Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-11-22
Arrest of a susnec,ed Insurcent.

1t has already been mentioned that DR.. VIM
A. Palmer has been arrested at Memphis, Tenn,
on suspicion of being connected with the Har-
per's Ferry business. The Memphis Enquirer
says:
1t seems that Palmer has been resident Of
this vicinity for humber of years past; that he
married lady residing near town, but procured
divorce some months since on account of do
nestle difficulties, and has since that time board.
ed at the BEDFORD House, where lie was arrested.
Palmer is man about 40 years of age, very re-
spectacle in appearance, five feet eight inches in
height, slightly STOPPING, and hesitates somewhat
in his Speech
1t appears that some two weeks ago, during
the excitement of the Harpers Ferry insurrec-
ton, gentleman, seated in railroad car be
tween Baltimore and Philadelphia, on his way
- New York, observed man on seat near him
closely muffled, appearing to use every means
possible to prevent recognition, and shield him
self from observation. On the arrival OF the
train at station, the man hurredly gathered up
and left the car. The attention OF the gentl>
man who had previously noticed his inovemen
was attracted to a number of letters and papers
on the floor beneath the seat, which had acci-
IDENTIFY been dropped In his haste. lie gathered
the papers, with the view of handing them to the
owner, but the G. at that moment starting, he
was obliged to nin to his scat, with the docu-
merts in his possession. They proved to be two
letters and small memorandum. This being, as
stated, at the time when the whole community
was aroused to the movements OF the lnsurrec-
ton, the defeat and Imprisonment OF its leader,
and the letter being addressed to John Brown,
connected with the suspicious movements OF the
man in whose possession they had been, excited
his curiosity not little. The idea flashed on
his mind that he had in his possession something
which would throw light on this subject. he
accordingly perused the open letter, which great
ly confirmed his suspicious. On his arrival IN
New York he addressed Gov. Wise, of Virginia,
an anonymous letter, enclosing the documents,
stating the circumstances connected with hspos-
session of them, and his suspicion. On their re-
ceipt Gov. Wise Immediately forwarded them to
Gov. Harris, who thought the matter of sufficient
Importance to demand an Investigation: Heac-
cordiugy dispatched John q. Bufch, of Chatta-1
nooga, to this city, who arrived some time last
week, and after various inquiries aud investiga1
tons arrested Palmer as previously stated.
The court room during his examination was
densely crowded, and great deal of excitement
YVES manifested. After thorough examination
into all the facts of the case, Palmer was requir-
ed to enter into bonds of 81, 500 for his appear
ance at the District Court, in default of which
he was committed to prison. -
The letters were addressed respectively to
Captain J. Brown, Harper's Ferry, and to YIN.
Horner, the former being signed by Lawrence
Thatcher, and dated Memphis, October s, 1868,
the latter by Mary Horner, at Chambersturg,
October 30, being an entreaty that William, her
husband, would not go to Harper's Ferry The
writer of the letter signed Lawrence Thatcher,
and addressed to Captain Brown, says 81 have
just completed my tour through the Southern
State }, and am now on my way to Kentutky.-
In my last letter to you | mentioned That
should gives the States of Tennessee and Arkan-
sas thorough securing. did SO, aod an sat-
isfed that of all the States in the South, Tenes-
see and Arkansas are the best fitted to make the
first strike H." He also states that On arriving
at Memphis he had an interview with Palmer,
who syHpathi2ed with Captain Brown. He
(Palmery had made arrangements to take five
hundred or thousand slaves off to the swamps
of Indiana. That he had friends in Cincinnati
who had promised to have oneof the largest and
swiftest steamers on the river sent to tie up and
wait for them at the mouth OF the Hatchie river,
under the pretence OF undergoing repairs.