The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-11-05
The Report OF the Committee In the
Bell Case.

The Report of the Committee In the
Bell Case. :
The committee of the citizens of New Al
bany who went to Brandenburg to rescue
Capt Bell, have made the following report Of I
the negotiations which led to the release OF
Bell. and an amicable settlement of the I'M
pleasant affair: -r.s-< Il
rEf New ALBANY, Nov l, 1858.
MEssRs. EpIToRs: In compliance with
your request and that of many others, and
also to fulfill promise made to the citizens
| of Brandenl urg, KY, we herewith proceed
to give detail of the kidnapping of Capt.
| Horace Bell, and the circumstances attend
| ing his relief On Saturday, the 23rd uit-
mo, while most of our citizens were out at
the Fair grounds, Eve men from Louisville,
| KY, took Mr.. Bell from one of our principal
streets and by main force carried him to the
river. On the way, however, they present
ed their pistols at our citizens and ordered
them to stand back, proclailning that Bell
had committed a foul murder. They forced
him on the ferry-boat; the men aboard say |
that under threats they we're forced to pro.
coed with him across the river.
Such a proceeding at once aroused our |
citizens, and at the same time it was stated |
that the citizens of Br.ndenburg had offered ,
reward of 81 500 for the delivery of Mr.. |
Bell at that place, and that on delivery he
would be hung. Under such state ofthings |
our citizens were greatly excited. Many
propositions were made as to the best course |
to pursue. Not being able to determine
where Mr.. Bell was, nothing was done ua-
til they had evidence that Mr.. Bell was in
the Brandenburg Jail. On Monday evening
ourselves, with Others started for Brandon
, burg with the view of obtaining his release
, on the best terms we could, honorable TO
, the dignity of our State. At Tobacco Land
ing, some forty citizens of Harrison county
came aboard the boat, and the crowd divid-
ed some going by landto Brandenburg and
7. the balance by way of the river. When the
: party who went by land arrived at Branden-
burg, they found that Mr. Bell had been sent
: farther into the interior. They then pro-
ceedcd to the boat and reported the state of
affairs.
1t WAS then agreed that committee
;, should he sent to the town to make such ar
;, rangement for the speedy release of Mr.. Bell
= as would be honorable to Indiana and in
!. conformity with the laws of Kentucky. Ac-
. cordingly the boat was dropped down oppo-
- site Brandenburg, and ourselves, with others,
>. went ashore as committee. We were met
y by Judge Alexander William Fairleigh
- Clerk Of the county, COL Moremau, DIR.
- Brown, and Col. Buckner formerly of
- Louisville)H some other gentlemen whose
:, names we have forgotten. We stated to
i them that we had come on Il mission OF
= peace, and briefly stated to them the cause
;s and object. They informed us that Mr.. Bell
a was some distance from town, in the custo-
80 HI |, 6 al
VI violence, and assured us that none should be
J. done him. We then stated TO them that it
: was alI-important that something should be
IN done, and that speedily, to allay the existing
be excitement. If it was not 6oae, civil wal
~ would rage along the borders of the two
i. States, and the good feeling which had SC
a. long existed would be broken up. j. K
or Cannon said to them that he was proud tc
III say that in X entucky he first learned to love
70 his country an | its institutions. To her he
no was indebted for that love of liberty, justice
and Cancellation which he hoped would
characterize his after life. lie felt that h
was at home as much as if he had beCn il
Indiana.
OF These gentlemen seemed to appreciate thu
st, good feelings expressed towards their cit
en- zens and State, and replied that tley fel
=. under obligations to all Immediately con
liH rirrtr 10 restore and perpetual
m, the good feeling and friendship that had al
,n- ways existed, and to this end they woult
NJ use their best exertions 10 bring Mr.. Bell t.
a speedy, fair, and impartial trial, and re
Rd- quested us to remain with them until til
the examination.
hat We then repaired to the boat, and informe
md those left on the boat of our success
They were delighted with the prospect G
Us an honorable and speedy settlement of tn
as affair."
BY agreement the boat then rounded on
her and passed by the town giving three lon
~ and loud cheers for the citizens of Brandeu
iA' burg and Kentucky.
po- We remained until the examinations an
md were kindly invited to enjoy their hospital
lew ity, and we awaited ourselves of their kin
- invitations and we take much pleasure j
'"O saying that we were treated with marke
- respect and kindness by the citizens
as Brandenburg and vicinity, and while O
re- this subject, we take pleasure in saying I
his the citizens of Brandenburg, that wien an
of them pass our way, they will find or
i;''e "latch strings on the outside"
sed, On Wednesday, at IL o'clock, Mr.. Be
ex- was brought out for examination, but
bod court conld not be had Zone of the Justic,
having disqualified himself by expressin
wv his opinion IN advance), another Justice WI
sent for, but could not be had until Thur
de- day. When the examination look pIac
, in Mr.. Bell plead guilty for the purpose of tn
examination, and his bail was set at $3.50
ooN several of tie citizens joining in the bon
the Mr. Bell was set at liberty, and after payir
here his aged and in6rm mother a short visit,
wav returned with us to this city, from when
he was unlawfully taken. However, hefo
49, leaving Brandenburg, We would say, tn
many of her citizens accompanied us to Il
nore river, and as the steamer moved off, thu
q at gave three cheers for Capt Bell. ~
ngs Whatever may have been the cause
lich, these Bell difficulties, we are informed |
the the citizens of Brandenburg that they fc
Dies no disposition to prosecute them furthG
4 Die but are DESTROYS to live i'll peace ard let Il
! IN past be forgotten. This sentiment, we
line, lieve, will meet with a hearty response fro
her this side of the river. --.--
Is to May peace pre- 1ail, and every social Writ
aces cement u. JonS +. CAsKoN
Win Oscar GREGG.
Jung
len' EY- y fellow applied to the clerk of t