled, by Cd, have sympathy" liold
him he was wrongin % posing mn investiga
ton Of The charge that II the hoy was guilty
he ought to tie punished, AMI il not, lie would
lie discharged. eiiler Of which ought to be
satisfactory to all parties concrrned--ihat
after he had time b, reflect his better judS-
ment would disapIrove his course.
| went On, reuahlless of him, in the dis
charge al what conceived Ia lie my d"ty,
and had the boy thought into he Court house
under warrant, I. The Sheriff of the cnnn.
~, before James lhker, Esq who called IN
William II. Ballew, Esq. to assist HIM in th'
with the lroul which The citz-ns had called
my attention TO- nIl when about Ia enga-
N the trial al the case. Mr. John Crawford
made his appearance IN the C"nrl house with
large slrk in his hand and iii ecly com
mencrd using ontlt aud threats aud castins
insinuaIi ions al ME lie t"on u seat. IN "a few
minutes, h., The l.y aud said l." him, ~ my
p' esrnce aud hrarjng aud in The prr.enc"
aud hearing oi divers other persons, ''lmn':
you confess any thing. Cd d-n you. Let
them prove il. cd d-u them" After
had commenced the examination If the wit
nesses Mr. era ford continued 10 east his in
suits aud inslnuaIi"ns az ne until | saw it
was maniirsily his intention I" intimi'late Ire
aud bully the out of an honest discharge Of II
sworn public dn.y il possible. when ! arose
aud publicly denounced him. lie had his
lick and Thought MA In The act Of draw.