Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-10-28

Bell, OF Harrison county, Indiana, and by force
of arms carried him into Kentucky, withou; any
authority of law whatever. That our readers
may better understand the nature of this out
rage, and what led to II, we will briefly recspi-
tuiate 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
into Kentucky on suspicion Of seereting runa-
way slaves. There was no positive evidence
going to implicate the Bells in anything of the
sort, the information being given by misere-
ant, who has several indictments for perjury
hanging over him. However, the mere snspi-
cion was sufficient to put the chivalry Of Ken
lucky in motion Accordingly gang of ruff
fans from Brandenburg, 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 portion OF the chivalrous Kentuckians
were engaged in securing the old man and his
son, another portion of them stood guard over
the old woman and little girl, who were the
inmates of the house, besides the two kidnapped
Bells.
These gallant gentlemen stood over the 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
the Brandenburg Jail, and there confined aud
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 dill not suit the convenience
of those who were prosecuting they were not
ready An attempt was made to have them ad-
mitted to bail, but the Judge, in his wisdom, saw
proper to fix the amount at SIC, 900 for the two
an amount so excessive that they could not give
ii. Col. Marsh, of Harrison county, who had in-
terested himself actively to procure the neees-
sary bail, was shot down in the streets Of Bran
denburg, and his murderer was allowed to
make his escape, no doubt with the aid and con-
nivance of the citizens Of Bradenburg. This
had the effect to intimidate others from ma king
similar attempts to serve the prisoners, and they
had cherries prospect before them, although
guilty Of no oiiense against the laws of Ken
tucky, or of the Union.
In the meantime Capt Horace Bell, and his
brother John, who were residing IN California,
hearing of the condition of affairs, determined
to return home 10 Indiana and release their
father, or perish in the attempt. 1t was q no.
bic and filial duty they undertook to perform,
and most gallantly did they perform it. All
uOlOI 70 luGlu utcu. uCl CouAN uANt
gathered around them a regiment Of gallant In
dianians, who, if need be, would not have left
Que stone upon another of the Brandenburg
Jail But they chose rather to undertake the
work of deliverance themselves, and not impl
cate others in the matter. Accordingly they
went over TO BrandenbuTg in skiff, IN broad
day-went quietly and unostentatiously to the
admitted to see their father and
brother, and in very few minutes the whole
four were on 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 skiff and rowing for
the lndilna shore Before reaching midway Of
the Ohio, the whole population of Brandenburg
seemed TO be in motion, and rushing down to
the beach Capt Bell arose to his feet and
gracefully saluted them with wave of his hat
Those on shore soon opened upon him furious
fire of p stOls, shot guns, muskets, &c. This
was a compliment which the Captain well knew
how to return with interest, and he opened up
on them with his DeFringer pistOl-a six shoot
er, that will kill man at half mile distance,
as 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 discharges
from the skiff. And thus ended the second
scene in the drama
Wheather 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 Capt. Bell was none the less
unlawful, outrageous and eowar1ly. We un-
1erstand, however, that pony purse was rais-
ed by the high spirited chiyalry of fBrandenbJrg,
and reward was offered for the delivery Of
Capt Bell to the public authorities Of that
county. What they propose to do with HIM
after they get him, we are at loss 10 conjec-
ture He violated no law, either humIn or
divine He simply observed the seriptural in
junction, TO "open the prison doors and let the
prisoners 90 free" He broke open no doors,
he forced no locks What he had to do he
did quietly and in order, and then with COM
mendable brevity took his leave. And now
when they get him within thei- clutches, we are
much mistaken if they don't find themselves
somewhat in the condition Of the man who won
the elephant in a rafiie-they won't know what
to DO with him, unless they glut their vengeance
by hanging him upon some tree IN the neighbos-
hood-and this it has been shrewdly hinted they
propose 10 do.
But this was no concern of the blOOdh0unos
who kidnapped him on Saturday. 1t was tie
mOney-that exited their unsanc-
tilted cupidity, and imPelled them onward TO
10 DO the deed. What cared they about yindl
eating the violated honor Of the Commonwealth
with them the love of money was the gov
eIning principle
These bIoodhounds Of Louisville had been
seen provlinr around for day or two, doubt
Iess with view Of cathing Capt. Bell off his
guard. when every body should be out at the
Fair, and no one pres It to afford relief. They
knew full well that usyille couldn't muster
policemen enough TO take him, under ordinary
without legal warrant for his
arrest. Hence coward ike, they watched their
TO spring upon him when there
were none 10 resist Even then, had be been
a ware Of their design, he would have render
ed a fearful account of more than half their
number before they could have captured him
1t NAV be asked why Capt. Bell did not
keep himself out Of harms way, knowing as
be did, that a reward was offered for him
/ his is soon explained. He had an appoint
ment 10 meet his sister in Louisville, and ne
could not forego the pleasure Of seeing her from
the fear Of any consequences personal to him.
self After seeing his sister, he aceompan
led her and his mother (vhO is temporarily
staying with her daughter) TO the ferry boat for
the purpose Of sending them hack to Louisville
He then returned to Main street. and was hur-
rying down the same to get aboard the stage for
Corydon, when these Louisville covies sprang
from their hiding places and PiniOned him before
he was aware Of their presence. At the same
tine they disarmed him. and hurried him nap
idly 70 the ferry-bOat announcing as they went,
u the few who had been attracted by the out
rage, and who had unfortunately knew nothing
of Mr.. Bell, that he had been guilty of foul
murder, and they were arresting him for that.
In the meantime the boat had been kept in
waiting for the kidnapPers and their victim,
and so soon as they could hurry on board, she
cast off the cable and left, although repeatedly
warned by two Of our most respectable citizens
and one of our City COuncil, not to do so. At
the same time the mother and sister Of Capt. B.
=. .u.-, On The hnat innnInrad With earnnst