New-York daily tribune., 1858-10-29
THE LATE KIDNAPPING CASE.
kENTuChY against INDIANA.
BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION
Era.rA< .tAanu Tribsat. Oc,. :s


that city. mate !. descent upon our place, and kid
mapped Capt. Horace Bell of Harrison county, In
diana and by force OF arms carried MN mo hen-
tucky, without any authority Of law Whatever IAst
readers may better understand the pature o this
outrage, ana what led to il. will briefly reeaptu-
late some cir ,nmstances that preceded II:
AboD, year since an Old man by the name ~ beu,
together with of hrs sons residing 10 Harrison
County, nearly opposite Brandenburg kehtucky, wtre
kidnapped aud carried into keutncy on suspicion ot
secretirg runaway slaves. There no positive eyi-
derce going 10 inpicae the Bells in anything oi the
sort the information being given by nlscrcant, ~ho
has several 10 ictmeDS for perjury hanging over MN.
However, the suspicion sufficient to p't the
chiyary of Kentucky in motion. Accordingly gang
uf ruffians from Brandenburg came over 10 the nsht
time, armed with pistols, bowie knives and other
weapons but no warrant Of law, and seized the Bells,
the old, one being seventy years OF age. While
portion of the chivalrous kentuCkians were engaged
in securing the old and his son, another portion OF
them stood guard the old woman and little girl,
hp the only inmates OF the house. beside TIE
two kidnapped Bells.
These gallant gentlemen stood over our lazy win
drawn weapons, threatening TO blow ont her brains
she mace any resistance, and yet she was too sick
the time 10 get out OF bed The Bells were hurrled
over the river and logged in the Brandenburg jail ani
there confined and guarded criminals OF the darkest
dye, for more than nino m"nths. The friends OF the
B from is side of the river endeavurr have his
Trial brought on but this did no. suit the convenience
of those who prosecuting they were not ready.
An attempt made TO have them admitted to bail,
but the Judge in his wisdom, saw proper 10 fix the
amount at $4,000 for the two-a amount excessive
that they conld not give il. Col Marsh Of Harrison
County, who had Interested himself actively 10 pro-
the necessary ball. was shot down IN the streets
OF BrandeLburg, in broad daylight and his murderer
was allowed to make his escape, no doubt with the
aid and conbiyauce of tho citizens of Brandenburg.
This had tie effect to intmidae Others from making
similar attempts to serve the prisoners and they had
cherries prospect before them although gully Of DO
of-use against the laws of Kentucky of the Union.
In, 81. I'm "a Ep nd MA
brother John who were residing in California hearing
the condition of affairs, determined to return home
tn Indiana aud release their father, perish in the
attempt. Ii was noble and tilia duty they UNDER
took to perform and most galantly did they perform
il. All honor 10 them for tie deed. They could have
gathered around them a regiment of gallant lndi-
anians, who, if need be- would hot have left
stone upon another of the Brandenburg jail But they
chose rather 10 undertake the work of dellyerance
themselves, and not implcate others in the matter.
Accordingly, they went over tn Brandenburg IN a
skff in b. Dad day; went quietly and unosentatiouy
10 the prison; admitted 10 see their father and
brother and in a very few minutes the whole four
their way to the river, without any particular
violence being offered TO any one, except the little
wholesome restraint imposed upon the lady who had
the jail in charge.
They were soon in their skf and rowing for the
Indiana shore. Before reaching midway of the Ohio,
the whole population of Brandenburg seemed to be in
motion end rushing down toward the besch. Capt.
Bell arose to his feet aud gracefully sauted them with
wave Of his hat. Those on shore soon opened upon
him furious fire of pistols, shot-guns, muskets &c.
This compliment which the Captain well knew
how TO return with interest, and he opened upon them
with his Derrnger pistOl-a six-shOOter. that VIII kill
man at half mile distance easy as at ten PAGES.
This had the effect to disperse the crowd most OF
whom took shelter in blacksmith shop the doors of
which were pretty thoroughly riddled by the dis
charges from the skin. And thus ended the second
scene IN the drama.
Whether the Bells were ever indicted for this sum.
mary Jail delivery at Brandenburg, we are not adj
yis-d: but whether they not, this kidnapping
of Capt Bell was none the less unlawful outras eous
and cUwarily. We understand, however that pony
purse raised by the hgh-sprted chiyalry of Bran
deuburg, and reward was offered for the dellv-
cry of Captain Bell to the public authorities
of that county. What they propose to do with
Lin, after they get him, are at loss TO
con lecture. He violated no law, either human or
divine. He simply observed that scriptura inlunc-
iioD to open the prison doors aud let the prisoners
90 iTee. lie broke open doors he forced no locks.
What he had to do he did quietly aud in order, aud
then with commendable brevlty, took his leave And
now. when they get him within their clutches
mnch mistaken they don't find themselves somewhat
in the condition of the who won the elephant in a
raiiie-they won't know what to do with him, unless
they glut their vengeance by hanging him upon
tree in the ueghbOrhood and this has been shrewdy
d., as no con- the bloodhounds who
L;d'n,r .''ni on Saturday 1t was the rewarj--the
nor ey-tbat excited their unsanctifed cupidity and
iupeed them onward to do the deed What cared
they about vindcatng the violated honor OF the Com
moIwealth-wth them the love Of money was the
governing priDciI lie.
These bioodhounds of Louisville had been seen
prowng arOnnd for a day two, doubtless with the
view Of catching Capt Bell off his guard, when every
body shoul1 be out at the Fair and no present to
afford relief. They knew full well that Louisville
couldn't muster policemen enough 10 take hm, under
ordinary circumstances without legal warrant for his
arrest. Hence, coward like, they watched their oppor-
tuIity to sprir upon him when there were none to
resist. Even then had he been of their designs,
he would have rendered fearful account Of more than
half of their number before they could have captured
him.
1t may be asked why Capt. Bell did not keep him
self out of harms way, knowing he did,
that Il reward was offered for him. This is
planned. He had appointment to meet his sister
here who resides in Louisville, and he conld not
orego the pleasure of seeing her from the fear OF any
consequences personal to himself. After seeing his
sister, he accompanied her and his mother who i
Temporarily staying with her daughter, to the ferry
beat for the purpose of sending them back to Louis
ville He then returned 10 Main street and was hur
ivng down the to get aboard the stage for Cory
don when these Louisville covies sprang from their
hiding places and pinioncd him before he
of their presence. At the time they disarmed
him, and hurried him rapidly 10 the ferryboat,
nouncing they went TO the few who had been
attracted by the outrage, and who, unfortunately,
knew nothing Of Mr.. Bel, that he had been guilty Of
foul murder, aud they were anesting him for that.
In the mean time the boat had been kept in waiting
for the kdrappers aud their victim and 30 soon as
they could hurry board she cast of the cable and
left, although repeatedly warned by two Of our most
respectable citizens and of our City Council not 10
do 20. At the same time the mother and sister of
Capt. b., who the boat, implored with earn
cres and tear that the boat should not be pushed
of. But the oioers Of the boat obdurate. This
ferry. boat be- il remembered, belongs to Mr. Duck
well of Louisville, aud this hcaliless cOnduc, on the
pat Of bis employees We hope will BE- remembered by
our citizens.
On our return from the Fair Ground, about sun
down, a note wa. put in onr hands from Capt Bel,
stating the circumstance of his abduction AMI re-