Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-06-19
PURSUIT AND RECOVERY OF FUGITIVE
SLAVES.

Pursuit and Capture Of a Kidnapping Schooner
-FIu5 Refugee SlareS RecOUered--HtenS Excite.
ntent.-Ourc city was yesterday evening the theatre
of the most intensely exciting event that has ever
transpired within its limits from the earliest to the
latest period of its history. The Juror was pro.
duced by the return of the schooner "keziah,'
Capt. VIM Il. Baylis, Of Brandywino. Delaware,
with five refugee slaves on board, under the con-
,voy of the %steam-tug "W. w. Townes," which
had been despatched from City Point in pursuit at
II m. with officer Daniel Butts, who was clothed
with all the necessary power to carry out the re-
quirenents of the case.
We will endeavor to give the circumstance at
tending the affair as infinitely and briefly as pos
sible. On Sunday morning it was discovered by
Col. I. W. Epes. proprietor of PowelPs Hotel
that two of his slaves, Sarah and Gilbert, had de-
campe8. At the same time it was found that
John Bull, Slave of Andrew Kevan, Esq, was
also missing; and. later, that Joseph Mayo, slave
of o. p. Hare, Esq, and William, belonging to
Oliver Hamilton, Esq, were likewise way from
duty at their respective homes, and not to be ac-
counted for. The police were early informed of
the matter, and on the morning of Sunday inves-
LEGATIONS we're Immediately but cautiously pro-
ceeded with. John Bull had been seen lettering
about the city wharf on Saturday evening, about
8 O'Clock, a short time after which the "keziah"
weighed anchor and dropped down below the
planning mill. Her destination was Newport
Del. with twelve hundred bushels of wheat from
Messrs. Thos. Branch & Sons, Of this city. The
''Kcsiah" had a bad reputation, its former cap
tain, brother to the present. having been suspect
ed of tampering with slaves, at this port, two
years since, and ordered never to appear at ouI
wbarfes again. The suspicion thus excited was
made the groundwork for operations.
On Sunday the motions of the craft were studi'
ously watched, but everything appeared quite I'M
indicative of guilt, and she was permitted to pass
down the river without Interference.
Yesterday morning however, officer Peterson
- - N-.F.l1.- - tlo 80 o.,a ,a az ~ :
Peck" with instructions to he on the Qut uire
At a late hour in the day. Andrew Kevan, Esq.
owner Of the boy John Bull, made affidavit before
the Mayor that he believed his boy to have beer
carried of in the schooner "Keziah," and succeed
ed thereupon in obtaining a search warrant, ant
the services of Capt. Butts. Messrs. John Kevan
Henry Pannill, and Col. Thomas W. Epse, ais
accompanied Capt, Butts, of the police.
At IL O'Clock the parties left for City Point. b.
the Southside Railroad, having previously chart
cred the "W. w, TONNES" which was then lyinj
at that place. A despatch had also been sent t
Norfolk, a steamer chartered and sent up the rive
TO detain the schooner in case it should be me
before being overtaken by the "Townes." A
City Point the company was joined by Mr.. j. S
Calwell, of this city, and Capt. Cook, of tn
Point.
The steamer being in readiness, the pursui
was commenced. and after little more than on
hours running, the suspected vessel appeared IL
sight and making way under full sail at her bes
speed, The steamer overhauled her in MingeI
Reach, about twenty six miles below the Point
when off ,er Butts and the party immediately
went aboard, and. after considerable difficulty
succeeded first in finding the woman slowed away
in the midst of a lot of bacon, under the cabil
floor, and dressed in male attire. The four mel
were afterwards found in the hold, secreted ia tn
wheat. the captain and mate still persisting, upol
each one being discovered, that there were non
others on board, the negroes followed the sam
rule with regard to their companions, all bein
found one by one.
Tho captain and mate comprised the whole crew
and yehemently denied. upon being boarded, tha
there were any slaves or any persons but then
selves in the vessel. The schooner was Forthwith
taken in tow, the captain and second mate, j
Simpkius. secured, together with the refugees
aud all placed on boari the steamer.
Arriving at City Point. a despatch reached tn
city conveying the gratifying intelligence of th
seizure Of the schooner, and stating that tn
steamer, schooner, crew and refugees would al
rive at @ p. m.
As soon as this became known. which was nc
until i've in the afternoon, crowds began to foe
upnn the wharyes, and by Elk the entire localit
WIS tense with an indignant and excited people
The Mayor, the Sheriff and several police officer
s~ppeared on the ground to prevent any act {