The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-11-04
More Outrngcs upOa Northern Free
men.


of great excitement at this time in consequence
Of repeated and gross violations Of The rights
and liberties of some of their citizens by Ken
lucky authorities. We have hitherto gwen a
brief account of the first outrages committed,
but nevertheless give the following statement
Of the whole transaction from the New Albany
Tribune of Oct. 25th:
On Saturday afternoon while nearly all our
citizens were out AT the Fair grounds, some five
or six ruffians from Louisville, protesting to be-
long 10 the police Of that city, made descent
upon our place, and kidnapped Capt. Horace
Bell, of Harrison county, Indiana, and BY force
of arms carried him into Kentucky, without
any authority of law whatever. That our read
ers may better understand the nature of this out
raae, and what led to it, we will briefly recapit-
ulate some circumstances that preceded it;
About year SINCE an old man by the name
of Bell, together with one of his sons, residing
in Harrison county, nearly opposite Branden-
burg, Kentucky were kidnapped and carried in
| to Kentucky on suspicion Of secreting runaway
slaves. There was no positive evidence going
10 implicate the Bells in anything of the sort
the information being given by miscreant,
who has several indictments for perjury hanging
over him. However, the mere suspicion was
sufficient to put the chivalry Of Kentucky in
motion. Accordingly q gang of ruffans from
Braudenburg, came over in the night time armed
with pistols, bowie knives and other weapons,
but no warrant Of law, and seized the Bells the
older one being seventy years of age. While a
portion Of the chivalrous Kentuckians were en-
gagged in securing the old man and his son, an
other portion of them stood guard over the old
woman and little girl, who were the only in
mates Of the house, besides the two kidns pped
Bells.
These gallant gentlemen, stood over our lady
with drawn weapons, threatening TO blow out
her brains If she made any resistance, and yet
she was too sick at the time to get out of bed
The Bells were hurried over the river and lodged
in tho Brandenburg jail, and there confined and
guarded as criminals of the darkest dye, for more
than nine months. The friends of Bell, from this
side Of the river endeavored TO have his trial
brought on, but this did not suit the convenience
Of those who were prosecuting; they were moi
ready. An attsmpt was made TO have them ad-
mitted to bail, but the Judge, in his wisdom saw
proper TO fix the amount at $4,000 for the two
an amount so excessive that they could not
give it. Col. Marsh, of Harrison county, who
had interested himself actively to procure the
necessary ball. was shot down in the streets ol
Byanienburg, in broad daylight, and his muir
derer was allowed TO make his escape, no doubt
with the connivance Of the citizens Of Branden
burg, This had the effect 10 intimidate Others
from making similar attempts to serve the pris
oners, and they had cheerless prospect bttors
them. although guilty of no offence against the
laws Of Kentucky, or Of the Union.
In the mean time Capt Horace Bell, and his
brother Jchn, who were residing in California
determined 10 return home to Indiana and re-
lease their father, or perish in the attempt, Ii
was noble and flial duty they undertook tc
perform, aud most galantly did they perform it
All honor 10 them for the deed, They could
have gathered around them q regiment Of gallant
I,,l, .hn anI 10 4
one stone upon another OF the Brandenburg jail
But they chose rather to undertake the work oi
deiiverance themselves. and not implicate Others
in the matter. Accordingly they weut over 10
Brandenburg III skif in broad day--went qu
etly and unoStentatiously to the prson--was ad
mitted to see their father and brother and in
very few minutes the whole four were on theil
way to the river, without any particular violence
being offered to any one, except tho little whole
some restraint imposed upon the lady who had
the Jail in charge.
They were soon in their skiH and rowing fo
the Indiana shore. Before reach midway OF the
Ohio, the whole population OF Brandenburg
seemed to be in motion, and rushing down to.
wards the beach. Capt. Bell nrose to his feet
and gracefully Saluted them with wave of his
hat. Those on shore soon opened upon him q
furious fire of pistols, shotgunS, muskets, &c.
This was compliment which the Captain we'll
knew how to return with interest, and he open.
ed upon them with his Dsrringer pistol-a six
shooter, that will kill man at half miIe dis
thnce, as easy as at ten PAGES. This had the
effect to disperse the crowd, most of whom touk
shelter in blacksmith shop, the doors of which
were pretty thoroughly riddled by The discharge!
from the skltf. And thus ended the second scent
in the drama.
Whether the Bells were ever indicted for this
summary Jail delivery at Brandenburg, we are
not advised but whether they were or not, this
kidnapping OF Captain Bell was none the leol
unlawful, outrageous and cowardly. We un
derstand, however, that pony purse was raised
by the high spirited chivalry Of Brundenbufg
and reward Offered for the delivery of Cant
Bell TO the public authorities of that county. -
What they propose to do with him after they
get him, we are at a loss to conjecture. He VIC
lated no law, either human or divine He sim
ply observed the scriptural injunction, to "oper
| the prison doors aud let the prisoners go free >
He broke open no doors, he forced no locks. Wha
he had to do he did quietly and in order and
then with commendable brevity took his leave
And now when they get him within theil
clutches, We are much mistaken if they dom
find themselves somewhat in the condition o
the man who won the elephant in q raflle-they
wont know what to do with him, unless they
glut their Vengeance by hanging him upon som,
tree In the neighborhood-a this it has beer
shrewdly limited they proposed to 10.
But this was no concern of the bloodhound.
who kidnapped him on Saturday. II was the
reward-the money-that excited their unsanc,
tihed cupidty, and impelled them onward to do
the deed What cared they about vindicating
the violated honor of the Common nweslth--with
them the love OF money was the governing phn
ciple.
These bIoodhounds Of Louisville had been seen
ProwlTs around for day wo, doubtless with